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High idle to mask problems?

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Old 05-09-2011, 02:40 PM
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Default High idle to mask problems?

I'm considering trading my '06 Heritage on a 2000 Fat Boy, straight up. Mine has over 11,000 miles. The Fat Boy has under 5,000 and it's a beauty.

When I rode the Fat Boy, I loved everything about it except the idle was set real high. It's carbuerated and the guy obviously didn't ride it much. Maybe the carb is just dirty. Are there other reasons he might have it idling so high? Masking some problem he doesn't want me to know about?

My Heritage is EFI by the way, and I love everything about the bike I currently own. I've just always loved Fat Boys.

Thanks for any help...
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 02:43 PM
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Turn down the idle and see how she runs...
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 03:22 PM
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I just talked to the previous owner. Sounded like a pretty straight-up guy. Said he bought the bike as an investment, brand new in 2000, and it sat in storage for five years. Wife wants him to sell it and buy a jeep. So he filled it with kerosene and put it in storage.

Says the low-idle jet is probably plugged. That's easy to fix, right? Just take out the carb and run a wire through the plugged hole?
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 03:27 PM
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This is too EZ.

Have your dealer do a pre-purchase inspection, if you can't just turn down the idle, to check for yourself.
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 03:33 PM
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I have to ask... What makes a '00 fatboy worth the same as a '06 heritage? you're extra miles don't add up to anything. Is the fatboy got a pile of extras or something?
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 03:41 PM
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I still don't get it. His wife wants him to sell it and buy a Jeep so he decides he wants to trade for a different bike?

I would walk away..



Mike
NY
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jlasoftail
I have to ask... What makes a '00 fatboy worth the same as a '06 heritage? you're extra miles don't add up to anything. Is the fatboy got a pile of extras or something?
That's a good question. Looks have a lot to do with it. Also, it's only got 4,800 miles on it, and it's a limited edition model. One of only 125 built that year. Beautiful paint scheme. Stroker motor - even though the pipes are stock, it sounds as good as mine, and mine has V&H Long Shots. The Fat Boys is spotless, a lot of chrome. It's got more power than mine, even though mine has Stage 1. Taller gearing. Plus, it's carbuerated, which I like, easier to work on.

You don't think it's a good deal?

By the way, he's already traded the bike for a jeep. I'm dealing with the owner of this tiny, used car dealer. Foreign guy, don't think he knows much about bikes.
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 03:58 PM
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By the way, I turned down the idle and rode it. There is a hesitation at idle speed...
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 04:04 PM
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Filled it with kerosene? That's a new one!
 
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Old 05-09-2011, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Maclugie
Filled it with kerosene? That's a new one!
Some people do that to prevent rust in the gas tank, if it's going to be stored for a while...
 


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