2008 Heritage Softail sitting 15 years

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Dec 18, 2023 | 09:28 AM

#21

tar_snake

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 3,118

Likes: 1,145

From: Directly above the center of the Earth

Quote:

Originally Posted by hattitude

If you had that many problems with sealed bearings, then they were either very cheaply made, no-name bearings, or they were installed wrong... Even the best made bearing can be damaged by an improper install, and if installed with a high, side load, they won't last long....

In all my Harley riding years, bikes, and models, I have never had a wheel bearing go bad. I have had as much as 80k miles on a set of wheel bearings.

I have replace one set of wheel bearings (the newer 25mm ones) just for preventative maintenance, but they moved smoothly and checked out OK... They probably would have been fine...

I know how to install and remove bearings, and had the equipment to do it with those sealed bearings, so don't try and tell me I didn't know...you don't even know me or what I can or can't do or what knowledge I have. I've been riding for 40+ years and have always done my own work on my bikes. That '09 was the biggest piece of **** I'd ever owned. I've seen sealed bearings go fast on other bikes too, so again, don't try to tell me what I do or don't know. I used always brand-name bearings, even though living on a fixed income of a disability check made it difficult for me in other ways because of the cost (it may not seem like much to *you*, but try living on a fixed income a while and tell me different!). As I said, you, Harley, that ****-stain Soros, nobody, on this planet has the money to *pay me* to go back to sealed bearings. You can keep them. Also, as I said in my original reply to the OP...even the grease in sealed bearings *WILL* got bad if left to sit and not be moved around to keep it from gelling or hardening.

Dec 18, 2023 | 05:48 PM

#22

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,160

Likes: 11,249

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by tar_snake

My apologies.... My comments weren't aimed at you specifically. I had no idea that you changed the bearings. I don't recall you mentioning that you did all your service. If I missed that, may bad...

For the record, I wasn't trying to "tell you" anything about your knowledge or abilities... And I wasn't trying to minimize your opinion.

You are absolutely correct that I had no idea of your knowledge or your experience... for all I knew, you could have had a really bad shop doing your work. That is why I shared my experience that many of the early bearing failures that I am familiar with, were most often due to the bearing being loaded by improper installment. The early failures I've seen, happened to have been installed by friends. When I saw their technique, I was sure the sealed bearings weren't the problem.

There is no denying the newer bearings are more problematic than the older ones, for whatever reason. IMHO, they require a higher level of attention during install, to get reasonable service from them.

In retrospect, I guess I could have shared my experience with different wording, but sometimes typing on the internet doesn't relay exactly what we are trying to say...

I certainly didn't mean my comments to be a personal affront to you, your experience, or your opinion.

If you don't ever want to use sealed bearings again, that is certainly your choice....

Dec 24, 2023 | 10:27 AM

#23

MarlinSpike

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2021

Posts: 2,056

Likes: 1,490

From: Black Hills of SD

Mr. Tar Snake, there is no one that is more helpful, or courteous on the site than Mr. Hattitude. He continually goes above and beyond to help other members.
I think that you have taken a comment out of context. Mr. H is a good one to have on your side when you need some info.

Dec 24, 2023 | 01:53 PM

#24

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,160

Likes: 11,249

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarlinSpike

You are one of the valuable contributors to this site, so I appreciate the vote of confidence. Thanks for the kind words...

I really try to help when I feel I can, and I try to avoid being confrontational. I have learned over the years, that once people become defensive, effective communication often stops..

But I'm not an expert, nor am I a wordsmith...

I am sometimes mistaken (OK, wrong), and I am sure there are times I could say things better.

But even with some effort, there are times when what we mean to say, does not always come across the same way in a typed response on a forum thread..

Thanks again for covering my six....

Dec 24, 2023 | 02:01 PM

#25

Hog Augie

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2020

Posts: 101

Likes: 77

From: Central Okanagan BC

I, too, have had conversation with Mr H. Tho some opinions may have differed, I did not take offence , but regarded it as a different way of looking at an issue.

Dec 27, 2023 | 11:55 AM

#26

Steelernation

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 180

Likes: 72

From: Texas

Back in September I bought a 2006 Heritage with a little over 12K miles that had been sitting for 3 years in a shed. Had to rebuild the brake system, replaced the front master cylinder with a good used one. Replaced all the internals of the gas tank (less than $300 from Revzilla), new tires and tubes, a good cleaning of all paint and chrome, and changed all the fluids. To date I have almost 15k miles on it and rarely take my Street Glide out. May drop some cams in it to give it a little more passing power. This one is a keeper.

Dec 29, 2023 | 07:42 PM

#27

97stalker

Tourer

Joined: May 2016

Posts: 256

Likes: 70

From: Land of Cheesesteaks

If it’s clean and appears to be kept in a climate controlled or dry place, buy it. I’ve bought bikes as old as 50 years old and never had one turn out to be a bomb. Start it, let it run, and listen to the motor closely. A 2008 is not old by any means. I just bought a 2003 FLSTC and it hasn’t been ridden much in last few years. It runs great.