New Harley Guy?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
New Harley Guy?
I own a few rice burners and will have my first Harley effective Sunday. 1994 Heritage Softail. Gonna see if I have an inner Harley guy....
I think it is going to clean up pretty well. I want to return it to as close to original condition as possible.
Not much has been done. Mostly just some after market chrome bits.
Only major change was lowering it. I want to raise it back up for improved comfort and handling.
I do not know how it was lowered. Hoping with an adjustable kit and I will be able to just adjust it back up.
But even if that is the case, I am considering an upgraded suspension system. Any suggestions? My objective would be comfort and handling. I am 5' 10" 32 inseam. I do not think seat height will be an issue for me. I am used to a Kawasaki Versys with a 33" seat height so 27" should not be an issue, even if it is 300 lbs heavier.
Anyway, I am new to the Harley thing. Any tips would be appreciated. Newbie mistakes to avoid, etc.
Thanks
I think it is going to clean up pretty well. I want to return it to as close to original condition as possible.
Not much has been done. Mostly just some after market chrome bits.
Only major change was lowering it. I want to raise it back up for improved comfort and handling.
I do not know how it was lowered. Hoping with an adjustable kit and I will be able to just adjust it back up.
But even if that is the case, I am considering an upgraded suspension system. Any suggestions? My objective would be comfort and handling. I am 5' 10" 32 inseam. I do not think seat height will be an issue for me. I am used to a Kawasaki Versys with a 33" seat height so 27" should not be an issue, even if it is 300 lbs heavier.
Anyway, I am new to the Harley thing. Any tips would be appreciated. Newbie mistakes to avoid, etc.
Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Copy That FLHChaz
I plan to take pictures when it is delivered Sunday. Grimmy without side bags. Then continue to take pictures along the way as I work to return it to shinny new condition.
I think it is going to clean up really nice. Getting it from original owner who mostly took good care of it. Just has not be riding much lately. I think the main thing it needs is to be ridden.
I plan to run a bunch of non-ethanol gas through it. Hoping that putting some miles on it with good gas will do a lot for it.
I plan to take pictures when it is delivered Sunday. Grimmy without side bags. Then continue to take pictures along the way as I work to return it to shinny new condition.
I think it is going to clean up really nice. Getting it from original owner who mostly took good care of it. Just has not be riding much lately. I think the main thing it needs is to be ridden.
I plan to run a bunch of non-ethanol gas through it. Hoping that putting some miles on it with good gas will do a lot for it.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Just make sure the battery is fully charged.
Other than that just start and run as normal.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 636
Likes: 35
From: NorCal
I own a few rice burners and will have my first Harley effective Sunday. 1994 Heritage Softail. Gonna see if I have an inner Harley guy....
I think it is going to clean up pretty well. I want to return it to as close to original condition as possible.
Not much has been done. Mostly just some after market chrome bits.
Only major change was lowering it. I want to raise it back up for improved comfort and handling.
I do not know how it was lowered. Hoping with an adjustable kit and I will be able to just adjust it back up.
But even if that is the case, I am considering an upgraded suspension system. Any suggestions? My objective would be comfort and handling. I am 5' 10" 32 inseam. I do not think seat height will be an issue for me. I am used to a Kawasaki Versys with a 33" seat height so 27" should not be an issue, even if it is 300 lbs heavier.
Anyway, I am new to the Harley thing. Any tips would be appreciated. Newbie mistakes to avoid, etc.
Thanks
I think it is going to clean up pretty well. I want to return it to as close to original condition as possible.
Not much has been done. Mostly just some after market chrome bits.
Only major change was lowering it. I want to raise it back up for improved comfort and handling.
I do not know how it was lowered. Hoping with an adjustable kit and I will be able to just adjust it back up.
But even if that is the case, I am considering an upgraded suspension system. Any suggestions? My objective would be comfort and handling. I am 5' 10" 32 inseam. I do not think seat height will be an issue for me. I am used to a Kawasaki Versys with a 33" seat height so 27" should not be an issue, even if it is 300 lbs heavier.
Anyway, I am new to the Harley thing. Any tips would be appreciated. Newbie mistakes to avoid, etc.
Thanks
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Make sure the battery is charged. If it were me, I'd probably remove and drain the float bowl to get rid of any water or crap that may be in there. Then go for it.
I've been happy with Progressive shocks on mine, although I have to replace them every 60-70,000 miles. I'd also recommend the Progressive fork springs and H-D "Performance Heavy" fork oil up front.
Expect a lot of rattles and buzzes from the front end. Seems the front end flexes a bit on the rough roads here, and the fork "tins" have a tendency to work loose and rattle. In fact, expect to chase noises a lot. You'll get it tied down for a while, then you'll hear something else, like a worn gas cap, loose license plate or whatever.
While we're talking suspension, check the left hand lower pinch bolt on the forks. They have a tendency to break (happened twice to me).
Speaking of noise, expect to hear a lot of valvetrain noise. A good Evo motor sounds like a "pissed off sewing machine" when it's running. It's the nature of the beast. Light rattles and ticks from the top end aren't usually serious. Heavier knocks or thumps from the lower end can be more serious. It may just be a loose primary chain, but it could be a lifter going bad or worse.
Last edited by Uncle G.; May 6, 2016 at 12:19 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 92
From: Tehachapi, Ca.
Welcome. A little Seafoam in the gas will help clean out the carb. Do yourself a favor a get a Harley shop manual. Don't get a Clymer or Haynes. They suck!!! Ask questions. There is a great knowledge base on this board. Todd
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
