I going to start doing all the maintenance on my bike myself. Dealers are killing me. On my tune up I think I'm going to change to a K&N air and oil filter. I'm also thinking of changing to synthetic oil. What was the process you went through when you went to synthetic?

Hey Eddie,

No biggie.
To convert over to the syn/s - I just did a regular fluid change to everything. I did let it all drain for a longer than normal time but nothing special. While i had things open I did my maintenance cycle on the primary chain tension adjustment block.

I just did the back tire on my bike too - again, no biggie.

You have to have some tools - I have a hydraulic bike lift, and I've been collecting the specialized ones since I started back in '95. I bought a craftsmen set that I've been adding to as I go. I carry it all in my saddle bag just in case... so far- the only time I needed an allen wrench I left the tools home... so having them makes for great insurance.

I'm going to post the threads here so you can check the details - hope it helps - if you need any answers I'll do my best to get them to you.

Maintenance Cycle - It's time: http://www.harleyridersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=1299&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Tool Box: What's in my tool box: http://www.harleyridersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=1513&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I use the K&N: KN-170C on my bike. Works the same as the HD - Costs more, I think I'm going back to the less expensive ones.
I replaced the air cleaner kit on my bike with the stealth air stream from s&s - I think it works great - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the OEM. IF you're asking me which one I'd recommend I'd go with the S&S - they do Harley best - IMHO.
The old system used to spit oil out the bottom of the air cleaner - this one doesn't. This one breathes better with an air cleaner surface 2x the OEM. Plus - S&S is just plain cool.

Hey thanks RK. I was looking for those threads but I could't remember were they were. I'll go down to the sports bike shop I've found and check out what they have for Sportsters. they specialize in Harley parts without the HD price. Also the dealers out here are hesitant to sell parts if they'er not going to be the one installing them. It seems a big pricey scam to me I've gotten know some other Sporty guys they told me that the Sporty OEM air cleaner is already set up for high performance and by just adding a high performance air filter will add 3-5 hp to the bike.
I'm looking at one of these.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... ?hftref=cj

i'd go for the new air cleaner and give it a shot first - if it's true.

I checked out the jack - not sure you want narrow wheels on either end - mine is same width in front to back. When the bike is jacked up it hangs off the jack quite a bit on both sides - you want the widest jack you can find.

Make sure your frame has the right spacing that the jack will fit under the frame without pinching anything. My frame has a jacking channel welded in front of the back wheel (I've seen it on other bikes - yours probably has the same thing), it cuts into my jack so I use a small piece of wood I cut to prop the frame higher in the back so it doesn't chew the jack up.

I also use jack stands under the farthest corners of the frame/swingarm to steady the bike once it's in the air the height I need it at. A jack alone is not a safe working platform.

I found a good shop and parts place here in town the Iron Horse Coral. They specialize in Harley, Indian, and choppers. In that order. They are much better than the dealers. They did recommended upgrading to a Big Sucker if I was going to go with a better filter. they said for the money I'm going to spend I wouldn't be happy with just the filter so I ordered one and I'm installing this week. The Maintenance I did went text book. I'm also replacing my break pads this week. They took a look at my disks and said that they were in good shape. I'm also looking at upgrading my exhaust system. I talked to them about upgrading to 1200 heads but they told me that since I was looking at maybe getting a second bike (Possibly a Road King) that it wouldn't be worth it for me to invest in new heads.

I was told the same thing about that jack, Harbor freight has a cheaper one with a wider wheal base I looking at.

I'll tell you what. That was fun. So any way. I change my oil, both primary and engine, changed my spark plugs. 0.40 gap, oil filter, did my clutch and clutch chain adjustment, installed a Big Sucker air filter, changed my front break pads, detailed it. I wish I would have taken video just to show how good a back yard mechanic can mess up on his fist run through.
Though this isn't my first time working on vehicles. I have worked on hot rods before and my family cars. This is my first time working on a Harley.

Hey you guys job well done!

Good Job!!
Yeah the hardest part is the initial commitment to start making a running bike not work to fix it better.


So it's been about a week now... anything fall off yet?
Just Funnin' Ya!!

Not yet but there's always hope.