No matter what year and model Harley-Davidson you have, from Sportster to Dresser, from old school rigid to Softail, this book will help you with your v-twin repair and maintenance in easy steps with wonderful step-by-step illustrations.

For men and women who have the will to service their own bikes and lack only the know-how, this book has it all: basic, easy-to-use information about repairing and maintaining pushrod V-twin motorcycles from someone who really knows the nuts and bolts. Sara Liberte's primer begins with the fundamentals-from wheel size and tire pressure to knowing your shop manual and the tools you'll need-then moves on to the basics of maintenance. Changing oil and other fluids, replacing gaskets, gauging normal wear and tear, inspecting chains and belts and adjusting tension: these are just a few of the topics Liberte covers in complete and clear detail. She also discusses the charging system, battery charging, terminal maintenance, and simple wiring techniques-and, critically, troubleshooting, whether on the road or at the shop.

CONTENTS

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction

CHAPTER 1: Know Your Ride
Wearing the proper riding gear
How to tell chassis apart
VIN numbers
Familiarize yourself with important features of your bike
Parts ordering
How to use your service manual
How to use the parts book

CHAPTER 2: Tool Time
Basic set of tools to have on hand
Motorcycle specialty tools
Bike lifts and the work area
Some miscellaneous tools and supplies you should have on hand in your garage
Using the right tool for the job
Care of tools

CHAPTER 3: Drop That Fluid
V-Twin 4-stroke understanding
The oil system
Project 1: Oil and filter change
Project 2: TP smart oil pump upgrade
Project 3: Primary fluid change and chain adjustment
Project 4: Transmission fluid change
Project 5: Changing brake fluid
Project 6: Changing fork oil
Project 7: Lubing and adjusting cables

CHAPTER 4: Service Intervals
Project 8: Rearing and changing spark plugs
Project 9: Aftermarket spark plug wires
Project 10: Air tilter cleaning and changing
Project 11: Brake pad change
Project 12: Rotor upgrade
Project 13: Caliper upgrade (performance machine)
Project 14: changing tires
Project 15: Wheel upgrade (performance machine)
Project 16: Wire wheel care
Project 17: Final chain and belt adjustment
Project 18: S&S serious bang for the buck quick set up kit
Project 19: Cleaning your bike

CHAPTER 5: Electrical
Batteries
Inspecting the battery and charging system
Project 20: Tech cycle starter upgrade
Project 21: Terry battery cable upgrade
Wiring

CHAPTER 6: Simple Roadside Repairs and Travel Toolkits
"Every ride" check list
Simple roadside repairs and troubleshooting
Proper discarding of old fluids, batteries, etc.
Proper storage of your bike .

Sources

Index