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Dec 26th, 2006, 06:31 PM
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#1 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nomad, currently the Blue Ridge Mountains
Posts: 401 Model: 2006 FXDI SuperGlide Interests: Camping, fishing, admirer of beautiful women, fast motorcycles, and smooth whiskey Occupation: Writer illustrator
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Just wondering: How many do thier own maitenance? How many have the stealership perform it? How many folks use an independant shop? | 
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Dec 26th, 2006, 08:08 PM
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#2 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stanton, NJ
Posts: 1,298 Model: 04 Dyna WG (with a 240 rear tire) Interests: Harleys, drag racing, family, fishing, my rottweilers, the UFC Occupation: Carpenter/Builder
| Right now she's still under warranty, so I have the stealership do it. Of course I don't PAY for it, it was included in the cost of the bike. However, I am doing the 240 rear tire kit myself, except for the trans work (warranty reasons again), but after that I will do all of my own maintenance. After seeing the way the bike was put together, I will definately do my own work! | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 08:57 AM
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#3 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: cheyenne wy
Posts: 799 Model: 06 flhxi Interests: family,fun, fast chrome Occupation: causing hate and discontent
| I do all of my own p.m. and anything non-warranty I can't afford it any other way | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 08:57 AM
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#4 | | Administrator Frequent Posting Club
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,273 Model: Harley FLHX Occupation: Web Developer by day, 25+ years of carb building by day, hey what happened to my day?!
| I've always done my own maintenance and most wrenching. I spent some time as a former ASE brake mechanic so I've always been weary of letting others work on my cars, trucks, or motorcycles. The exception would be when I get stuck somewhere... like when I snapped my drive belt 100 miles from home. Also being an independent oil dealer means often having a spare case of oil around, so oil changes are second nature to me.
Even under warranty you can do your own periodic maintenance (lube, fluid changes) without any worries. Aside from the personal satisfaction of doing things for yourself, I think its a great way to get to know your motorcycle and spot any potential problems before they get too big. | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 09:53 AM
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#5 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Shores of Tonto Creek
Posts: 689 Interests: Guns, Hunting, Fishing, 4 wheeling and riding Occupation: Network Administrator
| Anything Shovel or older I can work on. Some of the new blockhead stuff worries me (special tools ect.) so I just don't own one. | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 11:01 AM
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#6 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Liberty Hill Texas
Posts: 792 Model: 94 FXDS Dyna-Custom Interests: Scootin' & shootin'! Occupation: City Government / Administrator
| My scoot is a 94, so not much a warranty can touch anymore, however, with a lot I've learned here, I do 99.5% of my own work! | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 01:00 PM
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#7 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,130 Model: 2004 E Glide Standard, Stage 1. Interests: Riding, fishing, hunting, camping, spending time with wife and daughter Occupation: Air Force Nurse
| Doing the snail's pace thing....now can change my own oil/filer/primary fluid!!! have service manual, SOME tools, but maybe not the right ones!! Would LOVE to have someone close that would sit down in the garage to shoot the breeze while I learn to do my work! Getting closer to working on my own tho! Think baby steps!!!  | 
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Dec 27th, 2006, 02:31 PM
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#8 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Liberty Hill Texas
Posts: 792 Model: 94 FXDS Dyna-Custom Interests: Scootin' & shootin'! Occupation: City Government / Administrator
| AFNurse,
The next time I'm in that direction, I'll toss ya a line. I'm only about 80 miles from ya. Hmmmm.....sounds like a good distance for a moderate scoot-around!
I'll give ya a holler when I'm headed that way for anything! Couple times a year I find myself there for conventions or training for work. | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 03:54 PM
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#9 | | 200+ posts and climbing
Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Georgia
Posts: 270 Model: '05 Heritage Interests: Riding, Shooting, Grandkids Occupation: Retired
| I have always worked on all my vehicles but the Harley is still under warranty and I really don't have the time to do all I would like to. The warranty is up in April and I plan to retire about the same time so things should change. All the accessories I have changed out (grips, switch housing, brake and clutch levers, etc.) I have done myself. I intend to put on new pipes and SERT sometime next month and the dealer will be doing that. I already have a lift and manual so when I pull the plug at work, I plan to dig in and learn something about it. With directions and the right tools, I think I can do most that I need to do. | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 05:15 PM
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#10 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,515
| i have wrenched on mine for 40+years....my 06 is under warranty, but as stated, i still do all but the warranty stuff....(knockin on wood here as i havent had to use it)... have 18,500 on it and just over a year old.
chuck | |
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Dec 27th, 2006, 05:48 PM
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#11 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,086 Interests: Anything outdoors (climbing, backpacking, fishing, Mtn biking, riding) Occupation: Chemistry teacher
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Mine's a '96 FLSTC, so I am doing as much as I can do... I'm an ex-mechanic that is now a chemistry teacher. I have purchased a manual for the bike and will attempt to do my own repairs whenever necessary. Time is a factor as well, but I do try and make some whenever possible.  | |
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Dec 28th, 2006, 12:38 AM
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#12 | | More than 100 posts!
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 122 Interests: Keeping Momma Happy Occupation: Airplane Pilot
| I've got a custom that I built, so no warranty there. My wife had a 98 Sporty and now a 2000 FLSTC. When shopping for them I puposely look for bikes that are out of warranty. Don't want the Stealer working on it. Do most everything myself. Go to and Indy when I can't do something because of time, tools, or expertise (time and tools are still a problem, but the expertise is always increasing). Also, this site helps a lot when i tackle new problems. | |
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Jan 4th, 2007, 05:47 PM
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#13 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lake jackson,tx
Posts: 908 Model: 03 883 XLC-CHOPPER Occupation: welder
| Hey Greybear! Been Awhile. I'm Bound For The Pcmp Contract For Now. Wish I Could Have Done It On My Own. Seems Much More Of A Hassle To Take It In And Do All That Waiti'n. | |
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Feb 1st, 2007, 03:40 PM
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#14 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 33 Model: 06 roadking
| Whatever I'm able to do myself I do it. Saves me money and I enjoy working on my bike. | |
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Feb 1st, 2007, 06:53 PM
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#15 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stanton, NJ
Posts: 1,298 Model: 04 Dyna WG (with a 240 rear tire) Interests: Harleys, drag racing, family, fishing, my rottweilers, the UFC Occupation: Carpenter/Builder
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 02dyna  Whatever I'm able to do myself I do it. Saves me money and I enjoy working on my bike. | It also gives you a better handle on your bike and what makes it tick. So far, I have really enjoyed doing the 240 rear tire kit on my Dyna. I've had my share of problems and stalls, but I would definately do it again. All you need is a manual, some tools, a little bit of mechanical ability, and you're well on your way. Not to mention a sense of pride from doing it yourself.  | |
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Feb 1st, 2007, 07:33 PM
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#16 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,515
| do ya have an update on the swap...and maybe a pic or two?? | |
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Feb 2nd, 2007, 05:23 AM
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#17 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stanton, NJ
Posts: 1,298 Model: 04 Dyna WG (with a 240 rear tire) Interests: Harleys, drag racing, family, fishing, my rottweilers, the UFC Occupation: Carpenter/Builder
| Chuck, It's 40 degrees in my lower shop and I can't work when it's that cold, my hands hurt. My HVAC guy is supposed to drop off my ductwork today so I can heat the lower shop. Plus, I've been overloaded with work and can't even see straight. Will post when I can though. Believe me you, I am dying to get it done! | |
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Feb 2nd, 2007, 08:37 AM
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#18 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,515
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Feb 2nd, 2007, 10:52 AM
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#19 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stanton, NJ
Posts: 1,298 Model: 04 Dyna WG (with a 240 rear tire) Interests: Harleys, drag racing, family, fishing, my rottweilers, the UFC Occupation: Carpenter/Builder
| I had a little heart attack on my HVAC guy this morning......he's bringin my sh*t tomorrow at 10:30. I will have heat down there by the end of the weekend, then it's back to wrenchin! | |
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Feb 2nd, 2007, 04:21 PM
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#20 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,515
| if that's your story.....stick to it!!!!! | |
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