Service

So, you’ve been out on the road enjoying your new bike and have hit the 1,000-mile marker. Congratulations!  Now it’s time to take your bike to be serviced.

The Harley Davidson 1000 Mile Service Checklist sets the tone for bike performance and gets you going on the right foot. Or shall we say, on the right wheel?

A running theme in the Harley Davidson Service Checklist to keep your bike running smoothly is replacing the engine oil and filter. 

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, reduces friction, acts as a coolant, harnesses debris and allows for the internal combustion. Engine oil performs a lot of duties but is often taken for granted.  

As you ride your bike, your engine oil will filter particles and relocate them to the oil filter. The condition of your old engine oil can alert you to potential or “in the now” troubles. Talk to your Harley mechanic about alarming plastics or other items found in the filter.

You want engine oil that prevents corrosion and is formulated for maximum performance. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive. It just has to be right.

The longevity of your engine depends on proper oil levels and changing it as necessary. We’ve seen many engine rebuilds caused by improper oil. So, do yourself a favor and avoid the pothole, but not the oil change.

Moving on. Let’s see what all is on the Harley Davidson 1000 Miles Service Checklist:

• Replace Engine Oil and Oil Filter
  
• Inspect Brake System: brake pads, discs, oil lines, fluid reservoir
  
• Inspect Air Filter: service as required
  
• Review Tires: pressure, tread, tightness of wheel spokes
  
• Check Primary Chain – adjust as necessary, change lubricant, clean magnetic drain plug
  
• Check Transmission: replace lubricant
  
• Review Clutch: adjust and lubricate, throttle, brake, clutch controls
  
• Review Rear Drive Belt and Sprockets: inspect and adjust belt
  
• Inspect Jiffy Stand: lubricate
  
• Inspect Fuel Valve, Lines and Fittings: look for leaks
  
• Inspect Spark Plugs
  
• Check Air Suspension
  
• Check operation of Electrical Equipment and Switches
  
• Check Tightness of all Critical Fasteners: hand controls, brake system, axle nuts, front fork components, riser and handle bar fasteners
  
• Inspect Exhaust System: leaks, cracks and loose or missing fasteners or heat shields
  
• Road Test
  

After completing the Harley Davidson 1000 Miles Service Checklist, you’ve got time to put some miles under your belt. The next recommended service check is at 5,000 miles.

However, don’t forget to check the small things. Get to know your bike. It will let you know if something is amiss. It may be gradual or it may be urgent, but keep in mind sometimes your Harley wants your attention too.

Periodically, take a look at the tires. Road snakes, harsh road conditions, the accidental curb check, all can take a toll. A scratch or unnoticed puncture can lead to a flat tire. That’s no fun.

Let’s get down to business on the 5,000 Mile Checkup, it includes:

• Replace Engine Oil and Oil Filter
  
• Inspect Brake System: brake pads, discs, oil lines, fluid reservoir
  
• Inspect Air Filter: service as required
  
• Review Tires: pressure, tread, tightness of wheel spokes
  
• Review Clutch: adjust and lubricate, throttle, brake, clutch controls
  
• Review Rear Drive Belt and Sprockets: inspect and adjust belt
  
• Inspect Fuel Valve, Lines and Fittings: look for leaks
  
• Inspect Spark Plugs
  
• Check Air Suspension
  
• Check Operation of Electrical Equipment/Switches
  
• Inspect Exhaust System: leaks, cracks and loose or missing fasteners or heat shields
  
• Road Test
  

Here we are at the 10,000 mile service checklist. Bet you are really enjoying your bike, all 10,000 miles of it!

Have you noticed one very important Harley component that has been left out of the first two rounds of the Harley Davidson Service Checklist?

The battery! Your battery needs to be checked annually. It cannot wait to be checked at service intervals. Your Harley mechanic will guide you on how to keep your battery charged, especially if you do not ride often.  Improper charging and letting your battery go dead, can be disastrous.

Talk to your Harley go-to for details but please note our few helpful hints on keeping track of your battery.

• Monthly Visual Inspection
  
• Clean the Terminals
  
• Look for Loose Connectors
  
• Check for Leaks

Taking care of your battery will prevent corrosion and buildup of dirt and harmful sediments. Address leaks immediately and if your Harley isn’t starting, it could be a connector that is not attached properly.

Now that we have quickly covered battery care, we can move on the next maintenance interval and Harley Davidson 10,000 Miles Service Checklist: 

• Replace Engine Oil and Oil Filter
  
• Inspect Brake System: brake pads, discs, oil lines, fluid reservoir
  
• Inspect Air Filter: service as required
  
• Review Tires: pressure, tread, tightness of wheel spokes
  
• Check Primary Chain – adjust as necessary, change lubricant, clean magnetic drain plug
  
• Review Clutch: adjust and lubricate, throttle, brake, clutch controls
  
• Review Rear Drive Belt and Sprockets: inspect and adjust belt
  
• Inspect Jiffy Stand: lubricate
  
• Inspect Fuel Valve, Lines and Fittings: look for leaks
  
• Inspect Spark Plugs
  
• Check Air Suspension
  
• Check operation of Electrical Equipment and Switches
  
• Check Tightness of all Critical Fasteners: hand controls, brake system, axle nuts, front fork components, riser and handle bar fasteners
  
• Inspect Exhaust System: leaks, cracks and loose or missing fasteners or heat shields
  
• Road Test

Depending on how much you ride, it could seem your bike is in the shop often at service intervals. On the other hand, if you go for periods of time without riding, they will not come as quickly.  In either scenario, your out-of-pocket cost to repair will be significantly less if you take the Harley Davidson Service Checklist seriously.

Also, let’s talk fork oil for a moment. Fork oil serves two purposes: it provides lubrication for sliding parts and it provides damping. Damping helps with how well your bike adheres to and is affected by bumps in the road or unevenness.

How often should you change your fork oil?  It’s been quoted as every year or every 10,000 miles. 

So, what about the Harley Davidson 15,000 Mile Service Checklist?

Let’s take a look:

• Replace Engine Oil and Oil Filter
  
• Inspect Brake System: brake pads, discs, oil lines, fluid reservoir
  
• Inspect Air Filter: service as required
  
• Review Tires: pressure, tread, tightness of wheel spokes
  
• Review Clutch: adjust and lubricate, throttle, brake, clutch controls
  
• Review Rear Drive Belt and Sprockets: inspect and adjust belt
  
• Inspect Fuel Valve, Lines and Fittings: look for leaks
  
• Inspect Spark Plugs
  
• Check Air Suspension
  
• Check operation of Electrical Equipment and Switches
  
• Inspect Exhaust System: leaks, cracks and loose or missing fasteners or heat shields
  
• Road Test

If you think there is a lot of familiarity between the Harley Davidson 1000 Mile Service Checklist, Harley Davidson 5000 Mile Service Checklist, Harley Davidson 10,000 Mile Service Checklist and the Harley Davidson 15,000 Mile Service Checklist, you are correct! With years and years to perfect their brand, Harley knows what needs to serviced and on what time frame to keep their bikes running in perfect condition.  

Please keep in mind the items listed on supplied Harley Davidson Service Checklist intervals are a broad itemization. Specifics will vary from model to model. For details, reference your owner’s manual or call LA Cycles at 407-973-2453.

This is a great place to be. You’ve been through a lot with your bike after 20,000 miles. If you picked up your Harley sometime into its mileage, that’s great too. The important thing is you’ve stayed committed all the way to the Harley Davidson 20,000 Mile Service Checklist.

Before we dive in, there is something worth mentioning. Some Harley Davidson service tasks require proper tools and service data. Even though it may be tempting to do part of a service check in your garage, a Harley mechanic should always service certain tasks. These service tasks are related to: the brake system and oil lines, spoke wheels, clutch and components, drive belt and sprockets, jiffy stand, fuel lines and critical fasteners.

Without further delay, here is the Harley Davidson 20,000 Mile Service Checklist.

• Replace Engine Oil and Oil Filter
  
• Inspect Brake System: brake pads, discs, oil lines, fluid reservoir
  
• Inspect Air Filter: service as required
  
• Review Tires: pressure, tread, tightness of wheel spokes
  
• Check Primary Chain – adjust as necessary, change lubricant, clean magnetic drain plug
  
• Check Transmission: replace lubricant
  
• Review Clutch: adjust and lubricate, throttle, brake, clutch controls
  
• Review Rear Drive Belt and Sprockets: inspect and adjust belt
  
• Inspect Jiffy Stand: lubricate
  
• Inspect Fuel Valve, Lines and Fittings: look for leaks
  
• Inspect Spark Plugs and Replace Spark Plugs
  
• Check Air Suspension
  
• Check operation of Electrical Equipment and Switches
  
• Check Tightness of all Critical Fasteners: hand controls, brake system, axle nuts, front fork components, riser and handle bar fasteners
  
• Inspect Exhaust System: leaks, cracks and loose or missing fasteners or heat shields
  
• Road Test

Increase the Longevity of Your Harley

Following protocol with the Harley service intervals is a great way to increase the longevity of your bike. It will run smoother, perform better and save you money on costly repairs.

Harley-Davidson Syn-3 full fluid(motor, primary, transmission) change for $150