Should I be upset?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
Just the gas tank, had a KLR 650 I let set for a year after I got back into Harleys, fuel gummed up the system, tried carb cleaner that helped but the seafoam cleared everything out like new, just my experience here. As far as the oil I would have changed as soon as I got the bike, I am paranoid about oil though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,735
Likes: 17,572
From: Driftless Area
Kid stuff......wait until the cam-chain tensioners let go (any day now). Then you can do an entire top & bottom end. That ought to take care of it.
I've seen so many cop bikes get dropped and otherwise abused, you couldn't handcuff me to one.
I've seen so many cop bikes get dropped and otherwise abused, you couldn't handcuff me to one.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 463
Likes: 3
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Well, it has been a week now and my bike is still in the shop. The independent was back-logged last week and was unable to even look at my problem before the weekend. I called them yesterday and they informed me that my fuel line wore out from age and they needed to order a $190 CA replacement from none other than H-D, as they could not source an after-market option.
I asked them to change all three oils and give the bike a once over, making sure it should be well-buttoned up for the season. I mean, it is in the shop anyway so I may as well tap into their experience and knowledge while I cannot ride until the repairs are complete.
I am still worried, however, and a little frustrated. I hope the last of the initial bugs will be now worked out for the rest of the season. If not, I may sell the bike and look at getting a new Super Glide, Iron, or Vegas 8-Ball. New machines off the lot can certainly have their problems but I have generally found them to be less frequent than with used vehicles.
Money is a concern but I need a reliable daily machine. I hope things work out.
I asked them to change all three oils and give the bike a once over, making sure it should be well-buttoned up for the season. I mean, it is in the shop anyway so I may as well tap into their experience and knowledge while I cannot ride until the repairs are complete.
I am still worried, however, and a little frustrated. I hope the last of the initial bugs will be now worked out for the rest of the season. If not, I may sell the bike and look at getting a new Super Glide, Iron, or Vegas 8-Ball. New machines off the lot can certainly have their problems but I have generally found them to be less frequent than with used vehicles.
Money is a concern but I need a reliable daily machine. I hope things work out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 4,685
From: West Texas Sandhills
It seems funny to me that only an HD fuel line is the only one that would fit. I will admit that I'm not a professional wrench, but isn't a fuel line just a piece of rubber tubing (hose)?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 29
From: Green Country,Oklahoma
Like has been mentioned,even new bikes have issues,abeit warranty,they are still issues,just keep riding short rides and get the bugs out,get a manuel and learn to work on it yourself,hard to find anyone who gives a damn as much as you do.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 3
From: Southern Oregon
Whenever you buy something used you sort of accept the fact that there may be a few issues. Obviously it should depend on how the bike was described before buying it.
When you took it to the indy shop, they should have at least told you about the fuel line. Sound to me like they just missed it. If they would have found it in the first place, why wouldn't they tell you so the could make more money fixing it?
A new bike is going to cost you a heck of a lot more than a few minor repairs. Maybe take it back to the indy shop and tell them you just bought it and ask them to go over the whole bike and give you a report on the condition. This is common practice when buying a used car for those who want to make sure of what they are buying.
When you took it to the indy shop, they should have at least told you about the fuel line. Sound to me like they just missed it. If they would have found it in the first place, why wouldn't they tell you so the could make more money fixing it?
A new bike is going to cost you a heck of a lot more than a few minor repairs. Maybe take it back to the indy shop and tell them you just bought it and ask them to go over the whole bike and give you a report on the condition. This is common practice when buying a used car for those who want to make sure of what they are buying.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Old cop bikes have a few problems
First they get almost completely rewired for all the extra radio/lights/radar and all that crap. Most of the rewiring gets stuffed into the headlight. The headlight itself gets hot not to mention all the extra wires in there. Then when its resold they just strip the stuff back out. You may have some open ends or exposed/crossed wiring in there.
Second, all that new stuff still runs off of one battery. The radio and the radar are almost constant pulls on the battery, even if the bike is off. The bike probably had a battery tender on it, which may have been taken back off by the fleet yard. The batteries in their bikes get run down constantly and there is a huge strain on the solenoid (I spelled that wrong, garaunteed), which often goes bad on cop bikes along with the battery.
Thirdly most people probably shied away from a bike with 47k miles on it and it sat around for a long time. Who knows how long it sat in the fleet yard before budget cuts or what ever made them sell it. All that time Im sure no one changed the gas or bothered to run carb/injector cleaner through it, which explains the bad plugs and clogged lines.
The faulty fuel line thing is anyones gues. Weather, bad mechanic, abuse.. anything goes.
Just follow some advice like the guys have been saying here. Go on some short rides and get the feel of it. Youll be better off in the long run anyway. Youll know more about your own bike and be able to take some pride in knowing that your the reason its even on the road.
First they get almost completely rewired for all the extra radio/lights/radar and all that crap. Most of the rewiring gets stuffed into the headlight. The headlight itself gets hot not to mention all the extra wires in there. Then when its resold they just strip the stuff back out. You may have some open ends or exposed/crossed wiring in there.
Second, all that new stuff still runs off of one battery. The radio and the radar are almost constant pulls on the battery, even if the bike is off. The bike probably had a battery tender on it, which may have been taken back off by the fleet yard. The batteries in their bikes get run down constantly and there is a huge strain on the solenoid (I spelled that wrong, garaunteed), which often goes bad on cop bikes along with the battery.
Thirdly most people probably shied away from a bike with 47k miles on it and it sat around for a long time. Who knows how long it sat in the fleet yard before budget cuts or what ever made them sell it. All that time Im sure no one changed the gas or bothered to run carb/injector cleaner through it, which explains the bad plugs and clogged lines.
The faulty fuel line thing is anyones gues. Weather, bad mechanic, abuse.. anything goes.
Just follow some advice like the guys have been saying here. Go on some short rides and get the feel of it. Youll be better off in the long run anyway. Youll know more about your own bike and be able to take some pride in knowing that your the reason its even on the road.