Softail Value???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 4,670
From: West Texas Sandhills
If you can find someone to mount and balance tires bought elsewhere, buy them online. You can save close to 50 percent by buying your tires somewhere other than the dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Get a factory service manual.
Dont be surprised if something pops up leaking, not working properly or out of order after you start riding it. Most mechanical things don’t like to set unused for long periods.
Dont be surprised if something pops up leaking, not working properly or out of order after you start riding it. Most mechanical things don’t like to set unused for long periods.
Supporter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33,694
Likes: 135,912
From: SoCal
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,598
From: Danbury CT
I just found an 02 Deuce for my friend with 1400 miles. He paid 6000 for it and couldn't be happier. The bike was in great shape and he's put about 4,000 on this season and loved it. No problems with SEALS or anything. Just changed all fluids, fork oils and brake fluid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
On the surface, it seems like a fair deal if you can do most work...
Do you know the owner? It would be nice to know what he has done to it. It has an aftermarket exhaust. Does it have a high-flow air filter (stage I)? Was the carb ever tuned for the new exhaust/air cleaner? (not a deal breaker, a stage I without a tune can't mess up too much in 1400 miles). Cams or a big bore kit?
I don't know your experience level, so please don't be offended if this is all old news to you:
You will probably need new tires (read the date codes). The age matters at least as much as the tread depth...
You should drain/change the fluids in all three holes- engine, primary, trans. And don't forget to change the brake fluid....
You should inspect, clean, or replace the spark plugs, and check the spark plug wires.
You should drain the gas tank/fuel lines and start with fresh gas... and maybe an additive, like Techron, to clean up any varnish on the interior of the carb from old gas just sitting in there... Should you need to get into the carb, go to CV Performance (online). They have parts and tutorials about how to disassemble and tune that CV40 carb.
You can certainly wait awhile, but you will eventually need to address the spring cam tensioners... when new, most went 30K before needing to address that issue, the age seems to matter too.... Last year I bought an '01 Springer with 10K miles. The spring cam tensioners, were just starting to chip.... They are probably getting brittle...
And know you will really enjoy that bike once you get it rolling.... congrats & enjoy!!
Do you know the owner? It would be nice to know what he has done to it. It has an aftermarket exhaust. Does it have a high-flow air filter (stage I)? Was the carb ever tuned for the new exhaust/air cleaner? (not a deal breaker, a stage I without a tune can't mess up too much in 1400 miles). Cams or a big bore kit?
I don't know your experience level, so please don't be offended if this is all old news to you:
You will probably need new tires (read the date codes). The age matters at least as much as the tread depth...
You should drain/change the fluids in all three holes- engine, primary, trans. And don't forget to change the brake fluid....
You should inspect, clean, or replace the spark plugs, and check the spark plug wires.
You should drain the gas tank/fuel lines and start with fresh gas... and maybe an additive, like Techron, to clean up any varnish on the interior of the carb from old gas just sitting in there... Should you need to get into the carb, go to CV Performance (online). They have parts and tutorials about how to disassemble and tune that CV40 carb.
You can certainly wait awhile, but you will eventually need to address the spring cam tensioners... when new, most went 30K before needing to address that issue, the age seems to matter too.... Last year I bought an '01 Springer with 10K miles. The spring cam tensioners, were just starting to chip.... They are probably getting brittle...
And know you will really enjoy that bike once you get it rolling.... congrats & enjoy!!
Last edited by hattitude; Oct 12, 2018 at 03:21 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 133
Likes: 71
From: X
Great information!!! Thank you for your experience & expertise! Will pay attention to all of those area...only things out of my scope would be the spring cam tensioner & tires...will need good HD mechanic to address...thanks again...
