Need advice on a Harley
 

I never thought I would be interested in a Harley Davidson since I sold my last one in the late 90s. But I was out riding my 1973 Norton Commando and ended up stopping in at the Harley dealer. The bike I sold back in the late 90s was a 1979 Harley Low Rider. And lo and behold they had a 2014 Low Rider sitting on the floor. Has 19,000 miles on it. And looks to be pretty much stock with the exception of the saddlebags. Are there any known issues that I should be on the lookout for? Of course, if I get it, I promise not to start walking around in assless chaps.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1583965688.jpg

I've always loved Dynas, and I'm not a Harley guy.......yet.

2014 is towards the end of the Twin Cam era. As such, Harley had everything pretty well sorted by then, and were producing a pretty rock solid machine with all of the earlier issues corrected. There is really nothing specific to watch out for in these motorcycles.

Jeff, I was hoping you would weigh in on my thread as you’re an old Harley guy!

You say that like there’s something wrong with assless chaps.

Nice looking bike!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.hdf...eme-187233.jpg

Harleys are dirt cheap.

Like buying cruise ship stock.

My pleasure.

I have a 2013 Road King, which replaced my wrecked 2000 Road King. The newer bike bumps displacement to 103 CI vs 88 CI, and adds one more gear to the transmission, up from a five to a six speed. More importantly, and something I wish more manufacturers would consider, is that it is geared so that the motor is in a "sweet spot", rpm-wise, at each of our most common open road speed limits, like 30-35, 40-45, 50-60, and 70 mph. Kind of a subtle thing, but how many of us drive cars and ride bikes that always feel like they are "between gears" at common legal road speeds?

The (now discontinued with the new Milwaukee Eight) Dyna platform shares the engine and transmission with the touring platform (Road King, Electra Glide, etc.). It is the non-counterbalanced, rubber mounted drivetrain, as opposed to the counterbalanced, rigidly mounted drivetrain in the Softail platform. Either is a fine combination, but I've always preferred the simplicity of the non-counterbalanced platform. So, essentially, this bike will have the same basic drivetrain I've been riding for 20 years now, between two different bikes. I have had wonderful reliability with both, with the first going 116,000 miles with only one "known issue" beyond routine maintenance, and the current one just having topped 40,000.

The "known issue" on the 88 inch bike was, of course, the infamous rear cam bearing. It was repaired at Harley's expense at about 50,000 miles with the updated design, and never had issues again. The 103 inch motors finally addressed this one "known issue" once and for all, with no reports of any issues from their owners.

So, yeah, the 2014 represents the typical "end of run" refinement that we see in many cars and bikes. It was a pretty damn good bike by then. Then, of course (as they do), H-D had to "re-set the clock" and come out with the Milwaukee Eight, which has brought with it those typical new model issues. As such, I believe the later year TC 103's represent a better buy on a more finished, refined motorcycle.

Depends on the demographic. If anyone on this BBS starts posting selfies... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/nono.gif

What is the asking price?
Don't bother buying one, you'll never use it.
Too old to collect toys.

Here are some cheaper ones maybe
https://lincoln.craigslist.org/mcy/d/beatrice-2011-harley-davidson-1200c/7076081739.html
https://lincoln.craigslist.org/mcd/d/scottsbluff-2008-harley-davidson-night/7091030764.html

Agree with Jeff. How do you fit on it? At 6-4 I’ve always felt a little big for them.

My ‘06 Electra Glide was the most reliable machine, two or four wheeled I have owned. My ‘18 Road Glide has been flawless but work has been hell lately so I only have 7,000 miles or so on it. That will change this riding season as I’m forcing myself to ride more for mental health reasons.

The terms Commando and Assless Chaps maybe shouldn't be on the same thread...

I rode my neighbors Low Rider years ago. I was deathly afraid that I would drop the thing. He was a well connected biker.

ALL chaps are assless.

What Jeff said, he is correct

At 6'1", I feel just about right on my Road King. I did change handlebars and tried a couple of seats on my 2000 model to get it to "fit", but the only thing I've changed on the 2013 is the seat. I went with the HD "hammock" seat, but that's purely personal preference.

Ditto for my 2000 Road King, save for that rear cam bearing issue. It never needed anything else beyond tires, brake pads, and fluids. 116,000 miles...

What a contrast - I "grew up" on Ironhead Sportsters (still have the third one I bought, in 1980, a 1976 model) and Shovelheads. Top end jobs at somewhere between 20,000-30,000 miles, full rebuilds somewhere around 60,000-70,000, and no shortage of problems in between. Most of it vibration related, with rigid mounted, non-counterbalanced engines, they were their own worst enemies. It seems no matter how good modern Harleys are today, they still can't shake the reputation they built for themselves in those days.

My Norton is definitely a keeper for the long run. Although at my age, that may not be a very long run! As for the Lowrider, it really is built for someone my size. 5’9” and 170 pounds.

Buy it you are either gona be dead or broke soon anyway!

Finally, I voice of reason in this thread. :)

All good advice here, it's a buyers market for sure you'll just have to wade through a few to find what you want at market price. I wouldn't consider buying from a dealer at all unless they have exactly what you want at a fair retail market price.

You guys complain too much.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1584039217.jpg

Went back to the dealer today and took the bike on a long test ride. I had forgotten how much fun and how comfortable a Harley is. We worked out a price that I think was fair. I am a Harley owner again! And no, I did not trade in the Norton! Thanks to everyone that gave me advice or even made a smart ass remark. I really do appreciate the knowledge that this board has.

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1584061574.jpg

I don’t mind saying, $9850.

Based on what I saw in a quick look at C-list last night after reading this thread, that's a pretty damn good price for that Harley.

Nice!

It has been on the showroom floor for over a month. Most Harley buyers are interested in buying a full dress Harley. The big baggers. The Low Rider fits me just right.

Congrats - it will make a nice stablemate for the old snortin' Norton. You can ride it on the days the Norton is doing more coughing than snorting...

I love having a vintage "cool" bike, my 1976 Sportster hot-rod. The only reason I love having it is because I have a modern, reliable bike, in the form of my Road King. It really is the "best of both worlds".

Congrats! I like it, I have always liked those and Fat Boys but I am just too damn tall. The Road King/ Electra/ Road Glides just fit me better. The comfort of a Harley is nice and I enjoy nice long days on mine. We did Red Lodge, MT to CO in one day last year and that’s right at 500 miles.

That's great! Enjoy!

Late to this thread but, congrats! I’ve owned a couple of dyna’s (08, 10...both FXDC’s) and both were rock solid with no issues at all.

Ride safe and enjoy!

Well done! Frankly that bike is, IMHO what a bike should be. Clean lines, good ergos, not a lot of stuff bolted on everywhere. Have fun!

Congrats on a nice HD........Now get that muffler off and save some lives........

That’s a lot of bike for that money. Well bought and enjoy! Should be fun

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1584141207.jpg

Also, intermittently rev it every time you stop for traffic signals. Everyone loves that!

j/k ... Have fun and watch for morons.

Great looking bike! I've been a fan of the Low Rider since they came out in '78(?) My buddy got the first new one I ever saw. God, was I jealous. :cool:

It's been 50 years since Harley fitted a Tillotson carburetor to a bike. My '67 Sportster had one, originally, until I swapped it out for one of the Eliminator SU's. While the Tillotson was a certifiable POS, I never had to constantly work the throttle to keep the thing running. It actually idled quite well, as did a couple more Sportsters with Bendix and Keihen carbs, and a couple of Shovels with Keihens. I have been running an S&S Super "E" since the late '80's, and it idles and keeps running without having to constantly blip the throttle as well. So did my 2000 RK, with its CV carb. I must be doing something wrong - every Harley I have ever owned, regardless of carb (or FI on the new one), has had no trouble idling without having to constantly encourage it. I have to say, this has got to be one of the more embarrassing things that some of my fellow enthusiasts seem compelled to do.

Nice looking scoot! Get out and enjoy it, and don't forget the gremlin bell!