High milage ultra??

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Jul 10, 2009 | 11:26 AM

tom lipke

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 103

Likes: 2

High milage ultra??

i'M LOOKING FOR A TOURING BIKE AND SAW A 1999 ULTRA WITH 75K. i'TS A ONE OWNER BIKE AND LOOKS VERY CLEAN. HE SAYS ALL OF THE SERVICES WERE DONE REGULARLY. i HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED A BIKE WITH THAT MANY MILES BUT DUE TO LIMITED CASH I MIGHT CONSIDER IT. iT'S A STOCK MOTOR WITH NO MAJOR REBUILDS AT THIS POINT. MY QUESTION IS WHAT KIND OF MAJOR PROBLEMS COULD BE EXPECTED WITH 75K ON IT. IF I GOT A GOOD DEAL SAY $6500-$6000. WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO DO AN UPPER END REBUILD WITH OUT DOING THE LOWER END. WILL THOSE CRANKS GO MUCH MORE THAN 75K?
THANKS

Jul 10, 2009 | 11:46 AM

troy.j

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 656

Likes: 0

From: gone

upper should do i would think, it's a lot of miles and it isn't just the motor that has them. you have to think of the trans, suspension, electrical.... lots to think about there.

Jul 13, 2009 | 09:57 PM

2000FiveOh

Tourer

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 315

Likes: 1

1) Who did the services? If it's a one owner bike you should be able to validate with the shop that did them. Or, ask him for receipts. Most people that do regular maintenance will keep a folder with receipts.

2) If you plan to do the work yourself it's a no-brainer. If you're not mechanically inclined it could turn into a money pit. Doing your own work is always something you need to consider when buying used.

3) 75K isn't anything to worry about if it was indeed taken care of. A clean one owner with 75K, that was taken care of, could easily see another 50, 60 70K.

4) Offer him 5K and ride the juice out of it. Then rebuild it and ride it some more. Repeat as necessary.

BTW, I have 97,000 on mine and it still goes like a raped ape.

Jul 13, 2009 | 10:07 PM

jdreed520

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,282

Likes: 2

From: Yukon, OK

I agree if you are mechanically inclined then buy it.....if it was serviced then it should last for a long time......

Jul 14, 2009 | 10:56 AM

mjmangus

Tourer

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 442

Likes: 0

From: High Desert of So Cal

My son has almost 100k on his softail. If its been well maintained, go for it.

Jul 14, 2009 | 02:42 PM

rocket1273

Stage III

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

I had a 99 ultra. Cam chain tensioners were a problem with twin cam 88. Change to gear driven cams or at least check the tensioners for extensive wear.