Fix her or Trade her?
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
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From:
Fix her or Trade her?
I made the mistake of buying a used 2007 Ultra (after the regret of selling my 08 Ultra). She had 37k miles on her (now has just over 40k), and I thought I got a good deal about 4 months ago.
I just finished my first long road trip on her (2500 miles in 5 days), and she started running like crap half way through the trip. I managed to limp her home and began to assess the damage after figuring out why she had so many problems and ran so hot. She obviously overheated going up pikes peak, and now her top speed is about 70mph... clanking and pinging, and a check engine light comes on at about 2700RPM and above.
It turns out that the previous owner had a leak in the oil cooler, so he just bypassed it. I should have realized this earlier, but hindsight is 20/20. She now appears to have some pretty bad damage from it and needs a few other things on top of that:
1. I'm hoping that a big bore kit would fix most of my problems, as it replaces most of the parts the heat would have jacked up?
2. New oil cooler
3. new tires (bald after my trip)
4. New brakes (bald after my trip)
5. New clutch (******* had it adjusted wrong and it's pretty burned up)
6. New wiring harness for left side handlebar swithes (he installed it pinched and ruined most of the wiring).
I owe about $12,500 on her now, and am considering a 2013 Ultra at about $19,600.
I believe that just trading it in would be a better idea than fixing her. Fortunately, I havent had her long enough for her to become a part of the family as my last one did.
Any suggestions? What damage could that overheating have done that I haven't considered?
I just finished my first long road trip on her (2500 miles in 5 days), and she started running like crap half way through the trip. I managed to limp her home and began to assess the damage after figuring out why she had so many problems and ran so hot. She obviously overheated going up pikes peak, and now her top speed is about 70mph... clanking and pinging, and a check engine light comes on at about 2700RPM and above.
It turns out that the previous owner had a leak in the oil cooler, so he just bypassed it. I should have realized this earlier, but hindsight is 20/20. She now appears to have some pretty bad damage from it and needs a few other things on top of that:
1. I'm hoping that a big bore kit would fix most of my problems, as it replaces most of the parts the heat would have jacked up?
2. New oil cooler
3. new tires (bald after my trip)
4. New brakes (bald after my trip)
5. New clutch (******* had it adjusted wrong and it's pretty burned up)
6. New wiring harness for left side handlebar swithes (he installed it pinched and ruined most of the wiring).
I owe about $12,500 on her now, and am considering a 2013 Ultra at about $19,600.
I believe that just trading it in would be a better idea than fixing her. Fortunately, I havent had her long enough for her to become a part of the family as my last one did.
Any suggestions? What damage could that overheating have done that I haven't considered?
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
So, you're talking about dumping three grand give or take on a bike that the PO has obviously messed with. The issue that I see is that you don't know what else he's f^cked up. This $3000 could be just the start of a long and frustrating relationship.
I think if it were me, and I could afford it, I'd go for the new bike. You'll also be getting bigger longer lasting tires, a 103" engine and of course the new chassis.
I think if it were me, and I could afford it, I'd go for the new bike. You'll also be getting bigger longer lasting tires, a 103" engine and of course the new chassis.
So, you're talking about dumping three grand give or take on a bike that the PO has obviously messed with. The issue that I see is that you don't know what else he's f^cked up. This $3000 could be just the start of a long and frustrating relationship.
I think if it were me, and I could afford it, I'd go for the new bike. You'll also be getting bigger longer lasting tires, a 103" engine and of course the new chassis.
I think if it were me, and I could afford it, I'd go for the new bike. You'll also be getting bigger longer lasting tires, a 103" engine and of course the new chassis.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
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From:
I would be trading it. I would never feel right selling it to someone with all the problems it has without telling them, and no one in their right mind would buy her knowing all the problems she has.
I have a really good dealer up in Paris, Texas that'll fix her right and put her on the sales floor rather than passing on a bad bike like the last stealer did.
I have a really good dealer up in Paris, Texas that'll fix her right and put her on the sales floor rather than passing on a bad bike like the last stealer did.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
i think there may be other problems with your bike as well. the 2007 did not come with an oil cooler so that was an add on. if the po bypassed it, it should be just like it came stock and shouldn't have been a problem.
its gonna suck to lose money on a trade, but then again, how much more are you gonna have to spend on the 07 after you fix this problem?
its gonna suck to lose money on a trade, but then again, how much more are you gonna have to spend on the 07 after you fix this problem?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 17
From: Orange, VA,
First thing I do with any used bike is have it checked out before I buy, your upside down on it now, just hope they will work a deal and roll it into the new deal, see if there are any 2012 left overs you could get a deal on to save some $, my dealer had a real nice 2012 demo with 600 miles he was trying to get rid of for a great deal.