How to research work on a bike
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Martinsville, VA
How to research work on a bike
Greetings all;
Gone is the bagger, just purchased a 100th anniversary heritage softail, with a twist...
Attatched are pictures of the bike when purchased, once I stripped it down, and the surprise I found when I changed the seat.
Ok, the thunder-chicken box should have been my first clue. The bike looks totally stock, but the motor can't be. My bike-building cousin says its the fastest Harley he's ever ridden.
For example, yesterday the crew was riding: 107 s&s on a big dog mastiff, a 117 s&s on the K-9, a 130 on a custom build, a 1000 Honda with nitrous, and little old me on the softail.
I took every last one of them on a holeshot at a stoplight, I'm not kidding.
Somebody tell me, how can I find out what has been done to this thing?
Gone is the bagger, just purchased a 100th anniversary heritage softail, with a twist...
Attatched are pictures of the bike when purchased, once I stripped it down, and the surprise I found when I changed the seat.
Ok, the thunder-chicken box should have been my first clue. The bike looks totally stock, but the motor can't be. My bike-building cousin says its the fastest Harley he's ever ridden.
For example, yesterday the crew was riding: 107 s&s on a big dog mastiff, a 117 s&s on the K-9, a 130 on a custom build, a 1000 Honda with nitrous, and little old me on the softail.
I took every last one of them on a holeshot at a stoplight, I'm not kidding.
Somebody tell me, how can I find out what has been done to this thing?
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Just for ***** and giggles, take the cam cover off, snap a pic and post it. It would be interesting to see if the previous owner did a cam chain tensioner mod or a gear drive conversion. That could be a very basic indicator if motor work was done to the bike.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Martinsville, VA
Thanks, will have to get on that when there's some space in the basement.
Is that ignition module stock or add on?
Last edited by ranran4; Jul 30, 2013 at 11:02 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25
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From: Portland, OR
I called HD to find where my bike was originally purchased. In my case, it was fairly local, so I went to the dealership that sold the bike to the original owner. They had all the records and even the dyno info there. They were kind enough to print it out for me and they also sent me home with the SERT tuning file for my bike.
The original owner's name was available but of course that's information they won't just hand out. They did however say they could call the owner and find out if they would talk to me. I had found out all I was looking for so I passed on that.
The original owner's name was available but of course that's information they won't just hand out. They did however say they could call the owner and find out if they would talk to me. I had found out all I was looking for so I passed on that.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Martinsville, VA
We did on the spot. It came back 88 twin cam with a five speed and some extra chrome pieces. Everybody shook their heads saying "there ain't no way!" so whatever was done was after purchase. I got it from a local car dealership (which I imagine why it was so cheap and they had no idea about the motor) and they basically are just moving units they get from auctions I imagine.
The key fob is a dealership from PA, so its been around the world and have no name for previous owner.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Florida
It is aftermarket HD. The bike may have a SE ignition coil as well...