A Landmark Morning

[My Name Is Dave]

I finally got a good forecast and decided to ride to work this morning. The PDX-to-Vancouver commute is about 20 miles each way, and I passed 500 miles when I got on the freeway!    So I have 515 upon hitting the office and will have a little over 530 when i get home. I have been dying to get past the intial break-in so I can give it a little more juice. I have to admit though that the first month of riding at 5K and under really helped me get familiar with the bike and how it rides. And like everyone here, I couldn't be happier with the bike.  :mrgreen:  I think it's time to call the dealer and get an appointment set up, don't you agree?  

Dave  

[zlei]

Congratz, and hope more days of fair weather to follow.

[The Buddha]

I think I did 38,888.8 on my nitehawk today ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[dionysus]

I hit 500 a couple days ago, but just changed the oil yesterday. I figure its actually, 1000km which is like 631 miles, so I'm fine. I'll finish the initial tune up this weekend. Thought about taking it to a shop, but for $200, I can do it myself.

[My Name Is Dave]

The reason I'm taking it in is to keep the warranty valid. Once this first year is up, I'll become a wrencher  

Dave  

[scottpA_GS]

I looked down at a red light today and I was @ exactly 777.7  

[My Name Is Dave]

I looked down at a red light today and I was @ exactly 777.7  

Nice. How in the hell did you get that bike with only 180 on it? Did someone get it and just let it sit for the past 5 years? That is such a sweet deal for you.

Dave  

[The Buddha]

The reason I'm taking it in is to keep the warranty valid. Once this first year is up, I'll become a wrencher  

Dave  

Yea me too ... :lol:  - on my 83 nitehawk ... That's really important ya know ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[dionysus]

The reason I'm taking it in is to keep the warranty valid. Once this first year is up, I'll become a wrencher  

Are you just worried about missing something or will performing your own services void it? I couldn't imagine it voiding he warranty (but haven't gone through it with a fined tooth comb). IIRC, on a car you can even do things such as replace suspension parts (that are street legal) without affecting the warranty. Of course, they wont cover your new stuff..

But, IANAL. In fact, IREKWITA (I rarely even know what I'm talking about).

[davipu]

yes, without the dealer performing the initial service the warranty will be voided.

[dionysus]

Damn, now I got to drive to OC. How far over the 1000km till it's voided?

[cobalt135]

I just ticked over 2,100 miles.   Signed the papers and brought the bike home the end of April.  I have done all my maintenance.  The dealer said if you choose to do your own keep a record and ALL reciepts for you purchases (oil, filters, etc.)  On my warranty contract it states:  "The blanks on the reverse side of this form should be completed each time the Approved Vehicld is serviced.  If service is not performed by a repair facility, retain receipts for evidence of work performed".

[My Name Is Dave]

On my warranty contract it states:

So that is included in the paperwork I got when I purchased it? Not to sound like an idiot, but I put all those papers together in my desk and didn't read over the warranty. I still may take it in, just because it's so new to me and I have never done maintenance on a bike before. I think I could handle it, but we'll see. I would like to save the money though and do it myself.   :dunno:

IS it possibly easy enough to do it right the first time and not screw it up?

Dave

[scottpA_GS]

The people I bought the bike from got it new in 95 and rode it for 4 days 180 miles.. and that was it.. It sat in their temp. controled garage for 10 years! I dont know why and I dont care.. I bought it off e-bay for $1000.00 And drove to Arkansas and piked it up. It needed one hell of a cleaning, but it was well worth it.. Its mint !

[My Name Is Dave]

So I have been thinking, and I'd like your opinions. I am debating the options of doing the initial maintenance myself or taking it to the dealer. If it is true that doing it myself would not void the warranty (of course I would keep all the proper documentation), I could save over $100. But I would like to know that it is 100% right and I did all the important things.

So is anyone completely FOR taking it in for the first tune-up?

And how about completely AGAINST taking it in but rather doing it yourself?
I am pretty handy with a wrench, but I have been only working on cars so far.

Thanks everybody,

Dave  

[My Name Is Dave]

So update, I'm at 590 after the afternoon ride through the country roads outside of PDX  

So I am for sure ready for the initial maintenance, which brings me back to the question I posed above:


So is anyone completely FOR taking it in for the first tune-up?

And how about completely AGAINST taking it in but rather doing it yourself?

I really do want to make sure everything is done right and any problems are caught. So that makes me want to go to the dealer. But I would love to do it for cheap, assuming it's going to be no sweat on my own.

Thanks all,

Dave

[The Buddha]

You said "Done right" ... OK must do it yourself ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[scottpA_GS]

I agree...


If you are comfortable.. Do it your self. In most of my experience the dealer  isnt worth it. You will be more scrupulous? picky.. you know. I cant spell..

[My Name Is Dave]

Very cool. I'll go over the warranty again just to be sure, and then it sounds like I will be having a little project for the holiday weekend  

Does anyone here mind if I PM and/or email them with questions that come up during the process? Things like what type of oil and filter they recommend, how do I get (blank) to (blank), etc. I actually would like to get a list of everything I need to begin: tools, lubes, oils, etc. If somebody could shoot me an email or PM with that list I would be forever grateful. And if someone here is cool with the idea of me summoning their help via email, please reply and let me know.

Hands down, this is the BEST forum I have ever used. Nothing but helpful and educational. Cheers

Dave  

[davipu]

go right ahead,  if I remember right, there should be a pretty complete list of what you need in the owners manual.  but feel free to ask any questions you may have.