[Mtnharleyguy]

My Special has 960 miles and it’s due for a 1000 mile service.
Has anyone completed the service themselves to Harley’s satisfaction? I mean have you documented the service and then had to take the bike to a dealer for something later? What documentation does the dealer want to see in order to keep the factory warranty in place?
Also, is there a service reminder that needs to be reset? I have both the owners manual and the service manual, but I can’t find any information on a service reminder.
Thanks

 

[jwh20]

Yes, I did it myself and it's super simple and only needed one "special" tool that I didn't have, a fish scale.

I have it fully documented showing each item, what I did, what I measured, and all the parts I purchased (at the HD dealer - I used an HD oil filter and HD oil).

There is no "service reminder" on the bike. All the steps are clearly documented in the service manual.

See the attached PDF for the document.

I was going to have the dealer do it but I tried to get it in 2 weeks before I left on a trip July 1. They didn't have a service opening until 7/15 which is after I was planning on being back. So I did it myself. I'm due (overdue actually) for the 5K service and am planning on doing that myself as well. It's basically the same thing. In my opinion the most important service is oil + filter which is routine. You should be able to clean, lube, and adjust your chain anyway as that's due every 600 miles.

I know dealers have told customers that they MUST have service done by an HD dealer to keep the warranty intact. That is NOT true and has not been true since 1975! The Magnusen-Moss Warranty Act prohibits them from doing this. Harley-Davidson was warned just last month by the FTC for their practices in this area:

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2123140HarleyDavidsonComplaint.pdf

So any dealer should be aware of the law (USA only)! If you hear this from a dealer you should point them to the Magnusen-Moss Act and also the FTC warning. They open themselves up to significant civil liability for violations of this law.

Magnusen-Moss Warranty Act

 

[Blueskies]

You mean when they post stuff like this all over the service department?

 

[jwh20]

You mean when they post stuff like this all over the service department? View attachment 1418

That's EXACTLY what they were warned about!

 

[goosegreen]

Surley you loose waranty by getting your own mits dirty ? The magnusen act may apply to USA law but in Europe i think it does not apply.

 

[Alberto Rinaldo]

GM Guys,

anybody knows if it's possible to get in touch with the USA Customer Service by email or fax? I would prefer not to call them in the States.

I read articles here saying the service is not the best but I want to give it a try.

Thank you in advance,
Alberto

 

[jwh20]

Surley you loose waranty by getting your own mits dirty ? The magnusen act may apply to USA law but in Europe i think it does not apply.

I'm not familiar with the laws in Europe but I would not be surprised if something similar is in effect.

 

[Nimda]

I'm not familiar with the laws in Europe but I would not be surprised if something similar is in effect.

Unfortunately it’s completely different in Europe and the UK. You don’t have to get the service done by a main dealer, but it has to be done be a mechanic at a VAT registered garage. So no buying the parts yourself and doing the service.

It’s a right pain. I ended up paying a HD dealer £290 to do a 1000 miles service. He was done in under an hour. I ended up buying the parts and redoing the service just to make sure it had been done correctly.

 

[roadrash83]

The Pirates at my local HD dealership charge $75 a half hour, they won't see my bike for anything but warranty work!

 

[goosegreen]

Nothing is for free

The Pirates at my local HD dealership charge $75 a half hour, they won't see my bike for anything but warranty work!

Nothing is for free and here in Germany it is more expensive but if the work and support are good i don,t mind paying but perhaps thats a big IF in the USA ?

 

[Dirtglide]

The selling dealer phoned me last week; your bike is due it's first service, can we help with that?

Thanks, but I had that done locally (independent motorcycle mechanic, using HD oil filter).

Okay, we will schedule to give you a call next year for the 5000 mile service.

Okay, hope I get there, thanks!

There is no service record book with the bike. I just put the invoice in with the manual pack.

 

[jwh20]

The Pirates at my local HD dealership charge $75 a half hour, they won't see my bike for anything but warranty work!

That's in no way out of line with what other brand's dealerships charge. In fact it's less than the local BMW and Ducati dealer charge. Last I checked they were both $200/hour.

 

[Dirtglide]

That's in no way out of line with what other brand's dealerships charge. In fact it's less than the local BMW and Ducati dealer charge. Last I checked they were both $200/hour.

My local trusted, experienced, qualified, independent motorcycle mechanic, charges me £35/hour. And I get to talk to him about my bike afterwards.

 

[Alberto Rinaldo]

My local trusted, experienced, qualified, independent motorcycle mechanic, charges me £35/hour. And I get to talk to him about my bike afterwards.

Mine is thinking about the efforts he spent on the job and then he prices it. I think he's really honest doing that.

 

[Ruckuss0711]

My Special has 960 miles and it’s due for a 1000 mile service.
Has anyone completed the service themselves to Harley’s satisfaction? I mean have you documented the service and then had to take the bike to a dealer for something later? What documentation does the dealer want to see in order to keep the factory warranty in place?
Also, is there a service reminder that needs to be reset? I have both the owners manual and the service manual, but I can’t find any information on a service reminder.
Thanks

This guy has a very thorough and informative 4 part series of how to properly complete all the service checks. Check it out. Great production quality.

 

[Ruckuss0711]

I also bought all the consumables from HD and did my own service. I printed out the service intervals section from the owners manual and used it as a check list signing each block checked and adding any measurements in the notes box. Then signed and dated the bottom with current mileage as well as the owners manual. Stapled it all together with receipts and filed in the bikes historical file.

 

[wags4111013i]

You mean when they post stuff like this all over the service department? View attachment 1418

If your changing pistons sleeves heads all to aftermarket they are saying the warranty can be voided

 

[Dozer]

I’m a ticketed heavy equipment tech and generally do all my own wrenching. I brought my PAS in for the first service as I had a trip planned and with work being busy leading up to our departure date I barely had enough time to get the mileage on the bike let alone do the service. From here on out I’ll buy a OEM engine oil filter and record the mileage on the invoice like I do with all my vehicles. I would think that in order to void my warranty they would have to prove that something I did or installed caused a failure. Besides all I got back from the dealer after the service is a checklist with 5 items checked off covered with dirty finger prints.

 

[wags4111013i]

I’m a ticketed heavy equipment tech and generally do all my own wrenching. I brought my PAS in for the first service as I had a trip planned and with work being busy leading up to our departure date I barely had enough time to get the mileage on the bike let alone do the service. From here on out I’ll buy a OEM engine oil filter and record the mileage on the invoice like I do with all my vehicles. I would think that in order to void my warranty they would have to prove that something I did or installed caused a failure. Besides all I got back from the dealer after the service is a checklist with 5 items checked off covered with dirty finger prints.

Totally agree . I am just stating what some people do and then expect a warranty to be covered