Opinions needed for a bike sat for 12 years
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 103
"Is it really worth the money to put into it or should I just let him keep it and deal with the mess he made?"
Do you still have a clear title in your name? If so I'd get it shipped home and then take a look at it and decide if it's worth repairing or not. You could sell it as a "project" and at least get your shipping cost back if you decide it's more than you want to take on. If you don't have a title is ain't worth much.
Do you still have a clear title in your name? If so I'd get it shipped home and then take a look at it and decide if it's worth repairing or not. You could sell it as a "project" and at least get your shipping cost back if you decide it's more than you want to take on. If you don't have a title is ain't worth much.
Last edited by rocksandgiz; Nov 24, 2025 at 05:36 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 2,207
From: College Station, TX
Like Dan said above, need pictures to offer much advice.
Your brother said it runs, but if you are not confident in that have him send you a video of it running and that shows the condition so you can decied whether or not you want to repair it. It may be so rusty it's not worth trying to recover it to you. Mabey it will clean up enough to make it nice. But I'd want to know how good or bad it really is before throwing it away.
Tires, brake fluid flush and 3 hole oil change are maintenance any way you look at it. Clutch plates are likely stuck but usually not that difficult to free them. If it runs, the inside of the gas tank may not be that rusty so clean out and a new fuel filter.
Paul
Your brother said it runs, but if you are not confident in that have him send you a video of it running and that shows the condition so you can decied whether or not you want to repair it. It may be so rusty it's not worth trying to recover it to you. Mabey it will clean up enough to make it nice. But I'd want to know how good or bad it really is before throwing it away.
Tires, brake fluid flush and 3 hole oil change are maintenance any way you look at it. Clutch plates are likely stuck but usually not that difficult to free them. If it runs, the inside of the gas tank may not be that rusty so clean out and a new fuel filter.
Paul
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 920
Likes: 897
From: Upstate NY
How does he plan on 'sending' the bike? Unless one of you is going to trailer it or throw it in the back of a large pick up.....Its not worth dealing with a shipping company.
As for the condition of the bike.....you need more info. Have him take off the seat and the side covers. If there is evidence of rodent nests or damage, Id walk away. If he says it runs, and he can send a video, it may be worth keeping, but understand, its a project now.
Edit: Just re-read your post. Maryland to Florida? Hell no.
As for the condition of the bike.....you need more info. Have him take off the seat and the side covers. If there is evidence of rodent nests or damage, Id walk away. If he says it runs, and he can send a video, it may be worth keeping, but understand, its a project now.
Edit: Just re-read your post. Maryland to Florida? Hell no.
Last edited by internet troll; Nov 24, 2025 at 06:41 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 8,401
From: Utah
I still think getting a mechanic to look at it would be your best bet.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 382
Likes: 251
From: Florida
Sell it and used them money for comfort. Project like that may trigger your depression.There's a lot of could have should have would haves involved.If you want to ride again take the money add to it and buy a used bike. There's a lot of good deals out there now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,524
Likes: 7,861
From: Long Island, New York
It sat outside, not on the bottom of a lake. Get the bike home and start checking her out. New battery, three hole oil change, flush the brakes and hit the button to see what you got. Then trouble shoot from there. Steel wool will eliminate rust from the chrome with some effort and then you have a motorcycle again. Yeh new tires but that is after you have a running motorcycle again.
It is a Harley not a Honda, they are not throw away objects. Fix your bike.
It is a Harley not a Honda, they are not throw away objects. Fix your bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,470
Likes: 30,728
From: Pennsylvania
1. You had issues and left the bike sit for 12 years.
2. You cannot do the work yourself.
3. Now that your issues may be resolved, you are thinking of getting your bike fixed and riding again.
4. Bike is in unknown condition and you are not mechanically inclined and not able to assess what will need to be done.
5. Bike is 1,000 miles away give or take and it will cost you at least some money to get it to where you are located.
6. You have not ridden in 12 years, how much riding do you plan on doing? And your skills are not what they used to be 12 years ago.
7. All things considered, your best bet as stated in some of the above posts is to sell it as is, get what money you can out of it. Take the money from the sale and buy a used bike where you are located and go from there.
Wish you luck and continued recovery from all that has happened to you over the 12 years.
2. You cannot do the work yourself.
3. Now that your issues may be resolved, you are thinking of getting your bike fixed and riding again.
4. Bike is in unknown condition and you are not mechanically inclined and not able to assess what will need to be done.
5. Bike is 1,000 miles away give or take and it will cost you at least some money to get it to where you are located.
6. You have not ridden in 12 years, how much riding do you plan on doing? And your skills are not what they used to be 12 years ago.
7. All things considered, your best bet as stated in some of the above posts is to sell it as is, get what money you can out of it. Take the money from the sale and buy a used bike where you are located and go from there.
Wish you luck and continued recovery from all that has happened to you over the 12 years.
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