Looking at a 2003 Springer Softail
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
cam chain shoe issue addressed?
tires good, look at the DATES on the sidewalls see if they are under 5 years old, good tread, no dry rot.
Brake lines replaced? I don't have a lot of faith in 15+ year old brake lines, sorry.
Fork seals.... any signs of weeping?
Low RETAIL ( at a dealer, serviced, good tires, warrantied) is $4300 ) Average RETAIL is about 5700.
seems a little pricey for me, but if YOU like the bike and it checks out, it is your money spend it as you wish to make you happy.
If you are a grand apart, that is 20 bucks a week for a year.... have one less pizza delivered and put the money between your legs.
I'd be in the 5500 to 6000 range TOPS unless it was an exceptional bike.
Tell him to put the stock parts on it and sell the take offs on Craigs List to get the price down
tires good, look at the DATES on the sidewalls see if they are under 5 years old, good tread, no dry rot.
Brake lines replaced? I don't have a lot of faith in 15+ year old brake lines, sorry.
Fork seals.... any signs of weeping?
Low RETAIL ( at a dealer, serviced, good tires, warrantied) is $4300 ) Average RETAIL is about 5700.
seems a little pricey for me, but if YOU like the bike and it checks out, it is your money spend it as you wish to make you happy.
If you are a grand apart, that is 20 bucks a week for a year.... have one less pizza delivered and put the money between your legs.
I'd be in the 5500 to 6000 range TOPS unless it was an exceptional bike.
Tell him to put the stock parts on it and sell the take offs on Craigs List to get the price down
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
OK, Heres the update... First of all, thank you for the insight...I always appreciate the help from you good folks! I went and met the seller today, (really good guy and a friend of a friend who vouches for him). The bike is CLEAN! Started right up and ran well. I did not ride it. He offered for me to, but I declined as I did not have cash in hand and I wanted to be respectful and God forbid something happen. If I decide to pull the trigger, I will ride it first. I got him down to $6,000. He is going to install all the stock parts back on to it whether I buy it or not. Hes holding it for me thru the week while I ponder it. Pretty cool of him. Im trying to attach photos but not having any luck. Will try on another computer in a subsequent post to follow...
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 867
Likes: 160
From: Vermont
Nice scoot. I had an 03 in a Heritage Springer in the same Gunmetal color and loved the bike. All except the front brakes. Just an FYI... if you have intentions of being able to stop that thing in a hurry, you may want to consider upgrading the brakes to PMs. Every bike ive ever owned id usually be able to go through a single set of rear brake pads for every 2 or sometimes even 3 sets of front brake pads. On my Heritage Springer Id go one for one. Upgrading to PM front brake setup made a night and day difference in my ability to get that big cruiser slowed down!!!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,083
Likes: 19,245
From: The Wasteland
IDK about where you live but springers are one of the few bikes around here that are holding some value. $6K sounds like a decent price for the bike, and it looks like its been maintained so if it were me I would pull the trigger.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Springers usually bring 1-2 k more than a regular softail in the same condition, and are easier to sell....good score...