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Time fer my 20K service...

6K views 20 replies 18 participants last post by  vring 
#1 ·
Since I bought my pre-owned '07 Shark with 18K miles from a NON-Harley dealer in May, I am now nearing the 20K service per my maintainance schedule. The dealer I bought my RG from is a fairly reputable motorcycle dealer in the area (...specializing in mainly Victory scoots) so I trust that I wasn't sold a lemon. The bike stills runs like a champ with absolutely no issues (...knock on wood) so far. Just for 'piece of mind' I scheduled to bring my Glide into an actual Harley dealer in my area to perform whatever the 20K service entails just so I know a 'certified' Harley mechanic has looked over the entire bike making sure everything is in fine working order. I knew goin to a Harley dealer wasn't gonna be cheap in the least as I was quoted a nice hefty price of $480.00 for a 20K maintenance service on my '07 Shark. I'll bite the bullet this time at the dealer, but will prolly attempt to perform future servicing on my own with help from this great forum!!! :cool:
 
#4 ·
i would not put too much faith in the HD dealer. get you a service manual and do it yourself for true peace of mind. I suspect the HD tech making $10 hr. forgets to check a few of the items he is supposed to check. Just sayin

I never did my own service until I bought my RGC last year. Now I actually enjoy it.
 
#5 ·
For $480 you can buy a $60 service manual, all the tools and supplies you need to do the work, take the family out for dinner, and still have a few $$$ in your pocket. There's a bunch of us here that would be more than willing to walk you through any of the procedures if you run into trouble.
 
#7 ·
+1 doing it yourself not only will save you lots of $$CASH$$ but you will have the satisfaction of knowing it is done right :)
 
#9 ·
I did the same thing with my 96 Ultra Classic after I bought it...took it to the dealer. Had a clunk in front end and right muffler bracket fell off after picking it up. The "Tech" said well....it is an OLD bike!!! What a bunch of crap that was. Their service dept will never get another dime from me, but I have bought 2 bikes from them.
 
#10 ·
Plus If you do a little home work, you will find the pimple faced prick behind the tool box is a recent MMI graduate in most cases (translate that to he understands the physics of lefty loosy righty tighty) a little piece of paper on a wall in no way makes you compident to work on a bike, mind you I have been doing this 22 years now, have been to a ton of schools and am certified to work on everything from Ridley(what a joke) to Boss Hoss, any monkey can turn a wrench, the good ones service the bike with the manual right beside them. buy a manual a filter wrench, a torque wrench,and some cable lube tackle the thing your self spend 3-4 hours with the one you love (your RG) and save a bunch of money and know its done correctly
just my 2 cents....I have my flame suit on
Mike
 
#11 ·
I've been trying to talk myself into doing my own service... Just had the 15K done at the dealer and they charged 2 hours labor, $150. They let me bring in my own Mobil 1 oils since they only carry HD oil.

My local dealer seems to be pretty decent, but I've still had some questions on what they really do. For example, spark plugs were supposedly replaced at the 10K service, but they had to do them again this time (bike was not running 100% ever since the last service)... they could not give me a straight answer as to why I needed plugs after 5200 miles. So, if I have to double check everything they are supposed to do, I might as well do it myself.

My big thing is lack of time, and some issues with being impatient...:p I usually end up making a huge mess by spilling the old oil or something like that. Sure would be nice to keep that $150 - $200 I give the dealer for service.
 
#12 ·
It takes about an hour start to finish if you take your time. If you can not spare an hour to save $200 you are very fortunate and can afford to have it done lol. It is easy and if you can brush your teeth without jaming the tooth brush up your nostril or poking your eye you can change fluides and plugs etc.
 
#16 ·
I sometimes brush my nostrils and poke myself in the eye...! But I love to do my own work on my bike, it's not brain surgery, once you've done it a few times you'll kick yourself for over paying for these services.
Like it was already stated if ya run into trouble just ask anyone on here, you'll get more replies than you can imagine.
 
#17 ·
What did the original dealer quote for the same service? As for authorized mechanic maybe one or two in a shop but talking to some I doubt whether all are. Buy the manual. I just paid $100 for the RG workshop manual and CVO supplement. Cheap price over time.
 
#18 ·
my 20K service.

Well my 2012 RGU goes in for its service today. Any idea what all is involved? If I didn't have the pre paid maint plan I would attempt to do it myself. But gonna try and get my money's worth out of these fools today! Just hope they do it right! Sante Fe Harley has been pretty awesome so far though. No complaints yet! RIDE HARD!
 
#21 ·
Well my 2012 RGU goes in for its service today. Any idea what all is involved? If I didn't have the pre paid maint plan I would attempt to do it myself. But gonna try and get my money's worth out of these fools today! Just hope they do it right! Sante Fe Harley has been pretty awesome so far though. No complaints yet! RIDE HARD!
Rio Rancho? Killer! I take mine to Santa Fe also. My boss is a good friend of a mechanic up there (Elliot), so I usually get more bang for my buck. The problem that I have is the time to do the maintenance myself. Due for my 15K any time now, but waiting for the weather to turn a bit warmer and I'm riding regularly. Took a ride to Las Vegas, NM on Monday. Started out cold but it got nice as the day went on.

Going to hit the 60's next week, but 25 in the morning when I leave for work is pretty much a no-go!
 
#19 ·
The $$ I've saved by doing routine things myself have gone right back into some awesome road trips. Especially as outrageous as those prices are. Between the manual and the incredible wealth of knowledge found in this forum; can't see having anyone do routine work for me unless it comes down to needing special tools, and even then buying some special tools pays for itself (thinking of the wrench needed to change out the fuel filter - even with buying the wrench, it was cheaper than taking it to the dealer) Bottom line is, I'd rather ride then wrench and the money I save goes right into riding.
 
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