purchasing a 2001 Fat Boy, need help

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 26, 2013 | 09:53 AM

questions58

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Concord ca

purchasing a 2001 Fat Boy, need help

I have always purchased metric cruisers and thinking of purchasing a second bike. Recently a very clean low mileage (10k) 2001 Fat Boy chrome everything, RC Wheels and all HD accessories came across my path at a non HD motorcycle Dealership for $10,500. Can someone tell me about the 2001 Fat Boy series. Were there any recalls, motor issues, ride issues, prone to ?. The Dealer will only tell you what they what you to hear. I have belong to many forums and this is where the real information is discovered. Thanks in advance.

Feb 26, 2013 | 10:04 AM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 100,455

Likes: 19,811

From: Centennial, CO

They are prone to emptying your wallet on mods!!
Price seems a little high. Is it EFI or carb? That year has a very strong bottom end in the engine with Timken bearings.

Feb 26, 2013 | 10:31 AM

jadlh

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 209

Likes: 0

From: west Michigan

Nice bikes...I have one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by questions58

LAST Feb I purchased my 2005FB, in the high 9's with 11K miles from a Dealership. I did purchase a different seat. Your price seems a little high for this time of year, in the end of May you could expect that. Mine has extras too: Chrome linkages, lines, diamond cut heads, two into one screaming eagle exhaust, windshield....

Feb 26, 2013 | 10:34 AM

jimsflh

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 3,078

Likes: 6

From: Michigan

Dealers price their bikes expecting you to haggle, they likely took it in in trade for half or a tad more than half of what they are asking. If they are hungry, they'll drop down quite a bit, if they aren't they'll be more likely to try to stick to the price.

Feb 26, 2013 | 11:41 AM

Weevil

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 1,733

Likes: 38

From: Linden, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by questions58

.....came across my path at a non HD motorcycle Dealership for $10,500. Can someone tell me about the 2001 Fat Boy series. Were there any recalls, motor issues, ride issues, prone to?

2 things. First is they're asking too much for a 2001. Average retail should be around $8,690.

Second, you need to make sure that the cam chain tensioner pads are still serviceable. And if not, have whoever selling the bike replace them with a replacement set of primary and secondary tensioner pads manufactured by Cyco Gaskets.

If you follow the THIS LINK it will explain everything in detail. If you still need addition information, there's a bunch out there. All you have to do is search and google away.

Cam chain tensioner pad inspection.

Last edited by Weevil; Feb 26, 2013 at 12:07 PM.

Feb 26, 2013 | 02:56 PM

jadlh

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 209

Likes: 0

From: west Michigan

Very nice you-tube, how many miles were on that cam tensioner?

I've not heard from anyone I've talked to, have their cam tensioner to go out at 4K miles but I've heard that they positively should be checked at 20K to 30K.

Feb 26, 2013 | 04:18 PM

aaamax

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 628

Likes: 14

From: Sweden via Bisbee, Az.

A good general rule is to NEVER TRUST THE DEALER. Find a clean used bike near you in the want ads, etc and be willing to wait for the right bike. Did I mention to NEVER TRUST THE DEALER?

Trending Topics

1979 XLH 1000 - a good year?

111

2.6k
Oil pressure sensor 2002 Heritage Classic

23

494
What would cause this Front Tire failure?

23

987
FLT to FLHS

22

474
Top end rebuild Go Big or Stay Home?

97

3.6k

Feb 27, 2013 | 01:15 AM

Weevil

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 1,733

Likes: 38

From: Linden, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadlh

Very nice you-tube, how many miles were on that cam tensioner?

I believe he said there was 20k miles on the tensioner pads he was inspecting. I had 30k miles on mine before I went to gear driven cams. But I could have easily gone another 30k before messing with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadlh

I've not heard from anyone I've talked to, have their cam tensioner to go out at 4K miles but I've heard that they positively should be checked at 20K to 30K.

Tensioner pads wearing out at 4k miles is very hard to swallow. 20-30k miles is a real good estimate as to when to check the wear limits. There is a small section in the Service Manual (not the Owners Manual) concerning inspection and wear limits of the tensioners, but most either don't purchase a Service Manual or miss the section that addresses them.