If you trust your friend, and he trusts his friend not to pass off a bad motor, this sounds like it could be a really good opportunity.

The only thing I'd worry about is why he wants to sell. I can only think of two reasons a guy would do that. Either he knows something is wrong and wants to unload it, or he's a guy who rides like the Hammers Of Hell and wants even more power... which would mean those are 12k very hard miles.

(Or did he wreck the bike is in?)

 

Tough call Tex, price is good for a used big engine, thought I got a good deal on the Ultima 127 for $2500 but your deal sounds better. The Ultima was SUPPOSED to be a ready to run engine but after pulling the heads it had a smoked cylinder which means like everyone is saying, run hard.

I thought S&S made a EPA 111" that needed some work to run and not a match for the current 111" on the market, more of a touring motor. I'll do some research.

 

I just looked at the MSO and it was issued 1/10/13.

 

That is good the EPA was the S&S Iron Horse 111" from around 2005-2009. Sounds like it is a real S&S V series

 

You still think $2.5 is good for a 5 year old 12k mile engine?

 

if you buy it for 2 lets say - and you pull the top end before you install it and nothing is amiss its gaskets - if its more then you in place to fix it

that's a 7 thousand dollar engine btw

 

You can't even come close to build that S&S for $2500, your setting on 1/2 price of a new one. Not knowing it's history is scary tho, after my dealing with a used Ultima I keep my guard up.
Came across a SE103 twinkie cheap for the Road Glide, knew the history, trusted the owner but straight forward said if something is wrong I will be back and he agreed. Took it home and pulled the heads, checking cylinder wall condition, removed the cylinders to check connecting rod lateral movement. Engine was fine, only cost me rings, hone and a upper gasket kit, knew instantly it was a good engine before installing it.
If the owner is confident with the engine he may work the same deal with you, price is right but a used engine is a used engine.

 

That's retail.
I can get one brand new complete with carb for $5k.

 

It's a 7.5 hour trip one way for me to pick up the motor.

Just out of curiosity how much lateral movement is ok for the rods?

After what you went through with that Ultima (I didn't know you got it used) I'm starting to rethink this used motor thing altogether.

 

15.0 hours round trip would be a deal breaker for me, it's yours when you leave.

$2500 more with a 2 year warranty, take your time, something goes wrong and the difference of a new one closes in especially a S&S pressed crank.