Pays in more ways then one to do your own maintenance

[awayatc]

Got myself a Harley Heritage Softtail at X-mas....
After a few thousand km's and a bit of tinkering it was time to do a bit of "maintenace"
When I bought the bike I was assured that it just had been serviced....
I do believe the previous owner had paid for service to...

BUT, when I drained the engine oil it was low and way past good looking.
The gearbox oil was low as well and disgusting looking....like no oil I have seen before....
The primary oil was not that great either and 25% overfilled.
Sparkplugs looked old but ok.ish.
Airfilter I claned previously, and wlas unbelievably dirty then.
I replaced both front and rear tyres as well.....(The harley shop had over a week waiting time...)
Front brakepads were dodgy as well.
Drivebelt was to slack according to workshop manual specifications.

When I asked for the HD drivebelt deflection tool, I was told they only sold one in the last 4 years....nobody does their own maintenance anymore.....

Anyway, after a little testride: Goes better in and out of gear.(less klonking
clutch seems to operate better,)
And I believe (maybe not objective..) that engine noises are better ( less or none "strange" noises)

Anyway I am happy, I learned a bit more about MY own bike, and I know what is what.
I now know definitely certain it has all the essentials in good order......

[elevenhundred]

Doing your own maintenance is good peace of mind, you never know what someone may or may not have done to the bike before you got it.

It's also a good way to get acquainted with your new pride and joy

[dipshit]

Yep, your average NZ bike shop couldn't service a freaking wheelbarrow.

[Hitcher]

Yep, your average NZ bike shop couldn't service a freaking wheelbarrow.

Which is good, because I wouldn't take my wheelbarrow to a motorcycle shop if it needed servicing. I also don't have the time, space, tools or inclination to do my own servicing. We have found a motorcycle dealership that takes good care of us and our bikes, and we trust them to continue doing that.

[awayatc]

Trust is a great thing......I heard about some people finding good honest mechanics/workshops.....
If you do go back by all means...
I been a few times succesfully to small claims tribunal, and heard plenty other horror stories.
Plus I like doing my own maintenance and repairs.....comes in handy when things go pearshaped on the road...

Also a few garages about charging you for work NOT done, or performed poorly.....
The maintenance that was meant to have been done on the Harley I bought very clearly hadn't been done....
But paid for....
How would you know....?

[dipshit]

We have found a motorcycle dealership that takes good care of us and our bikes, and we trust them to continue doing that.

You have found a....

You shouldn't have to *find* one you can trust.

That's why i said the *average* bike shop in NZ couldn't service a freaking wheelbarrow.

There are lots out there that you couldn't trust to look after your pride and joy.