I'm a Harley owner!

speeder · 09-12-2025, 12:14 PM

After 50 years of having a MC endorsement on my DL this year and owning countless bikes, I finally have a Harley-Davidson. Like most vehicle acquisitions in my life these days, it was unplanned. I'm like a magnet for machinery that people don't want anymore...I swear I don't advertise or even bring it up in conversation.

I've always liked certain Harley-Davidson motorcycles but of course they are expensive and I guess I never wanted one badly enough to shell out the dough. A friend of one of my shop mates was by the shop a few weeks ago and mentioned that he was moving out of the country and did I know anyone interested in a Porsche Macan or a Harley? I answered, "no" before he could even finish the sentence. I have too much stuff and need to thin the herd.

Then of course I had to ask about the Harley. Which model? "2012 Wide Glide." That is not on the top of my list but it's also not completely off the list, it is a Dyna, which I like, with wide front forks and a skinny front wheel, sort of their factory chopper-lite. Other than the rake of the stem and the forks, it's a Super Glide with forward controls.

Anyhow...when he told me how much he wanted for it, I asked a couple of questions and told him I'd take it. It was truly a *leaving town and don't want to deal with it* price, basically what it would be worth with a blown engine or transmission. He told me that it would need a battery because it's been sitting a while.

To make a long story long, I picked up a battery for it and after some drama with the security system, (the fob just needed a battery), it's running and at my shop. Definitely needs to be serviced and needs tires before I'll ride it but it's in decent condition. Needed a serious cleaning and detail but totally worth it under the circumstances.

I've already ordered tires, (expensive!), and will buy probably stock handlebars today. I don't like the goofy half-ape bars on it now. Can't wait to get it dialed in and ride it!

speeder · 09-12-2025, 12:20 PM

I started deep cleaning it yesterday, took off the air cleaner and steam cleaned the whole bike including getting rid if all the dirt and dust in the cooling fins. This is before:

And after, (light corrosion on chrome seems to be coming off with fine steel wool so far):

speeder · 09-12-2025, 12:26 PM

He even threw in all of this MC stuff, he's just clearing out his place. Filled my large Chevy trunk:

Really nice soft bags, a good cover, extra racks, you name it. There is also a HD branded small cowl/fairing that clamps onto the front tubes, he bought it in Montana on a road trip and it had to cost a pretty penny. HD stuff is pricey at the retail level.

Eric Hahl · Eric Hahl's Garage

I'm sorry. Just kidding, I always give the Harley guys I know a hard time.

anrew · 01:29 PM

Congrats on the Harley! That’s a whole lifestyle in itself, and it’s clear how much passion goes into owning one. I bet the first big ride must’ve felt incredible. It’s almost like browsing on shop com, where you start with one thing in mind and end up discovering a dozen more you suddenly want — the excitement just builds.

Steve Carlton · 09-12-2025, 01:29 PM

Cool! Careful with the helmets- they age out like tires.

KFC911 · 01:36 PM

Even anrew approves

!

Paging Higgins...

speeder · 09-12-2025, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Cool! Careful with the helmets- they age out like tires.

I have my own helmet. He just threw in everything related to the bike!

herr_oberst · 09-12-2025, 02:21 PM

The "Harley Chronicles" should be an interesting read.

Those are NOT tasteful modifications.

Thankfully the new owner knows better.

speeder · 09-12-2025, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The "Harley Chronicles" should be an interesting read.

Those are NOT tasteful modifications.

Thankfully the new owner knows better.

Yep, stock handlebars and foot pegs are already on the way. I think that it will be a fun cruiser but the bike I really want is something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/376518774820?_skw=harley+low+rider&itmmeta=01K4S1R6ZV7YTFJ62PS617KEXV&hash=item57aa449024:g:PBIAAeSwi71ojQFl&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1d7%2FoP suaTtRSulWmjApaksmcIffAkWRecjVcdVCu723uNJeVV1w5cuF QyqHt5o3eAeuACxjlgVKxQ2MkejQJIdj2FIZe49I2yaDBYGzON 8abj4%2F3z0kNNXRkl%2FAjFADAc%2Fext39Q%2F3X6C%2BT3o LUaoyyMCiUmpdl11LwQRSuAJfm0YqyMP133l80RygPHDoEMvu3 P7sZra3%2F7TDYcS9W5nbqvw1zUL2s2F4L6eOr6rKY0zrct%2B m%2By0NmJrYm8Njx4I%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7Lw4KGmZg

Or if I was willing to step up a little on the price, this would be the ultimate:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/146814992086?_skw=harley+low+rider&itmmeta=01K4S1R6ZV38E5JTZEZFAAPST4&hash=item222edafed6:g:d~MAAeSwXNFoufNz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dX0s0yd oP0w7OGnEdyP2oSQYGoLds7KH%2BSCC7r%2FmvYCY035qK%2Fd lckQqpHPuWt4%2BPCj4qTfZzjPq3HYWm%2Bp%2F1P2LcwJUuLR p7DiENF%2BnWmB6ngQwKdOTzStQSJJfq89GLhw1kDBljCZRiTQ OjQ%2BDsjxB1%2BbDkHBKEDxDap6zSQeuFAhW2C3DEiURQDW5S yAr7oPI4PBRGPFGSHjpErm68f9xYWS78ka0l6vJ3juFCcZr2Qu jTG%2BBrxN39LNLlnr3o%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7Lw4KGmZg

speeder · 09-12-2025, 02:34 PM

First bike was this 2016 Low Rider:

Second one was this 2023 Low Rider ST:

VINMAN · 09-12-2025, 02:35 PM

Welcome to the dark side!!

.

Steve Carlton · 09-12-2025, 02:41 PM

What sort of tats you gonna get?

speeder · 09-12-2025, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

What sort of tats you gonna get?

The usual two "M"s on each ass cheek so that it says, "Mom" or "WoW" if I stand on my head. That and the standard "Born to be wild," but misspelled.

I'll try to stop after that.

speeder · 09-12-2025, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Welcome to the dark side!!

.

Thanks, Vinny! There are a few of us here.

Steve Carlton · 09-12-2025, 02:51 PM

We had a fraternity song called "The Wild West Show." The tattooed lady had the Ms like that and when she did cartwheels it said "wow, mom, wow."

speeder · 09-12-2025, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

We had a fraternity song called "The Wild West Show." The tattooed lady had the Ms like that and when she did cartwheels it said "wow, mom, wow."

Yeah, that's what I said.

Jeff Higgins · 09-12-2025, 03:11 PM

I knew you couldn't pass this one up, just too good of a deal. And sure, not your first choice, but a decent enough intro to get your feet wet with and learn your way around these things. Ride it for awhile, send it on its way to someone who really likes this kind of bike, make a little money on it, and get something like that Road Glide you mentioned. You are way too much of a rider to live with the compromises in ergonomics and handling imposed by this "chopper" platform, but it will be a great way to learn your way around these things mechanically. Have fun!

Steve Carlton · 09-12-2025, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

Yeah, that's what I said.

Did you have the Bengal tiger?

speeder · 09-12-2025, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I knew you couldn't pass this one up, just too good of a deal. And sure, not your first choice, but a decent enough intro to get your feet wet with and learn your way around these things. Ride it for awhile, send it on its way to someone who really likes this kind of bike, make a little money on it, and get something like that Road Glide you mentioned. You are way too much of a rider to live with the compromises in ergonomics and handling imposed by this "chopper" platform, but it will be a great way to learn your way around these things mechanically. Have fun!

Thanks, Jeff! And thanks for all of the help and advice off-line as well. I even told the seller that I was planning on cleaning it up, doing all of the maintenance and then probably flipping it to buy the HD I really want. He understood/didn't care.