Taking a break from Guzzi - Bought slightly used Harley

[HDGoose]

So many used Harleys out there with less than 30,000 miles. Found a 2002 ElectraGlide Ultra Classic with under 24k. Slightly more than a few used Guzzi's of he same year or newer, but I know that parts are available for the Harley. I will have another Guzzi later on, but it will be an Ambo/Edo and maybe a Mille.  Only space and time for one bike.

[RayB]

Won't depreciate as much as Guzzi either

[Arizona Wayne]

You've had HDs before, haven't you, so are familiar with them.  This 1  probably fits your body better too? 

[leafman60]

Hot dang! Here we go!!! 

[atavar]

Won't depreciate as much as Guzzi either

I don't know if this is true any more.  Gone are the days when an HD was an investment.  They depreciate just like used cars any more, if not faster. 

[twowings]

Obi Wan: I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

C3PO: We're doomed.

[Kev m]

Goose, you probably know this, but just in case, that's a TC 88, so keep an eye on the timing chain tensioners. That's about the mileage they could be bad if not already replaced or upgraded.

[Triple Jim]

I don't know if this is true any more.  Gone are the days when an HD was an investment.  They depreciate just like used cars any more, if not faster. 

What you're saying seems true around here.  In the last couple years, a friend has picked up a Super Glide and a Road King at what I consider dirt cheap prices.  I think the early Evolution era Super Glide was something like $2,500, and is in excellent condition in all respects.  Not sure about the Raod King price, but it was very low too.

[Kev m]

What you're saying seems true around here.  In the last couple years, a friend has picked up a Super Glide and a Road King at what I consider dirt cheap prices.  I think the early Evolution era Super Glide was something like $2,500, and is in excellent condition in all respects.  Not sure about the Raod King price, but it was very low too.

They definitely depreciate now, but not like rocks.

I mean EARLY EVO means late 80's.  Should be pretty cheap by now.

Anyway I started noticing more normal depreciation levels by the mid 00's once the waiting lists were gone and production hit highs in the mid 300k range.

Our current XL was picked up as an 07 leftover still sitting on the floor and discounted thousands.

[HDGoose]

Goose, you probably know this, but just in case, that's a TC 88, so keep an eye on the timing chain tensioners. That's about the mileage they could be bad if not already replaced or upgraded.

First maintenance issue to address.

[Tom]

It's a better fit for you.  I see a California 1400 Touring in your future.

[HDGoose]

You've had HDs before, haven't you, so are familiar with them.  This 1  probably fits your body better too? 

My second Ultra Classic. Cam update. New suspension and enhance brakes and I'm good for this bike.

[HardAspie]

So many used Harleys out there with less than 30,000 miles. Found a 2002 ElectraGlide Ultra Classic with under 24k. Slightly more than a few used Guzzi's of he same year or newer, but I know that parts are available for the Harley. I will have another Guzzi later on, but it will be an Ambo/Edo and maybe a Mille.  Only space and time for one bike.

Well congratulations from one not-a-Guzzi- owner to another. Great board here with nice people to know. Don't go away!

[kingoffleece]

I replaced them on a 2003 RK at 28000 miles.  They needed it!

[Tom]

Well congratulations from one not-a-Guzzi- owner to another. Great board here with nice people to know. Don't go away!

Goose won't leave.  He's been here for awhile.  Most of the Guzzi owners here are also non-Guzzi owners.

[HDGoose]

And...I used to show up to Harley events on my Guzzi. And at Guzzi rallies on my Harley.

Now to sell my Guzzi.

[Tom]

Saw the posting.  Good luck.  I'd do the same thing plus wearing a tee.

[Kev m]

And...I used to show up to Harley events on my Guzzi. And at Guzzi rallies on my Harley.

WHY I NEVER...



... UH never mind....

[Tom]

The riders in the "only HD" crowd have accepting an older Buell too.

[dave1068]

Dont feel bad, Im thinking about selling my Guzzi and I often find myself searching for the HD XR1200....

[HDGoose]

Dont feel bad, Im thinking about selling my Guzzi and I often find myself searching for the HD XR1200....

If I wasn't 6'7"...

[flip]

Congratulations on your new ride.

[leroysch]

I replaced them on a 2003 RK at 28000 miles.  They needed it!

Replace mine on the 2006 SG at 67000. Worn for sure, but still functional.

[Triple Jim]

If I wasn't 6'7"...

    Fold yourself up and go for it.   I'm only 6'2", but I very much enjoy riding my Ninja 250 even though I'm pretty well squatted on it.  It makes it easier to drag a knee.   

[eldoroddo]

   Fold yourself up and go for it.   I'm only 6'2", but I very much enjoy riding my Ninja 250 even though I'm pretty well squatted on it.  It makes it easier to drag a knee.   

I'm 6'1" and that lovely little KTM RC390 is just a tad to cramped for me 

[HardAspie]

I am down about half an inch from my youth's 5' 12" and am riding my little Wolf just fine. Don't know how exactly, but just fine. 

[Kev m]

Replace mine on the 2006 SG at 67000. Worn for sure, but still functional.

That's the weird thing, I've seen em go in the 20k range and I've seen em still in service at 50k.

But if they grenade and you haven't caught em... BAAAAAAAD...

[Zoom Zoom]

Saw the posting.  Good luck.  I'd do the same thing plus wearing a tee.

Not to mention riding up on the sidewalk in front of the HD dealership door on an old Honda.......and posing for a picture!

Congrats BTW Gary!

John Henry

[jumpmaster]

Goose, you probably know this, but just in case, that's a TC 88, so keep an eye on the timing chain tensioners. That's about the mileage they could be bad if not already replaced or upgraded.

Forgot to mention - Harley did upgrade them in motors built after 2003, but I don't remember whether it started in 2004, 2005 or later....  To quote an American Hero, "Do you feel lucky?"

 :1:

I had a 2003 Electraglide Classic that was about ready for a tensioner replacement at 30K miles, & the mechanic, a personal friend, had just had a bike in with a destroyed one at about the same mileage.  He recommended inspection/replacement at 20K intervals.  Not getting it done before the tensioner disintegrates can get ugly inside the engine.  Harley & aftermarket upgraded tensioners with longer lifespans are available, but it is still a periodic replacement part.  I had my friend install a timing gear conversion to eliminate the issue permanently, but it did add a little gear whine to the various noises the engine already made.  Louder pipes solved that issue for awhle, but I went back to stock mufflers when I started doing ironbutt rides - the loud pipes were worse than the gear whine.

[Kev m]

Forgot to mention - Harley did upgrade them in motors built after 2003, but I don't remember whether it started in 2004, 2005 or later....  To quote an American Hero, "Do you feel lucky?"

 :1:

I had a 2003 Electraglide Classic that was about ready for a tensioner replacement at 30K miles, & the mechanic, a personal friend, had just had a bike in with a destroyed one at about the same mileage.  He recommended inspection/replacement at 20K intervals.  Not getting it done before the tensioner disintegrates can get ugly inside the engine.  Harley & aftermarket upgraded tensioners with longer lifespans are available, but it is still a periodic replacement part.  I had my friend install a timing gear conversion to eliminate the issue permanently, but it did add a little gear whine to the various noises the engine already made.  Louder pipes solved that issue for awhle, but I went back to stock mufflers when I started doing ironbutt rides - the loud pipes were worse than the gear whine.

I don't know if they upgraded the spring loaded tensioners at some point.

But to be clear ALL TC88 motors EXCEPT the one year (2006) found only in the Dyna chassis that year have the same basic design spring loaded cam chain tensioners and could (or eventually WILL) grenade and so must be watched/replaced or upgraded to the later design.

Starting with that one year only TC88 in the Dyna, and then all subsequent TC96 motors (which debuted in 2007) the spring loaded tensioners were replaced with hydraulic pressure controlled tensioners and a redesigned oil pump and (I think the camshafts and timing chain were changed with the design, perhaps not the profiles but only the drive and timing mechanisms at that time).

This later design is not fool proof and still requires periodic inspection, but reports are that it is much less likely to frag at such low miles as the others have. I believe I have heard reports of them still looking good at 100k miles (but not first hand).

Owners of TC88 motors with spring loaded tensioners generally have 2 options:

1. Factory or aftermarket upgrade which means replacing the oil pump, tensioners, timing chain, camshafts, pushrods etc. Generally speaking you cut out the old pushrods and replace them with adjustable rods so you don't have to actually remove the tank and cylinder head rocker boxes.

or

2. Aftermarket gear drive camshafts.

But unless you have that one year only Dyna, if you have a TC88 and the original factory camshafts/timing chain set-up then YES inspection every 20k or so is a good idea (I might be tempted to go every 10k as it's an easy check, one relatively easy/small cover). Or better yet, budget for one of the two upgrades and move that inspection out longer.