Lol just read some of the "not professional" comments and if have of them actually knew what it was like being a mechanic for a living would know what's it like getting a new model and having everything being moved and trying to figure it out. Its a little frustrating that an engineer puts things in the way to do your job.... And he dose use a service manual to make sure things are done right.... Much respect man keep up the good work
Great video! Yeah Yeah some audio issues, but it’s a new channel, it’ll polish up, in fact last video had no issue. To those unprofessional comments, I guess people were looking for something else. I appreciate the raw factor with the humor. It’s not supposed to be a tutorial to teach DIYers, at least not the highly technical side of it. I see it as more of a reality show behind the scenes. In my opinion that’s what differentiates John from others making it both entertaining and informative.
Thanks for the video man, helped me get over a few areas I was wondering about on my M8 FB. Some people get too sensitive sometimes and don’t appreciate some humor. Having fun while working, that’s passion for your craft, otherwise it becomes a boring job. Keep the videos coming!
Loved it! Honest all around. Your search for the battery was a riot, and it reminded me of my post in the HD Forums: I found out something else today about my FatBoy Softail I was not aware of... This may pertain to all the Softails and to other new bikes as well, though I cannot be certain. This motorcycle's design is centered around the AGM battery. To keep the said battery safe, an impermeable sarcophagus was first designed to house it, rendering all attempts to access it utterly futile. Surrounding the main sarcophagus are innumerable plastic shields, wire harnesses, et al. Isolating this storage unit for voltage even further is a strong plastic shield, nestled between the battery itself and the new monoshock, so that any and all attempts to gain access to the positive terminal are laughingly thwarted. Once this wellspring of electrical DC life was completely guarded across every conceivable micron, the rest of the bike was designed. First of all, the sarcophagus was placed amidships where it was ensconced as a nucleus, orbited by additional wiring harnesses, proprietary connectors and widgets, devices which secure the aforementioned items, and ultimately the frame itself. I now know full well why this bike isn't 468 pound like my Yamaha sport liter bike, which has been called overweight. It is as though the battery were considered the lower levels of Fort Knox itself, almost daring anyone with a modicum of bravado to try his best at various utterly futile causes, such as locating either terminal. Good luck with that! All this was in an effort to affix a pigtail for heated gear directly, which is the preferred method... In any event, once the battery has been kept literally out of sight to the point that it cannot be easily discerned even with the seat and both side covers off, items like the frame, wheels engine, transmission, seat, fenders, and other sundry items aided and abetted the concealing of this rectangle "on the lam", to the chagrin and utter dismay of both myself and my Son, who was drafted into service without even a chance to say goodbye to loved ones...
+Rick Lombardo that is hilarious. My take on it involved a lot more 4 letter words that required music to cover up my language. Your description is both accurate, and much more family friendly than mine!
I want to thank you. I have watched all your vids...yeah I was bored. After I watched your vid on DOT 4 I bought a tester...changing brake fluid now. Dude you saved my ass!
Great video, John! I appreciated that the battery install wasn’t intuitive for someone else. Changed my Softail battery per your suggestion awhile back, and it was a smidge more confusing than I thought it would be. Bike still works - winning!
Smart move with the blue towel. I’ve never done it, but I know a couple guys who dropped small parts into the cylinder while they had a spark plug out.
just a quick ? i filled my trans. side with 28 oz and nothing had to fill to 32 oz to even get any kind of dipstick reading and yes i did screw the dip stick all the way down to o- ring is this normal 2018 fat bob 107 thnxxxxx
Nice to see that you know how to add oil. My last tech saw that the bike had a 5 quart capacity, so he just added 5 quarts. He over serviced it by 1/2 quart. Not good.
dude, love the videos, don't change a thing just keep'm coming. Following you now on IG. Not been on a bike for 25 years but now that the kids are grown I have a 18 CVO SG on order and you're helping me with getting up to speed on all things HD!
Hi John, it looks like they've com,plicated the process,whereas b4 it was relatively simple, Everything is so hard to get to, I've only done 600 miles on my Fatboy lo Special since February, due to the weather here . Enjoying your channel, hope it grows for uou
i was about to say, why would anyone use a power tool on a drain plug, before i got to where john starts the service and then realized he's probably using one so i didn't wanna say anything lol
This was what I was looking for. Wtf dude tightening a drain plug with an electric ratchet!? There's a torque spec on those 3 drain bolts. I also was an ASE mechanic for 30 plus years, when I was at Lexus it was an instant termination to do what you just did. Do you need me to buy you a torque wrench?
Always a learning curve with a new generation of bike. Manuals are one thing, hands on the lift is always a bit different. Like your vids brother, keep them coming. After watchin this, makes me love my 14 even more.
Cool stuff. I'd love to see that video. I saw the guy had crash bars, I wanted to get some too. What do think are the best shape for crash protection on big twin like the fatboy? I dont ever expect to laydown the bike, but better safe than sorry right? I'd rather spend a few hundred on some good crashbars, instead of a few thousand replacing stuff they could save.
I don't know what they're paying you guys, but it's not enough. I've got a lot of respect for wrenching skills. I can complete a complex income tax return, but I start sweating with anything beyond oil changes on my bike, lol. Good video.
yeah it's really not a lot, (i haven't gotten past the drain plug coming out, so forgive me if i'm wrong with the newer bikes) but when i bought my first brand new bike from harley, one of the service guys told me all they do and that it's nothing i didn't already know how to do myself, so he said just keep receipts of everything i use to keep my warranty valid. he told because i very loudly said "fuuuuck that" when i saw the price for the service from them....it was a little over four hundred bucks.
I dropped off my FLHXS to my dealer for the 1k mile service yesterday, and I was joking with the service writer about your channel. I mentioned the "g--dammit Harley!" part and he chuckled and said "yeah, we say that a lot around here..."
Like the videos, but my take is that I am glad I bought my 17' Street Glide at end of year so the techs could train on someone else's bike. Thanks for the videos.
Could you make a short video on adjusting the upper clutch? I plan on replacing the cable for longer bars and think this would help lots of your viewers!
Hi John, is there a way to adjust the lean angle of the Fatboy 2018? Wish you could give me some ideas on how or maybe purchase forward controls to do the trick. Thank you
No there is way more to it. He did not show all the checking of the torque items that need to be checked. He did mention it I think though. Look up your service items on the book or manual and you will see that there is a lot to do. I think it took me a week or two but I have circumstances that make it that way.
Well ... thanks the video was enlightening and entertaining and yes I agree placement and amount of fluid should welcome in a much better ride. Testing one on Friday in San Marcos, Ca. Thank you
U got it most of my entertainment is off utube being a truck driver I like seeing a different type of vlog tyered of all the motovlogs and thanks for the reply first time I've had that lol have a good day bud
I like them both, actually I did a 1K on a Breakout today. Managed to get into a nice groove this go 'round! Both are nice bikes, and I do love the look of a 3.5 gallon tank. If you don't do too much highway, or don't ride for 150+ miles on the regular. That peanut tank is plenty!
Thanks for the video! I have a 19 slim that i put eliminator 300”s on, I didn’t tune it or do anything else. No check engine light. You think this will be ok till i can afford a tuner and air cleaner and whatever else?
Hi John. Is the 2018 steering head spec 8 to 21 be that much different to 2020. Just my 2020 manual says 7 to 11 for FLFBS. And from your experience 18 inch ape hangers i have on it, should the spec change or set with bars removed. Thanks.
Hey buddy. Quick question. I have a 2022 Fatboy. Noticed that there’s not a grease fitting on the neck to grease the bearings. Can a put one in to periodically grease the neck bearings? Tia!
Thanks for another great vid. Should help as I take my mediocre mechanic skills to my own softail slim over the weekend for its 1000 mile service. Would you look at that? I mean just look at it.
Hi John, I just came across your video and subscribed. Great video. I live in Ireland and my first bike was a sporster which I loved. My next bike is gonna be a brand new fatboy like the one you're working on. Can I ask you _ why did harley discontune the heal shifter? Also my sporster had a lot of chrome which pitted after few thousand miles and looked awful. In your opinion will the same thing happen with this bike? I love the chrome look but if it's too hard to maintain perhaps I'd be better off with the blacked out version but not sure if that is available on the standard 2020 or would I have to find an anniversary model? Lastly do you recommend staging up before I take ownership? I'm no speed freak but I want power when necessary such as overtaking and wondered what stage ( 1,2,3 or 4) you would recommend? Cheers man
Just wanting some feedback on the oil controversy.. For the first oil change, is it OK to go straight to Synthetic, or would it be best to use the HD 360 oil for a while? It was always a rule to wait til about 20K miles on a vehicle before switching to synthetic so it would break in properly.. Anyone have experience with the Maxima oil kits on Amazon? Seems good to me, 3 different kinds of lubricant and a K&N filter. I do like the fact you don't need a stupid cap style wrench to remove it, Thanks
Yup. Just had that done to my Street Bob. Cost me 500 buck's. They charged me 2.5 hrs labor. Talk about getting ripped off. Oh and now I have oil spewing out of my air cleaner because they over filled with oil. I just checked my dipstick with bike cold and its at the full hot mark. Idiots! Probably burnt to the top of piston now. What you think John?
Love your videos binge watched them all! I have a 2018 Breakout that is approaching its Thousand Mile service. I have always used synthetic oil in my twin cam. But my dealership is suggesting regular oil in the Milwaukee eight. Their theory behind this is since the Milwaukee has almost 5 quarts of oil and a cooler synthetic oil is not necessary. Just wondered your thoughts. Thanks
man, I just installed the electrical upgrade kit (69201599A) on my '18 Heritage (to install a stereo) and the (+) battery terminal access is a pain in the a**... LOL DEFINETELY the new design wasn´t made with DIYers in mind. Wouldn´t go back to my previous TC Softail, though. The new one does run WAY cooler indeed. No more frying my nuts in traffic! LOL. Thumbs up on the video. Subscribing now. Best wishes from Brasília, Brazil.
I have the 2018 Fat Boy. How do I access the fuse box on this thing? There is no power at the end of the charging connecter and the USB charger isn't working either. 🤦♂️🤷♂️😵😭
I did the 1,000 mile service on my 2018 Heritage last night after work. Reading the service manual drives me nuts. Mine is on my phone. When you get to the part that tells you to drain the oil, then install the filter, plug, et al...then it tells you to refer to the section on checking the oil level which is 12 pages earlier and your hands are covered with oil...lalalala...ding dong. I could see your level of frustration every time you looked at that manual but you're so lucky to have the paper one. -- so...just for future...if you use a oil funnel with an according type spout that you can twist, you don't have to remove the electrical stuff when filling and checking the tranny. I laughed my ass off when you called the gauge you use for the front fork bearing check a FISH SCALE. Guess what I literally used for that part.
Hi John love your channel. I'm looking for a bike for touring and cruising. The best of both worlds. I want my passenger to be comfortable on the back also. I do like your new bike but what are your thoughts on the fat boy? Or should I be looking at something else? I would prefer the 114 motor. Thanks
John can you answer something for me? I am coming up on my 10,000 miles service for my 2007 Sportster 883XL Custom, and neither “local” Harley shop seems willing to tell me what all is checked/done and won’t give me a ballpark figure for the cost. I don’t want to drop off my bike to be serviced and have a heart attack when they hand me the bill. Why would this be such an issue? I understand it might be X and X+? If they find something amiss, but a ballpark figure and checklist seems like something a shop should be able to throw out there routinely. Obviously every shop is different, but what would a 10,000 mile service on that bike entail? Price guess? I was considering a new derby cover if it will be off anyway, but can’t seem to get anywhere.
Question. I just bought a 05 heritage. At some point a hydraulic clutch was added. Probly when the SE 6 speed was installed. Do you have a video or can you tell me where to go to show clutch adjustment? I know how to do the clutch but I don't have a cable to loosen. So, what do I do?
Hey man! First, great videos! I’ve been a sub and watching for a while. Second, thanks for providing no-bs knowledge to help out all of us two-wheel enthusiasts. Finally, the question...I recently had my 1K break in service done on my 18 FLHRXS. This being my first touring bike, is it normal for 14 qts of syn3 to be used? $189 worth of syn3 was on my invoice. I have a service plan, but still...Is this right?
John, at 2:10 it shows you lubricating the clutch cable. It looks like you're using a small oil bottle with a fine tip needle. If all you do is put a few drops up at the top of the cable, how do you make sure the entire length of the cable is lubricated? Not trying to be negative, just trying to get your take on it. Thanks!
The new cables have an extra spot to lube, but the old ones I leave hanging in such a way to let the oil go down. No way to know if it does, but you can tell a difference! I guess that means it works!
John, you've got an a amazing channel. My positive criticism would be this; your music to speaking transition is too contrasted.. lower music volume or increase speaking if possible. I personally love hearing your 'pro-tips' but for a guy like me with earbud headphones or a sleeping baby in the room, the volume changes become frequent and drastic. Segue into the awesome music you provide; Do. Not. Change. It. Love the rock as much as the perspective. Keep it up man, there's a difference between how-to and tips. You walk the line flawlessly and as a Harley Davidson tech, just the tips.. (yeah..plural..it's a hell of a life 😛) are perfect. I look forward to each video you upload. Be well.
+Nick Salmon thanks man! I’ve had a few comments on my audio, can I ask what device you watch on? Cell phone, laptop, tv? I need to nail this down, but I edit with earbuds, then rewatch it through laptop speakers and it sounds ok. Maybe all those loud noises over the years have me deaf!
Mostly cell (Samsung s8+) and earbud headphones via cell phone. Not sure if it's on your end or mine.. folks on tv or laptop may have next to no issue. Keep working on it! Changes won't stop my appreciation as it's a double click to jump a few seconds and crank the volume for a bit.
+Nick Salmon obviously I want it right! I know one other complaint came from Samsung as well. Interesting. Sounds like I may need to do a poll. Anyway, thanks for watching, and the heads up on audio! I’m a much better tech than videographer, that’s for sure!
You're good enough at both to appease me, I will give you that your edits and faces around them are deadly hilarious. They are my favorite of your videos, hands down.
Hey John I noticed you put a few ounces of oil in the filter is that common practice, I've never done that before what's your reason for doing that anyway. Great vids too keep them coming..
That fish scale is some high tech tools for a $50k bike. Hey whatever gets the job done.Lol Here is my big 'Ol dirty thumbs up. Keep up the informative content man, I really dig it dude and thanks for taking time to properly show me.
Agreed. I was never a fan of the Fatboy before this year. That satin finish on the chrome parts is nice. Harley should offer that on some of their other models.
Lol just read some of the "not professional" comments and if have of them actually knew what it was like being a mechanic for a living would know what's it like getting a new model and having everything being moved and trying to figure it out. Its a little frustrating that an engineer puts things in the way to do your job.... And he dose use a service manual to make sure things are done right.... Much respect man keep up the good work
Great video! Yeah Yeah some audio issues, but it’s a new channel, it’ll polish up, in fact last video had no issue. To those unprofessional comments, I guess people were looking for something else. I appreciate the raw factor with the humor. It’s not supposed to be a tutorial to teach DIYers, at least not the highly technical side of it. I see it as more of a reality show behind the scenes. In my opinion that’s what differentiates John from others making it both entertaining and informative.
+Ken Vincent nailed it. I can’t do a full on tutorial and still “make time” on the job. I can however drop some tips in an entertaining way.
Just changed the oil and filter on my 83 FXWG. Topped off Transmission and adjusted drive and primary chain. Good day.
Thanks for the video man, helped me get over a few areas I was wondering about on my M8 FB. Some people get too sensitive sometimes and don’t appreciate some humor. Having fun while working, that’s passion for your craft, otherwise it becomes a boring job. Keep the videos coming!
Glad it helped you out, and thanks for the support!
Dude your videos are actually enjoyable which is rare on youtube
Loved it! Honest all around. Your search for the battery was a riot, and it reminded me of my post in the HD Forums:
I found out something else today about my FatBoy Softail I was not aware of...
This may pertain to all the Softails and to other new bikes as well, though I cannot be certain. This motorcycle's design is centered around the AGM battery. To keep the said battery safe, an impermeable sarcophagus was first designed to house it, rendering all attempts to access it utterly futile. Surrounding the main sarcophagus are innumerable plastic shields, wire harnesses, et al. Isolating this storage unit for voltage even further is a strong plastic shield, nestled between the battery itself and the new monoshock, so that any and all attempts to gain access to the positive terminal are laughingly thwarted. Once this wellspring of electrical DC life was completely guarded across every conceivable micron, the rest of the bike was designed. First of all, the sarcophagus was placed amidships where it was ensconced as a nucleus, orbited by additional wiring harnesses, proprietary connectors and widgets, devices which secure the aforementioned items, and ultimately the frame itself. I now know full well why this bike isn't 468 pound like my Yamaha sport liter bike, which has been called overweight.
It is as though the battery were considered the lower levels of Fort Knox itself, almost daring anyone with a modicum of bravado to try his best at various utterly futile causes, such as locating either terminal. Good luck with that! All this was in an effort to affix a pigtail for heated gear directly, which is the preferred method... In any event, once the battery has been kept literally out of sight to the point that it cannot be easily discerned even with the seat and both side covers off, items like the frame, wheels engine, transmission, seat, fenders, and other sundry items aided and abetted the concealing of this rectangle "on the lam", to the chagrin and utter dismay of both myself and my Son, who was drafted into service without even a chance to say goodbye to loved ones...
+Rick Lombardo that is hilarious. My take on it involved a lot more 4 letter words that required music to cover up my language. Your description is both accurate, and much more family friendly than mine!
I want to thank you. I have watched all your vids...yeah I was bored. After I watched your vid on DOT 4 I bought a tester...changing brake fluid now. Dude you saved my ass!
Thumbs up and subscribed , this dude didn't have to show us the way , but he did. Show this dude support
Thanks man, I appreciate that!
John Maxwell you're welcome
Big dirty thumbs up! My favorite part was you reading the service manual up side down. Glad to see you are multi talented. 😎
That's why I love old school. The new ones look nice, but I like the old stuff.
Excellent video, John. Not a Harley owner yet. I love these new Fatboys.
Great video, John! I appreciated that the battery install wasn’t intuitive for someone else. Changed my Softail battery per your suggestion awhile back, and it was a smidge more confusing than I thought it would be. Bike still works - winning!
Personally I love these videos more than on the road vlogs... not sure why you don't do more of these, they are great!
That 2018 fatboy is teh best looking honda i have ever seen !
Man, I hope my tech is doing all that stuff when I take it in. lol
Smart move with the blue towel. I’ve never done it, but I know a couple guys who dropped small parts into the cylinder while they had a spark plug out.
i drop bolts and nuts all the time... no fun to fine... doing repair work since 1971...
Good to see what my girl is getting done tomorrow!
just a quick ? i filled my trans. side with 28 oz and nothing had to fill to 32 oz to even get any kind of dipstick reading and yes i did screw the dip stick all the way down to o- ring is this normal 2018 fat bob 107 thnxxxxx
Nice to see that you know how to add oil. My last tech saw that the bike had a 5 quart capacity, so he just added 5 quarts. He over serviced it by 1/2 quart. Not good.
dude, love the videos, don't change a thing just keep'm coming. Following you now on IG. Not been on a bike for 25 years but now that the kids are grown I have a 18 CVO SG on order and you're helping me with getting up to speed on all things HD!
Thanks man! Glad to see you’re coming back to riding!
Hi John, it looks like they've com,plicated the process,whereas b4 it was relatively simple, Everything is so hard to get to, I've only done 600 miles on my Fatboy lo Special since February, due to the weather here . Enjoying your channel, hope it grows for uou
Dude.. move to Colorado in couple months so you can do my bike.... Thanks I'm not very mechanical so I like watching and learning
+Rev Livingston Colorado sounds good, haha . Glad you enjoyed the video!
I cringe so hard when I see a power tool being used on a drain plug! 23 year diesel tech here, btw. Love your vids though, keep it up :)
i was about to say, why would anyone use a power tool on a drain plug, before i got to where john starts the service and then realized he's probably using one so i didn't wanna say anything lol
This was what I was looking for. Wtf dude tightening a drain plug with an electric ratchet!? There's a torque spec on those 3 drain bolts. I also was an ASE mechanic for 30 plus years, when I was at Lexus it was an instant termination to do what you just did. Do you need me to buy you a torque wrench?
Always a learning curve with a new generation of bike. Manuals are one thing, hands on the lift is always a bit different.
Like your vids brother, keep them coming.
After watchin this, makes me love my 14 even more.
+badkarma3059 haha. It’ll be second nature in a few more rounds with these new ones!
Cool. 2018 Fat Boy is my new dream bike, nice to see videos popping up for it finally.
This customer just ordered some handlebars the other day. Looking forward to that job for sure! Hopefully I can make a video on it!
Cool stuff. I'd love to see that video.
I saw the guy had crash bars, I wanted to get some too. What do think are the best shape for crash protection on big twin like the fatboy?
I dont ever expect to laydown the bike, but better safe than sorry right?
I'd rather spend a few hundred on some good crashbars, instead of a few thousand replacing stuff they could save.
Nice videos sir.
Informative but also very entertaining.
Keep them coming! Hope your channel continues to grow.
I don't know what they're paying you guys, but it's not enough. I've got a lot of respect for wrenching skills. I can complete a complex income tax return, but I start sweating with anything beyond oil changes on my bike, lol. Good video.
Love your vids dude. I own almost this exact same bike. Here’s my thumbs up! Keep it up mate!
Thanks for posting. Wow - changing the battery seems like a job in itself!
20 mins tops
My local dealership (Oakland, CA) charges something like $140 an hour for service. It is an eye opener to know what I am paying for.
You also pay for the warranty that comes with it. If the goofy tech screws it up, the dealership will pay the fixing.
yeah it's really not a lot, (i haven't gotten past the drain plug coming out, so forgive me if i'm wrong with the newer bikes) but when i bought my first brand new bike from harley, one of the service guys told me all they do and that it's nothing i didn't already know how to do myself, so he said just keep receipts of everything i use to keep my warranty valid. he told because i very loudly said "fuuuuck that" when i saw the price for the service from them....it was a little over four hundred bucks.
I dropped off my FLHXS to my dealer for the 1k mile service yesterday, and I was joking with the service writer about your channel. I mentioned the "g--dammit Harley!" part and he chuckled and said "yeah, we say that a lot around here..."
Reading the manual upside down 😂!
Recently found you. Love your videos, watching them one by one. Informative and funny.
Keep it up and ride safe! 🤘
Thanks for showing us I just bought a 2018 street bob and was wondering why the $376 for a 1,000-mile oil change cost so much! now I know
I get that a lot. It’s a whole lot more than an oil change!
Oh wow!!
and this is why I service my own bikes
Like the videos, but my take is that I am glad I bought my 17' Street Glide at end of year so the techs could train on someone else's bike. Thanks for the videos.
Haha. It all gets done correctly, just not as efficiently as later in the year!
God damn the Fat Boy is the most beautiful machine. I’d trade my Mrs for one in a heartbeat if I thought anyone would accept the swap.
Could you make a short video on adjusting the upper clutch? I plan on replacing the cable for longer bars and think this would help lots of your viewers!
"Y'know, when I see a bike like this the first thing I do is say 'Would ya look at this?!?'"
+jz78817 hell yea!
Im no mechanic but i removed my battery in 15mins. Got my new softail slim 2020. I just followed the manual.
Recently subscribed, great videos. I realllly want a Harley now too.
love those wheels
Hi John, is there a way to adjust the lean angle of the Fatboy 2018? Wish you could give me some ideas on how or maybe purchase forward controls to do the trick. Thank you
Another great video John, I should have my first 1k service on a fat bob this week 🙂
+trevor Bell cool. I’ve done a few 1k services now. Much quicker/more efficient now!
I truly dig your video,s bro,, glad i checked ya out man,,, im ready to go for a ride boss ,,,
Damm! Just love the look on that new Fayboy.
Im considering getting on as soon as my truck is paid off within the 18 months.
Did you ever get one
@@q-bert6454
Nah, even though I did take a test ride on a 114, I decided to go with a 2017 Road King instead.
It had an awesome paint scheme.
So basically, your first 1,000 mile service consist of
adjusting your clutch & changing oil/trans. fluid.
Is this correct? Or did I miss something?
No there is way more to it. He did not show all the checking of the torque items that need to be checked. He did mention it I think though. Look up your service items on the book or manual and you will see that there is a lot to do. I think it took me a week or two but I have circumstances that make it that way.
the list of things to check is long, but it's all easy to do as long as you reference the service manual for your specs.
seeing the portion for the batter makes me happy i have an older bike lol
please john, I am not clear about the clutch lever setting ...!
Love your show!!, Try and match output levels between your verbal and music, jockeying the volume controls!!
Well ... thanks the video was enlightening and entertaining and yes I agree placement and amount of fluid should welcome in a much better ride. Testing one on Friday in San Marcos, Ca. Thank you
like ur video style and being I'm on my 3rd HD I like ur tech tips and in site I do a lot of my own maintenance keep up the great work
+Kyle Petrin glad you’re enjoying! Thanks for the support!
U got it most of my entertainment is off utube being a truck driver I like seeing a different type of vlog tyered of all the motovlogs and thanks for the reply first time I've had that lol have a good day bud
Bassmaster? I always thought it was Bassmaster. Interesting 🤔 you learn something new everyday
Going with the fat boy in the near future . The breakout has a peanut gas tank , so had to forget that bike
I like them both, actually I did a 1K on a Breakout today. Managed to get into a nice groove this go 'round! Both are nice bikes, and I do love the look of a 3.5 gallon tank. If you don't do too much highway, or don't ride for 150+ miles on the regular. That peanut tank is plenty!
What’s the yellow peace called the one you hook up the clutch cable too? Those it have a name?
Great video once again bud! Can you do one for new softail street bob fxbb? Mine is coming up really soon. Thank you
Curiosity can you put thicker transmission fluid In the Beast?
Thanks for the video!
I have a 19 slim that i put eliminator 300”s on, I didn’t tune it or do anything else. No check engine light. You think this will be ok till i can afford a tuner and air cleaner and whatever else?
Hi John. Is the 2018 steering head spec 8 to 21 be that much different to 2020. Just my 2020 manual says 7 to 11 for FLFBS. And from your experience 18 inch ape hangers i have on it, should the spec change or set with bars removed.
Thanks.
"All up in a new Fat Boy"... funny shit!
Helped me do an oil change on my new FXBB street bob. Thanks!!
Great video John thanks for sharing.
May i ask the drain plug of secondary and primary which is both of them
Well I subscribed and was thinking of getting a Sport Glide, but not now. I will stick with my 1991 Sturgis.
Keep the 91, and get one. That’s what I did. I have a 96 bad boy and an 18 heritage.
Hi John, I bought the 91 new, so we have been together for twenty eight years. I won't ever sell it now. Thanks. Best, Rocky
Hey buddy. Quick question. I have a 2022 Fatboy. Noticed that there’s not a grease fitting on the neck to grease the bearings. Can a put one in to periodically grease the neck bearings? Tia!
Awesome channel and videos man! Great to see more harley content on youtube😁
Thanks for another great vid. Should help as I take my mediocre mechanic skills to my own softail slim over the weekend for its 1000 mile service.
Would you look at that? I mean just look at it.
Your a great commentator, good funny dry humor...... :)
Par example le dossier du siège arrière pourrait être pliant c'est beaucoup mieux et plus beau non John ?🙂
Not sure if I love or hate the new fatboy wheels.
Thanks again for replying, re. the audio and music levels issue. The device l am using is a first edition iPad with earbuds, :-) tcrs.
+Triketacular good to know. Thanks for responding. While I’m disappointed in this videos quality, I am glad that I know what to fix!
Another great video. Please drop the volume of the music or bring up the voice, I have to keep a trigger finger on the volume.
Hi John, I just came across your video and subscribed. Great video. I live in Ireland and my first bike was a sporster which I loved. My next bike is gonna be a brand new fatboy like the one you're working on. Can I ask you _ why did harley discontune the heal shifter? Also my sporster had a lot of chrome which pitted after few thousand miles and looked awful. In your opinion will the same thing happen with this bike? I love the chrome look but if it's too hard to maintain perhaps I'd be better off with the blacked out version but not sure if that is available on the standard 2020 or would I have to find an anniversary model? Lastly do you recommend staging up before I take ownership? I'm no speed freak but I want power when necessary such as overtaking and wondered what stage ( 1,2,3 or 4) you would recommend? Cheers man
Any reason my you didnt use formula + in the trans or primary?
Just wanting some feedback on the oil controversy.. For the first oil change, is it OK to go straight to Synthetic, or would it be best to use the HD 360 oil for a while? It was always a rule to wait til about 20K miles on a vehicle before switching to synthetic so it would break in properly.. Anyone have experience with the Maxima oil kits on Amazon? Seems good to me, 3 different kinds of lubricant and a K&N filter. I do like the fact you don't need a stupid cap style wrench to remove it, Thanks
Yup. Just had that done to my Street Bob. Cost me 500 buck's. They charged me 2.5 hrs labor. Talk about getting ripped off. Oh and now I have oil spewing out of my air cleaner because they over filled with oil. I just checked my dipstick with bike cold and its at the full hot mark. Idiots! Probably burnt to the top of piston now. What you think John?
Love your channel mate, although personally not a fan of the 2018 lineup besides the blacked out tourers. Much love all the way from australia!
Swirl Mark Central , everyone thinks they're tough cause just owning a nice Harley doesn't make a strong Impression..
Hey John. Install my new cable and wend I put the clutch cover back the cable won’t move. It’s stuck. Any thoughts!? 2006 softail
Nice bike
I wish my 18 road glide had a clutch cable that I could adjust.
nice transition work
Love your videos binge watched them all! I have a 2018 Breakout that is approaching its Thousand Mile service. I have always used synthetic oil in my twin cam. But my dealership is suggesting regular oil in the Milwaukee eight. Their theory behind this is since the Milwaukee has almost 5 quarts of oil and a cooler synthetic oil is not necessary. Just wondered your thoughts. Thanks
So what oil did you end up using.?
man, I just installed the electrical upgrade kit (69201599A) on my '18 Heritage (to install a stereo) and the (+) battery terminal access is a pain in the a**... LOL
DEFINETELY the new design wasn´t made with DIYers in mind. Wouldn´t go back to my previous TC Softail, though. The new one does run WAY cooler indeed. No more frying my nuts in traffic! LOL.
Thumbs up on the video. Subscribing now. Best wishes from Brasília, Brazil.
I was looking at. Was you looking at it?
I have the 2018 Fat Boy. How do I access the fuse box on this thing? There is no power at the end of the charging connecter and the USB charger isn't working either. 🤦♂️🤷♂️😵😭
Any chance you can put up a vid on 2018 Sportglide?
I did the 1,000 mile service on my 2018 Heritage last night after work. Reading the service manual drives me nuts. Mine is on my phone. When you get to the part that tells you to drain the oil, then install the filter, plug, et al...then it tells you to refer to the section on checking the oil level which is 12 pages earlier and your hands are covered with oil...lalalala...ding dong. I could see your level of frustration every time you looked at that manual but you're so lucky to have the paper one. -- so...just for future...if you use a oil funnel with an according type spout that you can twist, you don't have to remove the electrical stuff when filling and checking the tranny.
I laughed my ass off when you called the gauge you use for the front fork bearing check a FISH SCALE. Guess what I literally used for that part.
the engine on that bike is gorgeous, I have a thing about engines
I think we all do!
Hi John love your channel. I'm looking for a bike for touring and cruising. The best of both worlds. I want my passenger to be comfortable on the back also. I do like your new bike but what are your thoughts on the fat boy? Or should I be looking at something else? I would prefer the 114 motor. Thanks
John can you answer something for me? I am coming up on my 10,000 miles service for my 2007 Sportster 883XL Custom, and neither “local” Harley shop seems willing to tell me what all is checked/done and won’t give me a ballpark figure for the cost. I don’t want to drop off my bike to be serviced and have a heart attack when they hand me the bill. Why would this be such an issue? I understand it might be X and X+? If they find something amiss, but a ballpark figure and checklist seems like something a shop should be able to throw out there routinely. Obviously every shop is different, but what would a 10,000 mile service on that bike entail? Price guess? I was considering a new derby cover if it will be off anyway, but can’t seem to get anywhere.
Question. I just bought a 05 heritage. At some point a hydraulic clutch was added. Probly when the SE 6 speed was installed. Do you have a video or can you tell me where to go to show clutch adjustment? I know how to do the clutch but I don't have a cable to loosen. So, what do I do?
So if I don't bring my fat boy in for the Thousand Mile service. Will it or will not void the warranty if I do the work myself
i just upgraded from a 2001 honda shadow haha... feel my pain :-D 2018 fxlr... went from one drain plug to three.
Hey man! First, great videos! I’ve been a sub and watching for a while. Second, thanks for providing no-bs knowledge to help out all of us two-wheel enthusiasts. Finally, the question...I recently had my 1K break in service done on my 18 FLHRXS. This being my first touring bike, is it normal for 14 qts of syn3 to be used? $189 worth of syn3 was on my invoice. I have a service plan, but still...Is this right?
John, at 2:10 it shows you lubricating the clutch cable. It looks like you're using a small oil bottle with a fine tip needle. If all you do is put a few drops up at the top of the cable, how do you make sure the entire length of the cable is lubricated? Not trying to be negative, just trying to get your take on it. Thanks!
The new cables have an extra spot to lube, but the old ones I leave hanging in such a way to let the oil go down. No way to know if it does, but you can tell a difference! I guess that means it works!
Bit of a nightmare that battery' John
Great videos. Keep it up!
Any FXDLS related videos?
+texasavage I’ll keep my eyes peeled. It’s definitely a popular model!
John, you've got an a amazing channel.
My positive criticism would be this; your music to speaking transition is too contrasted.. lower music volume or increase speaking if possible. I personally love hearing your 'pro-tips' but for a guy like me with earbud headphones or a sleeping baby in the room, the volume changes become frequent and drastic.
Segue into the awesome music you provide; Do. Not. Change. It. Love the rock as much as the perspective.
Keep it up man, there's a difference between how-to and tips. You walk the line flawlessly and as a Harley Davidson tech, just the tips.. (yeah..plural..it's a hell of a life 😛) are perfect.
I look forward to each video you upload. Be well.
+Nick Salmon thanks man! I’ve had a few comments on my audio, can I ask what device you watch on? Cell phone, laptop, tv? I need to nail this down, but I edit with earbuds, then rewatch it through laptop speakers and it sounds ok. Maybe all those loud noises over the years have me deaf!
Mostly cell (Samsung s8+) and earbud headphones via cell phone. Not sure if it's on your end or mine.. folks on tv or laptop may have next to no issue.
Keep working on it! Changes won't stop my appreciation as it's a double click to jump a few seconds and crank the volume for a bit.
+Nick Salmon obviously I want it right! I know one other complaint came from Samsung as well. Interesting. Sounds like I may need to do a poll. Anyway, thanks for watching, and the heads up on audio! I’m a much better tech than videographer, that’s for sure!
You're good enough at both to appease me, I will give you that your edits and faces around them are deadly hilarious. They are my favorite of your videos, hands down.
Is that a stock Harley Windshield on that Fat Boy?
Hey John I noticed you put a few ounces of oil in the filter is that common practice, I've never done that before what's your reason for doing that anyway. Great vids too keep them coming..
Grant Twiss gets oil into engine quicker at startup
That fish scale is some high tech tools for a $50k bike. Hey whatever gets the job done.Lol Here is my big 'Ol dirty thumbs up. Keep up the informative content man, I really dig it dude and thanks for taking time to properly show me.
one of the sexiest bikes i have ever seen
You might want to get our eyes checked. Then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Agreed. I was never a fan of the Fatboy before this year. That satin finish on the chrome parts is nice. Harley should offer that on some of their other models.
@@gabbyhayes1568 ya it is cool I really like the matte kinda finish
They ruined the Fatboys as far as aesthetics goes.
The wheels are cringe worthy though