When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Have always admired HD’s from afar, but truth be told, I have never once been on a bike in my life. Got into cars at a young age and currently have a late model Vette in the garage. Limited time and limited cash forces you to narrow down hobbies, so I’ve been content with the car, golfing, boating (sold a 30’ Searay about 5 years ago) and some travel to keep the wife happy. A neighbor of mine came around selling raffle tickets for a local charity raffle a few months back and I bought 2 tickets ($20 total). Truth be told, I didn’t even ask what was being raffled off - just supporting a neighbor and a good cause. This past Saturday, I had just finished watching the Buckeyes game when my phone started blowing up. Now-a-days, with all of the Robo-Calls, If I don’t know the number, I don’t answer it. The same number tried again and I declined. Immediately after, my neigbor called and said “Answer your phone - you won the raffle!”. Bear in mind, at this point, I don’t even recall what my neighbor is talking about - what raffle did I enter, when did I buy tickets, what did I win? My phone rings again, I answer, and the person on the other end says , “Congrats Andrew, you won the Harley.” After the shock wore off (I’ve never won anything in my life), it finally hit me that I was about to be a bike owner.
Turns out, I won a 1995 Softail Custom with 20K miles on it. Came from a gent who was originally from Cleveland but relocated to California with quite an extensive collection. He still has roots here and cares for the community, and evidently, has donated bikes to raffle off for charity the past few years. I still can’t figure out why God planned this for me, but I’m going with it. This thing speaks to me. I know it’s probably not the best bike on the planet, but it fell into my lap and it’s a Harley Davidson - an American icon.
So aside from getting a license to ride this thing and taking a beginners course at my local Harley dealership, what do I need to know about this bike? A local bike shop partnered with the raffle organization took the bike in for some routine maintenance prior to the raffle. It has brand new tires, a brand new battery, rebuilt carb, oil change and the front suspension was gone through. The bike has aftermarket pipes (not sure on the brand). Not sure what else - if anything - needs done on this bike, but am open to recommendations. Looking forward to participating on this forum. I’ve been active on CorvetteForum since the age of 14, so hoping this is a halfway decent place to spend a few hours after work learning how to take care of my new toy, get ideas for personal mods, etc.
I would suggest to enjoy the bike for now and im glad you mentioned a beginner's course. Safety first and learn more about the bike like routine maintenance if you want to do it yourself (owner's manual for that year). I think it should be good to go for now because you mentioned that a local bike shop partnered with the organizers. If you're a beginner rider then you should also invest in some decent riding gear (helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots etc). That's personal preference so i suggest browse thru the forums and see what interests you. Try to ride also in groups coz it's technically safer but ride at your own pace, ability and comfort level.
Take it easy and Ride Safe... God Bless.
And oh... nice Vette!
Last edited by kinect; Sep 13, 2019 at 01:23 AM.
Reason: add
Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Just won a Softail!
