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

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...

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

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.

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

my best battery tender is riding it at every opportunity

Find out what brand oil he was using and stay with it (in all three holes)

Sorry for your loss, and welcome aboard

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.

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

The Key

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.

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.

Thanks alot guys much appreciated

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.