Harley Dealer Maintenance-Never Again

[sparky1597]

Did my own 10K on my 13 Tri Glide a couple of weeks ago. $430 stealer quote(about $60 in parts, and about 3 hours of my time.)Have the service manual. Went to grease the head bearing. No evidence of grease at the top, or bottom of head bearing, none on zerk fitting either. I had to refill a 3oz grease gun 3-1/2 times to get grease to come out at top and bottom! Dealer did 1K(suppose to grease head bearing), I did the 5K. Service manager said that they were only to put a couple of pumps into it. After telling him that he was wrong, and showing him the exact steps to do the greasing, from the service manual bought in his parts dept., he said that some owners didn't like it done that way because the grease would drip onto the front fender when it got warm, and then he had to go take care of something. I should of known better! My last 2 bikes, bought from them and serviced by them were usually down a quart of oil, after service. From now on, I'll do it myself, and if I don't have the confidence to do it, probably an independent shop!
Asked about having a note put in my trikes' record about the head bearing not being lubricated by them, like maybe extending out that parts' warranty, and he laughs.
Doesn't really pay to go to another dealer, they swap mechanics and sales staff around here, like there is no tomorrow.

[rhino 2]

Did mine on my 11T/G... At around 30 thousand miles.. It took so much grease that i stopped pumping to check to be sure i was still on the zerk, And not just pumping grease all over the frame..... But i have to agree some what with the dealer , There are a lot of Wisses out there that will have a hissey fit about the slightest bit of grease that might end up on their toy...

[Bikerbozo]

In 2 yrs, when my warranty is up, that's it for new HD's. Not sure what I will be moving to. But I am completely disgusted with service in my area. Whenever I retire out to Tucson, I might get one again. That dealer gets a 10 out of 10 rating from me.

[msocko3]

Been doing my own maintenance for years, grew tired of being raped by the dealer for something so simple. You'll find a lot of dealers will not grease the neck, and a lot of the reason is it will make a mess which some don't like. Its tough finding a grease which won't seep when it gets extremely hot.

[consitter]

This might sound so simple it's silly...couldn't they WIPE OFF the excess if there is any? Or does it tend to seep from somewhere other than around the zerk?

[rhino 2]

This might sound so simple it's silly...couldn't they WIPE OFF the excess if there is any? Or does it tend to seep from somewhere other than around the zerk?

You/They can wipe it off, But it will always seep out' But not at the zerk' At the top of the neck Especially in hot weather... And it does make a [Slight] mess , But a greased bearing is better than a dry one..

[sparky1597]

You/They can wipe it off, But it will always seep out' But not at the zerk' At the top of the neck Especially in hot weather... And it does make a [Slight] mess , But a greased bearing is better than a dry one..

When I had my 11 Ultra Limited, and a group of us had front end wobble, stealer greased it, after one guy showed a video of it happening, wouldn't believe our word of mouth, and internet stories, and NHTSA problems. I liked seeing a little grease on my front fender. Indication of grease still in the bearing.

[Postal Trucker]

My previous 2 Harley's I used to preform my own maintenance. On my '12 TriGlide there was a tray under the bottom of the steering bearing that would catch any excess grease that seeped out of the bearings.

So that excuse of it dripping on the fender is BS. I never had that problem.

[Steve on 3]

Along this same line, I was in the dealer to pick up my trike for rear rotors and compensator (under warranty for both) and a 10k service. I noticed his prices for service 5k $385 10k $415 and 50k $771 Holy gold mine batman.. I am thinking when mine goes out of warranty I will take it to an indy and save some $ for that 50k service. The rest I will do myself.

Steve

[msocko3]

My previous 2 Harley's I used to preform my own maintenance. On my '12 TriGlide there was a tray under the bottom of the steering bearing that would catch any excess grease that seeped out of the bearings.

So that excuse of it dripping on the fender is BS. I never had that problem.

No tray in the parts explosion, I think you're talking about the bottom part of the triple tree. Its kind of indented on the top. I can tell you for a fact the dripping grease is not BS, I clean it off the back side of the fender of my 06 Ultra every time I was it, which seems to flush it out of the dished area of the bottom triple tree. You must of been blessed not to have a grease film on the back side of your front fender, or you didn't wash your bike with water. The recommended grease from Harley is a known seeper in real hot weather.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

The owner of my local HD dealer asked "why I did my own maintenance, since it will void the warranty."

Asked him if he ever heard of Massey Fergusson ... I print the "HD check List" for the service I'm doing. I initial each step as I do them. I then sign and date the sheet when complete. I attach the receipt for all parts to this checklist. I scan these sheets and keep them in my drop box so I can access the at any time. I then file the hard copies with my important papers. I showed him the digital version of the 5k one and he said, "most people can't prove they did it, You can."