New to me 1990 Fatboy
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Bristol, Ct.
New to me 1990 Fatboy
So, I came over to the dark side from Yamaha V Star. Have had this bike for just under a week and, 1. Cylinder cover bolt walks out, 2. Bought new ignition switch. 3. Every chain sprocket bolt walks out.
My buddies are breaking my stones as the old adage seems to be true. HD constantly has maintenaceissue. Tru or Not true? Not giving up on this bike!
My buddies are breaking my stones as the old adage seems to be true. HD constantly has maintenaceissue. Tru or Not true? Not giving up on this bike!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
The sprocket bolts should have red loctite on them and torque in place as the head bolts are torqued in place not just tightened. I'm close to you if you may need help. If you loctite and torque the sprocket bolts and they still get loose then the wheel is messed up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
My buddies are breaking my stones as the old adage seems to be true. HD constantly has maintenance issue.
It is a 23 year old bike, every jerk and his brother may have worked on it since it was made. Buy a factory service manual and get the bike back into the condition it was when the factory worked on it.
Every chain sprocket bolt? The bike did not come with a chain.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Apr 20, 2012 at 04:48 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: PA
EVERYTHING needs maintenance no matter what it is! Women, houses, cars, trucks, etc.
I can't speak for Harley Davidson personally since I am getting ready to buy my first one, but my parents have two of them. I don't think I would classify it as constant maintenance, attention would probably be the better word.
I am coming from the metric side which I am not a fan of. Some people rant and rave how great metrics are, but I still had same issues with a metric. In fact I just dumped $700 this week just to get it ready to sell.
Bottom line is that if you want it to treat you right, you gotta treat it right. I think the guys who experience to the constant maintenance issues are the ones who ride them hard and put them away wet!
If you like this fat boy and don't mind giving it some loving then go for it, screw you're buddies, maybe they are just jealous
I can't speak for Harley Davidson personally since I am getting ready to buy my first one, but my parents have two of them. I don't think I would classify it as constant maintenance, attention would probably be the better word.
I am coming from the metric side which I am not a fan of. Some people rant and rave how great metrics are, but I still had same issues with a metric. In fact I just dumped $700 this week just to get it ready to sell.
Bottom line is that if you want it to treat you right, you gotta treat it right. I think the guys who experience to the constant maintenance issues are the ones who ride them hard and put them away wet!
If you like this fat boy and don't mind giving it some loving then go for it, screw you're buddies, maybe they are just jealous
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
You bought a 1990 FatBoy and you expect it to be maintenance FREE???
Maybe you should've just bought a brand-new 2012 and been done with it.
I will say that that Evo engine will probably outlast a lot of the Twin-Cams that are out there now.
But seriously, at the age the bike is at, ya it's gonna need some constant attention. But it's so worth it.
Besides, that was the FatBoy that Arnold rode in Terminator 2 ;-)
Maybe you should've just bought a brand-new 2012 and been done with it.
I will say that that Evo engine will probably outlast a lot of the Twin-Cams that are out there now.
But seriously, at the age the bike is at, ya it's gonna need some constant attention. But it's so worth it.
Besides, that was the FatBoy that Arnold rode in Terminator 2 ;-)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
The only maintenance issues I have with my '04 is keeping money in my wallet form doing all the mods to it!!
It's gonna be like anything used, it's gonna need attention til you get thru all the "mods" the previous owner(s) did to it. It'll be worth it in the end. Trust the guys on this forum. Some pretty serious sh*t gets talked about. Lotta fun.
It's gonna be like anything used, it's gonna need attention til you get thru all the "mods" the previous owner(s) did to it. It'll be worth it in the end. Trust the guys on this forum. Some pretty serious sh*t gets talked about. Lotta fun.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
That's the original Fatboy. Get a service manual and get it back as close to stock as possible. If there are any collectible Harleys, that should be one.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
Welcome to the world of Softails. I think you will enjoy it. By far my favorite HD family. As stated above, it would be a good idea to obtain a service manual and go through the bike as there is no telling what has or has not been done over the years. Good luck and ride safe.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Bristol, Ct.
That is just plain stupid...HD has been making dependable bikes since the early `80s, probably before most of the members here started riding...
It is a 23 year old bike, every jerk and his brother may have worked on it since it was made. Buy a factory service manual and get the bike back into the condition it was when the factory worked on it.
Every chain sprocket bolt? The bike did not come with a chain.
It is a 23 year old bike, every jerk and his brother may have worked on it since it was made. Buy a factory service manual and get the bike back into the condition it was when the factory worked on it.
Every chain sprocket bolt? The bike did not come with a chain.
All right, cut a brother some slack. Of course the bike came with a chain. When I posted this, I was somewhat depressed. Going to doc's today to get the service manual. It is a two owner bike, the second owner bought her with just over 2K on the odometer. Put eight on it and did a rebuild from the frame up. She's an oldgal but stout.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Bristol, Ct.
The sprocket bolts should have red loctite on them and torque in place as the head bolts are torqued in place not just tightened. I'm close to you if you may need help. If you loctite and torque the sprocket bolts and they still get loose then the wheel is messed up.
So, I need to buy a torque wrench. any recommend's? I may be in touch for that hep but, me thinks that going over the bike myself will givemevaluable experience when a prob should occur. Appreciate the gesture brother an I may need to lean on you til I get stronger from time to time. let's get together and ridesome time. Ride safe my brother.
