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Dec 14th, 2008, 02:28 AM
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#1 | | Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
| Bike Maintenance questions
Hi guys, I'm new to this site and was after some tips on maintaining my new bike.
My Father passed away a couple of months ago, and I'm not gonna sell his Harley, so I've convinced Mum to let me keep it 
I don't know a great deal about Harleys, only what I've picked up off my dad, I have a motorcross background. It's a 2002 night-train.
What are some of the things I need to look out for maintenance wise? Any help would be greatly appreciated, no matter how obvious, simple or complex. I wanna keep his bike in A1 condition mechanically and aesthetically.
Thanks in advance | 
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Dec 14th, 2008, 03:55 AM
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#2 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,211 Interests: Anything outdoors (climbing, backpacking, fishing, Mtn biking, riding) Occupation: Chemistry teacher
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First off, Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear about your loss. I hope someday to own a Traun, its a beautiful bike. Make sure you keep up with the service intervals in the owners manual and if you don't have one get the manual. It's the best 65 bucks you'll spend. It'll help you with all the little adjustments/repairs you'll need to perform. Again welcome aboard... | |
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Dec 14th, 2008, 09:56 AM
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#3 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,074 Model: 09 Ultra Classic, 01 Heritage Springer Interests: Motorcycles, camping, fishing, old cars, flintlock muzzleloaders Occupation: Home Inspector
| Lukebee sorry to hear about your loss I know how tough it can be to loose your Dad. I don't know where your from but to add to the good advice from the previous post keeping the bike in a garage out of the weather when not in use is also a great idea. Learn all you can about the bike and it will help in maintaining it.
__________________ 
His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.
The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function .... OUR job is to arrange the meeting."
One Nation, One Flag, Love It Or Leave It
Riding my Harley is like being on a journey that never seems to end | 
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Dec 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM
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#4 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 746
| Lukebee, sorry for your loss. Seeing that you're familiar with bikes you know about keeping the fluids fresh and the fasteners snug. As previously mentioned the best money you'll ever spend on the bike is the shop manual. Been very helpful for me, I'm sure I won't be making my living spinning wrenches. Sooner or later some really knowledgable guys will chime in on the maintenance department but I'll leave you with something I learned years ago about riding Harleys. The bikes I rode previous were Sportbikes and I figured a Harley with that big lazy v twin was a relaxing ride that basically you could pop it in any gear and ride off. I spent some time lugging the motor before I finally figured out how to ride it. They really hate to be lugged..doesn't do them any good either. I have an RZ 350 that is more forgiving on being in the wrong gear than my Electra Glide. Another thing I learned the hard way was not letting the motor warm up enough before I rode off. This was with an Evolution motor but I went through some base gaskets before I learned not to ride off untill the top of the rocker boxes were warm...no problems after that. I don't know if the twin cams are as sensitive or not but I still do it and this Electra Glide is bone dry all over.
I don't know if your moto was a dry sump or not but on your Harley it takes a bit of a ride before you get the oil hot enough to change it..learned that one the hard way too. Good luck with it.
Sleepy | |
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Dec 15th, 2008, 09:44 PM
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#5 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central Valley, CA
Posts: 255 Model: 2005 RoadGlide, 1996 RoadKing, 2005 Delu Interests: Motorcycles, Grandkids Occupation: HD Service Tech
| Sorry for your loss brother, but you know he's riding and looking over your shoulder everytime you throw a leg over his ride. Treat her with love and keep her warm at night and she'll run forever. Keep the tires inflated, fluids fresh and ride within your abilities and you'll have a lifelong mistress. Once your buy that service manual, memorize the first 2 chapters and you won't have to worry about ever being stuck.
__________________
Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we're here let's ride.... | |
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Dec 18th, 2008, 03:44 PM
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#6 | | Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
| Thanks heaps for the help and condolences guys, appreciated. I'll definitely be getting a copy of the service manual, and it will be garaged all the time.
One more thing, he has done some engine mods to it, will that change anything maintenance and riding wise and from what a a stock engine would require? It has a bigger cam, screaming eagle heads, different pistons and a bigger carb (43mm Mikuni) I think.
Thanks again, Luke | |
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Dec 18th, 2008, 05:32 PM
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#7 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,404
| all maintainance should be the same......one word of caution...dont let it set for extended periods.....it needs to be ridden. if you are going to store it, there is a whole different set of rules to follow.........
__________________ 
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."  We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan.  | |
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Dec 18th, 2008, 06:15 PM
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#8 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,074 Model: 09 Ultra Classic, 01 Heritage Springer Interests: Motorcycles, camping, fishing, old cars, flintlock muzzleloaders Occupation: Home Inspector
| Yep, a battery tender for the winter month is a real asset.
__________________
His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.
The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function .... OUR job is to arrange the meeting."
One Nation, One Flag, Love It Or Leave It
Riding my Harley is like being on a journey that never seems to end | |
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Dec 18th, 2008, 07:05 PM
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#9 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: I'm everywhere, I'm everywhere
Posts: 1,091 Model: 06 flhxi Interests: family,fun, fast chrome Occupation: causing hate and discontent
| my best battery tender is riding it at every opportunity
__________________ ain't no feelin like harleymobilin 
remember first throttle then bottle, life will stay fun in that order
3.9% of women in survey don't wear underwear. | |
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Dec 24th, 2008, 04:28 AM
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#10 | | More than 100 posts!
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 168 Model: 07 SE ROAD KING, 04 LOW RIDER Interests: MOTORCYCLES, NASCAR Occupation: TRUCKER , OWNER OPERATOR
| Find out what brand oil he was using and stay with it (in all three holes)
Sorry for your loss, and welcome aboard | |
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Jan 2nd, 2009, 05:54 PM
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#11 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: IND
Posts: 44 Model: 07 FLSTC Interests: RIDING Occupation: RETRIRED
| new ones
Lukebee; I am fairly new here also, loss my Mother and Brother this summer, so I am sorry for your loss also.
As far as how to keep the train running, its just like anything with a motor in it.
Service it at regular times or sooner, keep it clean and waxed, find a really good wrench or like others said buy shop manual and read it so you can do it yourself. If you motorXed your had to have decent mechanical knowledge.
Good luck and Safe riding. | |
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Jan 8th, 2009, 06:34 PM
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#12 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Piney Woods of East Texas
Posts: 45 Model: 06 Road King Custom Interests: Riding, outdoors and I'm an electronics nerd Occupation: Work until they figure out that I'm not working.
| Lukebee,
Sorry for your loss. I've had more than my share in 08 but these guys here are one of the best friends that you can have.
I'm new but feel like one of the guys.
Ride his ride and enjoy the bond.
Buddy | |
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Jan 8th, 2009, 07:51 PM
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#13 | | Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3
| The Key
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lukebee  Hi guys, I'm new to this site and was after some tips on maintaining my new bike.
My Father passed away a couple of months ago, and I'm not gonna sell his Harley, so I've convinced Mum to let me keep it
I don't know a great deal about Harleys, only what I've picked up off my dad, I have a motorcross background. It's a 2002 night-train.
What are some of the things I need to look out for maintenance wise? Any help would be greatly appreciated, no matter how obvious, simple or complex. I wanna keep his bike in A1 condition mechanically and aesthetically.
Thanks in advance | If you have to ask, sell it. Or better yet give it to a Veteran. | |
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Jan 8th, 2009, 08:06 PM
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#14 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: I'm everywhere, I'm everywhere
Posts: 1,091 Model: 06 flhxi Interests: family,fun, fast chrome Occupation: causing hate and discontent
| Quote:
Originally Posted by smokedog If you have to ask, sell it. Or better yet give it to a Veteran. | WOW smokedog ....wrong side of the bed this morning or what.
__________________ ain't no feelin like harleymobilin
remember first throttle then bottle, life will stay fun in that order
3.9% of women in survey don't wear underwear. | |
| | |
Jan 8th, 2009, 09:05 PM
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#15 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,074 Model: 09 Ultra Classic, 01 Heritage Springer Interests: Motorcycles, camping, fishing, old cars, flintlock muzzleloaders Occupation: Home Inspector
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ironhorse WOW smokedog ....wrong side of the bed this morning or what. |  Yea really. Lukebee have fun and put some miles on it, enjoy the ride.
__________________
His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.
The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function .... OUR job is to arrange the meeting."
One Nation, One Flag, Love It Or Leave It
Riding my Harley is like being on a journey that never seems to end | |
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Jan 9th, 2009, 03:26 AM
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#16 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia,Canada
Posts: 658 Model: '90 FLSTC '03 FLHPI
| Quote:
Originally Posted by smokedog If you have to ask, sell it. Or better yet give it to a Veteran. | is right!!Geeze man ,were you born knowing everything!!
Lukebee, sorry for your loss, lots of great help here. Pick up the HD service manual and Parts Catalog.
General maintenance is pretty straight forward, but any time you need advice or help,this is the place to ask.
There's prolly a little orange manual that came with the 42 Mikuni but if its running right no need to mess with it.
Last edited by Lucifer; Jan 9th, 2009 at 04:06 AM.
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Jan 9th, 2009, 05:12 AM
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#17 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,404
| easy smokedog.......we are a friendly bunch here.....have fun and enjoy!!!
__________________
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan. | |
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Jan 15th, 2009, 05:14 PM
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#18 | | Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
| Thanks alot guys much appreciated | |
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Feb 3rd, 2009, 05:51 PM
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#19 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 885 Model: HD FLHTC 93 Interests: Ridin-computers-woodworking Occupation: retired
| Welcome Lukebee - just my 2cents worth- If ya ride it -it's gonna break sooner or later - so the manual is the bible. If ya ain't ridin read. Never know what pearls of wisdom will come in handy when your 50 miles away from home and need to fiqure out what went wrong; Been there and done that!
Also make up a small tool kit and carry it with you any time your out, it can save you big bucks. | |
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Feb 3rd, 2009, 06:02 PM
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#20 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,091
| I'd go to a dealer and get the Service Manual and parts manual, this has all the needs of the bike, miles for changes, oil grades, amounts, torque values, steps to change oil to pulling flywheels and rebuilding a motor.
Basically HD's are simple tractor motors, two cyl vtwin 45 degree, it's what gives the bike it's "cadence" or potato-potato sound.
They like to run premium, although some will run less, if its hot rodded with cams, heads, pipes etc premium is a good idea and about $1 a fill up more than regular.
Synthetic oils are best due to air cooled nature, Royal Purple, Mobil1 Vtwin, Redline, etc all 20w-50 are great oils.
Other than that ride it, its a fun bike, it's a cruiser not a crotch rocket but they can be made to fly.
Enjoy your dad's legacy, I guarantee he'd have loved it that you kept the bike.
__________________
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