Ethical question
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 139
From: Bel Air, MD
He owned a Harley, so he's probably going to be OK helping you out. Just be respectful when you reach him and be straight about what you want to know.
The worst thing would be that he asks you not to call him anymore. Best case, you might make a friend.
The worst thing would be that he asks you not to call him anymore. Best case, you might make a friend.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
So I bought a one owner bike used from a dealer. He did not live near the dealer so they do not have the service records. I am interested to find out what type of oil he used in the bike. He had a 103 kit put in at a shop near him and I have the name of the shop. I also have the previous owner's name from the title.
Question is: Do you think it is ok for me to try and look him up in phone book and call and ask about the oil, or call the shop and hope that he had all his service done there?
Question is: Do you think it is ok for me to try and look him up in phone book and call and ask about the oil, or call the shop and hope that he had all his service done there?
One way to find out, give the shop a call, maybe they keep records.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Feb 16, 2015 at 08:53 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I saw the name of the previous owner, of my bike, when the title was sitting out during the sale. I never called him, but I did have the salesman ask him for the original pipes, which he did give me.
I called the original dealer, that I found on some paperwork. I gave him the Vin, and asked about any mods. Stage one, flash download confirmed.
As far as oil, just switch to what you want. I switched around between oil and syn, but am going to stick with Syn 3 since getting my base leak fixed , and tensioner upgrade.
Enjoy your bike.
I called the original dealer, that I found on some paperwork. I gave him the Vin, and asked about any mods. Stage one, flash download confirmed.
As far as oil, just switch to what you want. I switched around between oil and syn, but am going to stick with Syn 3 since getting my base leak fixed , and tensioner upgrade.
Enjoy your bike.
Back to the original question. OK to call - but don't expect an answer. You should have changed fluids in all three holes anyway, with whatever you choose to run.
I wouldn't call the guy solely to ask about oil, but I think questions about other mods are reasonable. I wouldn't be upset to get a call from the guy that bought the softail I traded last summer. I would be happy to answer any questions he had and help him out any way I could.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
I don't think it's an ethical question, to attempt to contact the previous owner. But, I don't buy into the need to use the same oil. It certainly would be important not to get from non-detergent to detergent. But, hopefully thatvlistbof the case. Otherwise, things like gaskets and seals getting conditioned to a particular oil seems homey to me. I say, use what you want.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
+1
Better things to worry about, you bought from the dealer talk to the dealer, moreover you have no right, it was not a private party deal
Better things to worry about, you bought from the dealer talk to the dealer, moreover you have no right, it was not a private party deal
For cryin out loud, don`t stop there...
What brand brake fluid, transmission fluid...
Maybe you should ask how much air pressure he ran in the tires also.
What kind of soap he washed it with.
If you had an important question as to the configuration of the engine or transmission it might be reasonable to call, but to call to ask what type oil he used...... Exactly how would this information help you?
Ridiculous.
What brand brake fluid, transmission fluid...
Maybe you should ask how much air pressure he ran in the tires also.
What kind of soap he washed it with.
If you had an important question as to the configuration of the engine or transmission it might be reasonable to call, but to call to ask what type oil he used...... Exactly how would this information help you?
Ridiculous.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 22
From: USA
If you had questions about the engine build (cams, heads, tuning, ect) then a phone call to the builder wouldn't be out of line at all if the dealer doesn't already have that info. Don't call anyone for just oil though. I would change all 3 holes no matter what the dealer or seller says right after I purchase. Piece of mind knowing it's done right, fresh and you have what you prefer in the bike. What's a few more bucks in the scheme of things?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,483
Likes: 4,957
From: North Dakota
I don't know about other places, but the three used harleys I bought from dealers had fresh oil installed by the dealer. No idea what the previous owner ran, or if it was the same stuff as the dealer's. I switched to what I wanted at the next oil change.
