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One problem I can see with this is when you go to sell it, that vin will say slim which means if the person buying need to get a loan, the lender will say a slim is worth X, it doesn't matter if it looks exactly like a heritage that is worth more than a slim. Then the next thing that happens is we having a whining and crying thread about cheap skates only want to offer me X for my when I really have 2X invested it.
People need to realize there is no such thing as investing in a bike. There is such a thing as spending money on a bike.
My 2008 Crossbones a few weeks after I bought her brand new...
What she looks like some five years later...
I did all the work except for paint and powder coating. The paint job I got for free. The powder coating is done by a local guy who charges really reasonable prices. The time spent to hunt everything down after spending twice as long to make sure I knew what would fit and what wouldn't can be daunting. I'm lucky that I sit at a computer to do my job so I get lots of opportunity to screw around and browse the net for parts. I have found some crazy deals on things, whether it be eBay, Craigslist and the Forums' Classifieds. Oh yeah! That brings up another point. If you the route I did you have to worry about making sure you buy from someone reputable and not get stiffed somewhere along the way! I was very fortunate (or at least have been so far) that I have never been screwed on a deal. In some case I have passed up opportunities because I didn't feel real good about the seller but that's just part of the game.
One problem I can see with this is when you go to sell it, that vin will say slim which means if the person buying need to get a loan, the lender will say a slim is worth X, it doesn't matter if it looks exactly like a heritage that is worth more than a slim. Then the next thing that happens is we having a whining and crying thread about cheap skates only want to offer me X for my when I really have 2X invested it.
People need to realize there is no such thing as investing in a bike. There is such a thing as spending money on a bike.
I personally do not think about when I'm going to sell it what I'll get. I don't lease bikes or cars for that reason. I've never bought a pre customized vehicle for the reason that I want to make it mine.
On the same note, I have kept all o.e. parts and could change to 90% stock with little to no cost or time.
If and when I do sell it, I'll try by owner first, than trade in and be happy for the memories.
I was looking at a Heritage, but I wanted less chrome, No Billet! I was planning on a black oil tank and black wheels for my future Heritage if I could find the parts. Black headlight, Speedometer, footboards? Even better!
So the answer is YES: I was about to pull the trigger on a Heritage when I found a one year old 2013 Slim with 600 miles on Craig's. I saved thousands over a new Slim including tax, and he had just bought next years license tag.
So Cal is the "land of plenty" for used Harely parts but so is eBay.
Took my time, found these USED parts online, all look new.
Slim Q/D windshield in perfect condition: $125.00
Heritage fork wind deflectors, @ 1/2 price: $ 70.00 (optional)
Fatboy rear fender, black with white stripes: $100.00
Deluxe front fender, matching: $110.00
Deluxe rear fender struts bolts and inner hardware:$ 35.00
Deutsch electrical plugs, OEM no wire cutting: $10.00 (new).
HD Tail light /plate mount from forum member:$ 20.00
eBay HD saddlebags, fit Fatboy signals: $350.00
Polished Headlight tins (replace black) $ 20.00
OEM Heritage seat, 2014 (eBay) cheap@ $45.00 (I admit this was cheap for a perfect seat).
So less than $900.00 in parts total. I know I was lucky to find the matching black pin striped fenders, no painting required, though I was looking for them.
I have thought about different bars from a Heritage or 2005-6 Fatboy but I like the black Slim "Hollywood" bars.
I am not really looking for a light bar either. Adds the 2 running lights either side of the headlight.
Options: I found a NOS V&H Exhaust on this Forum for $300.00 and a NOS black engine guard on eBay $100.00. New Slip ons would be nearly as much $.
I am beyond thrilled with my "Less Chrome, NO BILLET" Slimboy or Full Dress softail, and I had a ball chasing these bolt on parts.
If I ever sell the bike, in a couple hours, I WILL put it back to bone stock, red fenders and all. I have replaced the fenders back to the Slim look once. Except for stock exhaust, this is a quick easy conversion.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
