Purchasing first Harley Davidson
Thread Starter
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Stage I
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Purchasing first Harley Davidson
Hello all, I am about to purchase my first Harley, I am looking at a one owner, lady ridden 2003 Road King Classic 100th Year Black and Silver with 42,000 miles. It has been dealer maintained and appears loved. Does anyone have a word of advice or thoughts on this. I am aware of the cam tensioner issue that can occur between 30,000 and 40,000 miles and I'm trying to learn whether or not this has been addressed. Beyond that, any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
welcome to the forums.
my only comment would be DO NOT allow extra value for the "anniversary model".
Harley produced 420,000 anniversary bikes- more than any other model year---they extended the model year to 15 months to take advantage of all the buyers that the marketing dept. got all excited.
( ...2003--- funny how the original H-D celebrated 1954 as the 50th, churning out almost 10,000 units)
find a fair value using kbb.com. look at the trade in and retail values. private party is usually a little more than 1/2 way between those figures
if dealer maintained they should have complete records ( if the owner doesn't)- ask to see them...especially if the dealer would like to continue working on this machine.
google search the VIN, see if it comes up a flood, salvage, wreck or stolen bike... you never know.
Do not trust the sellers words, substantiate with paperwork. look at the title ensure that it was issued to the seller in 2003.
So often i see machines for sale "1 owner" meaning the subsequent owners didn't title it...
the black and silver is pretty though.
Mike
my only comment would be DO NOT allow extra value for the "anniversary model".
Harley produced 420,000 anniversary bikes- more than any other model year---they extended the model year to 15 months to take advantage of all the buyers that the marketing dept. got all excited.
( ...2003--- funny how the original H-D celebrated 1954 as the 50th, churning out almost 10,000 units)
find a fair value using kbb.com. look at the trade in and retail values. private party is usually a little more than 1/2 way between those figures
if dealer maintained they should have complete records ( if the owner doesn't)- ask to see them...especially if the dealer would like to continue working on this machine.
google search the VIN, see if it comes up a flood, salvage, wreck or stolen bike... you never know.
Do not trust the sellers words, substantiate with paperwork. look at the title ensure that it was issued to the seller in 2003.
So often i see machines for sale "1 owner" meaning the subsequent owners didn't title it...
the black and silver is pretty though.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 9, 2013 at 12:37 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 20
From: Florida / Colorado
How familiar are you with MCs? If you are the kind of person who does their own work, then you are qualified to assess the condition. If you pay to have things done, you may want to take it into a shop and have a pre-purchase inspection done.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
While the cam chain tensioner has been a weak point for some, if the bike has been taken care of (maintained) per MoCo, and not ridden ***** to the wall, it's something to check but not something to worry about. At oil change time, cut the filter open and look for orange plastic shavings...if you see them, further inspection is needed.
Other than that, nice bikes, ride it and enjoy it!
Other than that, nice bikes, ride it and enjoy it!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
I bought an 04 RK with just shy of 50k on it last winter. Couldn't be happier.
Just did the cam tensioner changeout, finished it today in fact. Inner was worn half way through, outer just a touch. Replaced them with the cyco kit from ebay. The old ones could have lasted several more years actually.
One day job to inspect the tensioners, though inspecting the inner tensioner is a lot more guesswork, using a tiny mirror and an angled view.
Just did the cam tensioner changeout, finished it today in fact. Inner was worn half way through, outer just a touch. Replaced them with the cyco kit from ebay. The old ones could have lasted several more years actually.
One day job to inspect the tensioners, though inspecting the inner tensioner is a lot more guesswork, using a tiny mirror and an angled view.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 532
Likes: 21
From: Louisville, KY
Congrats on the bike and welcome. Like someone has suggested, I would find an Indy and let them take a look at it. Would be worth a few dollars, to have it inspected. Hope it all works out and let us know, send pic's.
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