Broken Odometer, common?
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Broken Odometer, common?
Hi, I'm looking at buying a 1998 Sporster 1200. The price is good but I notice that the LCD odometer is damaged and only the last two digits can be read. There doesn't seem to be evidence of tampering but the molecules have just gone nuts. Is this a common problem?
There is no record of mileage but the owner assures me that the bike has done around 16,000 miles. It is very clean, seems to have been looked after, and runs and sounds great. Should I buy or leave alone?
There is no record of mileage but the owner assures me that the bike has done around 16,000 miles. It is very clean, seems to have been looked after, and runs and sounds great. Should I buy or leave alone?
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Not in the UK. Ownership transfers to me and the mileage is an optional box on the form.
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Isn't the 1200 bulletproof? What's the worst that can happen?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
I've never heard of that as being a known/common problem. You can always order a new odometer through the dealer, and tell them a mileage that is close to your buddies estimate to have programmed into it. I wonder if the dealer/MOCO has an attachment that they could read the speedo readings/codes like through a laptop or something. 
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 615
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Tx
You could try pulling a carfax of it.. It should tell you the mileage the last time the thing was registered...
I dont know if it works for bikes but I know It did for my car... found out one of the previous owner rolled the odometer back 25k.. nice
I dont know if it works for bikes but I know It did for my car... found out one of the previous owner rolled the odometer back 25k.. nice
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 190
Likes: 7
From: Mentor, OH
Even if the odometer worked that dosen't mean the reading is accurate. It could have been disconnected for a while or even replaced with one with lower mileage. Look at the overall condition of the bike if it was well cared for it will show. There is one trick I use that works sometimes to tell if milage is accurate. If the tires were not recently replaced, look at the date code on the tires and how much tread is left on the tires. If the tire is 4 or 5 years old and there is not a lot of wear on the tire then the is most likely correct. Whereas if the tire is only a year old and has a lot of wear then it most likely has more miles then they are saying it has.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cosmicHD
General Harley Davidson Chat
26
Nov 29, 2007 07:22 AM
