My short DIY M8 service story. *BONUS Primary Vent*
Lots of negativity on forums, especially the M8 section as of late, thought I'd share my experience.
To start, I'd rate my mechanical abilities somewhere around 4-5/10. I change oil, rotate tires, and swap suspension bits occasionally.
I just hit 7900 miles on the bike and wanted to change the oil. Figured I'd change all the fluids so I can ride the rest of the year in comfort. Also wanted to do the primary vent even though I don't have issues (yet?).
I called the local Harley dealer and they wanted $580 for fluids + primary vent install. Now, I'm all for paying for quality service, but I also have a wedding to pay for so I figured I could save a little money doing it myself so I started buying stuff:
1. $110- Redline fluid kit. Oil, Primary, Transmission, and K&N filter.
2. $100- Harbor Freight motorcycle lift
3. $36- Primary Vent kit from Surdyke
4. $3- 11/32 drill bit
5. $27- Hex set + universal oil filter
6. $8- 6 pack of Spotted Cow TOTAL---- $284
All in all, minus the wait time while I waited for the fiance to bring home the hex tools and oil wrench, the entire service took me about 3 hours at a very leisurely pace. Drilling into the bike made me a bit nervous, but honestly it's almost impossible to screw up.
So, to make up for the money I saved, in true me fashion, I bought myself a Hogworkz LED headlight so I can ride in comfort on my nightly ride into work
It does make you feel good to do your own wrenching... let alone the big bucks you save by doing it. I've started doing my own as well. I've got a Service Manual and some mechanical skills, but I'm not a technician. I'll do what I can. but leave the critical stuff to the pros. I recently installed a set of 14" apes. It went without a hitch and I saved a ton of $. I think HD wanted something like 8 hours at $120/hour. I enjoyed doing it and the savings will pay for a cam one day.
Collecting the proper tools, including torque wrenches, is the key. The SM and YouTube are your friends.
It does make you feel good to do your own wrenching... let alone the big bucks you save by doing it. I've started doing my own as well. I've got a Service Manual and some mechanical skills, but I'm not a technician. I'll do what I can. but leave the critical stuff to the pros. I recently installed a set of 14" apes. It went without a hitch and I saved a ton of $. I think HD wanted something like 8 hours at $120/hour. I enjoyed doing it and the savings will pay for a cam one day.
Collecting the proper tools, including torque wrenches, is the key. The SM and YouTube are your friends.
You're going to love that LED head light.
And don't go cheap on the Torque Wrenches -- Harbour Freight is not your friend for those. A cheap torque wrench can be very expensive after the fact.
I am with you on the saving money part and after the oil change this week at the dealer, have a shaking issue that I wanted checked under warranty and an inspection, I am doing the rest as I always do and did on my other bikes. If I didn’t have an issue with a warranty I would just buy the oil change kit and spend a few hours and save
I just took care of bad reverse motor on my '15 TriGlide. Cost $179 at a local auto electric shop. HD quoted me $2100 to replace or $800 to rebuild. Worst part was laying on floor to pull motor. Using OP's reasoning, I've got about 2 grand to spend on upgrades... 😁
09-07-2019, 07:35 AM
My short DIY M8 service story. *BONUS Primary Vent*
