Hello,
I spend most of my time in the Ironhead forum, but need an everyday rider and have an opportunity to purchase a Wide Glide and had some questions that maybe you can help me with.

1. I can buy a 1999 TC Wide Glide with 9 thousand miles, pipes, air intake system, and other moderate add ons for 9500.00. The guy that is selling it is a neat freak and a fanatic about keeping his things in top shape. Is this a good deal for the bike? If I find myself in a position to sell it come winter (seasonal occupation) will I have a problem escaping out of it?

2. My wife rides with me maybe 3 or 4 times out of ten and I need to make sure she'll be comfortable. Is the Wide Glide typically a comfortable ride with the proper seat or is it a back breaker? I had a Low Rider some years back, but my first wife and I never rode that often and it was never an issue.

This bike opportunity has me wanting to pull my impatient trigger finger, but I needed some further input from some outsiders first just to assure (or discourage) me.
Thanks in advance

 

Well I love my WG and I find it very comfy. The only complaint my wife has is she would like a taller sissy bar. I don't have one bad thing to say about it.
$9500 isn't bad at all.

 

ditto

 

Thats a great price. I say go for it. Before the "minor".. mods on my wide glide the wife had no problems on long trips. She says the fender is to hard on her a$$ to ride now. Good luck

 

Around here, it's hard to find ANY twin-cam under $10K, let alone a Wide-Glide. Check the Kelly Blue Book and NADA values for your area to be sure. The bike can be set up for passenger comfort, no problem. Get a tall sissy bar, big pad, and a nice passenger seat... like a big Mustang or a Sundowner.

Selling in winter is always a bit tricky, but it can be done. I've noticed that there is always a flurry of bike sale activity near the end of February. I guess a lot of spring fever cases. If you have to sell between Halloween and New Years Day, then that can be a little frustrating.

 

The price is right. As far as problems, it doesn't have enough miles on it yet for the cam chain tensioners to have been replaced, so that is something to keep an eye on. Those years had troubles in that area. Look for bits of orange plastic in the filter at oil change.

I'd still buy it for that price, even knowing about the cam chain tensioner problems, cause for me, it wouldn't even be a minor headache, and an afternoon bonding with the bike to fix it. I don't, however, have any knowledge of your mechanical experience, so if you're gonna have to pay to have those tensioners repaired/replaced, then that is a cost you need to figure in with the price.

 

Find out if the cam bearings were upgraded. Lots of early TCs gernaded them.

 

I have a 99, wouldn't take 12K for it, but if you found one for that amount. Take it, before it's gone. The cam chain tensioners and crank sensor are the only problems I've had with mine. The tensioners were changed at 42K miles, they were shot.. at the same time I did the 95 upgrade.. The crank sensor went, intermittent, at 47K miles. With the mustang regal duke seat your wife shouldn't have any complaints about the ride. Longest ride I've taken at one shot, just over 1000 miles. Monterrey Mexico to Norman, Oklahoma. Not even a hiccup, done that ride twice now.

 

I figured since the 99's were the beginning of the TC's there may have been some glitches with something.
Now I'm assuming that the cam bearings, cam chain tentioners, and crank sensors need to be kept close eye on when the bike has far more miles than just the 9000 that are on it currently?
I think I have made up my mind to take the deal even if it may need a few items that were notorious problems with the 99's. Hell, I just completed rebuilding a 74 Ironhead Sportster basket case which in some ways makes me somewhat of a tech. If anyone here has had the pleasur eto rebuild any 34 year old machine you know what I mean.

 

I just found out from a friend of mine that has a 99 Road King (also the first year for the TC engine) that the dealer did his cam bearings for free since they were under a recall for that year....has anyone here heard of that? If I can get it done for free, I may as well just have the dealer do it so I can be out riding my other bike, right?
Thanks in advance.