If you had a time machine....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Came home from Chasing Charlie and the Little People in Late November, '69. Had a brand new FLH waiting for me that I paid cash for. had it 10 months beofre I got rid of it. Flywheels were unbalanced and broke the mounts. Took it to the dealership (Sam Arena HD on Monterey Rd in San Jose CA), showed them the problem and they just laughed and sent me on my way
My pop helped me tear it down, had the flywheels balanced properly, put it all back together, sold it and bought my 65 pan in OCT of '70 that I still have today. Just wish I could go back and correct the mistake, never have purchased the shovel and just bough the pan. It was a lot of money thrown down a toilet.
My pop helped me tear it down, had the flywheels balanced properly, put it all back together, sold it and bought my 65 pan in OCT of '70 that I still have today. Just wish I could go back and correct the mistake, never have purchased the shovel and just bough the pan. It was a lot of money thrown down a toilet.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Only thing I'd change about my bike purchase was that it would have gotten a very healthy big bore kit. I had no plans on buying a bike that day and also had no clue about the kits available. Shocked the salesperson never tried to upsell anything. That's definitely one of the days I knew I had a good woman...we left the dealer, ate some lunch and then I drove around aimlessly. She finally blurted out "Oh just go back and buy it." 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
And could go back to be sitting in the dealers chair 10 minutes before signing the finance papers or slapping down the cash would you buy the bike you did or knowing what you know now would you buy that same bike or a different model or even from another manufacturer?
Much as I love my Night Train, I think I'd go back and force myself to buy the black FXDX I was looking at in May of 2005.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
I bought an ex-demo Road King. I would go back and ask the dealer to replace the tank dash (which had a ding in it). I would also take a photograph of me on it at the dealer. After 30+ years of lusting after a Harley, I forgot to take a picture of it/me at the dealer on the day I collected it.
<hedsmak>
<hedsmak>
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 5
From: London, UK
I might have hung on to try out the breakout. Then again, I don't suppose it is better than the fatboy for what I want, so maybe that would have been a mistake. In order to avoid thinking I've made a mistake, I don't test-ride now I've got a bike. And the more and more mods I do to it, the less inclined I'd be to part with it anyway, so there's less and less point in worrying... :-)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
Thats a loaded question. I'd do many things differently, but most of all, i would tell my first wife to take a hike and spend the saved diamond ring money on chrome.
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