Noob
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul, MN
Noob
Live and learn...
Purchased a 2006 FLHTCUI repo for several thousand less than other bikes on the market on July 9th. It had some minor road rash, but some of us that have ridden for awhile have gone down or dropped a bike. No big deal, most cosmetic issues can be repaired.
Noticing the details when purchasing a used Harley can be elusive with the-more-I-drink-the-better-she-looks effect that purchasing one's first Harley elicits. What I noticed after the girl was in the garage and associated resolution...
Right saddlebag lock did not match any of the other locks. Ordered new lock from dealer, which only come as a pair (with 2 keys), $55. Easy install.
Saddlebag and fairing lowers on right side had been replaced and repainted.
Single ignition key. Dealer cut new key for $6. With the two that come with the lock pair, I now have 4 keys.
Exhaust heat shields were dented on the right side, plus straight flow-through mufflers were installed the on bike. Picked up set of 2008 headers, heat shields, and mufflers on ebay for $122.50. Swapped out heat shields, and installed stock mufflers for a quieter ride. Now my wife can hear the radio.
Saddle bag guards were removed and replaced with chrome saddle bag supports. Picked up used guards on ebay for $150. Will sell chrome saddle bag supports later.
Passing lamp trim rings were dented. Picked up new take-off on ebay as a lot sale, maybe a dollar each.
Volume select and channel select ***** missing from controls. Purchased replacements for $8 each from dealer. Found out later that I Could have purchased a whole chrome set for $25, but the service counter didn't suggest that option at the time.
Then the tourpack latch fell off on way home from work. Latch broken and spacer lost. Purchased new spacer for $6.50, and new latch for $10. Screwed spacer to tourpack.
Missing fairing wind deflectors and had a 3 1/2" dark smoke windshield. Purchased new 8" windshield (I like to look over my shields) on ebay for $35, and new wind deflectors for $17. Required the purchase of 6 finger screws to attach wind deflectors for $1 each from dealer. Hardware store had nothing even close to those proprietary finger screws.
Then I encountered a short in the left front turn signal. Broke bulb in process of checking it. Removed signal housing to find that wires were shorting on the housing. Rubber grommet broke when rewiring. Only later realized that previous owner had replaced the front turn signals with older rear lights, bypassing the ground. Dealer only sells complete signal unit for $50 each. Purchased 4 new take-offs on ebay for $35 (after spending $30 on electrical parts at O'Reily, which did not work). Replaced both signals with smoke lenses and yellow bulbs after removing the bat wing and completely replacing the hack electrical job. Then, the fender tip and running lights didn't work. Deduced a failed fuse, replaced, and now everything works perfectly.
While futzing with the aux plug on the radio (and all of the testing and retesting with the signals and running lights), the radio suddenly turns it's self off. After several attempts to turn it back on I notice that the headlight is dim. The light bulb goes off and I plug the battery up to the Battery Tender and retest the radio, it comes right back up. By the next evening the battery is again fully charged. Checked out the cost of new batteries in the meantime...ouch.
Ordered 2 1/2 0z. bottles of touch-up paint for $22 from dealer (base and pearl topcoat) for a few very minor wear marks.
Crash bars had road rash on right side. Purchased new crash bar on ebay for $102.50. Tight fit requiring use of auto jack to squeeze the stubborn thing into place. Looks great now with a perfect fit of the lowers.
Tried the aux plug with my ipod (see above). No output at all. Is it the aux plug or the ipod cable? The cable works in my wife's car. A new project for this week I guess.
Will bring bike in for 20,000 mi. service on Aug. 6th. I sure hope that I don't get any more bad news.
Regardless of the ongoing Harley saga, we have ridden it over a thousand miles, and I still have that sheeet-face grin while I'm riding (204 miles today with my wife as co-pilot, and averaged 49.22 mpg!).
Also, a special thanks to the person who posted the bat wing removal tutorial, I am now an "expert" at this task.
Purchased a 2006 FLHTCUI repo for several thousand less than other bikes on the market on July 9th. It had some minor road rash, but some of us that have ridden for awhile have gone down or dropped a bike. No big deal, most cosmetic issues can be repaired.
Noticing the details when purchasing a used Harley can be elusive with the-more-I-drink-the-better-she-looks effect that purchasing one's first Harley elicits. What I noticed after the girl was in the garage and associated resolution...
Right saddlebag lock did not match any of the other locks. Ordered new lock from dealer, which only come as a pair (with 2 keys), $55. Easy install.
Saddlebag and fairing lowers on right side had been replaced and repainted.
Single ignition key. Dealer cut new key for $6. With the two that come with the lock pair, I now have 4 keys.
Exhaust heat shields were dented on the right side, plus straight flow-through mufflers were installed the on bike. Picked up set of 2008 headers, heat shields, and mufflers on ebay for $122.50. Swapped out heat shields, and installed stock mufflers for a quieter ride. Now my wife can hear the radio.
Saddle bag guards were removed and replaced with chrome saddle bag supports. Picked up used guards on ebay for $150. Will sell chrome saddle bag supports later.
Passing lamp trim rings were dented. Picked up new take-off on ebay as a lot sale, maybe a dollar each.
Volume select and channel select ***** missing from controls. Purchased replacements for $8 each from dealer. Found out later that I Could have purchased a whole chrome set for $25, but the service counter didn't suggest that option at the time.
Then the tourpack latch fell off on way home from work. Latch broken and spacer lost. Purchased new spacer for $6.50, and new latch for $10. Screwed spacer to tourpack.
Missing fairing wind deflectors and had a 3 1/2" dark smoke windshield. Purchased new 8" windshield (I like to look over my shields) on ebay for $35, and new wind deflectors for $17. Required the purchase of 6 finger screws to attach wind deflectors for $1 each from dealer. Hardware store had nothing even close to those proprietary finger screws.
Then I encountered a short in the left front turn signal. Broke bulb in process of checking it. Removed signal housing to find that wires were shorting on the housing. Rubber grommet broke when rewiring. Only later realized that previous owner had replaced the front turn signals with older rear lights, bypassing the ground. Dealer only sells complete signal unit for $50 each. Purchased 4 new take-offs on ebay for $35 (after spending $30 on electrical parts at O'Reily, which did not work). Replaced both signals with smoke lenses and yellow bulbs after removing the bat wing and completely replacing the hack electrical job. Then, the fender tip and running lights didn't work. Deduced a failed fuse, replaced, and now everything works perfectly.
While futzing with the aux plug on the radio (and all of the testing and retesting with the signals and running lights), the radio suddenly turns it's self off. After several attempts to turn it back on I notice that the headlight is dim. The light bulb goes off and I plug the battery up to the Battery Tender and retest the radio, it comes right back up. By the next evening the battery is again fully charged. Checked out the cost of new batteries in the meantime...ouch.
Ordered 2 1/2 0z. bottles of touch-up paint for $22 from dealer (base and pearl topcoat) for a few very minor wear marks.
Crash bars had road rash on right side. Purchased new crash bar on ebay for $102.50. Tight fit requiring use of auto jack to squeeze the stubborn thing into place. Looks great now with a perfect fit of the lowers.
Tried the aux plug with my ipod (see above). No output at all. Is it the aux plug or the ipod cable? The cable works in my wife's car. A new project for this week I guess.
Will bring bike in for 20,000 mi. service on Aug. 6th. I sure hope that I don't get any more bad news.
Regardless of the ongoing Harley saga, we have ridden it over a thousand miles, and I still have that sheeet-face grin while I'm riding (204 miles today with my wife as co-pilot, and averaged 49.22 mpg!).
Also, a special thanks to the person who posted the bat wing removal tutorial, I am now an "expert" at this task.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 880
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From: Melfa, VA
Welcome from the Eastern Shore of VA
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Cary, NC
Welcome from Cary, NC.
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