Well that might be what it cost where you live, but that's not what it costin the Phoenix area. I paid $330 a year ago for the 1K and I furnished the Redline Shockproof Heavy for the tranny and now I see that it's $345.00 at the stealer nearest to me for the 1K and 5K so I guess $220 is a bargain. I'll dothe 5K myself so I know it's done right. Also, what would make you think that just becausean automobile dealer or Harley dealer itemizes and checks off those items that they actually did them.

 

Good point. I guess that I was thinking that if each item had to be listed and checked off like a punchlist that it might be more difficult for a tech to just blow them off when he has to slap his name on the bottom of the sheet. Maybe I am too optimistic. If I were a wrench I would want people to come back and ask for me... not complain about me...

As for the cost... I learned something yesterday. I paid $220-230 for the 1,000K service out the door. Yesterday I stop at the next closest dealer and they have the 1,000 mile service on the board for $289- just for labor... not including the cost of parts (oil, gaskets, o-rings, etc..)

I guess no 2 dealers are alike which is a shame. That kind of stuff should be standard accross the board. Maybe not the price of oil because that is different everywhere, but at least the labor charges.

 

The stealer's got a new boat he's paying for.

 

I do all services and work myself, always have. I have a co-worker though that takes it back for all services, bought a new bike early this year and has had the 1k and 5k services done to the tune of $650 total for both. This is absolutely outrageous. If you do the work yourself though you need to be meticulous though about checking all fasteners and lubing all moving parts.

I do understand though sometime the one to three day scheduling. If someone breaks down from out of town on a trip, I think a dealer should, and most do, take that bike in ahead of others and get the folks back on the road. You would wish for the same if it was you.

 

Got my 1K service on Friday....$237 with non-synthetic fluid, and I got a free t-shirt. They did a pretty good job washing the bike except now my gas gauge has water in it .... [:'(]

 

Much beyond that, you'll need the tools that the H-D techs get from the factory. Plus you have no access to service bulletins (same as an independent shop), etc.

Any specialty tools can be bought from Mac, Snap-On, or Matco. These tool manufacturers have local distributors everywhere. As for the Technical Service Bulletins, if you ask the service writer at your local stealer, they will usually print you a copy. If there's a specific task you're doing and you want to know of any TSB's, just ask. Get the service manual and the repair DVD and almost anyone can do most repairs themselves. These bikes are not that hard to work on. If you're not sure, or the bike's under warranty, let the dealer do it. Any time I can perform a repair, I do it myself. I know its done right, and my money's better in my pocket than in their's...

 

$220 for my 1k service, the adjusted everything that wasn't adjusted properly from the factory or just broke in. Replaced some clutch parts, oil and inspection, just felt better for it. Just got the 5 k service done, happened to stop by on a Sunday afternoon they replaced a fraying throttle cable under warranty, did the usual inspection as I watched them with the check list right next to me. Changed the motor oil out both times when I got home, removed the HD junk and put in the Mobil V and Mobil 1 gear oil, used the ride home to flush out the engine with the HD oil, admittedly I am **** about clean quality oil. Over all its good to get a second set of eyes on the bike, especially if they are experienced and know what they are doing.

 

PS I dont let them wash my bike, thats my ritual and I dont know how dirty their rags might be.

 

When I had my E-Glide 1k service done I stood there and watched the mechanic, he basicly took the bike apart looking for loose stuff. The bags came off the outer fairing ,seat, lubed and adjusted everthing. I didn't want to hear the dealers crap that I didn't bring it in for the 1k service if there was a problem latter on.

 

I do have the dealer do the service on my bike more as a convenience than anything else. I can get an appointment two days in advance, drop the bike off the night before (I could do it in the morning but that is hard for me), and pick it up on my way home from work. The bike is always clean and the stuff is done right. I can do it myself but I have a racecar to take car of and it occupies almost all my free time.