My Ultra has about 5400 miles on it now. I've already changed all 3 fluids once and I can totally adjust the clutch myself. According to the manual it looks like everything else the dealer would do is check a bunch of nuts and bolts for tightness. I don't plan on paying for the 5,000 mile service. Am I missing some obvious reason why it should go into the dealer?

 

You are good. Don't waste your money.

 

Had the dealer do 1k service on my 14 sgs, then 5k service I just changed all 3 fluids myself, think all the other 5k service items are visual and fastener checks

 

nope, you are good to go

 

Well, not exactly. There's more to the standard service than a simple oil and filter change. While you're perfectly ok to do your own service, it's in your best interest to document that you did it.

Go to a web site like the link I provided, download the appropriate checklist, check all the little boxes, date it, sign it, staple the receipt for the oil and filter to it, and file it. Or, write it in your owner's manual.

Try this one:

https://www.harley-davidson.com/cont...schedules.html

 

Check those critical fasteners!

 

You will be fine doing it yourself. No need to overpay the dealer.

 

Check those boxes off. Over the coming years you'll be amazed at how many bolts will try to work themselves loose. My personal favorites are the shifter linkage bolts to catch you off guard at an inconvenient time.

But yeah, you can do the same visual check that a dealer does for you (and you'll be more careful doing it too.)

 

No reason you can't do it all your self. take you time go over the entire bike. Changing oil and lube is the simple part. All you are due for is engine oil change. Other than if the bike sets a lot or rides really short trips there is no reason to change primary and trans.
I put on a lot of miles so most of the oil/lube changes are done at home. been at it long enough the other services are no big deal either. I do take my bike to Dealer once or twice a year for something I may not wish to mess with and have them go over it . I know many here hate dealers but they do know their stuff and can find things we miss.
Every year We take a trip of 2 weeks that is 3,800 to 5,000 miles. It often works out that around that time I may be ready for something like a rear tire or brake pads I will run it in about 2 weeks to a month ahead of the trip for a look over.
Bad mouth dealers all they want 20-60 K a year and none of my rides have had any of these issue we read about everyday.

 

Do it yourself....

Or, depending on where in Texas you are, I'll do it for you WAY cheaper than a dealer.

Documentation is important, it's not hard to read the Service Manual, and develop an Excel file duplicating the information.

That's exactly what I did, my sheet runs out to 50k, but it's not hard to see the pattern, and duplicate farther.