ok my bike is coming up for its k service and i have been contemplating on doing it myself, but the warranty has been a factor on if i should or shouldn't so IM going to forfeit it a go ahead with it.    after watching these videos it doesn't look that difficult providing you have a bit of mechanical knowledge. so if you want to save yourself a substantial amount of money have a crack at it.    for those who don't like to Google lol here are some videos these are for the newer softies but would imagine they would all be similar.

 

 

 hi.

thanks for posting those clips, looks quite easy

robots

Hey Will67, videos are good.

But changing the oils is pretty straightforward. What I worry about are the other 30 or so points you should check, and/or adjust/replace (depending on which kilo service you're up to) that worries me. Some of the things are obvious, but even something like adjusting the rear belt causes me concern. I mean, I do it, but I have to improvise the 'special tools' bits. And don't get me started on my springer front end..

Anyway, the bike seems to be coping with it all so far, but there's always the nagging worry that my inexperience has got something wrong, and that that may lead to a component failure and any consequences that go with that, and...well, you get the picture.

And on the other hand, I've had my bikes in for genuine servicing and I'm pretty sure some of those things just have not been looked at (judging by undisturbed dust around the key parts etc.), and I wonder what else been ignored. So in the end I compromise, I try to do all the in-between stuff and get a major service every 20,000k's or so....and still worry!!

So, is it a good idea to do your own servicing....NFI!! (but I do it, as much as I can)

 yeah i hear what your saying but finding a mechanic that actually does the whole major service, yeah rite! its hard to trust people when you have been ripped by the monkeyz in the past.

Good contributory post Will67, Youtube has plenty for a quick reference or idea on most things mechanical. I can not stress enough to any one contemplating doing their own repairs, to acquire a good workshop manual. You do not have to go through the HD Dealer and pay the prohibitive price's that they ask, the Internet provides many avenues for acquiring the necessary documentation required.
My 3 most valuable items in my "toolbox/workshop" are;
1. Workshop Manual and Parts catalogue on CD
2. Small digital camera
3. Laptop for quick instructional references from CD and downloads from Youtube and of course TTS
Every thing else required like hand tools and equipment I am sure will be a personal preference, but most enthusiasts or tradies will be set up pretty well.

Paul

Hey paulsails01 - I'd like to get a parts catalogue too, can you say where you got it? I'm assuming it's a genuine parts catalogue with parts numbers and so on?

Cheers

Try this bloke, HTTP://WWW.REPAIRMANUALSONCD.com.
Comes with manual specific, spare parts catalogue, all the electrical diagrams, as you will see when you hit the site theses are the exact manuals that HD tech's use. The CD's are loaded with a lot of other good gear also and all this for USD$24? (I think!)

The parts identification is the same as the HD stealers use only it is not a fisch plate, I have quoted numbers to HD parts guys and referenced the page that they need to look on, that just about says it all.

Paul

If you have a look in http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies//showmodel.asp?type=17&make=hdmc&modelid=Harley, it is an online site. Just find your model and the area that you are looking for and the parts are listed with numbers...

Thanks for the effort Gents.

Thanks for the link brothers