Back from Deployment; Bike has been sitting for a year... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

AirborneMP78 · 11-02-2009, 08:51 AM

Hi,

I am not a newbee rider; have been reiding for about ten years. This might sound like a stupid question. I have a 08 Harley Ultra Classic Electra Glide. I bought it in the spring of 08, rode it for a less then a year and my most recent service was the 5K service. The HD Shop did the service in Oct 08, I am in the Army and deployed for a year. I came home on leave in June and put about a hundred miles on the bike. Other then that it has been sitting, It has less then 1K miles since my last service in Oct 08 but it has been over year. The wife has started it up every couple months. It has had no change in fuel since June 09 and the other fluids are the same since the service in Oct 08. Should I pay the dealer to do a whole new service? Does the warranty go strictly by miles between services or time? What are some things I should examine and what should I look for before I continue to ride? I will be home in a couple weeks. The bike is in Augusta, GA area (all year riding weather). Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated.

plongson · 11-02-2009, 09:01 AM

I personally think you would be good to go and just ride it. You could drain the fuel, but I'd just run it out. As for the rest of the fluids you should be fine.

Just me...

AirborneMP78 · 11-02-2009, 09:07 AM

Thanks. I called our local HD Dealer (Augusta HD) and the guy essentialy told me the same thing. I just wanted to get additonal opinions. I dont want to do anyting that would jepordize the warranty or the safety of the cargo the bike would be carrying. There are some things I still need to figure out, like how to adjust the air shocks. I pretty much deployed six months after buying the bike. I did break it in a bit though before I left.

MilesToGo · 11-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Oil and filter should be changed once a year regardless of mileage. Other than that you should be good until the 10k service. In the future, when you are deployed, just use a battery tender instead of having the wife start it every couple of months. She is doing more harm than good.

arealinvestor · 11-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirborneMP78

Hi,

I am not a newbee rider; have been reiding for about ten years. This might sound like a stupid question. I have a 08 Harley Ultra Classic Electra Glide. I bought it in the spring of 08, rode it for a less then a year and my most recent service was the 5K service. The HD Shop did the service in Oct 08, I am in the Army and deployed for a year. I came home on leave in June and put about a hundred miles on the bike. Other then that it has been sitting, It has less then 1K miles since my last service in Oct 08 but it has been over year. The wife has started it up every couple months. It has had no change in fuel since June 09 and the other fluids are the same since the service in Oct 08. Should I pay the dealer to do a whole new service? Does the warranty go strictly by miles between services or time? What are some things I should examine and what should I look for before I continue to ride? I will be home in a couple weeks. The bike is in Augusta, GA area (all year riding weather). Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dude,go ride it like you stole it!!! Like previously stated, it wouldn't hurt to put the bike on a battery tender while your deployed!!!

Jonas · 11-02-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirborneMP78

. There are some things I still need to figure out, like how to adjust the air shocks.

Buy the pump from Harley is has a gage on it(Maybe 30.00 bucks). You have to be careful what you use. Could ruin the shocks with to much pressure.

Thank you for your service.

strokerjlk · 11-02-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miles to go

Oil and filter should be changed once a year regardless of mileage. Other than that you should be good until the 10k service. In the future, when you are deployed, just use a battery tender instead of having the wife start it every couple of months. She is doing more harm than good.

with short running starts as described you will have condensation in the oil. change the oil and filter and ride.... you deserve it!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Service is based on miles not time as far as MOCO is concerned.
if doing your own work just keep the recipts.

HugoBetz · 11-02-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokerjlk

with short running starts as described you will have condensation in the oil. change the oil and filter and ride.... you deserve it!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Service is based on miles not time as far as MOCO is concerned.
if doing your own work just keep the recipts.

Also put fuel stabilizer in tank, make sure you mix it up, and run it to get fuel into the carb. Fuel could go stale in a year.

Just came back from Afgahanistan with one year tour and will be going back in January for another 6 months with Army Corp of Engineers.

bowtech40 · 11-02-2009, 01:59 PM

I would just like to second the "Thanks for your service" comment. Without the american hero, we would all be riding who knows what. Thankyou!!!!

hbmc · 11-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miles to go

Oil and filter should be changed once a year regardless of mileage. Other than that you should be good until the 10k service. In the future, when you are deployed, just use a battery tender instead of having the wife start it every couple of months. She is doing more harm than good.

Nice thing about actually starting the bike is the seals and stuff get lubricated too. Battery tender is a must even if you ride all the time. I have been using one since my last battery purchase. Makes them last longer and at 136 a pop I want it to go longer then a year. A good run will burn any condensation out of the bike. But how about the chrome? From just sitting---or did the Mrs polish that too, while you were gone?

My buddy gets deployed and goes on missions he just drops the bike off to me and I take care of it as though it is mine. Ride it gas it and wipe it down. I borrowed the bike last month--- cause my bro came into town and I really jumped his **** for not taking care of his bike like I do for him

gave it back better then I got it ---as usual.
I told him if and when he gets married I would do the same for his wife when he is gone

strokerjlk · 11-02-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HugoBetz

Also put fuel stabilizer in tank, make sure you mix it up, and run it to get fuel into the carb. Fuel could go stale in a year.

Just came back from Afgahanistan with one year tour and will be going back in January for another 6 months with Army Corp of Engineers.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL!

Pop's Cycle · 11-02-2009, 03:36 PM

Next time don't have your wife start it up. It's better for it to sit than to run for a few minutes every few weeks/couple of months.

vindex1963 · 11-02-2009, 04:24 PM

Thank you for your service and go ride the **** out of it. You deserve it!!

jochase1 · 11-02-2009, 05:22 PM

WELCOME HOME!

Thank you for your service

MilesToGo · 11-02-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbmc

Nice thing about actually starting the bike is the seals and stuff get lubricated too. gone

Do some homework before you start giving advice. Starting the bike for a few minutes in the garage does nothing but circulate the condensation that has accumulated in the engine. Not good unless you are going to burn it off which means getting the engine up to full operation temp for about 15 minutes. Also, a few minutes of running will not keep your battery charged. Long story short - do not start the bike unless you plan on riding it.