Cause for concern?
- Thread starter Deuce07
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Have he bike checked by a factory trained mechanic. Fifty bucks well spent.
I agree with Lonnie. Have the bike checked out by someone in the buisness. The next thing that I would do if you do buy the bike is to buy the factory HD repair manual and do everything that you fell comfortable with yourself. Fluid changes are really easy and it's a good way to get to know your new ride.
As to your original question, I think that HD now has a 1k first service interval. It should be fine. Good luck!
As to your original question, I think that HD now has a 1k first service interval. It should be fine. Good luck!
No, not a cause for concern. However, I would call my local Harley shop and ask about the 1,000 service. You're looking at about $250 but they change the fluids and go over every inch of the bike. It's money well spent for a bike in the situation that you describe.
Here's my '06 in black cherry. (looks black in this light)
Here's my '06 in black cherry. (looks black in this light)
Nice bike K ballowe
Even Harley has better initial engine internal part fitment. It's probably not neccessary to do the short inital OCI anymore, at least, not for the engine oil. I certainly think transmission/final drives/gear oils are fine to change early...no filters!
It seems to me that if there are any concerns at all, they fall into two categories:
1) The 700 miles is beyond the recommended first change, or
2) The time the oil has been there -- the bike is an '06 -- might imply oxidation and corrosion
The first one seems less a concern in my mind. I'm not familiar with H-D maintenance schedules, but whatever it is, I can't imagine 700 miles is all that much out of whack.
The second one is what came to my mind. Imagine the bike was brand new in early 2006 (or, potentially, late 2005). That would mean there's the potential the oil has been in there for coming up on two years. Generally speaking, I seem to recall people speaking of there being a time limit on how long an oil can just "sit there" in the bike.
Someone more knowledgeable than me will have to weigh in on whether oil that sits for that long a time might be a problem, and if so, what the extent or degree of the problem might be ... worst case would be what I think Deuce07 is looking for.
1) The 700 miles is beyond the recommended first change, or
2) The time the oil has been there -- the bike is an '06 -- might imply oxidation and corrosion
The first one seems less a concern in my mind. I'm not familiar with H-D maintenance schedules, but whatever it is, I can't imagine 700 miles is all that much out of whack.
The second one is what came to my mind. Imagine the bike was brand new in early 2006 (or, potentially, late 2005). That would mean there's the potential the oil has been in there for coming up on two years. Generally speaking, I seem to recall people speaking of there being a time limit on how long an oil can just "sit there" in the bike.
Someone more knowledgeable than me will have to weigh in on whether oil that sits for that long a time might be a problem, and if so, what the extent or degree of the problem might be ... worst case would be what I think Deuce07 is looking for.
700 miles and your worried about the oil left in to long? $250 for a oil change? You Harley people are worse than I thought. Even if the oil was in there for 2 years it has 700 miles, it isnt even broke in yet. $250 dollars for a oil change in a motorcycle is money well spent, whats a oil change in a pickup run you, around a grand?
Well it's not just an oil change. Take your Honda in for its' first service and see what they charge you. The first service on my Gold Wing makes that HD service look like a bargain. No - I do my own and I have a full set of service manuals but not everyone is handy at this sort of thing.
The concern here is that if that bike is two years old and only 700 miles - did the previous owner add them up at three miles per ride, or did he put them on at 50 miles per ride? And how was it stored thru the winter? Have seen more than a few with water in the oil.
Panzerman is right.
The mechanics in most Harley shops don't know fecal matter from shinola anyway. They can't tell you anymore about the inside condition of that engine than I can from sitting out here in cyber-land...
That 250 dollar service is a HUGE...
The bike is fine. Just go on and change the oil and filter and ride it. Then repeat every 2500 miles using a quality DINO
oil and all will be well...
There may indeed be some minor corrosion, but that'll all come out in the wash.
Harley Davidson has somehow managed to get folks to buy into some of the most dunderheaded pablum lapping in the entire history of sheister-dom.
You can change your own oil--and no, you don't have to buy GENUINE!!
Harley (read Citgo Chavez) oil... you can and probably should use something like Havoline or Pennzoil or Castrol 20W50 car oil)... UOA's on file here back up what I've just said.
Good luck with the new bike, if you choose to buy it. And if you choose to take it in for a 250 dollar squishin' I'll try to remember to pray for you.
Dan
The mechanics in most Harley shops don't know fecal matter from shinola anyway. They can't tell you anymore about the inside condition of that engine than I can from sitting out here in cyber-land...
That 250 dollar service is a HUGE...
The bike is fine. Just go on and change the oil and filter and ride it. Then repeat every 2500 miles using a quality DINO
There may indeed be some minor corrosion, but that'll all come out in the wash.
Harley Davidson has somehow managed to get folks to buy into some of the most dunderheaded pablum lapping in the entire history of sheister-dom.
You can change your own oil--and no, you don't have to buy GENUINE!!
Good luck with the new bike, if you choose to buy it. And if you choose to take it in for a 250 dollar squishin' I'll try to remember to pray for you.
Dan
I dont have a Honda, A Kawasaki, but anyhow, brand not being important. One time, I took a new bike back for 1,000 mile service and it was like $130, this was years ago, it was a total rip off, never again. I have serviced all my bikes, they are really no harder than a car to service, the dealer likes to scare most part time bikers into thinking its a big deal, real deal, the valves dont come out of adjustment in nearly the time they claim and adjustment is made easy on newer bikes, the chain can be adjusted in minutes, most have spin on oil filters, that can be bought at auto parts stores or WALMART, diesel oil(15w40) is as good or better than the bike makers best bike oil. Its simply a service racket in the purest form. Have I seen water in oil, yes in ATVs after poker runs, it looked like chocolate milk coming out, did it blow up, no, was it fine after a oil change, yes. I have brought more than one bike home that has set in a barn for over 10 years and they were fine, being that a Harley is air cooled any moisture would burn off very quickly in any rides. Perfect example of this 2 weeks ago, starter went out on a 250 Polaris ATV, know from past experiences Polaris ATVs are not even easy to work on, even change oil in, got scared, called Polaris, qouted me about $150 labor and a crazy price for a new starter like $150, it would be like $300 bucks, I get on Ebay, buy a brand new starter shipped fo $68 bucks with warranty. I figure a got a free weekend and more tools than I know what half of them do, Ill tackle it, with the help of a 10 year old son, 20 minutes from start to stop. It was cinch. They are crooks, but they are toys and people just pay it.
what can go wrong in 700 miles that needs a $250 in service?
are they that lousy? seems high to me at such a short interval would think $250 for a 10,000 service would make more sense.
bruce
are they that lousy? seems high to me at such a short interval would think $250 for a 10,000 service would make more sense.
bruce
My 04 BMW R1150RT cost me over $400 at San Jose BMW for the 600mi service. That was the first and last time I ever went there. They hand me a bill for over $400 and don't even list what was done. When I asked what was done, I was told by the so called service manager to "look in your book, it will tell you what was done". What a crock. I bought my bike there but will never go back again. They are highly regarded in the BMW world, but they suck compared to other dealers. I now drive 150mi to Ozzie's BMW in Chico for all my service needs.
Man, must have struck a nerve.
You fellas hate all dealers, or just most dealers?
You'd probably be amazed how many people bring their bikes in for oil changes. Got one the other day that was three years old and had 1,011 miles on it. There was white gunk all around the dipstick threads and you could see white crud in there. Yeah, air-cooled engines will burn off the moisture if you get them up to operating temperature for some amount of time..... Sure enough this one had some water in the oil.
As far as which oil to use - never seen an oil-related failure. Run what you want as long as you get the right viscosity range. Most problems have been abuse or water.
You fellas hate all dealers, or just most dealers?
You'd probably be amazed how many people bring their bikes in for oil changes. Got one the other day that was three years old and had 1,011 miles on it. There was white gunk all around the dipstick threads and you could see white crud in there. Yeah, air-cooled engines will burn off the moisture if you get them up to operating temperature for some amount of time..... Sure enough this one had some water in the oil.
As far as which oil to use - never seen an oil-related failure. Run what you want as long as you get the right viscosity range. Most problems have been abuse or water.
What?!! You don't meant to take the fun out of all our debates about zinc and TBN and all that, do you?
You're no fun anymore!
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