When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
New member here, Ill try to keep it short. Bought a 2003 FLHPI on Govdeals, low miles bike, 14000 .but if youve ever bought something on Govdeals, it can be interesting. Trailered it home, took it to the local HD dealership, and Im getting mixed messages on issues. I knew it sat for a while, and I get that parts suck everywhere, but the dealer is kind of skittish with hard questions as does the bike turn over, FI issues, etc.
Almost seems like they dont want the work. Dont want to call out the dealer, as they have been polite, and with the parts issue, I get it. Asked them to take off the trouble bits, sad, but the question is about the 2003 year of this bike. Its a FI, just looking for opinions, and maybe an independent shop might be a better fit. Oh, trouble bits are the light package ..
Hard tellin’ not knowin’ What are the “trouble bits” on the bike, or have they not told you anything that’s wrong with it? Bring it to an Indy if the dealer doesn’t want your business or get some manuals and do it yourself.
I've HEARD, but don't know for fact, that a lot of Dealership are basically shying away from working on "Older" bikes. Not sure what constitutes "Older", and that may vary from dealer to dealer. The dealer I frequent used to have an older guy who was kinda their Evo and older tech. He retired a few years ago so I doubt they take in much of that type work anymore. Anyhow, that may be what's going on over there to you........
Get the genuine Harley manuals for it and start stripping all the pieces you don't want off. I would imagine there is a market for them.
Does the bike run and ride ok?
I have to add that I'm somewhat surprised that all the lights and other police gear was left on, although the "old" tech of it may not be useful to them these days.
Other than 2003 FLHPI , a Police Road King with 14,000 miles and that bike is at a dealer there is not much information provided.
Buying an auction bike with the intent of taking it to a dealer can get very expensive fast.
The labor costs can make it an upside down deal if the buyer does not know how or does not want to clean the bike up themselves.
Generally the buyer is someone that will purchase the service manual and then work on the bike themselves.
Something as simple as the replacement of a battery could end up costing $300++ at dealer instead of $200 if you did it yourself.
The dealer charges for disconnecting a few electrical items can get high quickly too.
Dealer parts can be expensive but plenty of after market stuff available so sourcing if required can get easier if you go aftermarket.
Very unusual that bike was sold with all the police stuff and stickers.
The good part is that maybe the wires were not randomly cut-off.
Most departments do not take kindly of a civilian driving down the street on an officially labeled bike.
At least put some painters tape to cover police stickers and a sock over the Blue/Red lights.
From a distance it seems like a local non-dealer mechanic might be best for items that you can not address.
Do the sirens and police lights still work?
Opinion:
Good year bike.
Purchase the service manual.
Do as much as you can yourself.
Find a local mechanic.
*Review the negative battery cable, not at battery. the other end. Make sure it is still connected and tight
*Review date codes on Tires. Review if the rear tire is a regular tire or a solo tire..
*Study the service manual.
This is a link for a parts finder: http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.....asp?make=hdmc
I have to add that I'm somewhat surprised that all the lights and other police gear was left on, although the "old" tech of it may not be useful to them these days.
Originally Posted by im
Most departments do not take kindly of a civilian driving down the street on an officially labeled bike.
At least put some painters tape to cover police stickers and a sock over the Blue/Red lights.
From a distance it seems like a local non-dealer mechanic might be best for items that you can not address.
Do the sirens and police lights still work?
I'm surprised a municipality would allow a bike to be sold with full lights/siren/identification on the open market... That's a liability that most don't want, and why they strip them before auction sales...
I don't know about PA, but here in CA, it is illegal to have functioning emergency lights on a non-emergency vehicle. You may want to check with PA laws before riding it like that on the street..
As others have said, the 2003 is a good bike. Just need to get it sorted out....
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Help with a 2003 FLHPI
