[vroddrew]

Although there is still snow on the ground, the roads are reasonably dry, so I decided it was time to retrieve my bike from storage.

I had the 10K service done over the winter, so I had to pay the bill for it when I picked it up. With tax it came to just over $450. Considering the the 10K service for regular big twins costs $400 at my dealership, I didn't consider this to be too bad. I was even more pleased when they told me they refilled it with Syn3, rather than HD-360, which has been their past practice. As usual, my bike was spotless when I picked it up.

I looked at the service ticket, and it looks like they charged 4.5 shop hours for the job. The service manager told me that it would have required an extra 1.5 hours if it had required valve shims - although he went on to say that none of the dozen or so V-Rods they had done previously had required adjustment at the 10K mark. He did say that Harley was considering extending the service interval on the valve check, but had not actually done so yet.

Other than brakes, tires, and oil changes I haven't had to spend any money for service in the time I've owned my V-Rod. Hopefully the next 10,000 miles will be as much fun as the first. But now I've got to go install the shiny billet muffler clamps I've had sitting in a box on my workbench for the last six weeks...

 

[BobT]

From what I have heard .......
that is not an unreasonable price.
Alot goes into the 10k.
JMO
BobT

 

[Max]

vroddrew actually they did change the valve check to 20k on the 04 that is the exact same engine.

Your price sounds good though even with the valve check, my dealer that is usually twice the price quoted $800 without valve adjustment and they wanted to go ahead and do it at 7,500 LOL.

Max

 

[danafwelch]

Since our VRODs are liquid cooled, have chain driven overhead cams, the latest valve materials and with running Syn3, I can't imagine why it should not go a good 20,000 miles before checking the shims...that's when I'll have them checked unless I hear excessive clicking or am losing power due to blow by at the valve seats. If that happens, I'll bring it in and have the shop install Wesco 1350 heads.

 

[Z16monte]

Max, My 04 owners manual still shows a valve check at 10k,have'nt had a chance to check the service manual yet.
Ed

 

[Max]

Z16 I have not seen the owners manual but have heard from several sources that the time duration of the valve check was extended to a more realistic time.

Max

 

[Z16monte]

Max, I checked my 04 service manual and it shows a valve inspection at 10k as well. I need to make a list of points for the dealer to check at my 1k checkup and I'll try to remember to ask about the valve lash check then.
Ed

 

[greenham]

Max, I just asked the mechanic who is doing my 10k service about the extended valve check intervals. He just got back from his 2nd Vrod school, and they worked exclusively on 04 models and he said there was no talk my the school of increasing the intervals...

I am sure that as long as the stealerships can soak us for $500/10k miles the MoCo will support that sorry, I will step down from my :soapbox: now

Z16 I have not seen the owners manual but have heard from several sources that the time duration of the valve check was extended to a more realistic time.

Max

 

[ElrodontheV-Rod]

I have 10k on mine now.The only change in engine sound is that there is less upper engine sound w.syn oil. If we do our own valve lash inspection and adjustment,will this be legal for our warranty? Has anybody done their own?I'm looking for specs and tips on how to.I think I searched the forum pretty good and couldn't find anything on how to.



Elrod on the V-Rod

 

[mjw930]

Al (Elrod),

You can certainly do the check yourself without voiding the warranty, if it's a requirement that a HD shop do the work then they must provide the service for free. All you need to do is prove the work was done.

If I were you I would purchase the service manual. That, along with your worksheets for valve lash measurements should be proof enough you did the work. If you don't buy the manual that could work against you if there's a problem. (A PDF manual bought off ebay or anywhere else would not suffice as those are illegal copies). I would also take a few pictures along the way as proof you did the work.

 

[Daniii]

If you do it yourself you'll save $1000. They "inspected" mine, (Max- they did open it up!) it didn't need adjustment. Very few (none at my dealer) have so far. I guess it depends on how much warranty you have left. If I had to pay for the 10K service, I'd probably have skipped it (but I am on a pre-paid service agreement). Its your call, but the risk seems low. (Just don't quote me!)

 

[mjw930]

Here's something for you all to chew on. I talked to Chef Jason (VRSC) in Leesburg. He just had the 10K service and they said they needed to adjust the shims. they also said almost all of the bikes they have done the 10K on have needed this. I have no idea how many bikes they have done nor who the dealer is. Seems odd to me.

 

[vroddrew]

It seems odd to me too: when I had my 10K done the Service Advisor told me that virtually NONE of the 20-30 V-Rods they had done so far had required adjustment.

Maybe folks down there ride their bikes a lot harder than they do here, or maybe the dealership is just looking to boost its Service revenue.

 

[Max]

Danii, how do you know for sure that they took the covers off and checked the valve clearence? The same mechanic that flat rated mine worked on your bike I do know.

Max

 

[ElrodontheV-Rod]

I'll get the manual from harley Monday.I have serviced the bike myself since the first $150 oil and filter change,w. the free scratch on my air box cover.I keep milage and date records.I can do the adjustment it's just getting to the cams I was concerned about.Don't want to take too much stuff off.I don't trust any Harley techs that are flat-rate.Even after the BS w. the dealer I like,my new front tire install sucked.56 lbs and left one of the axle covers off! No quality control.
Also I have never had a lick of metal on the magnet or in the filters,so I;m propbably just going to be checking.





Elrod on the V-Rod

 

[Max]

If anyone wants to know how I'm sure the tech flat rated re-sealing my valve covers, I filled one of the bolts with clear silicone before I took the bike in. It came back with the clear silicone still inside the bolt. It would have been impossible to remove the valve cover without removing all the valve cover bolts IMHO.

 

[ElrodontheV-Rod]

Thats pretty sad.HD MC techs have to go through a lot of training time to become an all around service tech.I wouldn't throw my career away for a couple of hrs.
Max did you ever mention this to whom it may concern?



Elrod on the V-Rod

 

[Max]

Elrod the dealer really doesn't care. I made mention of the fact to the service rep but since that took place the service rep is no longer at the dealership. Neither is the salesman that I purchased my bikes from and the owner doesn't seem to care how bad his service department gets. What he may not realize is that even a lot of his regular Hog chapter members are quietly searching to buy there own dealership in Sherman and had made mention to me about running the service department for them. I won't mention the name of the main member of his group that approached me as I know they frequent this forum, I will say that I am sure since he has been one of my customers for years that he does in fact have the money to spring for an HD dealership without a problem.

 

[Daniii]

Max: I was concerned, of course, so I put some wax in one of the allen head valve cover bolts. It was gone when i gotit back. Also, they removed the lower air cleaner bucket (and forgot to replace a plug). So I figure they went in. Of course, if they didn't, I really don't care - they said they did so I'm covered, warranty wise.

 

[noinfo]

Ok so this begs the question... Should I buy the extended warranty? When I purchased the bike I was shocked that it only came with a 1 year warranty. I expected that on my Sportster but on the new v-rod? They tried to sell me the extended but I decided to wait and do some more research. What do you all think?