Harley-Davidson Super Glide FX / FXE — Example photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Harley-Davidson · Harley-Davidson Shovelhead big twin (1966-1984)

Super Glide FX / FXE

Library entry covers 1971-1984

37 aftermarket 34 guideline

Published source

Haynes Harley-Davidson Big Twins Owners Workshop Manual 1970 to 1997 (Routine maintenance intervals, stated as the manufacturer's shortest recommended intervals)

Aftermarket manual quoting the factory. Covers 1971-1984 (book covers FX/FXE 1970-80, FX 1340 1979-on).

Open the source

71 items for a 1971 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Hydraulic lifters (no routine clearance adjustment)
Ignition: Battery and coil with contact points
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1971 Harley-Davidson Super Glide FX / FXE

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Aftermarket

Manual: Lubricate the drive chain. Factory: every 300 miles, p.31

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 1,000 mi

2 items

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Aftermarket

Manual: Adjust the drive chain or belt. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

13 items

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Aftermarket

Manual: Service the air cleaner. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the fuel lines and fittings for leaks. Factory: inspection only, every 1000 miles, p.31
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the adjustment of the clutch. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Aftermarket

Manual: Adjust the primary chain or belt. Factory: every 1000 miles; check and adjust tension again at 2000, p.31
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Aftermarket

Manual: Grease rear brake pedal, foot shift and foot clutch bearings. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Grease saddle pivot, check saddle springs / seat post

Rear suspension and frame

Aftermarket

Manual: Lubricate seat post roller and bolt, seat suspension bushings. Factory: 1000 miles; seat post and seat bar bearings grease 2000, p.31
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Aftermarket

Manual: Adjust the brakes. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Aftermarket

Manual: Inspect the brake discs and pads. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Aftermarket

Manual: Inspect the oil and hydraulic brake lines for leaks. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the hydraulic brake fluid level. Factory: check only, every 1000 miles, p.31
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Aftermarket

Manual: Inspect the tires for wear and proper inflation. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Aftermarket

Manual: Lubricate clutch, throttle, choke cables and lever pivots. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Aftermarket

Manual: Grease the speedometer drive gear. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

1 item

Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Guideline

Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

Every 2,000 mi

11 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Aftermarket

Manual: Change the engine oil and filter. Factory: every 2000 miles; first at 500 miles, p.31
Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the engine mounts and stabilizer links. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Aftermarket

Manual: Clean the tappet oil screen. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the condition of the spark plugs. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Replace oil filter

Engine

Aftermarket

Manual: Change the engine oil and filter. Factory: filter changed with oil, p.31
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Aftermarket

Manual: Clean the fuel filter screen on the fuel tank valve. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Aftermarket

Manual: Check and adjust the ignition timing. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the battery electrolyte level. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Aftermarket

Manual: Check condition of contact breaker points (if equipped). Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Aftermarket

Manual: Check the transmission oil level. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Aftermarket

Manual: Grease the swingarm pivot bearings. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

8 items

Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.
Flush oil tank and clean tank screen

Engine

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi

8 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Aftermarket

Manual: Replace the spark plugs. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Aftermarket

Manual: Grease throttle sleeve spiral and speedometer/tachometer cables. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Aftermarket

Manual: Grease contact breaker cam and ignition advance unit. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Aftermarket

Manual: Change transmission oil, clean magnetic drain plug. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Change primary chaincase oil

Primary and gearbox

Aftermarket

Manual: Change the primary chaincase oil (wet clutch). Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Change fork oil

Front end

Aftermarket

Manual: Change the fork oil. Factory: every 5000 miles; also at initial 500 miles, p.31
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Aftermarket

Manual: Check steering head and swingarm bearing free play. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Aftermarket

Manual: Inspect the shock absorbers and bushings. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

3 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

4 items

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Aftermarket

Manual: Repack the steering head bearings. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Aftermarket

Manual: Repack the swingarm bearings. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Aftermarket

Manual: Repack the wheel bearings. Factory: shortest factory interval across 1970-97 Big Twins, p.31

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.