Concerned about owning a Harley
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,004
From: Charleston, SC
I'd absolutely keep it now. You've basically hit the one major problem area with that year bike. Bet it goes 100K without another issue if you actually ride it rather than store it.
Well I don't know what to tell you other than sell it.
Item #1 is on you. Guarantee that Vulcan has a hydraulic clutch. I know. I had one. If you can't check fluids you shouldn't have it. That is basic maintenance. Like checking brake fluid and oil.
Unlike others, I wouldn't buy it from you. But for a minimal monthly fee I will come test ride it for you and check the oil.
All kidding aside, don't sweat it. Work the kinks out and get to know your machine. There are plenty without major issues.
Item #1 is on you. Guarantee that Vulcan has a hydraulic clutch. I know. I had one. If you can't check fluids you shouldn't have it. That is basic maintenance. Like checking brake fluid and oil.
Unlike others, I wouldn't buy it from you. But for a minimal monthly fee I will come test ride it for you and check the oil.
All kidding aside, don't sweat it. Work the kinks out and get to know your machine. There are plenty without major issues.
Last edited by cprhed; Feb 20, 2020 at 03:55 PM. Reason: updated
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 11,261
From: San Diego, CA
I had never purchased a used Harley from 1978 until 2017, when I purchased a used '01 Springer with 9.8K miles... all OEM except for the seat... rare find and at a good price.
I stayed away from used bikes because I read a couple Harley forums regularly... I am always amazed at the questions some people ask, and the bad advice they are sometimes given... I'll shake my head and think, I'd hate to be the poor guy who buys that bike a few years from now...!
When I bought the Springer, it was the 3rd Harley in my garage... I inspected it real well, but when I got it home, I went over it with a fine tooth comb... I found it had a bent pushrod!! Best I can tell, it was probably over revved on a downshift... Inspected rocker/cam chest/ compression/ bore scope pistons, and leak-down tests.... all checked OK. I fixed that one issue and now all is well... It runs great. Other than addressing the spring cam tensioners, I intend to just ride it and enjoy it.... and I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere I would go with my my 2016 bagger... except the bagger would be more comfortable... I'm getting older....
Point being that any, almost all, used bikes will have an issue or two... as many mentioned, you got hit with one of the early twin cooled issues and luckily, there is a 100% fix for it, you now have the fix...
Ride it and enjoy it....
I stayed away from used bikes because I read a couple Harley forums regularly... I am always amazed at the questions some people ask, and the bad advice they are sometimes given... I'll shake my head and think, I'd hate to be the poor guy who buys that bike a few years from now...!
When I bought the Springer, it was the 3rd Harley in my garage... I inspected it real well, but when I got it home, I went over it with a fine tooth comb... I found it had a bent pushrod!! Best I can tell, it was probably over revved on a downshift... Inspected rocker/cam chest/ compression/ bore scope pistons, and leak-down tests.... all checked OK. I fixed that one issue and now all is well... It runs great. Other than addressing the spring cam tensioners, I intend to just ride it and enjoy it.... and I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere I would go with my my 2016 bagger... except the bagger would be more comfortable... I'm getting older....
Point being that any, almost all, used bikes will have an issue or two... as many mentioned, you got hit with one of the early twin cooled issues and luckily, there is a 100% fix for it, you now have the fix...
Ride it and enjoy it....
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 20, 2020 at 05:20 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 805
From: Washington
Darn Harleys, I wish they were as reliable as my Toyota! Oh wait, the Toyota is two years old, 37000 miles and had the transmission replaced last week. Oh never mind.
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Joe Kucinski
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Let me think a second ...
2007 Electra Glide - 24,000 miles no issues
2009 Ultra - 30,000 miles no issues
2011 Ultra Limited - 45,000 miles no issues
2015 Ultra Limited - 60,000 miles - had to rebuild front brake master cylinder
2019 Ultra Limited - 17,000 miles - no issues.
I’ll keep riding my Harley’s.
2007 Electra Glide - 24,000 miles no issues
2009 Ultra - 30,000 miles no issues
2011 Ultra Limited - 45,000 miles no issues
2015 Ultra Limited - 60,000 miles - had to rebuild front brake master cylinder
2019 Ultra Limited - 17,000 miles - no issues.
I’ll keep riding my Harley’s.