Hey everybody, I'm just getting my first Harley, 02 Electra Glide and I want to get the bike checked out before I ride it 500 miles home. The bike hasn't been started for a year and the battery wasn't being tended either. When I bring it to the shop, what should I have them check out or do. Your help is appreciated from this newbie.

 

Sweet ride! Welcome to TEAM BATWING. I ask them to do a complet detailed service on it. You will want them to make sure all fluids are changed, check for leaks, check the tires, new plugs, new gas/ fuel system check, replace battery, check for loose wheel bearings, broken fairing mounting brackets, lube all cables, clean and put die electric grease on ALL connections, check clutch wear and adjust, brake system check, check drive belt for wear and adjust, If you take it to the dealer, they are going to make sure its road worthy and your wallet is going to take a hit. I am sure there are things I have missed but that should about cover it. How many miles are on it? Does it appear its been taken care of? Did the previous owner keep maintenance records? Good luck with your new bike, she is a beauty. Stay safe out there.

 

If you don't know much about what you are doing, then a dealer inspection of the bike is probably the best option for you. That said, every dealer service bay will be different. Some are thorough and some are not worth a ****. I hope you get a decent one that really looks over the bike.

Before riding it 500 miles home, my main priorities for inspection would be:

-tire condition/tire pressure
-absolutely change fluids in all three holes
-bleed brakes/new brake fluid
-check all lighting and signals for proper function
-replace battery since prolonged discharge has likely damaged the normal internal chemical reactions
-replace front fork oil
-check rear air shocks for leaks and proper pressure
-have them adjust the clutch (they can do this easily when changing primary oil)
-thorough inspection of wheel bearings...to whatever extent they believe necessary
-check brake pads for wear and replace if close to wear limits
-check steering head bearing for play and adjust

These are the items I would see as a priority to get you home safely.

 

How many miles on the clock?

 

There's around 60k, the bike was my pops. This was his California bike since he lives overseas. It's been taken care of but just hasn't been started in a while.

 

If you're not a Harley wrencher, take it to a dealer and have them go over the bike. The money you spend will be worth it....consider it an investment in making sure it's good to go.

Good luck and ride safe.

 

There are some pretty thorough recommendations to this point and you can't go wrong following them... But if it was me, I'd give it a quick visual look-over, check the oil levels, tire pressures, and then ride it around the block. If everything feels ok on the quick local test ride, then ride it home. Once you get it home you can give it a more detailed inspection and servicing.

 

Thanks for the help, I am not too mechanically inclined, so that's why I want the dealership to make sure everything is ok before I ride it from Oakland to Los Angeles

 

When you have it gone over, be sure they check the cam chain tensioners for wear. `02 Twin Cam engine needs these checked!