"Sticking to your maintenance schedule is important to keep your motorcycle safe and trouble free," according to the Harley Davidson Maintenance website. Performing regular maintenance yourself saves money as long as you are experienced. Always check your bike before riding.
Checking your bike regularly for needed repair and maintenance will improve performance and ensure safety. Harley Riders Guide website recommends routinely checking tire condition and inflation, battery cables, valve stems, brake pads and rotors, spoked wheels, lights and engine oil. It suggests referring to your manual as you look over your bike for necessary repairs. Along with Harley Riders Guide's tips, the Harley Davidson website stresses the importance of checking the handlebars for smoothness through their whole range of motion. Always check rear view mirrors and adjust them as needed.
Every 1,000 miles, replace transmission lubricant and oil and oil filter. At 10,000 miles, replace spark plugs and transmission lubricant. Also oil steering head bearings. At 20,000 miles, replace front fork oil, transmission lubricant and spark plugs. Adjust and oil steering head bearings. At 25,000 miles, replace brakes and oil front brake lever pin, brake caliper pins and master cylinder pistons. At 30,000 miles, replace rear fork bearings, transmission lubricant and spark plugs.
Each time you service your vehicle check all cables, hoses, bushings, filters and fluids and tighten, refill or replace as necessary. If you have a Sportster, replacing the air filter every 5,000 miles works better than attempting to clean it and increases fuel economy and performance.
