Hey there,

I'm considering investing in a 2005 Harley-DavidsonŽ FLHTCUI - Electra GlideŽ Ultra ClassicŽ Injection with less than 13k miles on it. It's a beautiful bike, I currently have a heritage soft classic, which I love dearly, but I'm looking for something a bit bigger.

I am unable to find out if this bike with this engine and specifications is a good investment, or am I gonna have it in the shop all the time. Not sure if it matters, but I ride year round.

here's the specifications. This is right from the sellers sight. I don't claim ownership of any of this information.

• Engine Type2 cylinders, 4-stroke, 45° V-twin
• Displacement1449 cc (88.53 cubic inches)
• Bore95.3 mm
• Stroke101.6 mm
• Cooling SystemAir cooled
• Engine Power66.49 HP (48.9 kW) @ 5200 rpm
• Engine Torque110 Nm (11.22 kg-m) @ 3100 rpm
• ThrottleCable operated
• Valve trainOHV, variable | Per cylinder: 2
• GearboxManual 5-speed
• ClutchWet, multiple discs, cable operated
• Final Drive: Belt
• Electric
• StarterElectric

Please let me know what you think, all information and advice would be greatly appreciated. Please send reasonings instead of just saying "bad bike, or good bike".

Thank you in advance for your time.

 

All depends on maintenence...or lack thereof.....any service records?....FWIW...I had an twin cam 88 cube in a 99 ultra classic...75000 miles when i sold it no major problems...I don't remamber when HD updated to the hydraulic cam tensioners...older style needed careful monitoring....2005 has the Delphi fuel inj...used currently...good system.....sorry can't be more help without some more specifice about this bike

 

I remember hearing about valve guide and seal issues on some '05's,here's a thread on it.
Aside from that possibility it should be a great bike.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-seals-2.html

 

I'd say that is a good bike.... depending on maintenance and price....

The maintenance it has received (or not received) is the difference between a good bike and a nightmare...

As for that model year, it has the spring cam tensioners, so you will need to address those if they haven't been "fixed"... With only 13K miles, they probably haven't been replaced. You should also change out the OEM, Inna brand inner cam bearings, with the better Koyo-Torrington brand inner cam bearings while addressing the spring tensioners.

That year has the old style, very reliable compensator... they didn't improve the compensator, and mess it up, until a year or two later...

That year is also before the dreaded "C" revision lifters, so you shouldn't have an issue with the lifters..

You have the good delphi EFI, but it was pre-O2 sensors.... not a problem though as it's just an open loop tune, and still easily tuned if you make engine modifications.

Make sure to check it out thoroughly before buying, looking for all the usual signs of a well kept bike or a neglected toy... If you don't know bikes, take a knowledgeable friend with you...

At that age & mileage, if you should buy it.... it could need new tires, so ignore the tread, and check the tire's DOT date codes. Anything over 7 years should be replaced regardless of tread left.. It could also be way overdue for a brake fluid flush...

For price... BlackBook Powersports says:

Avg retail: $6,825
Auction wholesale: $5,710
Clean trade: $5,415
Fair trade: $4,615
Finance advance: $5,615

Those prices seem reasonable, but it is a buyer's market and there are a lot of good, newer baggers on the market...

I would subtract $1K if the tensioners haven't been fixed, and the cost of new tires if the date codes are too old...

If it's had good maintenance, it could be a gem. I have both an '01 Springer 88" w/carb and an '03 Heritage 95" big bore kit w/EFI... both low mileage, and both running very strong...!

Good luck with your search...

 

Welcome to the forum

 

A 2005 Harley-DavidsonŽ FLHTCUI is not an investment.

 

What is with the registered trade marks beside the make and model? And the list of very specific manufacturer specs? Weirdest troll thread I ever saw started.

 

Possibly a phishing scammer. Stay far away from this one.

 

no year harley is a good investment.

 

There is nothing in your post from the advert that tells us anything of interest or benefit. The list of bullet points simply tells us what every twincam 88 Glide is when new, there is nothing describing any mods or add-ons to the bike, even if it is bone stock, and nothing about service history or price. Its Xmas - take a fresh look in the new year!