Thought/Suggestions??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Well said, and I will do just that. But as you said, a trained person will know almost immediately if something is not running right. I know this b/c when I was training while driving tractor trailer, i could feel differences in training tractors that others could not feel. So I assume its same thing on a motorcycle. If you know how a bike is supposed to run, you'll know immediately if something is not running right.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Eton, GA
Well said, and I will do just that. But as you said, a trained person will know almost immediately if something is not running right. I know this b/c when I was training while driving tractor trailer, i could feel differences in training tractors that others could not feel. So I assume its same thing on a motorcycle. If you know how a bike is supposed to run, you'll know immediately if something is not running right.
Thank you. If all goes well, by spring, I'll be the proud owner of a HD motorcycle that I can ride the heck out of with no worries. LOL
Thank you. If all goes well, by spring, I'll be the proud owner of a HD motorcycle that I can ride the heck out of with no worries. LOL
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Sep 30, 2015 at 11:59 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
I will say this, my old evo leaks oil, and rattles a little now since the last rebuild, but I flog on that bike hard and it has never failed to get me home. I wouldn't hesitate to jump on it and ride it anywhere, as long as I have a tire plug kit with me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Don't you see how confusing your posts are?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Wow, your responses here couldn't be more odd. OP admits that he KNOWS NOTHING. You first criticize because someone suggested paying a mechanic to check over the bike. Then, you basically say that any idiot could spot the obvious oil leak, etc. and conclude that the bike is no good. THEN, you further complicate things for OP by saying that your bike leaks oil, but that it's a great bike.
Don't you see how confusing your posts are?
Don't you see how confusing your posts are?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Do you realize how much of an idiot you are? You know, my bike didn't leak oil when I bought it, and it didn't leak oil after I rebuilt it. Now after many thousands of hard miles it leaks oil, which is to be expected with an older Harley, especially an evo. Would I buy a bike that already leaks oil? **** to the no, but if it starts leaking oil after riding it hard for thousands of miles then it is to be expected. Harleys have tons of seals and gaskets, and are bound to leak oil at some point in time. Ever had your hands inside your engine, trans, or primary?
Further, why do have to be so insulting & sarcastic about this? Relax Junior, we're just having a friendly/forum discussion here.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
OP never gave any particulars about the bikes he's been looking at. Which means, we don't know if he has looked at older evos or not. Sure, it's completely normal for some older bikes to leak oil, but that info doesn't help OP one bit.
Further, why do have to be so insulting & sarcastic about this? Relax Junior, we're just having a friendly/forum discussion here.
Further, why do have to be so insulting & sarcastic about this? Relax Junior, we're just having a friendly/forum discussion here.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
My last bike was a 08 VTX1800 which was FI so i'm a little spoiled by that and that I cannot afford to buy a FI HD motorcycle just yet with cash. So, what do i need to be particularly mindful of when I'm test a carb'd HD? And in general, is there anything special I should be looking for when I'm looking at HD bikes?
With all of this being said, I'm not very familiar with motorcycles in general, so this is why I'm asking. When I bought my 08 VTX, it was new with 0 miles so I had nothing to worry about other than the fact that it didn't' ride as soft as I wanted. Obviously, if the bike is smoking when I start it up, that's not a good sign or if there is a puddle of under it I know to be suspicious, but I'm looking for other "little" things to watch out for if that makes any sense.
From what I'm reading, you're looking for an Evolution engine.They're GREAAAAT! There's an EVO section here, I'd do some reading over there. They were produced from 84 to 2000. (99 really) Get as late a model as you can without FI.
I would stay away from any EVO with fuel injection. It was a marginal throttle body system introduced in 95 as an option that can be a real PITA and parts are getting scarce. Add to that, most HD dealers won't work on any EVO and most indie's don't have much experience with it. On the plus side, you don't have all the additional component points of failure and maintenance. (Fuel pump, regulator, filter, injectors etc)
Aside from seeing if it fits you ergonomically, riding a late model twin cam isn't going to tell you too much. Everything from the connection between the trans and engine to the way the swing arm is attached is different from the EVO.
Along with all the previous suggestions, take a good look at the final drive belt and the pulleys. You're looking for excessive wear, chips on the pulleys and belt, holes etc. Here's a good video of what you're looking for.
I'd find a good indie shop and have them inspect your potential purchase. You don't have any experience as you said so having a mechanic put it on the lift in the light is a very good idea. Also, people hiding stuff won't want to do this and it's a lot easier to inspect a bike on a lift.
When you do get your beautiful, one owner, low mileage, climate control garage kept EVO, order the OEM shop manual from the dealer. It's 60 bucks. Don't skimp on this!
Good luck and Happy Motoring!