Congrats clean looking scooter.

 

You didn't put tire shine on your tires? Did you. If so that's a horrible idea on a motorcycle. Very nicely kept bike. You are going to love it

 

sweet ride, amazing how the style and look didnt change for so many years

 

Agreed.

I think it is almost criminal that Softail customs are no longer in production. The two bikes that come the closest in terms of overall appearance in the current lineup are the wide glide and breakout. Neither one quite captures this classic style.

Nice find OP.

 

Noooooo they were like that when I bought it, but I think I'm with you on that one. I do have some tyre dressing that I use on my other vehicles but it leaves a sort of matt finish, just tidies up the tyres. Anyway the rear tyre is back to normal now as the seller put a new one on as the old one had a split in it. The front tyre has plenty of tread but I'm suspecting its quite an old tyre so I think I'll put a new one on, I'm thinking whitewall tyres for the vintage look.

 

I changed out the handlebar rubber bushes for urethane ones, certainly tightened up the feel, the old bushes were well shot and disfigured.

 

White walls look good on small diameter wide tires with a lot of sidewall, like what a Heritage or touring bike uses. They may look a bit odd since your front wheel is tall and skinny.

Every tire has a manufacturing date code on the sidewall by the way.

The reason caution was expressed with regard to tire shine is it can be very dangerous because it is slippery, especially while you are leaned over in a curve.

Be sure to check the spokes. When you buy an older bike, never assume anything is good without checking it out. They are probably be fine, but if they aren't and you don't take care of it, the results could range anywhere from very mild and moderate to catastrophic. I don't mean to scare you or discourage you, but never take anything to do with tires, wheels, or brakes for granted on a bike, especially an older one.

I had a problem with my neck bearing one time that scared me so bad I couldn't even scream.

 

Thanks for the cautionary tips, I bought the bike off a dealer and his mechanic did a service/check over on the bike so I'm assuming everything is ok, but then he never touched the handlebar bushes which I thought were in a dangerous condition, so I fully agree with your wise words.
By checking the spokes do you mean visually or by checking tension?

 

Both.