Bought my first H-D, want to service...

[Jeff5886]

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jeff. A couple of weeks ago I purchased my first H-D, a 2002 Dyna Superglide. The bikes got 26k on the odo. I have been a mechanic for the Marine Corps for 4 years now so I know my way around a toolbox. I would like to get all of the maintenance up to date. I have already purchased (came with bike) a service manual. This weekend I plan on changing the oil and filter, tranny fluid and primary fluid, possibly the air filter, along with the necessary o-rings. I have a few questions before I dive in. I dont know what fluids are currently in the bike, but I'd like to change everything over to synthetics. At 26k, would this be ok? Also, should I buy all of my oils from Harley, or is it common around here to use other brands? And finally, what air filter do most recommend? I have heard bad things about the K&N while I was searching the topic.

Thanks
Jeff

[Fred1369]

I am not a mechanic but I do change my own fluids and filter. Synthetic is fine after 5000 miles even though the new bikes come filled with syn. I use Amsoil 20-50 in 2 holes and 75-90 in the tranny but many others use 20-50 in all 3 holes. I use a K&N oil filter but most others use HD or Redline or RevTec. Amsoil now makes oil filters for HD. Also, get a wet K&N air filter and charge kit. Good for 50,000 miles under normal conditions.

PS: this is the first I've heard about someone not liking K&N air filters. Usually it is what we recommend.

[84FXRP]

Originally Posted by Jeff5886

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jeff. A couple of weeks ago I purchased my first H-D, a 2002 Dyna Superglide. ... ...

Jeff, welcome to the Forum.

Servicing your own bike is a great idea. The first order of business is to get the correct Genuine Harley-Davidson Service Manuals for your SPECIFIC bike. Manuals for 2002 Dyna Models would be: HD Part # 99481-02 for the Service Manual, Part # 99496-02 for the Electrical Diagnostics Manual, and Part # 99439-02 for the Parts Catalog.

All these manuals are available from your local Harley dealer. You may need a few "special tools" for a regular service like an oil filter wrench HD-42311 or HD-44067 (to prevent damage to engine sensors) and a Belt Tension Gauge HD-35381. These are also available at your HD dealer.

The first chapter of the Service Manual is devoted to maintenance. It has service schedules, detailed instructions, fastener torque requirements, and recommended lubricants.

I suggest that you perform a 10,000 mile service. Given the miles on the bike, I would also check the cam chain tensioner pads. Until you get more familiar with servicing the bike, you might want to have the dealer perform this inspection. Search the Forum there are LOTS of threads/info/pictures on the cam chain tensioner pads. (Nothing you couldn't do now if you wanted.)

I would use the recommended Harley-Davidson lubricants at this point. You KNOW they are ok for your bike, and you can form your own opinions later. BTW Harley sends their Screaming Eagle bikes out from the factory already loaded with synthetic oils, so no problem going to synthetic at any time.

Again, welcome.

[Jeff5886]

Thanks to both of you!

Will the K&N filter work with the stock filter cover? And will it work with the stock jets or should I rejet the carb?

[Steelhorse]

Jeff, congrats on the new scoot. It's like an addictive drug, enjoy!!! I've been hooked for years and still find that my scoot and riding are what keeps it all together in life!!

[ShakyJake]

The K& N filter should fit in the stock cover, and unless you do more than maintenance the filter change should not require a rejet of the carb. As for what oil to use, I bet you can find at least 200 pages on that topic on this site. I use Mobil 1 20w-50 in all three holes, and I have had no problems in 125K on this bike.

[tdlowrider]

Originally Posted by Jeff5886

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jeff. A couple of weeks ago I purchased my first H-D, a 2002 Dyna Superglide.

Welcome Jeff. I went through some of the same things you are going through right now. I've done all my own maintenence on my
cars and trucks and then got a FXDL 3 years ago. I can turn wrenches but never had on a bike so I was really nervous about the unknown. I found this site and it's been helpful to ease concerns and reinforce what you do know. There's a lot of experience here with many ideas and very helpful. Just read as much as you can and over time you'll be able to form your own opinions with experience and share.
Good luck, tdlr

[84FXRP]

Originally Posted by Jeff5886

Thanks to both of you!

Will the K&N filter work with the stock filter cover? And will it work with the stock jets or should I rejet the carb?

The K&N will work with the stock filter cover (that is what I use on my 05 FXDI). The filter should work without a rejet of the carb.

After you change the plugs (10,000 mile service item) you should run the bike for a few hundred miles and then pull the plugs and see it they are running too hot/cold (lean/rich). Depending on what the plugs show you may have a rejet indicated.

BTW some other items you might check out is 101 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Performance Projects by Maida and Zimmerman, Motorbooks International ISBN 0-7603-1639-2 available at your local bookstore, and the maintenance videos from Fix my HOG

http://www.fixmyhog.com//Products-p-1-c-435.html


You might check out threads on this site on the videos - some folks find them useful, others don't (I thought they were useful).

[Jeff5886]

thanks again guys for all of ur help

[mradke]

There are some good articles on this site regarding oils and rejetting. Read the article regarding stage 1 carb, pretty interesting. Before i read that article i thought maybe my bike was a bit of a dog. After reading it i spoke with a couple harley mechanics and a few dollars later i had a bike with some getty up and go. I was too chicken to do the carb work myself but sure am glad i had it done. I have a carb 05 superglide.

http://www.harley-performance.com/index.html