Inherited bike need help

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 27, 2016 | 09:36 PM

#11

mustangeric

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Houston

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Mike

First, sorry for your loss.

All of the suggestions so far are good places to start. Especially picking up the manuals! On top of whats been said already pick a day and "get to know the bike. Sit down with your tools, and if so inclined a couple of beers, and go through the bike front to back. Inspect, grab, wiggle everything. Tighten anything that may be loose, clean up anything that looks like it might be leaking then keep an eye on it, and if you find something that looks out of place come back and ask about it, plenty of good folks here that will happy to answer any questions. The bike looks pretty clean and well kept. You may not find much that need attention.

thanks I just wish I had a better base line of what's been done. I'm guessing since it has dual exhaust that it's an aftermarket system. Has it been remapped or reprogrammed? It does have some popping when decelerating. Is there any way to tell on the cams? If i take the vin to a dealer could they give me a build sheet?

Nov 29, 2016 | 12:29 PM

#12

Hey Man

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 10,287

Likes: 7,773

From: West Central FL

Buy a service manual and read it. Yes, the whole thing. Some folks like the Harley factory manual over the Clymer's manual. I like them BOTH for different reasons.

Nov 29, 2016 | 04:46 PM

#13

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustangeric

Bike has 37k miles on it and I have no idea if cams have been installed

I suggest you have a rummage around to see if you can find the owners manual, possibly a factory service manual. If your dad was organised he may even have a file with papers and receipts relating to it. We had two relatives die in the last couple of years and were amazed what we found while tidying up their homes behind them!

Dec 4, 2016 | 01:48 PM

#14

Little Mike

Road Master

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 997

Likes: 96

From: Channahon, IL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustangeric

As for a build sheet, they would likely only be able to let you know how the bike came stock. Unless your dad had all his work done at the same dealer or indie shop. Then that shop would possibly have records of what he had done. If your dad had any riding buddies that would be another good resource to try and tap into. They would likely have had conversations with each other about what they were/had been doing to their bikes. If all else fails you could take it to a dealer and explain your situation. If it's a decent dealer they shouldn't have a problem with hooking up to the ECM to see what map is on it. That would at least point you in the right direction. If the cams were swapped or if it was even just tuned they will know if it's "other than stock".