2004 super glide im thinking about buying.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 273
Likes: 19
From: Ithaca
I really need help with this decision Harley folks. This bike has 5000 original miles on it, so I'm told, but am concerned about condition. I'm spending $4500 on it and that's a lot of money for me. This would be my first Harley. Please help.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 3
From: Wichita, Kansas
From the looks of the pitting and rusting all over it I would guess those were some hard miles with little attention to ever cleaning it. Typically we like to keep our bikes looking good so I'm guessing this owner didn't put much stock in wiping it down now and again. Makes me wonder if he put any stock in keeping it serviced, often those practices go hand in hand.
Better fire it up and ride it a bit for a better evaluation, those older models had a few issues I understand but I'm not an expert on it.
Good luck, shop around and make sure you are getting a good deal because it certainly doesn't look like its in good shape at first blush.
Better fire it up and ride it a bit for a better evaluation, those older models had a few issues I understand but I'm not an expert on it.
Good luck, shop around and make sure you are getting a good deal because it certainly doesn't look like its in good shape at first blush.
Last edited by spyderwebb; Jun 11, 2016 at 08:52 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,982
Likes: 2,141
From: Ohio
^^^^^^^+1.......if the owner let the outside go like that, I shudder to think what the inside of the engine looks like. Did you take a look at the oil? Everything will clean up with a lot of elbow grease, that won't cost you anything but your time. The forks should polish up OK, and if you have to replace the shocks, they're not too expensive. I'd change ALL the oils.........engine, tranny, primary, forks.........ASAP. How mechanical are you? Can you do the work yourself, or will you need to pay someone to do it? Probably gonna need a battery too. Maybe tires. Looks like it's missing a side cover over the battery. Does the bike start and run? Been sitting long? Check the inside of the tank for rust. How old is the gas in the tank? Carb or fuel injected? Will it idle? Ask him about maintenance. You said "the bike has 5,000 original miles on it, or SO I'M TOLD"....what does the odometer say? Or has the speedometer been removed? Have you actually seen the bike or just pictures of it? There may be all kinds of things that need fixing, or it may be fine with just a good cleaning and service. It's a crap shoot really.Good luck.Offer him $3500 just because of the "unknown" things you're gonna run into. Trust me, they'll be there.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Jun 11, 2016 at 09:52 AM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 273
Likes: 19
From: Ithaca
From the looks of the pitting and rusting all over it I would guess those were some hard miles with little attention to ever cleaning it. Typically we like to keep our bikes looking good so I'm guessing this owner didn't put much stock in wiping it down now and again. Makes me wonder if he put any stock in keeping it serviced, often those practices go hand in hand.
Better fire it up and ride it a bit for a better evaluation, those older models had a few issues I understand but I'm not an expert on it.
Good luck, shop around and make sure you are getting a good deal because it certainly doesn't look like its in good shape at first blush.
Better fire it up and ride it a bit for a better evaluation, those older models had a few issues I understand but I'm not an expert on it.
Good luck, shop around and make sure you are getting a good deal because it certainly doesn't look like its in good shape at first blush.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 273
Likes: 19
From: Ithaca
^^^^^^^+1.......if the owner let the outside go like that, I shudder to think what the inside of the engine looks like. Did you take a look at the oil? Everything will clean up with a lot of elbow grease, that won't cost you anything but your time. The forks should polish up OK, and if you have to replace the shocks, they're not too expensive. I'd change ALL the oils.........engine, tranny, primary, forks.........ASAP. How mechanical are you? Can you do the work yourself, or will you need to pay someone to do it? Probably gonna need a battery too. Maybe tires. Looks like it's missing a side cover over the battery. Does the bike start and run? Been sitting long? Check the inside of the tank for rust. How old is the gas in the tank? Carb or fuel injected? Will it idle? Ask him about maintenance. You said "the bike has 5,000 original miles on it, or SO I'M TOLD"....what does the odometer say? Or has the speedometer been removed? Have you see the bike or just pictures of it? There may be all kinds of things that need fixing, or it may be fine with just a good cleaning and service. It's a crap shoot really.Good luck.Offer him $3500 just because of the "unknown" things you're gonna run into. Trust me, they'll be there.
It's fuel injected. I've just seen in pictures. I better ask him about all that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
"Supposedly" is not a reliable indicator of mileage. If possible look at any service records for clues. The owners manual may have service stamps in it. The title may also show what the mileage reading was when transferred.
You need to look at the bike in person, not just ask the seller about it. Maybe you can bring someone along to check it out with you, even if you have to pay a few bucks to get a qualified opinion it would be well worth it.
You need to look at the bike in person, not just ask the seller about it. Maybe you can bring someone along to check it out with you, even if you have to pay a few bucks to get a qualified opinion it would be well worth it.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 273
Likes: 19
From: Ithaca
The guy said there were two techs that actually looked at and one that almost bought it. O do seem to trust the guy. I just have tobstay positive about it I suppose.
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