Harley Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival (FLI) Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule and service information for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival (FLI), a reincarnation of Harley’s classic brand. Harley-Davidson officially calls it the Harley-Glide Revival, but it’s a safe bet that most people will call it the Hydra-Glide, or just the “FLI”.

The Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide / FLI is a bagger/stripped-back tourer in the model of the Road King, but based on the Softail chassis. It has floorboards, bags and shield, and is driven by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 – basically the smallest capacity on offer as of 2024 (the 107 is only sold on the Softail Standard as of 2024), but obviously, it’s not “small” by any means.

The Milwaukee-Eight 114 is an air/oil-cooled 114 ci fuel-injected V-twin, which is notable as some of the touring bikes are moving to liquid-cooled heads. With a compression ratio of 10.5:1, and some tuning for the high-flow air cleaner and shorty dual exhausts, the Hydra-Glide Revival makes peak torque of 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) at 3,000 rpm, and peak power of 70 kW / 94 hp at 4750 rpm.

The final drive for the FLI is via a 6-speed cruise drive and belt.

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Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Service Intervals

Being based on the Milwaukee-Eight platform, the Harley-Davidson FLI Hydra-Glide has 5000 mile / 8000 km or annual service intervals, though Harley recommends you service it more often if you ride it aggressively or off-road (or in lots of low-speed riding for short distances).

At every service, change the oil and filter, and look over the motorcycle for items needing lubrication, adjustment, or cleaning. Also, check wearable items (like hoses and tires) to see if they’re still in good condition. (See the end for tire specs.)

As the Milwaukee-Eight 114 motor has self-adjusting hydraulic valve lifters, there is no strict valve service interval — it just needs attention when there’s valve noise or poor performance. However, Harley-Davidson does suggest you change the spark plugs every 30000 miles / 48000 km or two years.

As well as engine oil, you need to periodically replace both primary chaincase lubricant and transmission lubricant, but not as often.

Some items need to be done less frequently, like changing the brake fluid. See the detailed schedule below for more details.

Finally, maintain the belt regularly (see guidance below).

Maintenance schedule for the Harley-Davidson FLI

Below is the service schedule for the Harley-Davidson FLI Hydra-Glide Revival. The below is adapted from the 2024 Softail manual but clarified for legibility and to make it easier to follow. For example, there are notes in the table, and the table has the most important things on top (e.g. the oil change).

For convenience, we’ve broken the maintenance schedule into two sections:

1. The major items maintenance schedule, and
2. The service checklist (to be done at every service).

Major Items Maintenance Schedule

This is the “major items” maintenance schedule for the Harley-Davidson FLI Hydra-Glide (broadly applicable to 2024 Softail models).

Notes:

• Follow the earlier of the distance-based or time-based intervals. For example, change the oil every 5000 mi / 8000 km or year, whichever comes first.
• Keep repeating the schedule in the pattern shown past the end of the maintenance schedule.

mi x 1000	1	5	10	15	20	25	30
km x 1000	1.6	8	16	24	32	40	48	Every
Inspection checklist (see below) – Perform all inspection items	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year (some items only)
Engine oil – Replace Use H-D 360, or a 20W50 engine oil, e.g. Mobil 1 20W-50. Drain plug torque: 19-25 Nm / 14-21 lb-ft	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year See notes below
Oil filter – Replace (KN-171B) Hand-tighten with a rag	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Air cleaner filter – Inspect Clean as necessary in lukewarm water with mild detergent	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	More often if riding in severe conditions.
Spark plugs – Replace (CR9EB is the NGK equivalent. Some also like CR9EIX)							✓	2 years
Handlebar Controls — Tighten. Including * Hand control switch housing screw * Master cylinder handlebar clamp screw * Front brake handlebar clamp screw	✓		✓		✓		✓	Year
Steering head bearings – Lubricate						✓
Primary chaincase lubricant – Replace	✓		✓		✓		✓	More often if riding in severe conditions.
Transmission lubricant – Replace	✓				✓			More often if riding in severe conditions.
Brake fluid – Replace (use DOT 4 fluid e.g. Castrol DOT 4)								2 years, or if moisture is >3%
Front and rear axle nut torque – Tighten	✓		✓		✓		✓	Year
Spoked rims (if equipped) — Check spoke tightness	✓			✓			✓
Rear sprocket isolators — Inspect				✓			✓	Also at every tire change
12V battery – Check battery, terminal torque, and clean connections. Lubricate with electrical contact lubricant								Year
Front forks — Rebuild (seals, fluid)								50,000 mi (80,000 km)
Fuel filter – Replace								100000 mi (161000 km)

Inspection checklist for the Harley-Davidson FLI (Hydra-Glide)

Below is the regular inspection checklist for the 2024 Hydra-Glide. Do this checklist at every service, per the schedule above. Items on the right also need to be done annually.

Standard Inspection Checklist — Harley-Davidson FLI	Annual
Drive belt and sprockets – Inspect for wear
Drive belt – Check / Adjust tension See notes below on checking / adjusting belt tension
Electrical equipment and switches – Inspect for correct function
Tire pressure and tread (front and rear) – Check	✓
Brake and clutch controls – Lubricate
Brake pads and discs (front and rear) – Check wear and that the discs run true Minimum pad thickness: 0.04 inch / 1 mm
Brake fluid level (front and rear) – Inspect level (fluid drops as pads wear), and check moisture content. Replace if moisture over 3%. (Castrol DOT 4)	✓
Clutch cable – Adjust and check for leaks, contact, or abrasion. Lubricate cable with Harley-Davidson lubricant
Fuel lines and fittings — Inspect for routing, condition, leaks, and abrasion	✓
Oil cooler – Clean
Oil and brake lines – Inspect for wear / poor routing, or damage	✓
Jiffy stand (side stand) – Lubricate
Exhaust system, fasteners, and shields – Inspect	✓
Fuel tank cap / hinge / latch – Lubricate
Headlamp alignment — Check and adjust (Headlight bolt torque — 10-13 lb-ft / 13.5-17.6 Nm)
Component and system function – Road test

Belt Maintenance

As with any belt-driven bike, you do need to regularly service the Hydra-Glide’s belt. It needs less maintenance than a chain but it’s not maintenance-free — you should inspect it for wear and damage (particularly after riding in sandy or rocky areas) and check/adjust the tension.

Below are more details on maintaining the FLI’s belt. To check the belt tension, follow the procedure below, and refer to this diagram.

To check belt tension, you need a belt tension tool and a ruler (either metric or imperial, whatever you’re used to). The belt tension tool is a device that applies pressure to the belt with an indicator when it reaches 10 lb or 4.5 kg of pressure. You can use either the standard Harley-Davidson belt tension tool or a generic one – they do the same thing (and they’re all usable on other cruisers with belt drives).

Follow this procedure to measure belt tension.

1. Put the motorcycle in neutral on its stand, with the rear wheel on the ground. There should be no other load on the bike, either.
2. Push up on the middle of the bottom half of the belt (where the deflection window is) until the belt tension gauge shows 10 lb (4.5 kg) of pressure.
3. Look in the belt deflection window to measure belt deflection.

Target belt tension for the Harley-Davidson FLI Hydra-Glide (existing belt): 1/2-9/16 in / 12.7-14.2 mm. This should be 8-9 deflections in the window.

If the belt tension is out of spec, you can either adjust it yourself if you’re familiar with the procedure or take it to a dealer.

Below is the belt adjustment procedure for a 2018+ Softail chassis.

1. Elevate the rear wheel using a stand. (You take the tension measurements with the wheel on the ground, but adjust the tension with the wheel elevated.)
2. Use a breaker bar with a 36mm Harley-Davidson rear wheel wrench to loosen the rear axle. You can use a regular 36mm socket if you have one, but you may have to remove the exhaust for it to fit.
3. Use a 3/8 inch wrench to turn the belt tension adjusters on either side of the bike. Make small changes — a 1/4 turn can make a huge difference. You have to lower the motorcycle again to measure the deflection with the weight on the wheel again.
4. Make sure you tighten the nuts the same amount on each side. Check the belt and make sure it’s in tension
5. Tighten the rear axle to 110-120 lb-ft or 149-163 Nm of torque. You’ll need a large torque wrench for this (or some other trick).

This is a good video for doing belt tension on the Milwaukee-Eight Softail, courtesy of “RevelatorAlf”‘s YouTube channel. It’s for an older bike than the 2024 FLI but the same procedure applies.

Wheels and Tires

The FLI ships with Dunlop D401 tires with 16-inch rims front and rear. Below are the tire sizes and recommended pressures.

Wheel	Tire size	Tire pressure (cold)
Front	130/90B16 73H BW	36 psi / 248 kPa
Rear	150/80B16 77H BW	40 psi / 276 kPa

About the Harley-Davidson FLI Hydra-Glide Revival

The Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival is a limited edition retro machine echoing the design of the 1956 FLH, then built based on the Panhead engine. The Hydra-Glide was the first Harley-Davidson to use telescopic front suspension, and which gave it its name — like gliding over water.

The FLI is a classically styled motorcycle that shares a lot of elements with the contemporary Heritage Classic, another Softail with big fenders and floorboards. But the Hydra-Glide is distinct for having a detachable 21-inch windscreen, soft bags, and loads of chrome details. That’s all aside from the two-tone red and white paint and custom badges.

The Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin in the Hydra-Glide Revival comes standard with a high-flow air cleaner, and the engine is tuned to suit. This gives it slightly more peak torque and power than a base model M8 114, but more can be squeezed out of it with a full stage one kit.

The Softail chassis means that the ride is a little different from the touring bikes. Many people actually prefer the Softail chassis over the touring one — it provides a very comfortable ride. With the windshield and floorboards, the Hydra-Glide Revival is all-day comfortable, and a lot sportier than an equivalent Touring bike, which comes with a significant weight penalty (e.g. a Road King Classic weighs 352 kg / 775 lb — without a front fairing or windshield — whereas the Hydra-Glide Revival weighs 337 kg / 742 lb). But the Touring frame can carry heavier loads, which means more luggage for you and your pillion.

Maintenance for the Hydra-Glide Revival is much like other Softails. The Milwaukee-Eight engine needs fluid changes at every service, but doesn’t have any scheduled major service requirements due to the hydraulic self-adjusting valve lifters.

Harley owners do like to remind chain-driven motorcycle owners that the belt is “maintenance-free”. But the belt does get damaged, and does wear, and you’d be well advised to check its condition and tension at least at every service.

Being a modern bike and part of Harley-Davidson’s classics series, the Hydra-Glide comes standard with cruise control and ABS.

Reference

The above came from the owner’s manual for the Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival, which is the manual for the 2024 Softail, plus some specific notes for the FLI model.

See some screenshots below for reference.

Note many items are not in the same order as the schedule above — this is why we re-ordered it.

You can see the full schedule here (though you will require a login to the portal).