Why buy a new engine?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Having been there and done that, I beg to differ! The funds needed to change bike AND get improved performance are a darned sight more than simply buying a new engine. I'm very happy with my ole 107"/101HP/107TQ Evo, thanks!
One reason I have kept my Evo, having bought it new in 1990, is that except the engine, the many things I've done to it have been relatively cheap, despite having to import most parts across the Atlantic. Also if I were to replace it, to get a comparable bike I would have to start doing the same list of mods once more!
One reason I have kept my Evo, having bought it new in 1990, is that except the engine, the many things I've done to it have been relatively cheap, despite having to import most parts across the Atlantic. Also if I were to replace it, to get a comparable bike I would have to start doing the same list of mods once more!
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 7,811
From: SE Louisiana
Over the last 3 1/2 years, on the '90 bagger, I eventually replaced or rebuilt just about everthing, learned alot, and had fun doing it too.
I do all my own work, so no labor costs, and shop for the best deals on parts.
Needless to say, I know my bike inside and out. It's here to stay, resale value means nothing.
Never really added up money spent on it, rounded best guess figures would be,
Bike initial purchase $2.5K
S&S 111 $5k
Baker six speed $2k
Rear suspension $800
Trucklie head and pass lamps $400
Mustang seat,tourpack backrest,driver backrest $900
Belt, pulleys, sound system, clutch upgrades, new primary chain and comp gear, oil hoses, switch housings, used exhaust(bartered), rebuild parts for forks and anti-dive,neck bearings, wheel bearings,lyndal brake pads, rear brake rotor, stabo bushings, starter clutch, ring and pinion, clutch cable, throttle cables, speedo cable, regulator, stator, and other small stuff I forgot about.- safe to say about $3k
That's $14,600, and we already enjoyed riding it for 46,000 miles through 20 states.
I keep it so clean, TD would be proud.
The only purchases I "felt" was the engine and trans.
I about run out of stuff to do on it, but I'll get bored and think of something soon enough.
New '14 ultra - right at 30k + financing, then I would have to drop plenty coin in it to make me like it.
I think 15K for what I have and how much I like it is a steal.
And that's why I bought a new engine for my new/old ride.
I do all my own work, so no labor costs, and shop for the best deals on parts.
Needless to say, I know my bike inside and out. It's here to stay, resale value means nothing.
Never really added up money spent on it, rounded best guess figures would be,
Bike initial purchase $2.5K
S&S 111 $5k
Baker six speed $2k
Rear suspension $800
Trucklie head and pass lamps $400
Mustang seat,tourpack backrest,driver backrest $900
Belt, pulleys, sound system, clutch upgrades, new primary chain and comp gear, oil hoses, switch housings, used exhaust(bartered), rebuild parts for forks and anti-dive,neck bearings, wheel bearings,lyndal brake pads, rear brake rotor, stabo bushings, starter clutch, ring and pinion, clutch cable, throttle cables, speedo cable, regulator, stator, and other small stuff I forgot about.- safe to say about $3k
That's $14,600, and we already enjoyed riding it for 46,000 miles through 20 states.
I keep it so clean, TD would be proud.
The only purchases I "felt" was the engine and trans.
I about run out of stuff to do on it, but I'll get bored and think of something soon enough.
New '14 ultra - right at 30k + financing, then I would have to drop plenty coin in it to make me like it.
I think 15K for what I have and how much I like it is a steal.
And that's why I bought a new engine for my new/old ride.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma
some people just like the older bikes. i prefer my 91 heritage over the newer bikes (except the handlebars, would love to put the new style on my older bike). i prefer the evo over the twinkie, prefer not having a payment and such.
for me there is a pride issue as well. to me it's better to have an older bike or car that is restored, rebuilt, redone, whatever you wanna call it than a new bike that anybody with a checkbook can go buy at the dealer.
for me there is a pride issue as well. to me it's better to have an older bike or car that is restored, rebuilt, redone, whatever you wanna call it than a new bike that anybody with a checkbook can go buy at the dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Funnily enough a dodgy Russian Gang Member that I built a few bikes for did actually do just that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
With today's bike market...working on old bikes makes no sense...you don't have to do much, to have more in the bike than it is worth...you only do it because you like having an older bike...if you sell it, you lose your azz.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Canton, Michigan
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,570
Likes: 590
From: almost there
Lets see, my bike is 97 but like new but faster. If I blow everything up and have to buy an S&S engine and Baker tranny, about 7K. For 7k, no new bike gonna come close and much classier then new.. Ill keep her. Not to mention I can work on this one.