My First Harley - Need Advice

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  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    Hi Guys!

    Looking to purchase my first harley. The bike im looking at is a 1992 Harley Davidson Lowrider. The bike looks to be in great condition only dont 20,000 km. The seller is really genuine throwing in all original parts, gear and full harley davidson manuals. My only concern is that it is an aging bike. Its coming up to 20 years old. The bike is in great condition and starts straight up and sounds great but is it likley to give me mechanical problems if it has been serviced well? Is it possible these are genuine kilometers on such an old bike?

     

    Some help would be appreciated guys :)

     

    Thanks

  • houli
    houli
    14 years ago

    Have someone who knows Harleys have a look, depends on where you live someone here might chime in, a lot of knowledge and experience right here, just ask, might cost you a feed or a box of beer. 20 year old evo won`t give you much grief, bullet proof motor and gearbox, how much and post some pics.

    p.s check the belt and make sure it has more teeth than the Collingwood cheer squad

  • houli
    houli
    14 years ago

    Fxr best handling harley ever made, looks like you got an honest bike for a fair price, 1st thing to do read the manual, and if you have probs read it again, enjoy.

  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    I can take it to the guy which the guy i am buying it off takes it to. Close by to my house as well which is good. I dont think i would take it to a dealer, have heard bad reports about them especially peter stevens.  Is the really the only problem with it trying to find people to service it?

    Thanks for the feedback houli! Am looking forward to picking it up!

  • jacks
    jacks
    14 years ago

    I wouldn't worry about the stealers m8, do your own servicing and keep your eye on e-bay for parts, get hold of a service manual and have heaps of fun with fixing things...it's a buzz and gives you heaps of satisfaction...I'm envious

  • smeemn
    smeemn
    14 years ago
    Sounds expensive mate. What the owner thinks its worth is more than market value.He wouldn't even get that for a trade in. $8000 and I'd be thinking maybe. The evo motors are good but sitting around for that long the seals tend to dry out and leak.
    If you have that much to spend go for a twin cam.
    And welcome mate. shop around
  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    thanks for the heads up guys might have to keep looking around then. Ill jump on the net now and see what else i can find! Cheers!

  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    by the way isnt the motor in the 92 low riders a twin cam? Sorry if im slow but im new to the harley world and still got alot to learn.....i thought every harley motor was a twin cam other than sportsters?? Im sure im wrong tho lol

  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago
    Guys just so its somthing to compare to does this look like a better purchase? Only done about 12000 more kilometers but is 11 years newer. It is a peter stevens bike. Thanks guys!

    http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?R=9838427&__Qpb=true&Cr=12&__Ns=p_IsPoa_Int32|0||p_RankSort_Int32|1||p_HasPhotos_Int32|1||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0||p_YearMade_Int32|1||p_PriceSort_Decimal|1||p_PhotoCount_Int32|1&keywords=&__No=30&__N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967260%201553%20689%2082&silo=1400&PriceTo=689&seot=1&PriceFrom=1553&__Nne=15&trecs=53&__sid=126AD09879F6
  • gringo
    gringo
    14 years ago
    hi mate i had a 92 lowrider convertable for 6 years and loved it! awesome bike just beat him down a few grand. shits me to tears the bullshit unrealistic prices people put on second hand hd's. he wouldnt have paid 20k when the thing was new.
  • gringo
    gringo
    14 years ago
    ooops 15 k? thought it was 20. buy it!!!!!!! change the bars and seat and indicaters and put full ness side covers on and lower the suspension and you will have one sick sled. do it.

    DO IT!

    GRINGO
  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    Kiwi Dave- Thanks for that write up mate! Was very informative and helped me out alot! I do prefer the look and the feel of the 92. I love the old school look. Also i didnt mention i am looking to finance the bike. I know there is only $3000 difference between the two but add interest onto that and it actually comes out even more expensive again.

    Im not bad with a spanner. I dont mind doing minor things e.g. oil changes myself but major things i think i would rather leave to someone who knows what their doing. Then again the guy is giving me the full service book so might have a crack at some things i feel comfortable with. I realise it is a bit overpriced but like you said for a bike of that year and that condition i dont think im getting a bad deal.

     

    Cheers Mate!

  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the feedback! Much appreciated. Will be organising finance today and hopefully be riding by the weekend!

     

    Cheers

  • houli
    houli
    14 years ago

    Put your hands over the exhaust and check the compression? all you`ll get is dirty hands, 20yo bike is old? HarleyAngel who u been talking to, sorry to appear to be a smart ass, but that bike 4 $15k seems a deal 2 me. i paid$10k 4 my shovel 20 yrs ago, pull on the forks/ pull my finger lol . you will never get a bargain buying a harley, if you want a bargain buy a jap bike fast reliable handle well etc. 

  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    Thanks for the tips Angel. Im financing the bike and need to go see the bike with the finance guy on the weekend so he can check the bike before i get approval. Will be sure to check those things you mentioned before i sign any papers. Cheers

    Regarding the km's being wound back i guess i will never know. The guy has done all the servicing himself bar two services so i really dont have any service records to compare it too. He is a very genuine guy wasn't pushy at all to sell the bike infact reccommended me to go have a look at a few different places before committing. Had genuine reasons for selling the bike (purchased a BMW bike which he showed me and rides now with a group of mates). Also with kids said he has had limited time to ride the bike. I will never know if the kms have been wound back but id rather run my risk with a genuine one owner bike where i have met the owner rather than the bike at peter stevens where i have no idea who the previous owner is or anything about its history.

    Thanks again for the advice everyone! Am looking forward to picking up the bike!

  • angry
    angry
    14 years ago
    sems a bit steep in price, ks could be real, there still a few low k evos appearing every now and then. realistic price would 12 to 13 grand.
  • robcig
    robcig
    14 years ago
    http://www.hdforums.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=71&forumid=8&postid=265040&view=topic

    Check this one out to compare,
  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    That is a very nice bike mate! Rate it very highly however is a bit out of my price range. Goes to show tho that it is possible for older bikes to have low km's on them. I guess if its possible for a 2003 dyna to have 1200kms on it then its easily possible for the 92 low rider to have 20,000 kms

  • magpies03
    magpies03
    14 years ago

    Also if the compliance plate isnt actually attatched to the bike is that dodgy? He said when he purchased the bike new the place doesnt attatch compliance plates to the bike and he never got around to doing it. Providing all the details match the details on the engine and the details registered with vic roads is that okay? Are there any other pre purchase checks i should do other than the vic roads pre purchase check to make sure a different engine or somthing like that hasnt been put in there?

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