I personally wouldn't buy a bike that was heavily modded unless it was just bolt ons, ie. shiny stuff, and or bolt ons stage 1. Anything beyond that and you just don't know what was done, too much wondering for my taste. Also if you buy a bike that's been modded the owner obviously beat on it, because beating on it stock wasn't fast enough.

Furthermore why would you dump all that money into the engine if you are considering getting rid of it down in a few years anyway?

 

Stock motors suck!

 

my opinion as well....

 

IF you had paperwork,showing the motor work was done by a shop, with a good reputation, I don't see the problem......


If that's what I was looking for, ofcourse

 

I think the motor work would be like adding accessories,not going to add value.
If the bike is running good and priced right,no problem selling it.

 

Build it! You didnt buy your bike to take care of it for the next guy did you?

 

Like most mods, cosmetic or performance, your never getting your money back, but a good build with documentation shouldn't hurt you too much. Just like some guys don't even understand why some of us beef up our motors, many do understand and want the power.

 

I never worry about resale value. It went down the crapper when HD increased production anyway so why worry? There once was a time when owning a Harley was like money in the bank, but it hasn't been like that for many years.
I wouldn't have any problem buying a bike with motor mods either. I only know of one bike around here that's still being ridden totally stock - they're ALL modded to one degree or another.
I wouldn't pay more for the modded bike, but most mods don't realistically hurt values either. Same goes for what some consider to be 'high' mileage (like 20K+ miles).

 

I (respectfully) disagree with the above posters comments, but you should factor his opinion because he probably is in the majority. I.e., he, or anyone who shares his opinion, wouldn't touch a modded bike with a ten foot pole.

In my case, I feel the stock Harley is woefully inadequate in the power department for even normal use such as passing and maintaining Interstate speed limits out west at altitude. We were struggling up grades and being passed by minivans just west of Vegas last summer. No touring bike should be that underpowered imo. Because of that, I had the dealership I bought the bike from do a 107 upgrade with associated modifications. I believe that a well documented build by a reputable shop such as FM or a good Moco shop will at least not hurt resale. If I were the buyer, I would consider a reasonably modified bike over a stock one because I recognize the value of $3500 in improvements that I wold have to do anyway. Under the right circumstances, I might even pay a bit more. Obviously I'm not taking about an over the top 150 HP wheelie machine here.

Bottom line - mods are usually money spent that wil not to be returned. Do it because you want it.

 

i have a friend that used to work as a saleman at my local moco dealership. i asked him about adding on all the chrome assy and if i would get anything out of it if i traded it in, and he told me that they would give .50cents on the dollar for the cost of the part, didnt matter if you paid to have it put on. he also told me that if i went to a 103, or 107 upgrade that they would deduct from the book value. no matter who put the parts on (HD service dept, or me).