Garage Queens
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: Tipp City Ohio
Bought mine with 12K on it 5 yrs ago.Just clicking over 30K now (wish I could ride more) and have yet to do anything besides basic oil changes.Ooops.and tires
I'd ride it anywhere and don't plan on trading up.......ever.I've ridden newer ones and showroom ones.Not one gave me the same feeling of comfort or soul.
I'd ride it anywhere and don't plan on trading up.......ever.I've ridden newer ones and showroom ones.Not one gave me the same feeling of comfort or soul.
Last edited by shoemaker; Jul 7, 2012 at 03:06 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
Bought my 99 Wide Glide in 06 with 2200 documented miles. All the original owner did was treat it like a Barbie Doll, take it off the shelf now and then to play with it and fortunately, accessorize the **** out of it. It has everything chrome Harley has to offer on it, and I mean everything, for that I am happy....
Now the bad news; First thing I noticed was the original tires followed the grooves and snakes more than normal, and there were some signs of cracking. Then about a week after I got it, when I got off it I noticed it looked like it was sitting funny, the rear shocks were stuck in the loaded position! Then I noticed the ape hangers were real sloppy, new groments. Then the handlebars has a sticky spot, never greased, new neck bearings. The spokes lost their luster and ended up with new wheels.
Thats about all I can remember I did to it in the first few months, but I guess I didn't plan on it so it was a surprise of sorts. Unfortunately it is once again somewhat of a garage queen in that it sits in Florida in the garage all summer while I'm in NJ and only gets the short rides when I am down there. But I make it a point to exercise it as often as possible, but only managed another 18000 miles on it in the 6 years I've had it (in the meantime on my 3rd touring bike)..
Now the bad news; First thing I noticed was the original tires followed the grooves and snakes more than normal, and there were some signs of cracking. Then about a week after I got it, when I got off it I noticed it looked like it was sitting funny, the rear shocks were stuck in the loaded position! Then I noticed the ape hangers were real sloppy, new groments. Then the handlebars has a sticky spot, never greased, new neck bearings. The spokes lost their luster and ended up with new wheels.
Thats about all I can remember I did to it in the first few months, but I guess I didn't plan on it so it was a surprise of sorts. Unfortunately it is once again somewhat of a garage queen in that it sits in Florida in the garage all summer while I'm in NJ and only gets the short rides when I am down there. But I make it a point to exercise it as often as possible, but only managed another 18000 miles on it in the 6 years I've had it (in the meantime on my 3rd touring bike)..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I've had mine for nearly 19 years and 172,000 miles. With careful attention, I have no qualms about riding it anywhere. In fact, I trust it more than I would a new bike because I know it thoroughly inside and out.
Yeah, my spokes rusted after 10-12 years, so, instead of buying new wheels, I bought new spokes and taught myself to build motorcycle wheels.
Yeah, my spokes rusted after 10-12 years, so, instead of buying new wheels, I bought new spokes and taught myself to build motorcycle wheels.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
I've had mine for nearly 19 years and 172,000 miles. With careful attention, I have no qualms about riding it anywhere. In fact, I trust it more than I would a new bike because I know it thoroughly inside and out.
Yeah, my spokes rusted after 10-12 years, so, instead of buying new wheels, I bought new spokes and taught myself to build motorcycle wheels.
Yeah, my spokes rusted after 10-12 years, so, instead of buying new wheels, I bought new spokes and taught myself to build motorcycle wheels.
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Joe Kucinski
Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: mossouri
Back in the 70's I made a living by building swap meet knuck & Pan head bike, been riding my 1985 blockhead for 27 years and still going. Sure would be nice to to go back to 20 something prioritys, getting older sucks large
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 780
Likes: 18
From: Massachusetts