Now that you have your new bike home and the dust has settled, some questions may have surfaced concerning the operation of your new Harley® motorcycle. If you have questions not covered here, please do not hesitate to call our Service Department's direct line at 907-248-5376 and ask for me, David Landfear, service manager. Here at the House, we are dedicated to assisting you in any way we can to make ownership of your new Harley® motorcycle as fun and exciting as it can be.

Customers are introduced to the following information at the time of delivery of their new motorcycle; however, in the exciting moments of taking delivery some of the points can be missed that are important to making your experience a great and fun one.

1. Owner's manual and videotape: Each new bike comes with an owner's manual and a videotape. Please refer to them often to brush up on general maintenance and operation of your new bike. The owner's manual will give general information and the service schedule for the bike. If you have not done so, please write down the key numbers in your manual and in another place where you can access them should it become necessary. A new set of keys is only about $30.00 where a new lock system can be several hundred. Keys can only be obtained from your Harley-Davidson dealer, but you must provide proof of ownership of the bike. You must have the key numbers in order to get new keys. If your bike is equipped with a security system, don't forget to note your security code in the proper place in the book and then remove the card and place it in your wallet. Now is a good time to read about the security system and how to disarm it. Go and practice it in the comfort of your garage before you need it on a cold rainy day away from home.

2. Starting your new Harley-Davidson® or Buell® motorcycle: Regardless of which fuel system you have, normally aspirated or injected, there are certain steps to starting the bike. Injected bikes do not have an accelerator pump in the throttle or a manual enriching device. Set the engine off switch to "RUN" and turn the ignition to the "ON" position and wait for the fuel pump priming to stop (you will hear a whining sound) and for the little engine lamp to go out, then press the starter button without opening the throttle. If all is well, the bike will start and the engine idle will find the proper RPM for the ambient air temperature. As the engine warms the idle RPM will decrease to approx. 950 to 1000 RPMs.

3. If you have a carbureted engine, follow the above except pull the "choke" lever out all the way. It is best to not pump the throttle at first. With the choke out, press the start button. The bike should start quickly. The engine will be running at higher RPMs with the choke out. It is important to push this lever in as soon as possible to avoid fouling your spark plugs. You will notice that by pushing this in right after the engine starts, the engine will most likely quit. In order to keep it running, you should raise the RPMs slightly by twisting the throttle (enough to keep the motor running without the choke) and lock the throttle in position by use of the thumbwheel under the throttle grip area. As the engine warms, the RPMs will increase and you will need to decrease the throttle opening accordingly. Once you feel heat on the rear cylinder head, it is OK to ride. For the first mile or so, drive conservatively to allow the engine to heat up. Some models require more time than others to reach a level of temperature that allows full choke-off riding. When the bike is new, you may experience some sputtering through the air cleaner. This should decrease as the engine warms up and as the miles increase. If this condition exists in your bike and you do not understand it fully, please contact the Service Department and we will do all we can to limit this condition for you.

4. If you have less than 50 miles on the bike, you should not exceed 2500 RPMs or 50MPH until you have reached the 50-mile mark. After the first 50 miles, you may safely run the RPMs up to 3000. The engine speed should be varied for the next 500 miles by changing your speed every five miles or five minutes, which ever comes first. This allows all the moving parts of the engine to settle in over a wider range of their travel resulting in a properly running engine. See your owner's manual.

5. Your bike came with a full tank of premium fuel. You should, whenever possible, use premium fuel. Avoid the use of octane boosters as improper ratios mixed with the fuel may harm the engine and/or fuel lines. If you have questions about this, please give us a call. If premium is not available when you need fuel, purchase the best grade available and be sure not to lug the engine. Lugging means running in too high of a gear at too low of a speed. This is hard on the engine, especially when new. You will get the feel for this as you become more acquainted with your bike and as your riding experience grows.

6. For years the gearbox has been affectionately called a “Positive Shift” this simply means that you have to be positive about putting it in gear. If you didn’t feel it or hear it , it probably didn’t go into gear. Well this is all changing with the new Dyna models and the ability to use Screamin’ Eagle Syn-3 oil in the gear box. There is a six speed gear set available for most big twin Harleys that can be installed here at the House. This is not the same six speed gear box that comes standard on all 2006 Dyna models.

7. An area of importance is the drive belt. The belt drive system is light weight and allows maximum power transmission to the rear wheel without the weight and some ride characteristics associated with other types of drive systems. It is necessary to check and adjust the drive belt on a regular basis. If your bike is serviced at the House this is included in all services.

8. Tire pressures are very important as you only have two under you. Refer to your owner's manual for conditions and pressures for your bike. If you have a 21" front wheel, you might consider keeping the pressure of the front tire at the maximum listed on the tire or in your manual. The 21" tire has a low sidewall as compared to the 16" and 19" tire and wheel combination. By keeping the 21" inflated to the max pressure, you have a better chance of the tire absorbing a pothole or bump instead of the rim being damaged. This will not prevent all damage to tire or wheel, but it does help. In addition, all tires should be checked and inflated before riding. 8. When a tire gets warm from running it builds pressure within the tire due to the expansion of the moisture in compressor air. Likewise, as the tire cools off the pressure drops due again to the contraction of the moisture in compressor air. This is why you need to check pressures on a regular basis. An added property of compressor air is that the molecule is small and actually seeps through the pores in tires and tubes. With fuel costs increasing, proper tire pressures will help you get the most miles per gallon out of your very efficient new Harley or Buell motorcycle.

9. A new tire has a "skin" or "crust" on it like a loaf of bread. This is harder and will not allow the tire to grip the road as well as it will when this "skin" has worn off. This takes only a short time, about 50 or 100 miles, so be aware of this while putting your first miles on the bike.

10. The brakes and discs have to "wear in" before consistent braking is felt. This is the process of the brake pads wearing in the disc rotors. This takes approximately 75 to 200 miles depending on your riding habits and the weight of your bike. The heavier the bike, the quicker this happens. You will get some squeaking from disc brakes on your car, and you may also get disc brake squeaking on your motorcycle. This is primarily caused by dirt or dust particles lodging between the pad and the disc. Most of the time, this is a temporary thing. If it is bothersome to you, give us a call or stop by the Service Department. We will look at it to be sure all is good and safe, and discuss your options on how to eliminate or lesson the squeal.

11. Mirrors are required on both sides by Alaska state law and your new Harley came with two mirrors. Experiment with the adjustment for the best view of the road and vehicles behind you. It is a good idea to keep the glass part of the mirrors waxed with Harley Glaze. This is a good product to keep on your windshield and lights as well. A coating of this will assist in water shedding and make it easier to clean bugs and debris off when it comes time to wash the bike. The use of certain water disbursement products is not recommended as they may discolor the windshield.

12. Accessories and performance improvements: As you know by now, Harley-Davidson offers the largest array of accessories for your bike to be found anywhere. When picking these items for your bike, pay attention to the fitment codes and colors, and do not hesitate to call the shop for clarification if you are concerned about fitment on your bike. Many of the items fit on other models (multi-fit) while some are model specific. Addition of certain performance items may effect your warranty, so please call or visit the Service Department if you have any questions in this area. Don't hesitate to contact Julie, our Chrome Specialist, for assistance in fitment of accessories for your bike. It is the accessories that make your Harley, your Harley!

13. Oils? Which oil is best for my new Harley? This is a popular question. If you ask 10 people, you will most likely get 10 different answers. The oil you use may depend on the use you are putting your bike to; however, Harley-Davidson has spent many years developing their oils specifically for your motorcycle. We recommend using Harley-Davidson oils and filters. Please come in or call the Service Department for in-depth answers to this question.

14. Should I get every suggested service done or can I skip the little ones? This is a question there is only one answer to, and that is "No", do not skip the little ones! In Alaska, we have a climate that is considered "severe" by the motor industry. The extremes of temperature and the glacial dust in the air mixed with occasional volcanic ash make for a harsh environment for our bikes and cars to run in. We do not change oil, for the most part, because it is worn out, but because it is contaminated with acids that are natural bi-products of combustion and conditions. When the ambient temps are cool and the air temps are cold, it takes a long time to get an air-cooled engine up to normal operating temperature. Your air-cooled Harley engine needs to operate in the temperature range of 185° to 220° Fahrenheit for a certain period of time to evaporate the water out of the oil that gets in there from condensation every time you shut your engine off and every time the temperature fluctuates. For this and other reasons, it is important to keep fresh oil and a clean filter in your bike. We recommend these be changed every 2500 miles or 2.5 months. If you ride occasionally, this is vitally important to the life of your engine. Please don't hesitate to call. We want you to fully understand this important part of servicing your bike.

15. Preferred Maintenance: When you purchased your new Harley, you were offered a program that could save you a good deal of money on the scheduled maintenance of your Harley. This is a program that is worth the price. If you are not sure about this program and its benefits, it is not too late to take advantage of it. Please call and get the details. You will save a lot of money with our Preferred Maintenance Plan.

16. What is warranty and what does it cover?
    There are two kinds of repair policies: The first is the original 12 or 24 month factory backed warranty. Any bike 2003 and back had an original warranty of 12 months from delivery date and all 2004 and newer Harleys and Buells have a 24 month warranty. Almost everything is covered under the original warranty during the warranty period. Some items that are not covered are: paint chips, dings, flat tires (unless you meet the conditions of the ESP contract) bent rims, maintenance items like belts and brake pads, spark plugs, and obvious abuse. Refer to your owner’s manual for complete definition of the factory warranty.

17. The second type of plan is called an extended service plan. This is a service contract, not a warranty. This type of plan covers non maintenance items after the original warranty expires. These run up to 84 months. They normally carry a deductible amount. They do not cover supply charges and do not always cover the entire amount of the repair. They do not cover wear items. Some of the newest contracts offer a tire replacement supplement. This covers road hazard and has a limit total per year or for the life of the contract. Most tire supplements do not have a deductible amount. The tire has to be within its usable limits to be covered. Keep in mind that any extended service contract work has to be diagnosed prior to calling for authorization of the work. This is especially important if you are on the road and away from your home dealer. Contact the service department if you have any questions on this.

18. Care and cleaning of your bike can be an enjoyable part of the total ownership experience. If you use the proper cleaning agents, available from the Parts Department, maintaining the appearance of your new Harley can be fairly easy and enjoyable. Please contact any of our parts and accessory associates for the proper tools and supplies to maintain your bike. A clean bike just feels better!

19. At the House, we employ trained and qualified technicians who take pride in their work and in delivering your motorcycle to you in good running order. All of us are in a program of continued education and training through PHD, PACE, PRO SELL and other factory on- and off-site training programs. We are proud of our staff and look forward to servicing your new bike. We attempt a courtesy wash with every bike that is in for service. This is a wash and top side blow dry. This is not a detail. On occasion we are unable to wash every bike. This may be due to manpower, extra heavy shop schedule or vacations schedules. We will detail your bike if time permits. Detail means just that, clean as best as can be for the condition of the bike. This is not a restoration service or a service for show bikes. We will clean the bike to as close to showroom condition as possible. The cost of this is dependant on the condition of the bike. There are three fees at this time. $75.00, $125.00, and $150.00. The price of detail will be determined at time of write up by the service advisor. Again this is available as time permits.

20. If, at any time, you are less than satisfied with our Service Department, please call or visit me directly so I may have the opportunity to get you back on the road to happiness with your bike. Enjoy your new Harley-Davidson or Buell, and again welcome to our family!