02 Ultra Classic
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 863
Likes: 1,318
From: So Cal
You could only get the Ultra with EFI in 02 so that model would have the Delphi fuel injection.
Thats a great bike if it was well taken care of but like others have said, it's a buyers market. Lots of great deals to be had.
Thats a great bike if it was well taken care of but like others have said, it's a buyers market. Lots of great deals to be had.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I keep seeing references to maintenance logs for private face-to-face sales. This is crazy talk, people. These ain't airplanes or fleet vehicles and I personally would not expect any normal person to keep routine detailed maintenance records on what was done, let alone who did it and what parts were used. If that is a requirement for anyone to purchase a well used Harley from a private individual, I wish them luck. I seriously doubt you will get this kind of information purchasing most used bikes from a dealer. I have done all the work on my 2003 Ultra since I purchased it and I keep receipts as a rule, and took lots of photos of my work, but I did not keep a written "log" on what I did and when I did it. That is way too **** for me or for any normal person in my opinion.
However, if I were to sell it and the seller wanted maintenance logs as a condition of sale, I am sure I can create something to satisfy the condition...and the price would go up accordingly...see where I am going with this?
Caveat emptor.Unless you personally know the seller and the bike, it is always going to be a crap shoot. If you do not know how to evaluate a used Harley, get someone who can. Maintenance logs are not going to tell you anything about the bike or owner that you can accept at face value with full confidence.
However, if I were to sell it and the seller wanted maintenance logs as a condition of sale, I am sure I can create something to satisfy the condition...and the price would go up accordingly...see where I am going with this?
Caveat emptor.Unless you personally know the seller and the bike, it is always going to be a crap shoot. If you do not know how to evaluate a used Harley, get someone who can. Maintenance logs are not going to tell you anything about the bike or owner that you can accept at face value with full confidence.
Last edited by skinman13; Apr 23, 2019 at 10:04 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
I keep seeing references to maintenance logs for private face-to-face sales. This is crazy talk, people. These ain't airplanes or fleet vehicles and I personally would not expect any normal person to keep routine detailed maintenance records on what was done, let alone who did it and what parts were used. If that is a requirement for anyone to purchase a well used Harley from a private individual, I wish them luck. I seriously doubt you will get this kind of information purchasing most used bikes from a dealer. I have done all the work on my 2003 Ultra since I purchased it and I keep receipts as a rule, and took lots of photos of my work, but I did not keep a written "log" on what I did and when I did it. That is way too **** for me or for any normal person in my opinion.
However, if I were to sell it and the seller wanted maintenance logs as a condition of sale, I am sure I can create something to satisfy the condition...and the price would go up accordingly...see where I am going with this?
Caveat emptor.Unless you personally know the seller and the bike, it is always going to be a crap shoot. If you do not know how to evaluate a used Harley, get someone who can. Maintenance logs are not going to tell you anything about the bike or owner that you can accept at face value with full confidence.
However, if I were to sell it and the seller wanted maintenance logs as a condition of sale, I am sure I can create something to satisfy the condition...and the price would go up accordingly...see where I am going with this?
Caveat emptor.Unless you personally know the seller and the bike, it is always going to be a crap shoot. If you do not know how to evaluate a used Harley, get someone who can. Maintenance logs are not going to tell you anything about the bike or owner that you can accept at face value with full confidence.
IMHO..... when buying a used bike, the person you are buying from is as important as the bike inspection.... There are many things you can't check/inspect/verify without some disassembly...
Are you buying from a reputable dealer, or some yahoo who can't answer questions about the bike and is ignorant of any potential issues for that model? Do you want to buy a used bike that's been maintained, or one that's been rode hard and put away wet...?
If someone has complete maintenance records, it shows they not only care about maintenance, but also pay attention to details... If you're dealing with a knowledgeable owner, it surely increases your confidence in a bike, which can be reflected in the purchase price...
I learned when running oceangoing vessels to keep complete maintenance logs. There are so many systems on those vessels, it would be almost impossible to stay current on maintenance without a log. I now keep a complete maintenance log on each of my vehicles. The job sheets are printed out and kept in a binder with the receipts for that work/mod. That can't be easily faked.... If you read one of those logs, you know the complete history (good & bad) of that vehicle. I use them for my own information because I do all the non-warranty work on my vehicles, but they are good documentation when I sell a vehicle.
When I'm looking at a private sale, and someone claims extra value for some work done, if the work is not readily visible (like new tires, etc) and they don't have a receipt/invoice, then as far as I'm concerned, for the purposes of negotiating price, it didn't happen.....
Nothing will guarantee you won't buy a used bike with a problem, that's the nature of the beast, but there are ways to mitigate your risk.....
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 498
Likes: 25
From: Hampshire, UK
I am up to 78K on my 2002 Road King, she was a US import and came into the UK with about 69K on her...
As everyone says, tensioners are the biggy; receipts or like peeps say act like it didn't happen and haggle that into the deal. But to be honest, most people who own a TC88 with that kinda mileage are only there because this kinda stuff has been done.
Don't be put off by the age in the slightest.....yeah I'd love to have cruise and stuff like the newer models.....but do I have a great bike.....absolutely!
As everyone says, tensioners are the biggy; receipts or like peeps say act like it didn't happen and haggle that into the deal. But to be honest, most people who own a TC88 with that kinda mileage are only there because this kinda stuff has been done.
Don't be put off by the age in the slightest.....yeah I'd love to have cruise and stuff like the newer models.....but do I have a great bike.....absolutely!
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
I tried to post last night - but apparently did something wrong as it does not appear. I was thanking everyone for their insightful comments. I will admit, I would not have thought to ask for maintenance records as I personally have never kept those, and wrongfully assumed that was the case for most folks. Someone recently asked about a photo - which - the person selling the bike posted one photo of it. Last Saturday I asked if he could send more. He agreed. I don't know what has happened as that is the last I've heard from him. He is about an hour from me, so I was hoping to avoid a trip if there was going to be something I saw and did not like.
Having said that, another seller listed an 06 Ultra Classic (closer mileage distance wise, but still a long drive). This bike is glacier white, and has 35,000 miles on it. He also had only one picture, but when I asked, he sent more. I asked about service records and he sent me copies of the 35,000 mile service done at a local dealer. He has it listed at 8400. NADA suggests anywhere from 6700 to 8800, so he may not be far off. Hopefully I can work something out with him.
Thanks again everyone. I like the idea of moving toward a newer bike with significantly less miles.
Duane
Having said that, another seller listed an 06 Ultra Classic (closer mileage distance wise, but still a long drive). This bike is glacier white, and has 35,000 miles on it. He also had only one picture, but when I asked, he sent more. I asked about service records and he sent me copies of the 35,000 mile service done at a local dealer. He has it listed at 8400. NADA suggests anywhere from 6700 to 8800, so he may not be far off. Hopefully I can work something out with him.
Thanks again everyone. I like the idea of moving toward a newer bike with significantly less miles.
Duane
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
I tried to post last night - but apparently did something wrong as it does not appear. I was thanking everyone for their insightful comments. I will admit, I would not have thought to ask for maintenance records as I personally have never kept those, and wrongfully assumed that was the case for most folks. Someone recently asked about a photo - which - the person selling the bike posted one photo of it. Last Saturday I asked if he could send more. He agreed. I don't know what has happened as that is the last I've heard from him. He is about an hour from me, so I was hoping to avoid a trip if there was going to be something I saw and did not like.
Having said that, another seller listed an 06 Ultra Classic (closer mileage distance wise, but still a long drive). This bike is glacier white, and has 35,000 miles on it. He also had only one picture, but when I asked, he sent more. I asked about service records and he sent me copies of the 35,000 mile service done at a local dealer. He has it listed at 8400. NADA suggests anywhere from 6700 to 8800, so he may not be far off. Hopefully I can work something out with him.
Thanks again everyone. I like the idea of moving toward a newer bike with significantly less miles.
Duane
Having said that, another seller listed an 06 Ultra Classic (closer mileage distance wise, but still a long drive). This bike is glacier white, and has 35,000 miles on it. He also had only one picture, but when I asked, he sent more. I asked about service records and he sent me copies of the 35,000 mile service done at a local dealer. He has it listed at 8400. NADA suggests anywhere from 6700 to 8800, so he may not be far off. Hopefully I can work something out with him.
Thanks again everyone. I like the idea of moving toward a newer bike with significantly less miles.
Duane
Unfortunately, the '06 will still have the tensioner issue... be sure to find out if it's been handled. But at 35K miles, if it hasn't been handled, there is a really good chance no damage has been been done by disintegrating cam tensioner pads...use that as a negotiating tool on price, and get it done ASAP if you buy it......
I have an '03 (with the '07+ cam plate upgrade and conversion cams) and that bike is a solid, good running bike.... I don't see me ever giving it up...!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
The first guy didn't respond to your request for additional photos.... that's a red flag right there....!!! Good riddance....!
Unfortunately, the '06 will still have the tensioner issue... be sure to find out if it's been handled. But at 35K miles, if it hasn't been handled, there is a really good chance no damage has been been done by disintegrating cam tensioner pads...use that as a negotiating tool on price, and get it done ASAP if you buy it......
I have an '03 (with the '07+ cam plate upgrade and conversion cams) and that bike is a solid, good running bike.... I don't see me ever giving it up...!
Unfortunately, the '06 will still have the tensioner issue... be sure to find out if it's been handled. But at 35K miles, if it hasn't been handled, there is a really good chance no damage has been been done by disintegrating cam tensioner pads...use that as a negotiating tool on price, and get it done ASAP if you buy it......
I have an '03 (with the '07+ cam plate upgrade and conversion cams) and that bike is a solid, good running bike.... I don't see me ever giving it up...!