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[Jacktrician69]

Hi guys....I was just wondering if anyone knew what the owners responcibility was for dealer servicing, when I bought my bike they said at 1000, 5000, and 10,000?  But while I was reading my owners manual, it only states to bring it to the dealer at 1000, and nothing else!  The dealer here want's  $220.00 for the 5000 mile service, and according to the owners manual it only needs an oil change?  ( no tranny, or primary??) The way I see it, if it does not VOID the dreadded W***ty to do this service myself...I would drop all the fluids, and save money for goodies     can anyone tell me if I HAVE to bring it in for this !??!?!  Thanks 
 
                                                   ~ Jack~   

[J-Carr]

It's more than just fluids, but I'm not sure yet what all is required.  Chapter one of the overpriced and incomplete service manual lists the required items to be checked/lubed/changed at each interval.  My dealer hasn't gotten the '08 book or the Screamin Eagle supplement in yet, so I can't tell you for sure what needs done but maybe some one else can fill in those details.

If you decide to do all the services yourself KEEP THE RECEIPTS for all gaskets, fluids, filters etc.  Also log everything you do in a notebook, including measurements for things you've adjusted.  Moco will still try to claim you didn't do it, but having all the receipts and the log will allow you to challange them in court.

Good Luck,
J-carr

[Midnight Rider]

Jack...as mentioned, just keep your receipts from purchasing the oil, filter, etc, and keep records in your owner's manual of when the service is performed.  Purchase a few needed tools to do the checks on critical fasteners, belt tension, etc.  The money you save will easily pay for any specialized tools you might need, plus goodies for the scoot.  More importantly, you learn your bike when doing the services, and you know it is done correctly.  Get the new 0-rings, gaskets, etc needed to do the service, a jack to get the bike off the ground, and enjoy tinkering with your bike!!

If you dont' already have a jack, I recommend the J&S...CVO members get a small discount off the jack.  It is as stable as a rock, and is great for washing/detailing the bike as well as servicing.  I use mine for everything, as I don't have room for a table type lift in the basement.

[Chief]

Jack...as mentioned, just keep your receipts from purchasing the oil, filter, etc, and keep records in your owner's manual of when the service is performed.  Purchase a few needed tools to do the checks on critical fasteners, belt tension, etc.  The money you save will easily pay for any specialized tools you might need, plus goodies for the scoot.  More importantly, you learn your bike when doing the services, and you know it is done correctly.  Get the new 0-rings, gaskets, etc needed to do the service, a jack to get the bike off the ground, and enjoy tinkering with your bike!!

If you dont' already have a jack, I recommend the J&S...CVO members get a small discount off the jack.  It is as stable as a rock, and is great for washing/detailing the bike as well as servicing.  I use mine for everything, as I don't have room for a table type lift in the basement.

This thread brings up a good point. I always hear "Keep you receipts..." Does anyone here have an actual experience, or personally know of someone who was denied a warranty claim by HD because they could not prove that a specific service item was not performed on time or properly? Is this a real problem or just urban legend?

I'm totally serious in asking this because the last Amsoil I bought was for cash, at a greatly reduced price, at the last day of the last date on the schedule for the motorcycle show in Atlanta last year. I bought two cases and didn't get a receipt. It was win-win for both of us. I buy my filters 6 at a time mail order and I don't keep those packing lists because it doesn't show when the service was done. I can write anything I want to in the service manual, but without taking it somewhere for verification, it doesn't prove anything was done.

[Steve_G]

Personally, I am a preferred customer with Amsoil and I use K&N filters.  I have a pretty good supply on hand.  What good would it do to show someone a receipt from 2006 for some oil and filters?  It wouldn't prove anything.  It sure wouldn't prove you've used the stuff on your bike.  I keep notes in my owners manual and they would have to take my word for it.  Because I don't want any problems, I supply my own Amsoil and K&N filters for use with the scheduled maintenance and have the local HD shop do the work so I don't have to worry about it.  -Just for the first 5 and 10K scheduled stuff.  If the owner's manual says you don't have to change oil for longer than this, I do that part myself.  I can't see a reason not to, and I'm not going to go 20K mi. before changing primary or tranny oil! 

[grc]

Follow this link, type in your VIN and 5000 miles, click on "Get Checkup", and you will get the full list of items for the 5000 mile service.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/EX/MNT/SCHK/en/servicecheckup.asp?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

Jerry

[Jacktrician69]

Thanks for the responce so far guys, I appriciate it !!  But the question I'm asking is more what chief was trying to ask as well.....do we HAVE TO bring our bikes to a " Dealer" to have these services done after our 1000 mile check, or can we keep records and do it ourselves without voiding the W***ty

[Fired00d]

Thanks for the responce so far guys, I appriciate it !!  But the question I'm asking is more what chief was trying to ask as well.....do we HAVE TO bring our bikes to a " Dealer" to have these services done after our 1000 mile check, or can we keep records and do it ourselves without voiding the W***ty

You can do the services yourself, and it shouldn't void your warranty. I don't think anyone has ever had to test/deal with a warranty denial because they have done their own services. I would think if you had a good relationship w/your dealer when you went to have warranty work done you wouldn't have a problem. Most times the MoCo isn't going to get involved w/every warranty claim and will take the word of the dealership. If you have documentation of purchasing the parts, and recorded when the services were done I don't think you would have a problem. In regards to the fluids I would think if it came to it there could be an analysis run on it to give some data as to how old or possible miles that the fluid has on it.


Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Pete7539]

My dealer recommended I bring the bike in for the 1,000 mile and 20,000 mile service. He said everything in between and for a while after is easy to do by myself.

[skreminegul07]

An independant shop will do the work much cheaper and it's much easier to show that the work was done.  We have a local shop that actually can do warranty work.  The owner used to run the service department at the local dealer.
That's probably the safest compromise.   Good work, less money.

[spydglide]

An independant shop will do the work much cheaper and it's much easier to show that the work was done.  We have a local shop that actually can do warranty work.  The owner used to run the service department at the local dealer.
That's probably the safest compromise.   Good work, less money.

Most of the independant shops that I'm aware of now charge about the same as a dealer's service dept.  Sometimes it's better, sometimes not.  The newer scooters are making it harder to work on w/o dealer access to 'stuff'.  That's the way it appears to me, anyway.  But, I'm happy with my older ones, so.........no problememo.  har!  spyder

[grc]

Thanks for the responce so far guys, I appriciate it !!  But the question I'm asking is more what chief was trying to ask as well.....do we HAVE TO bring our bikes to a " Dealer" to have these services done after our 1000 mile check, or can we keep records and do it ourselves without voiding the W***ty

Absolutely, unequivocally, beyond any shadow of a doubt, NO you do not have to let the dealer do the service to keep your warranty in force.  In most cases you don't even have to show you did the service at all, unless the manufacturer claims the failure was caused by lack of maintenance.  This is all regulated by federal law (Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975).

It is a good idea to keep receipts showing you purchased the various items required to perform the service, such as gaskets, oil, filters, etc.  Is it likely you will ever need to show them to anyone?  No, but in that one case in a million I'd still like to have them.  If for some reason you actually wound up in court over Harley's contention that your lack of maintenance caused a failure, a reasonable judge would look favorably upon good records with accompanying receipts.  And if you buy supplies in bulk, like a case of oil instead of just 4 quarts each time, keep the receipt anyway.  As long as the total number of quarts is sufficient to do the number of changes you claim, your word is as good as anyones.  I also suggest that you either make your own form, or print the one from the H-D website I referenced in an earlier post, and then write in the VIN, date, mileage, mark appropriate comments, and then sign the form.  Keep this along with your receipts as your "official" service record.

Jerry

[J-Carr]

Hey GRC,

Thanks for that link.  Unfortuneately they don't have the '08s up yet so you don't get the specific service requirements.  My guess is that it'll be identicle to the '07s but until I'm sure I didn't want to answer Jacktrician with what I assume because when you assume you...  Oh never mind.  LOL.

As far as the warrenty legalities go, I was advised by a lawyer who is a very close friend that a receipt for the required maintenance items and a log of the work done will be enough to prove in court that the maintenance was done in case a warrenty claim would be questioned.  And not only do you not have to use a dealer for the service, you can switch lubricants as long as it meets the required manufacturer specifications and is certified (I think SAE but I may be mis-remembering...feel free to remind me of the right one if you know!).  So the guys who beleive SYN3 is junk can go to Amsoil, etc.  I am curious if it would void the warrenty ro switch to dinosaur oil instead of synthetic... Not that I want to, I was just curious.

After reading this forum for th last month it seamed to me a number of people would believe their dealer would try to get out of a warrenty claim so I figure it's better to keep the records.  Plus potential buyers often like to see the service records so they know their potential purchase has been well cared for.

Thanks for the info!
J-Carr

[Gunn Runner]

Keep the fluids changed, save the receipts, lube the kick stand, make sure belt is OK, and ride like you stole it ! I take mine in every 10K and do the rest myself....some things I like HD doing, like fork oil, brake pads, idle adjustments, etc....when I sold my '03 Anniversary ULtra Classic, I had all my records for the new Owner. Makes the sale worth a few extra bucks.

[NWbiker]

Its interesting I went to that web page typed in my VIN and said 5000 miles.  The MOCO does not recommend a oil change at 5000 miles.  The dealer is telling everyone change your oil at 2500-3000 miles.  Was it not Jiffy lube that started this 3,000 mile oil change thing.  I run a synthetic in my bikes for years and go past that 3,000 mile mark and have never blown up a motor yet.  The oil looks better than the dyno oil they sell.  The SYN3 is not a full synthetic oil so I run Amsoil.