Was it dropped?
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Was it dropped?
I am looking at a 2003 Fatboy to purchase with 29,000 miles and they are asking $8700.
What concerns me is a scrape along the front, left edge of the front fender, approximately 3/4 of an inch in height and 3 inches across. The damage itself does not concern me as I can get that repaired, however I am concerned that the bike may have been dropped. I do not see any other signs of damage that it was dropped (scraped transmission case, edge of handgrip, clutch handle, turn signal, etc.).
Any advice on further inspection that it was dropped? Is it possible that the damage was caused by something else?
Please excuse my ignorance on this.
Thanks in advance for any help.
What concerns me is a scrape along the front, left edge of the front fender, approximately 3/4 of an inch in height and 3 inches across. The damage itself does not concern me as I can get that repaired, however I am concerned that the bike may have been dropped. I do not see any other signs of damage that it was dropped (scraped transmission case, edge of handgrip, clutch handle, turn signal, etc.).
Any advice on further inspection that it was dropped? Is it possible that the damage was caused by something else?
Please excuse my ignorance on this.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
If your worried about a used bike being dropped you probably should consider buying a new non dropped bike so you can be the one to drop it first. **** happens to bikes. They fall over, get dropped and scratched. Big deal it happens. Just but it and ride it and stop the mambe pambe worrying.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
"Was it dropped" is about the most ridiculous question people asked when I was selling one of my bikes last year. Most any damage suffered from a "drop" can be easily seen or easily repaired. My daughter had lost her balance while just sitting on the bike in the driveway. The ONLY damage was a small scrape on the front fender, which I told every potential buyer about. I was amazed at the number of guys who immediately walked away from an otherwise pristine bike, simply because it had technically been dropped. I could have easily not mentioned it and probably sold the bike sooner, had I not have said anything. The guy who bought it was/is more than happy with it.
My point is, don't get hung up on the "was it dropped" question. Just look the bike over well and you'll be able to tell. Now, IMO a better question would be, "has the bike ever been in an accident or suffered any frame/structural damage?". I would think that that type of damage might be harder to detect by a novice.
Good luck OP. I hope it works out for you.
My point is, don't get hung up on the "was it dropped" question. Just look the bike over well and you'll be able to tell. Now, IMO a better question would be, "has the bike ever been in an accident or suffered any frame/structural damage?". I would think that that type of damage might be harder to detect by a novice.
Good luck OP. I hope it works out for you.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Assume a used bike has been dropped because this bunch on here drops everything. I thought about asking everyone that parks near me if they were a member of this forum. That way I would be prepared to stand between them and whichever bike I was riding that I hadn't dropped to catch theirs. If the cosmetic damage bothers you---fix it because **** happens anyway.