Clymer has produced an all-encompassing manual for complete teardown and repair of late model Harley Davidson Sportsters and Dynas. You don’t have to be a professional mechanic to get plenty of use out of this book. Whether you’re just looking for a more in-depth owner’s manual or need clear, step by step instructions on how to remove and overhaul the transmission and engine, this book has got you covered. The book is handy when the power goes out, but the digital version is better. Clymer has released an online version of the manuals for lightning fast referencing and it will never get stained by oily hands beyond readability the way a paperback will.
Heavy and thick book (1.25 inches) to lug around, Photos are fairly small and mostly black and white in the book, Photos online are often color, clearer than the book at times, but many are still black and white and grainy/low resolution, Online manual is super easy to use and faster than the book to find what you’re after, Photos and diagrams can be saved to your portable device for reference later Wrenching Made Easy First Impressions I’ve been using Clymer motorcycle repair manuals on my own bikes for several years and know how good they are. Clear and concise with decent, black and white photos that have helped me keep my ride in tip-top shape.
I used to buy the much more expensive factory repair manuals but got wiser over time switching to Clymer. There’s no appreciable advantage in using the OEM books over Clymer. I find them maybe a little clearer when it comes to photos sometimes, but that’s it.
This review is of the brand new book and online service manual (M256) for late model Harley Davidson XL Sportsters from 2014 to 2017 model years. Harley brought in a CANbus electrical system in 2014 on these bikes so having a good manual is pretty crucial in DIY work as a result. It covers a huge array of Sportsters and since they don’t change much are quite reverse compatible with older models other than the electrical system. XL883L SuperLow (2014-2017).
XL883N Iron 883 (2014-2017). XL883R Roadster (2014-2015). XL1200C 1200 Custom (2014-2017). XL1200CA Custom Limited A (2014-2016). XL1200CB 1200 Custom Limited B (2014-2017). XL1200CP 1200 Custom (factory custom) (2014-2016).
XL1200CX Roadster (2016-2017). XL1200T SuperLow (2014-2017).
2016 Sportster 1200 Review
XL1200V Seventy-Two (2014-2016). XL1200X Forty-Eight (2014-2017) Clymer has also simultaneously released the same quality of book (M255) for 2012 to 2017 FXD/FLD Dynas because of the same “CANbus reason”. The Online manual is the stuff mechanics’ dreams are made of.
Click and find exactly what you want and fast. I like it a lot, but feel like maybe Clymer hasn’t gone far enough yet. This could be set up better if it included a 3D diagram of the bike that you rotate and click on the area you want to work on to bring up procedures, specs and parts diagrams featuring factory part numbers. Clymer, are you hearing this?
Link it up with the local dealership parts department (or even eBay) so the user can check inventory, price and how far away your desired part is. It could easily be set up to order the parts at that point as well and provide tracking. It’s 2018 after all!
I would enjoy some video links built into the website as well because photos are good, but the video is king of all for visual people like myself. I always end up looking on YouTube to see how to do something even after reading the Clymer manual, so let’s just make the Online Manual one-stop shopping. It makes sense. Menus and Content There is a big menu that subdivides into topics beautifully right after you login to the website.
Easier than an Index and you can save diagrams and photos from the page in your phone for quick reference later. You can see how the diagrams and photos are the same quality as in the book, but there is more color used on the site. Mainly it’s used to highlight warnings that are crucial to follow in order not to damage your bike, but some photos are in color too. Spark Plugs Plugs are an area many people always ask about how to tackle and it’s all set out really well in the Online Manual as you can see in the following photos. Wiring Diagrams The photos can be enlarged or zoomed on to see better what’s going on with the site pages. When it comes to the wiring diagrams this is the main reason to go digital since those little wires are tough to see along with the small print used on the ones in the back of the book. Embrace the future!
Go to the website, but keep the book around just in case the robots take over and shut down the internet or something. The Final Word Not only will this manual pay for itself the first time you use it and don’t pay labor to a repair shop, it will increase your self-confidence, help you keep your bike running better, longer and make you a smarter, more well-rounded individual if you let it. There are times Clymer will show you how to avoid needlessly buying special factory tooling and present a way to build your own or get by without it. In the brake bleeding section, they mention the MityVac bleeding tool which allows a single person to bleed the brake lines but also mention how to do it with a friend without the tool.
Need a repair manual, owners manual or parts manual for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle? RepairManual.com stocks Clymer Harley Davidson motorcycle workshop manuals, Haynes Harley Davidson motorcycle manuals and a small selection of used OEM Harley motorcycle service manuals and Electrical Troubleshooting Manuals (ETMs). Learn how to service your Harley-Davidson motorcycle and avoid costly mistakes – each manual includes step by step instructions and plenty of photos to guide your motorcycle repair procedure.