HD service sucks.

[Miami78]

Back when I needed my 5k service I took my bike in to HD to get it done as I had no place to perform it myself and was worried about voiding my warranty. I had taken 5 qt's of royal purple in to the dealer to use for engine and primary oil to replace the HD synthetic they used on the 1k service.

Now that my 10k was due and I had my garage cleared out I did the service myself. Drained the engine oil, obviously royal purple. Drained primary oil, obviously not royal purple, and from how burned it smelled probably the same oil from the 1k service. I hate letting other people mess with my bike...[mad]

 

[kyle_dewald]

That really sucks man, but do you not change your oil every 2,500-3,000 miles?

 

[Miami78]

Nope, every 5k with fully synthetic.

 

[Alfatango1]

do you not change your oil every 2,500-3,000 miles?

Why would you with synthetic? Even when I lived in Phoenix and rode in 110 degree heat I would never change syn until 5000 to 7500 miles. There's no need really.

 

[kyle_dewald]

Damn, I use synthetic and I still change it no later than 3k, I would rather spend a little extra on oil and keep the bike longer, but I might just be a little paranoid

 

[freak2180]

If yall are Changing full Syn at 5000 miles....when should I change mine? I get lucky to put 1000 miles on mine a season. Should I wait 5 years? LOL I know the obvious awnser is no, but realisticly....should I change it every season anyways?

 

[Alfatango1]

Should I wait 5 years? LOL I know the obvious awnser is no, but realisticly....should I change it every season anyways?

I wouldn't, every two years, sure. Do you start bike up periodically and let it warm up?

 

[buelljek]

not stealing, but HD just screwed me too. I pay them for bike inspection b4 I bought it and they didint catch any problems not even a BENT SWING ARM! they did however charge me $90.oo FHD

 

[freak2180]

I wouldn't, every two years, sure. Do you start bike up periodically and let it warm up?

When Im at home for 2 weeks and get to ride it I sure do......Its the 30-45 days at a time that Im gone that it dosent get started.

 

[MotoPhreke]

I hate dealers period, whether it's HD, or Automotive. It never fails, something ALWAYS come back to piss me off, I've had a dealers lose parts and still put the bike back together, I mean who needs the upper support for a primary chain tensioner anyways.. And same with cars, you tell them where to look for the problem, they follow their books make you buy a bunch of parts you don't need, and when all else fails they find the issue where you told them to look. [mad]

 

[Alfatango1]

Its the 30-45 days at a time that Im gone that it dosent get started.

You're fine every few years. Never hurts but with internals coated with syn and the fact that it doesn't break down like conventional oil I think you're safe.

 

[Xb12sLt]

I just saw a hd tech one day at the bank, I fired up some friendly chat about bikes.....his words were "we avoid those buells as much as we can!!"

 

[Alfatango1]

"we avoid those buells as much as we can!!"

I think it may be geographical or the size of the dealership. The two I worked with, Chandler HD in Phoenix and San Diego HD have been real good. They seem well trained on our bikes and have everything to fix and diagnose XB's.

 

[Miami78]

Kyle - Yeah, that's overkill...I don't think there is much benefit changing it that often, the oil I got out of my swingarm still looked great.

freak - I'd change it once a season if that's all you ride. Time is another factor, not just mileage.

 

[Miami78]

I was pretty happy with the 5k service back when I got it done. People at the counter were very nice, gave me a discount on parts associated with the service without me asking for it. The whole interaction was very pleasant overall, thought everything was great. Didn't think much about it that my bike still shifted exactly the same, big clunk from N to 1st and 1st to 2nd...I had hoped the royal purple in the gear box would smooth it out a little. It just pisses me off when someone doesn't do what they are supposed to do...makes me wonder what else they cut corners on.

 

[vospertw]

You can always send your oil out to a lab if you are worried about it. $25 (IIRC) but if it saves you a few quarts of synthetic by not changing so often it's not a bad price. Probably even a better price if you are trying to extend the interval too long. The amount of oil you add between oil changes makes a difference as well.

If you send them a sample every so often they can give you an early heads up (sometimes) on internal problems too.

San Diego Harley - if you ever need some work there, ask if Casey can do it. Great guy, loves Buells, damn good tech.

 

[Jobe Zeebuh]

I agree. HD service sux!!! I bought my bike from a private owner for $3000. With only 3k on her. I put 3500 miles on her last summer and fall. Royal purple for sure. The only one time I went to HD was for a new belt and I put it on for sure.

Its not just HD. I have noticed other mechanics just plain ripping people off everywhere.

My advise...DIY or have a experienced Buddie help you. Not a drunk buddie or a drug addict tho. They will charge you $20 and jack your bike up!!! I find almost all my questions answered on this forum. Thank you Buell.xb!!!

 

[WALLSXB]

Screw the dealer! Here in the D/FW area we have a shop called the Flying Tire ( fort worth and lewisville ) with ex Harley / Buell techs . Their prices are good and they know what the hell they are doing.. The Ft. Worth location has Jeremiah , he's a Buell tech and rider . They're just good people to deal with . [up]

I was not paid to say this !!!!!!

 

[gtp3800]

i run ams oil. change it every 10k miles or once a riding season. use that for my primary also. its great

 

[mowgoli84]

I guess I am lucky that the dealer I use not only still backs buell but has some techs that only ride buells. I always make sure I schedule with them.

New Castle Buell, New Castle PA.. One of the few good places left =)