20,000 mi service?

[southernman_67]

I am quickly approaching my 20,000 service. I called my local dealer

today and they quoted me $350. I bought the bike at a little over

5000 and assumed the 5k hadn't been done, so I did it. I did the 10k

and 15k also. Now, I am wondering if I should have a REAL mechanic

look at it. But, when I looked in my service manual, the only thing I

see that is out of the ordinary is changing the fork oil. I did that

when I installed the progressive springs this past Spring. I haven't

been happy with my clutch since I installed the apes, and my

throttle has gotten sticky, but I can adjust and lube both of those

(I tried the Dave63 method on the clutch lube, but I'm afraid I didn't

do it right), so my question is: Should I take it in to have a

'professional' look at it, or just continue doing what the service

manual calls for at each service interval?

[kd5cqt]

Unless you have an issue you're not comfortable with fixing yourself, I'd save the bucks and do it myself. BTW...fork oil at 20K?

[southernman_67]

Originally Posted by kd5cqt

Unless you have an issue you're not comfortable with fixing yourself, I'd save the bucks and do it myself. BTW...fork oil at 20K?

20K and 40K is what my service manual calls for. But, like I said, I did

that when I changed springs anyway.

Were you at the toy run Sunday? I was lookin' for the Root Beer Ultra,

but, there were a bunch of bikes there.

[kd5cqt]

Originally Posted by southernman_67

20K and 40K is what my service manual calls for. But, like I said, I did

that when I changed springs anyway.

Were you at the toy run Sunday? I was lookin' for the Root Beer Ultra,

but, there were a bunch of bikes there.

Missed the run Sunday. Had a house full of company.

[Markk9]

Fork oil should be change yearly, unless it's a synthetic oil, then every 2 years.

[kd5cqt]

Originally Posted by Markk9

Fork oil should be change yearly, unless it's a synthetic oil, then every 2 years.

Just browsing through my HD Service Manual for the 2011 Touring models (I have the Ultra). It says front fork oil should be changed every 50K miles. I've read everything in the book related to the front fork and it all comes out the same. Is there a reference somewhere that I can find something that contradicts the manual on this? Is this yearly rule applicable to models other than touring bikes?
BTW, also checked with the local wrenches at the Harley dealership, and they agree every 50K unless I want to donate some extra money to them. Judging by the tools and the process involved (sec. 2.17), I'm thinking that this is one job I will gladly leave to them.

[RAD_Softail]

Originally Posted by kd5cqt

Just browsing through my HD Service Manual for the 2011 Touring models (I have the Ultra). It says front fork oil should be changed every 50K miles. I've read everything in the book related to the front fork and it all comes out the same. Is there a reference somewhere that I can find something that contradicts the manual on this? Is this yearly rule applicable to models other than touring bikes?
BTW, also checked with the local wrenches at the Harley dealership, and they agree every 50K unless I want to donate some extra money to them. Judging by the tools and the process involved (sec. 2.17), I'm thinking that this is one job I will gladly leave to them.

My 2007 Softail Service Manual says 50k as well. Don't know where this guy is getting his "yearly" figure from. Maybe he puts 50,000 miles on his bike per year and figures everyone does?

[Badinfluence]

My 03 Softail Service Manual says change fork oil at 20,000 miles. I changed mine at just over that mileage and it was really nasty. Full of aluminum and stunk up the garage.

[RAD_Softail]

Originally Posted by Badinfluence

My 03 Softail Service Manual says change fork oil at 20,000 miles. I changed mine at just over that mileage and it was really nasty. Full of aluminum and stunk up the garage.

I guess it depends on the year of the bike. I've never, ever seen it listed as a yearly service though as Markk9 suggests.

[Markk9]

I come from a sportbike background, it was always recommended to change the fork oil every 2 years using synthetic oil. On a bike the is ridden less then 5K a year, I can see extending it. Have you ever seen fork oil after a year or two of use? Fork oil gets a major work out every time you ride.