Parts availability in the future
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 376
From: Queanbeyan, Australia
Parts availability in the future
I'm interested in hearing from owners of older bikes regarding HD support in the parts dept.
I am hoping to keep my 2014 FLHTK for 20 to 30 years (until I die! - its a "keeper"! - I think its going to be a classic as it's one of the early production runs of the Rushmores) but wonder what parts availability might be like in the future.
Judging by past HD history, what's the longest your model has had parts available for, and what can I reasonably expect? i.e. How long has your model been supported by HD parts dept. before it's treated as obsolete and not worth supporting?
I am hoping to keep my 2014 FLHTK for 20 to 30 years (until I die! - its a "keeper"! - I think its going to be a classic as it's one of the early production runs of the Rushmores) but wonder what parts availability might be like in the future.
Judging by past HD history, what's the longest your model has had parts available for, and what can I reasonably expect? i.e. How long has your model been supported by HD parts dept. before it's treated as obsolete and not worth supporting?
Last edited by clackavosticus; Sep 29, 2015 at 08:34 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
weak.
in the late 80's early 90's many HD dealers stocked parts for legacy models...the evo shared some parts back to the 20's and I could walk into Bartels in Culver City and buy panhead parts...like a "new" OEM exhaust or a new OEM seat.
the twin cam shares very few mechanical parts with the evo...
many dealers in the US are hesitant to deal with bikes more than 10 years old. consider the we are on the cusp of "what's a carb".
they longer stock parts ( see the thread on the guy who is waiting for a new oil line hose on his brand new bike)
but order them as needed to avoid tying up funds in inventory
I have a 62 year old bike ( my 3rd pan)...I've spent the past 30 years finding sources for parts.
Luckily nobody ever threw away a Harley-Davidson, a Rolex or a Martin Guitar. that they have an intrinsic value is known.
You'll find parts into the future but it won;t be from HDMC
mike
in the late 80's early 90's many HD dealers stocked parts for legacy models...the evo shared some parts back to the 20's and I could walk into Bartels in Culver City and buy panhead parts...like a "new" OEM exhaust or a new OEM seat.
the twin cam shares very few mechanical parts with the evo...
many dealers in the US are hesitant to deal with bikes more than 10 years old. consider the we are on the cusp of "what's a carb".
they longer stock parts ( see the thread on the guy who is waiting for a new oil line hose on his brand new bike)
but order them as needed to avoid tying up funds in inventory
I have a 62 year old bike ( my 3rd pan)...I've spent the past 30 years finding sources for parts.
Luckily nobody ever threw away a Harley-Davidson, a Rolex or a Martin Guitar. that they have an intrinsic value is known.
You'll find parts into the future but it won;t be from HDMC
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 29, 2015 at 11:20 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
weak.
in the late 80's early 90's many HD dealers stocked parts for legacy models...the evo shared some parts back to the 20's and I could walk into Bartels in Culver City and buy panhead parts...like a "new" OEM exhaust or a new OEM seat.
the twin cam shares very few mechanical parts with the evo...
many dealers in the US are hesitant to deal with bikes more than 10 years old. consider the we are on the cusp of "what's a carb".
they longer stock parts ( see the thread on the guy who is waiting for a new oil line hose on his brand new bike)
but order them as needed to avoid tying up funds in inventory
I have a 62 year old bike ( my 3rd pan)...I've spent the past 30 years finding sources for parts.
Luckily nobody ever threw away a Harley-Davidson, a Rolex or a Martin Guitar. that they have an intrinsic value is known.
You'll find parts into the future but I won;t be from HDMC
in the late 80's early 90's many HD dealers stocked parts for legacy models...the evo shared some parts back to the 20's and I could walk into Bartels in Culver City and buy panhead parts...like a "new" OEM exhaust or a new OEM seat.
the twin cam shares very few mechanical parts with the evo...
many dealers in the US are hesitant to deal with bikes more than 10 years old. consider the we are on the cusp of "what's a carb".
they longer stock parts ( see the thread on the guy who is waiting for a new oil line hose on his brand new bike)
but order them as needed to avoid tying up funds in inventory
I have a 62 year old bike ( my 3rd pan)...I've spent the past 30 years finding sources for parts.
Luckily nobody ever threw away a Harley-Davidson, a Rolex or a Martin Guitar. that they have an intrinsic value is known.
You'll find parts into the future but I won;t be from HDMC
Most manufacturers only want to deal with vehicles less than 10 years old.
This isn't just an HD thing.
Trying to find parts for C4 Corvettes from the manufacturer is sometimes hard too.
There are a few NOS parts in stock, but there are quite a few that just are not made any more.
Too old for the manufacturer to care about, but not quite old enough for some of the aftermarket parts suppliers to be interested in.
Classic cars and bike parts are usually easier to find because of the more simple mechanical nature of those parts (no computer or electronic parts).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,162
Likes: 1,906
From: Doghouse... mostly
Usually the rule of thumb for outdated models of just about anything is 7 years. If the Twin-Cams get replaced by a water cooled engine in the year 2020 you'll have until about 2027 to hoard anything you can find.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I've owned my 1990 Glide from new. It is a trusty old axe and has had a few new heads and handles, so is far from stock. Having said that I haven't yet had any problems either getting genuine Harley parts or aftermarket. The benefit of being a twincam owner is that far more of them have been made than Evos and I reckon the aftermarket will be looking at customers like you as a gold mine! Ride on and don't worry.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From: Central Mass
My thoughts are that it will only get worse as we all want gadgets, these gadgets will not be supported very far into the future as things get updated almost yearly now, in 30 years your bike will be just an ""Old Harley" not a collector bike. The Evo models are probably the bikes supported the best but even needed things like formed oil lines etc. are going NLA.
Stan
Stan
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
We don't need no formed oil-lines or brake-pipes, that is what the aftermarket is there for! There are members like me who have owned the same bike for 25 years or more, without hitch.
OMG - what have I said......
OMG - what have I said......
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 2,554
From: CT/FL
I've owned my 1990 Glide from new. It is a trusty old axe and has had a few new heads and handles, so is far from stock. Having said that I haven't yet had any problems either getting genuine Harley parts or aftermarket. The benefit of being a twincam owner is that far more of them have been made than Evos and I reckon the aftermarket will be looking at customers like you as a gold mine! Ride on and don't worry.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
It's amazing how often 'China' and 'junk' get mentioned in the same sentence! Lots of stuff around us is Chinese made, including the machines we use for accessing HDF, plus much of a new Harley. I haven't had any problems with Chinese stuff to date, whatever I've used it for.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
I agree there is a strong aftermarket for Harley parts - but unfortunately most of them come from China now and are junk. Good news is Harley does keep a catalog of vintage parts and you'd be surprised what they can come up with. I got some parts for my 79 right from the dealer and they were in HD bags.