Back to the Shop
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,016
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From: Front Royal, VA
Back to the Shop
A month or two ago I finished off the winter mods. Everything went well but not perfect (bad shock & front spring install, poor cabling for new handlebars). To get the bike rideable again I switched from a back yard mech to an independent with a good shop and good reputation (Scalia's Cycles, Fairfax, VA).
The recent issues have made me again consider getting a new bike. Almost 70K on a 2003 Fatboy and I'm thinking it is in the phase of its life where things just start going wrong. But after a lot of agonizing (even going so far as to consider a Goldwing) I've almost made the decision to try and get the bike back into confidence-inspiring shape. Right now, I'm constantly concerned that I'm going to be stranded on the road with a huge repair bill.
The issues I need to resolve are:
* Exhaust popping on decel. I've read the posts on this issue and it appears it can only be an exhaust leak or I need to re-tune the carb. I went from V&H Pro Pipes to V&H BR 2-into-1. The backfiring only occurs when it is warm out. The check engine light comes on and then on decel it backfires. I'm not absolutely sure the check engine light is related.
* The wiring job done in the handlebars is shoddy. Apparently the wiring was not quite long enough and the first mech kind of stretched everything out, spliced wires and wrapped electrical tape around to hold it all together. I suppose I'll have to get the handlebars re-cabled to make things right. I don't like splices.
* Persistent rattle. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine (I've rebuilt once - so I'm very worried about this). It happens when I reach a certain RPM band in any gear. I am hoping it is just something loose in the cowling and I'm praying it is not the transmission.
* Replace the throttle cables. The clutch and brake cables were recently replaced because the back yard mech over-estimated the lenghts required. I just didn't get around to replacing the throttle cables.
* If it is worth keeping the bike (I'm not done agonizing over the options), I need to replace the rear fender. It has a dent that can't simply be banged out. This would mean a new paint job on the bike.
* Bunches of little things such as bad spring on the jiffy stand, extending the floorboards, etc. Just things that need to get taken care of.
As I total all this up and understanding there is no guarantee this is the end of the issues, I keep leaning towards a new bike. The one thing that stops me is that it's my baby.
The recent issues have made me again consider getting a new bike. Almost 70K on a 2003 Fatboy and I'm thinking it is in the phase of its life where things just start going wrong. But after a lot of agonizing (even going so far as to consider a Goldwing) I've almost made the decision to try and get the bike back into confidence-inspiring shape. Right now, I'm constantly concerned that I'm going to be stranded on the road with a huge repair bill.
The issues I need to resolve are:
* Exhaust popping on decel. I've read the posts on this issue and it appears it can only be an exhaust leak or I need to re-tune the carb. I went from V&H Pro Pipes to V&H BR 2-into-1. The backfiring only occurs when it is warm out. The check engine light comes on and then on decel it backfires. I'm not absolutely sure the check engine light is related.
* The wiring job done in the handlebars is shoddy. Apparently the wiring was not quite long enough and the first mech kind of stretched everything out, spliced wires and wrapped electrical tape around to hold it all together. I suppose I'll have to get the handlebars re-cabled to make things right. I don't like splices.
* Persistent rattle. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine (I've rebuilt once - so I'm very worried about this). It happens when I reach a certain RPM band in any gear. I am hoping it is just something loose in the cowling and I'm praying it is not the transmission.
* Replace the throttle cables. The clutch and brake cables were recently replaced because the back yard mech over-estimated the lenghts required. I just didn't get around to replacing the throttle cables.
* If it is worth keeping the bike (I'm not done agonizing over the options), I need to replace the rear fender. It has a dent that can't simply be banged out. This would mean a new paint job on the bike.
* Bunches of little things such as bad spring on the jiffy stand, extending the floorboards, etc. Just things that need to get taken care of.
As I total all this up and understanding there is no guarantee this is the end of the issues, I keep leaning towards a new bike. The one thing that stops me is that it's my baby.
Tom here. Take a little time and get it all sorted out. Learn to do your own work so you will not need to depend on someone else to do it for you. This is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Sounds like the bars need to be rewired again. The rattling might not even be the engine. It could be something loose like a heat shield or something. Don't throw the towel in yet.
Regards,
Tom
Harley Goodies
Regards,
Tom
Harley Goodies
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
IMO unless you've got the itch for a new one, I'd think there's plenty left in the motor, another 30-?? k, left in her..
then redue the motor and do a decent 95 street build and go another 100k or so..Think doing that would be a lot less than trading.
the cables and other stuff is minor and only takes a little time to fix.
then redue the motor and do a decent 95 street build and go another 100k or so..Think doing that would be a lot less than trading.
the cables and other stuff is minor and only takes a little time to fix.
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