Does your bike need to be perfect?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
Something like a major scuff, I'd get fixed, but I have a few nicks, scratches and the front legs are slightly sandblasted, that I won't worry about. My bike needs to be clean and mechanically sound, but a few minor blemishes I don't mind.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 4
From: Fort Worth, TX
I would have to say find a shop that can blend the fix and use whatever $ is left to buy gas and tires.
I keep my bike (fairly) clean and in good working order. If I get a scratch or chip it consider it a symbolic of the miles I ride.
I keep my bike (fairly) clean and in good working order. If I get a scratch or chip it consider it a symbolic of the miles I ride.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
A small scratch or something along those lines yes it's character, but what your describing not only should be fixed but I would be looking for blood.....don't park in the parking lot with your bike, put in on the sidewalk close to where the bicyclist put their bicycles.....no one has every said anything to me for doing that (even the police )and it's almost expected with a Harley.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I don't have the wrench to remove the top so I use a brass rod and tap it open/closed with a hammer. Well, the hammer glanced off the brass and hit the tank. It knocked a pea sized chunk of paint off clear to the metal.
It kinda broke may heart a little and I was really pi$$ed at myself for a while. I got some HD touch up paint and dabbled around with it and the color looks OK but but barely noticeable. The problem is I need to use some filler to fill the hole then touch up.
Anyway, it doesn't bother me too much now and I don't make a point of looking at it, EVER.
I brought it to a couple of paint guys and they both said around $500. It will probably stay like it is forever unless something else happens and the tank is badly damaged.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Same thing for me. Got a dent in the front fender of my new 2013 Electraglide Anniversary Edition at bike night from a hit and run cager. The fender alone is $800 plus labor, name badge and a light bar and lens and it hit $1350.00 real quick. I have a $500 deductible. Every time I look at the dent even though the bike is rideable, it makes me sick. It is getting fixed as quick as possible (four week lead time on the fender). Reason being is I will still be looking at the dent for years after I would have forgotten about the $500 bucks. Fix it unless you simply cannot afford it.
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Im with the fix it guys. get a good shop to repair that bag and pocket the rest of the $$.
i did it twice on my dyna, just bought what i needed to ride and delt with the dent in the tank. finally last winter(5 yrs later) i had it repainted.
i did it twice on my dyna, just bought what i needed to ride and delt with the dent in the tank. finally last winter(5 yrs later) i had it repainted.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I can't tell the color of your bike, but if it is black or a solid color, then either have it painted or watch the "for sale" forum for used ones to come up. I bought perfect used saddle bags for about half price on this forum.
Beary
Beary