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January 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Winter is upon us now and our bike's don't get ridden much. If you have to hear your bike run, wait until a nice warm winter day to run it. starting it in freezing weather is not a good idea. It runs down batteries, fouls spark plugs and is hard on the starter as well. It's better to wait until it's a warm enough day to go for a ride for a few miles. Just remember to wash off any road salt which is very corrosive on metals. Adding some fuel conditioner would be a good idea also.

February 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Recalls on your bike? If you're the original owner of your bike, Harley-Davidson will send you a letter telling you about recalls that may come up on your bike. If you bought your bike used and Harley doesn't know you now own it, you won't know about recalls. We, as a Harley dealership, can fax a form to let Harley know you own this bike so they can notify you in case of a recall. There is no cost. Just let me know if you want this done. I will need your VIN, date of sale, miles and your name and address with your signature. It only takes a minute.

March 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

The riding season is just around the corner and there is one small but very important thing to check. It is so easy to check but so often overlooked. It is the brake light function. To think that just one small wire about the thickness of a hair inside that bulb may be all there is to keep that car or truck or even your fellow biker off your tail. Check both front and rear brakes to activate that brake light. A few seconds could save you a lot of misery later. Nowadays we can replace that bulb with an L.E.D. (light emitting diode) which is much brighter and last much longer and uses less power to work.

April 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

My exhaust is blue-ing, does this mean it's running too lean or hot? I hear this often. Working here I see blue pipes every day. I usually ask if the bike starts OK, runs OK, has good power, idles alright. Most of the time if a bike is running lean or hot enough to do itself damage, the bike usually doesn't run right. The exhaust systems we install have warnings that they don't warranty pipes tuning blue. Even it you take a stock Harley-Davidson that is in good tune and run it hard enough, the exhaust will turn blue somewhere.

May 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Can baffles be taken out of the pipes and not hurt my bike (EFI or carb) and what about warranty on the bike? I've been asked this many times. I tell people what I've learned from doing this and talking to H-D. Taking them out may not help the power but I haven't seen any mechanical problems. I've been taking them out of EFI bikes for ten years without re-maping the bike's computer. I do recommend re-maping or re-jet to get the most out of the opened up pipes. My H-D reps tell me that if the pulled out baffles cause an engine problem or running problem, warranty won't cover that, but it won't cancel the whole warranty.

June 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

I'm often asked how long most batteries last? My response is it depends on how you treat your battery. Most batteries are now sealed, maintenance free, not water level to check and stronger cranking power. Batteries are so much better now without worrying about acid leaking on the bike, staining whatever it touches and the sealed battery can lay on it's side and not hurt anything. I usually see the new sealed batteries lasting about four years but if the bike lives a pampered life like my H-D, much longer. I just replace mine and it was eight years old! Keeping the bike out of the winter freeze and having a battery tender hooked up when the bike is not in use, like winter, helps a lot.

July 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Hot bike for us to work on? If you ride your bike in here for us to work on and it's hot, we use a fan to cool it off. With most routine services we can do many things while your bike cools down. We can check the air in the tires, check the lights and switches, service the air cleaner, inspect the brake pads and more. So, if you think your bike has to sit here several hours to cool down, it doesn't. Usually about 15 to 20 minutes is enough.

August 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

It seems lately I've had phone calls asking if gasoline with 10% ethanol (grain alcohol) is okay to use. Harley Davidson says it's okay to use if it is not over 10%. In Kansas I've seen many stations selling this, I suggest you use 91 octane or greater. Other types of gasoline that are okay are methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and reformulater or oxygenated gasolines (RFG). These are usually found in the big cities.

September 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Did you hear an odd noise? Come by and let us check it out. Most of the time I find it to be normal noises but not always. Some noise we might hear could be the start of much worse things to come. It's better to catch it sooner than later.

October 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

When a customer tells me their bike is leaking lots of oil, I will ask, "How much? Smaller or larger than a Frisbee?" I did my own test on how much oil leaves how big of a spot. One drop of oil on a smooth surface spreads out to almost one inch around. One teaspoon and about 15 teaspoons to make one ounce. So with 32 ounces in a quart that's about 480 teaspoons or six-inch around oil spots or 24,000 drops or one inch spots to make a quart. Your bike would have to be leaking a very long time to add up to enough to risk damage. So don't get too worked up if you see a few drops of oil, just ride by and let me look at the problem. If you have an old harley and it's not leaking oil, it might mean you're out of oil!

November 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Windshields are made of plastic, but have a lexan coating which give it a hard coating, more scratch resistant than plastic. If it were only plastic, it would scratch anytime you tried to clean it. To keep the shield clear for years to come, use products made only for plastic type windshields. Do not use glass cleaners like Windex or Rain-X wich can cloud the shield. Use a clean, soft rag or paper towel made for scratch free cleaning. If you're not sure what to clean it with, plain hot water is a safe bet. Getting the shield wet and soaking the bugs for awhile will help them wash off without scratching the shield.

January 2006 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Most all Harley's use DOT 5 oil but now the '05 FL touring line has gone to DOT 4. Harley Davidson did this because the new police bikes have A.B.S. (anti-lock brake systems) and require DOT 4 so Harley thought it would be better at the assembly line to use DOT 4 in all Fl touring bikes. If DOT 4 is spilled on paint it can really mess up the body work if it is not cleaned off quickly. DOT 5 on paint takes a very long time to hurt it. DOT 5 can be left in the brake system just about forever, but DOT 4 should be changed every two years. The cap of the brake reservoir indicates which type of oil to use.

March 2007 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Winter is over, thankfully and the bikes are out! If your bike sat a lot this winter and you've been riding around and noticed the bike is not running, starting or idling it's best, here is a quick and easy thing to try. Use a product like "Heat," "Sea Foam"or "STP Gas Tank Treatment" to try to get rid of the moisture that could have accumulated in the fuel system. Many time I have had good luck using these to get a bike running it's best. Just read the direction and ride some more! If that doesn't do it, come and see me. These products are found at most auto parts stores.

April 2007 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

You might be finding that odd damage on engine cases or exhaust pipes could be coming from flapping zippers on your chaps. Even heavy shoestring laces can do this. They end up eating the surfaces and make it look like shomeone shot at it with a shotgun. Not a warranty problem! I've seen this many times working here so check for loose flapping zippers and laces. Usually the damage will appear around and to the rear of the foot pegs.

May 2007 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Dunlop Tire Strike! It's over now but we still feel the affect. It was Goodyear that you heard of striking but Dunlop is part of Goodyear. Some tire sizes are slow to come in and for a while a lot of them didn't come in at all. I heard from many people upset we didn't have the tire they wanted. It would help us when you call me about new tires to let us check on the ones you need ahead of time and set them aside for you. I heard Harley might look at using another brand so this won't happen again. A choice of brands when you need new tires.

June 2007 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Clean your bike! This has happened so many times to me I can't say this enough. While I'm cleaning a bike, I see and find so many things that otherwise might have been missed. Loose and missing bolts, cuts in tires, cracked lighting components, oil and fuel leaks and so much more. When your're cleaning your bike, your hands and eyes are all over it. You know, quiet time for just you and your bike.

I know it's true if you take care of your bike it will take care of you. For me if I do nothing but clean my bike, it runs better. It's in my head but it works for me!

January 2007 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

I've been reading some reports about problems that can come from the new E-10 (ethanol) gas made from Kansas grain and sold at most gas stations here. First, it acts as a detergent loosening rust, debris and other gunk that could clog fuel filters, lines and pumps. This would be more of a concern on older bikes. Ethanol is hygroscopic-it absorbs water more easily than other gas. Do your best to keep water out of the system. A water absorber like "Heat" is a product made to help get rid of water in the fuel system and using "Sta-Bil" would be a good idea if the bike is not used for three months or more.

May 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

It's always busy in the bike shop when riding time finally gets here. So many places to ride to and fun things to do with bikes. Gas prices and Ft. Riley getting bigger keeps us jumping here. Lots more new people turning to bikes for gas mileage. Some numbers in our shop you might find interesting. Back here we handle, in some way, about 800 bikes a month! Some only a few minutes, others a day or two. As many as 15 tire changes in a day and about that many oil changes also. New and used bikes leaving can sometimes be 20 in a week. We have to make sure they're ready to roll. Pick up and delivery could be 10 in a week. One Monday a while back we had to go to Topeka and Salina to pick up trailers because those shops are closed on Mondays. That was a busy Monday! To try to keep up with the workload, several of us here work 60 to 70 hours a week, so at times we can get a little stressed. Like I tell some customers, come when it's snowing, no waiting!

April 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Spring is here. About time! Here are a few simple things to check before riding especially if you haven't ridden or looked your bike over much this winter. Check tire air PSI. Do this first and the bike will even be easier to push around. Check lights, brake light, turn signals, horn - this takes about 15 seconds. Check engine oil. If it looks bad, dirty, black, it's time for a change. Look the bike over as you dust and clean her off. I've seen many bikes that have had mice eat through some of the wires, hoses, and cable covering. If you have to charge the battery, be sure it is an automatic type charger. A 2-amp charger is fine, any bigger can hurt the battery if left on too long. All this and more can be found in an owner's manual.

September 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Here's a very simple check anybody could and should do. Every now and then just walk around your bike and grab things like mirrors, lights, turn signal mounts, saddlebag rails, tour pacs and anything else to see if they feel tight. Working back here a couple times a week I find something loose on a bike by just doing this. Sometimes things are just about to fall off! A walk-a-round takes about 60 seconds to do, so just do it!

August 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

This time of year is very busy for bike shops. Most of the time I am about two weeks out on a lot of jobs I can do. Quick, simple jobs I take in and do right a way but big jobs have to be scheduled in. I get many calls from out of town with customers saying their local shop is four to six weeks behind! I have to leave some time each day for surprises like trailers in need. So please plan ahead so we can work together to get your bike in and out smoothly.

February 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Winter is upon us now and our bikes don't get ridden much. If you have to hear your bike run, wait until a nice warm winter day to run it. Starting it in freezing temperatures is not a good idea. It runs down batteries, fouls spark plugs and is hard on the starter as well. It's better to wait until it's a warm enough day to go for a ride for a few miles. Just remember to wash off any road salt which is very corrosive on the metals. Adding some fuel conditioner would also be a good idea.

June 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

With these gas prices it's good to be on a bike. To make sure your bike gets its best MPG be sure to check the tires, air pressure, air filter condition and running condition. Air pressure can be found in your owner's manual and on the frame I.D. label near your VIN tag. Air filters are easy to check. If it looks dirty, clean it or replace it. I see most filters for us around here last about 10K miles. If your bike's not running well, it will use more gas to go down the road. Riding steady and no hot rodding is best for better MPG. When H-D does its MPG test it's done on flat ground, no wind, bike in perfect condition. professional test rider and best gas that can be found. When you do your MPG test is all this in your test?

October 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

The Harley motor, except the V-Rod, is a "dry sump" motor. The V-Rod is a "wet sump" motor means that the oil is kept separate from the engine either in an oil tank under the seat Like Sprotsters and Softails. Dyna and Touring models are under the trans case. The oil is pumped back and forth and as a Harley motor sits the oil level can give a false reading. The longer they sit the more the reading can be off so check the oil after it's been running a minute or two. A V-Rod with a "wet sump" motor keeps all the oil in the engine case, like cars and trucks. Most modern motocross race bikes use a "dry sump" motor and keep the oil in the frame. Both work fine. They just work differently but do what is needed, lube the moving parts.

November 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

A few things you should know about windshields. The windshield is plastic but to help protect it from scratching it is coated with "lexon." Without this lexon coating the windshield would scratch every time you clean it. Some cleaners should not be used such as Windex, glass cleaner or harch soaps. There are cleaners made for cleaning plastic windshields so read the label if you're not sure. Use hot water if you have a choice. It works better than cold and use as soft and clean a towel as you can find. Harley Glos works well, too.

December 2008 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Lost keys? In case this happens to you here's what you can do. As a dealer we are able to go in to H-D.com and look up the key code on a Harley. Most shops would ask for I.D. and proof of ownership to the bike. We can then order new keys from Harley that fit the switches on your bike. Much easier and cheaper than switching out all the switches and locks. If your gas cap is locked down, like a dresser, another H-D key would open it so you can fill it up if you need to.

February 2009 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

If you have trouble with low battery problems because the bike sits too much in the winter or your job keeps you away too much, a Battery Tender might be what you need. They come with a wire that hooks up to the battery and hangs our under the seat so all you do is plug the charger into it and the charger does the rest. The charger can be left on all the time and it won't hurt the battery. The wire that goes on the battery is usually easy to hook up yourself or talk to us about putting it on, only a few minutes for us to do.

March 2009 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Is letting your bike warm up before riding important? Yes, if your're going to ride it hard and fast. Some riders like to start it and sit there until heat is felt on the engine. Other like me will start the bike and then ride slowly a few miles before riding her hard, giving her time to warm up. Just watch a bike race. They will start the bike up and let her run a minute or two to warm up. Some of the test we do on bikes we are working on have to be warmed up to the normal operating temperature. This can be 285 degrees which can take 10 minutes or more to reach.

May 2009 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

My bike is making an odd noise!!! I've hear people say that to me many times. If you do hear a strange noise, try to pinpoint where it comes from, what speed, slowing down, speeding up, using brakes and which one, bike hot or cold, what rpm and even low or full of gas to name a few. All this info helps us find the problem if their is one. Some of the noises we hear are normal and some are just the beginning of somethng much worse. If you do hear odd noises, or as the know-it-alls at Harley like to call it "operational sounds" come see me and let me listen. Sometimes I can find it and fix it in just a minute. It's kinda like looking for "Waldo" in those kids books.

April 2009 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

This comes from one of my favorite customers, Eddie, about the security systems on these newer bikes. From about 2000 to 2006 the bikes could have an alarm system that you would have to set by pushing the FOB button. Then the bike would not be able to start and run and let the owner know it was set off from the blinkers flashing and the siren going off if equipped. But the new bikes, 2007 and newer use an FOB that has no buttons to set but sets by moving about 10 feet away. The bike has to have the FOB close AND in working condition to run. This means it will not run if the FOB battery goes dead, or the FOB is dropped and broken, or just not working for some other reason. This makes it more important to know how to use your PIN number to unlock the bike to run. The information on how this is done is in the owners manual and is a very easy process and should be practiced at home to make sure you can do this when needed. If you would like a demo come see me. Also, if you have one of these security systems it can be worth an insurance discount with many insurance companies.

October 2009 Tech Tip from Dean M. Service Manager

Is an extended warranty a good thing? It can be if you need it. I look at it like having insurance. If something happens you’re not ready for, it can be great. You can’t plan on when you need the insurance or extended warranty, but at the time when you buy it it’s much easier to budget your funds a little at a time instead of an unexpected break down. Working here I'!I turn in extended warranty claims almost every week, sometimes for several thousand dollars. As for the dealerships, the extended warranty companies usually pay better and faster than Harley! Read the contract so you know what you get for coverage. Most only cover what is needed to keep the bike running in a normal and safe manner, not cosmetic or appearance problems. I can say that after working with the extended warranty companies for about 20 years. I can’t remember one time !'veI had problems dealing with them. Only a few times have I heard of a shop making the customer pay them and then the customer get a hold of the extended warranty company for reimbursement with a smaller pay back. I thought the shops that did this were a little greedy. Most like us are fine with what they pay us back .