1000 Mile service

[bluesman]

If I let anyone other than the HD shop perform my 1000 mile service, will it void my warranty? My local mechanic is an ex HD shop mech who builds & repairs Harleys every day.
I read the owners manual which states" Work SHOULD be completed by an authorized HD mechanic unless you have the tools, data & knowledge to do it"

[lboos]

I have heard many here say it's a good idea to get the 1000 mi. ck done by your dealer, after that just make sure you keep a good record of it being done.
I plan on doing some of mine myself,.....I did take it to my dealer on the 1st 1000, kind of exp. for no more then they do. JMO.

[rhino 2]

My dealer doesn't charge for the 1,000, I just pay for the syn oil and filter.
And he does the same for the 5,000.
I always think with a new bike let dealer do the first one. [if you trust them to do it right]

[bluesman]

My dealer doesn't charge for the 1,000, I just pay for the syn oil and filter.
And he does the same for the 5,000.
I always think with a new bike let dealer do the first one. [if you trust them to do it right]

I actually trust my other guy more. He quit the HD shop because of the way they treat people. In this case, they want $350 to do it. He does them for $50 plus the oils & filter. He follows the same checklist they do.

[Tuccandler]

Bluesman do it with the guy you trust. I have been a mechanic all my life. Certified and made a living doing it. My experience with HD shops are overpriced and I always find something wrong with the job. Just let them do my 1000 and when they were done I found a very large frame bolt lying in the reverse CB box along with two rags stuck under the frame. I should have known better. They'll never see it again except for warranty. Oh by the way your warranty is safe just keep records of the filter/oil and parts used along with a maintenance log book.

[BinIdaho]

1K service doesn't just cover oil, filter....but it can be done by someone you trust...keep receipts of work done. Of course your HD dealer/MoCo suggests you have them do it....doesn't void your warranty. I have my dealer do all service on my '13....

[FRR]

Most, but not all, of the items on the 1000, 5000, and 10000 service can be done by yourself. Harley service prices are outrageous at best. They can't deny a warranty issue just because you didn't pay them to do the work. Like the man said, keep your receipts and a record of work performed, regardless of who did it.

I had a dealer once try to charge me $10.00 for 2 chrome license plate nuts. When i called him on it he said he was surprised that I had an issue with this since ,"most guys just pay it and go on". I think that is the mindset that many dealers depend on. Harley isn't the only one, but I do believe after riding for 50 yrs and owning several Honda and Harley that they are the worse.

Find a tech you have faith in and save yourself a ton of bucks.

[Will Parish]

Had mine done today at Denny's in Springfield. I actually got to go in the shop and watch some of the work. The service tech was not rushed and was extremely thorough. He spent a little over 2.5 hours on it, and then took a 5 mile test ride. Then their detail guy and his helper gave it a great wash job. I wouldn't let a dealer I didn't know wash my bike, but the guys are very, very good.

[Moe55]

Had dealer do the 1,000 mile service and install the CB antenna. Never again.

They told me they would up date the radio I said it was updated they did not need to do it. Service manager said how can you it can only be done by Harley? It came from Harley web site and it is updated. They said they did not do the up date. Next day out riding have a night screen on the GPS from when I updated the radio for some reason it goes to Central time. Guess they were practicing the up date on my Trike?

Asked to have the park brake adjusted as it will not hold on an incline have to leave it in gear. That is part of the service is what they told me. When I got home could push the Trike around the garage with the park brake on. Adjusted it myself.
Couple days later installed the lift kit, none of the lug nuts were any where near the torque spec. While the tires were off figured check the tire pressure. Front 40 psi, rr 23 psi, lr 32 psi. not even close.
I may be over critical of their work but they did not do what they were paid for. I have been a mechanic from the time I was a teenager to retirement schooling, certifications and experience have taught me to be honest with customers and do what you said you would do and you will not have problems. My last bike never saw a dealer and this one won't be back there either

[zbear]

I hear ya. The 1st time my '94 was back to a dealer was last summer. The front motor mount took a dump in Indiana. They had the mount but since it was Saturday about closing time, they weren't interested in installing it, which was fine with me. Nursed it to the parking lot where we were staying for the next week and started installing the mount myself. I couldn't get the motor raised high enough to get the mount between the frame and the motor. The next day I took it to the local "tourist" dealer and told them exactly what needed done, I installed the mount incorrectly and needed them to relocate it in it's correct orientation. While it was on the lift, I watched through the observation glass. Numerous techs looked at it, no one touched it, and a little later they rolled it out and said it was correct. $94. I had a long discussion in which even though they didn't do what I requested the 1st time, if they put it on the lift again, it would be another $94. Arguing with them was pointless. I paid the $94 and got on with my trip. When I got home, installed the mount correctly and I wrote a nasty email to the dealership, these were certified Harley mechanics. Eventually I got the $94 credited back to my credit card. The really sad thing was there was a yuppie in there and when he came out of his motel room his pretty new Softail wouldn't start. He called the dealer, they brought a flatbed and took his bike a half mile back to the dealer. Loose battery cable: $94 to tighten the cable and $400 towing. Hell, I would of pushed a half mile for $400.

I took the 2013 trike back to the dealer because I had negotiated the 1000 service in my purchase price, which they tried to charge me for, they hadn't reneged on that part yet. But it won't go back for the 5000. I have very little faith in their abilities. When I got the trike home, I noticed that there is a palm and thumb print burned into the left rear tail light like they had brake cleaner on their hand when they touched it. I brought it up at the 1000 and their response was I should of noticed it when I took delivery and since I didn't it isn't covered: it would be $58.

I keep reading posts about how well dealers take care of their customers. Not around here. They act like they are doing favors by selling a bike. My neighbor across the street sells bikes at the closest dealer. He was pretty pissed when there was a new trike in my drive. I bought elsewhere. He came over and said he thought I was going to buy from him. I told him he only told me to get my best price and come back and they would match it. I told him he was a lazy salesman, if he wanted to sell me a bike, he should of sold me a bike. I went with someone that tried to sell me one.

Just ranting this morning, but I get pretty agrivated by some dealers. Didn't mean to hijack your post. Sorry.

[screwball]

My neighbor across the street is Parts Mgr at Old Road Harley Davidson in Santa Clarita, about 4 miles from my house. I have purchased 6 harleys over the years from Antelope Valley Harley, 43 miles from home, and get all of them serviced there. I would probably get a better price locally, we just really like the customer service at Antelope Valley. As long as that dealer is under the same management they will have my business. Used to use Barger Harley in Canoga Park, but Mike the Service Manager retired and I didn't particularly care for the new guy's attitude.

[gardner120]

It is a shame so many dealerships have fallen into this poor level of service. But not all. While the issue of where you get your service will not affect your warranty as long as you follow the previous posts info, a well trained service dept will be my choice because of the advanced electronics. The Harley diagnostic software while not unavailable to aftermarket is so expensive it is very impractical. Also ongoing updates and information from the motor company are not available. Plus a good dealership will keep their staff updated in all current factory classes and training.