I'm finally buying myself a harley after years of talking about it, likely a late model (07 and up) softail. Any tips or traps to look for? I'm a mechanic, I've owned dirt bikes my whole life but never had a harley.

Hi Dave, my tip is to buy mine which is for sale. Come down to Canberra and I'll do you a good deal!

In all seriousness, they are good bikes if maintained properly and there are lots with good/sensible modifications that have barely been ridden.

Lots of information on here. Good luck...

Welcome ddave81, I am fairly new to HD as well, my story is similar to yours.  Everyone on here is helpful I have learnt heaps in the short time Ive been on here.

I agree with fatbat though, get yourslef to Canberra and buy his, its a great looking bike.  Check it out.  

bit far mate, I'm just out of perth. unless free freight is an option...

Ha ha surely it is ??

i had a look at it in the for sales, bit flash for me!

Hey ,, Fatbat ,,, Why dont you get out of cold Canberra for a week or so ,, ride over to Perth , and show this guy your bike !!! Nice long trip, no harm done if you dont sell it ,,, if you do , cheap airfare back east ,, Whatever happens , you'll get back to Canberra with a tan !!!!

mate the weather here won't be much better, good excuse for a ride though

Tips I would recommend as I too have just bought my first Harley and this is what I found, and your a mechanic so you will look for all this anyway, right ?
1: Just because its 8 years old with 10,000kms on it doesn't mean its a good buy. Even though most guys in Perth want an over inflated price for there low kms bike, have a good look around as there is plenty on the market here now.
2: Check the brake fluid, yeah it might have low kms buts its 8 years old, that will need to be flushed and changed as its probably never been done. Mine clearly states DOT 5 on the lid but had some sort of brown mud in it.
3: Check all fuel hoses as these have probably never been changed.
4: Front fork oil, again good chance its never been changed too.
These are just a few things I have found on mine. Other than those few minor things its a great bike and I love it.
Enjoy.
BJ

cheers mate. i picked up an '07 Night Train this afternoon, it appears to be in pretty good shape, I'm sure I'll find things I'm not happy with once I've had it a few weeks.

If you got it from a dealer, they normally tell you its just been serviced, that's what I was told, but changing the engine oil only is not a service lol I went through and changed everything for my own piece of mind.
BJ

i agree with all that, I'll be doing it very soon. and buying myself a bike lifter.

FatBat - What do you mean you are selling your bike? WTF did I miss??

Yeah, watch out for Second Hand bikes bought from Dealers. I bought an 84 EVO from a Dealer on the Gold Coast. Advertised as New Build and immaculate condition.
Cost me 5K to fix.

Deleted - too late as he bought the Night Train!