New to Harleys
New to Harleys
Hi y'all, I'm looking for some advice. I'm gearing up to sell my Triumph and have my eye on a particular '07 Street Glide. I've been crashing motorcycles since 1970, and have crashed pretty much every major brand of bike, but have no experience with Harleys, and I figure it's time. The bike I'm looking at has a stage one kit (which I understand to be bored jugs and maybe different cams, is that right?), and it has 22K miles on it. I dunno how much of the 22K was on the OEM jugs and how much was on the stage one kit, but here's my question...Is 22K a lot of mileage on a twin cam motor? Am I looking at any major engine work at this stage? I understand that each motor is different, and factors like riding style, oil, etc, etc affect the health of an engine, but what I'm looking for is rule of thumb stuff. Secondly, on a bike with this sort of mileage, what should I be looking for when I inspect it? You know, common things that go wrong with this vintage. Thanks in advance for your help here, I appreciate it.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 28
From: Living in open carry state :D
A stage one is just air cleaner, exhasut, and a tuner. Did they actually say it has work done on the motor? I would want to look at the reciepts showing the work done. At 22k there is not a lot of mileage on the bike.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 14
From: Bellevue, NE
New to Harley's
I would want to see the maintenance history. In the absence of any maintenance documentation, I would want the bike inspected by a reliable HD mechanic, with the understanding that the cost of the inspection be taken off the asking price if you pay for it. Yes, 22K is not a lot of miles, assuming the bike was properly maintained. It can be a LOT of miles if it wasn't.
I have a habit of using a screwdriver as a stethoscope when listening to engines where I stick it on the crankcase (or wherever I'm suspicious) and put my ear on the other end (note: the pointy end of the screwdriver goes on the engine end, 
), and listen. Are there any "normal" noises that a TC makes that I should disregard? (Yeah, yeah, I know noises are hard to describe on an internet forum, just do your best!)
), and listen. Are there any "normal" noises that a TC makes that I should disregard? (Yeah, yeah, I know noises are hard to describe on an internet forum, just do your best!)
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
A lot of people are concerned about the noises coming from any new or unfamiliar motorcycle engine. I'm guessing you hear the normal sounds but I could not know that for sure. Many people will describe sounds like "a sewing machine" or something similar. Stage one, as stated above is simply opening up the air flow and usually includes a tuner which is an upgrade to the ecm. If it's a Harley SERT or similar I hope they gave you the device with the bike. The mileage should be of no concern. Welcome and enjoy your new bike. This forum will be very helpful to you.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
At 22K a Twin Cam is just about broken in. Have fun falling off it!
(and welcome to the Forum. You'll never leave!!! Mwahahahahaa)
(and welcome to the Forum. You'll never leave!!! Mwahahahahaa)
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