HarleyTechTalk

If you were looking to buy a bike with extremely low miles, what are the key questions you would be asking the seller? This is a 2001 FLSTFI with only 850 miles! (not a misprint, eight hundred and fifty actual miles)

I have several obvious questions to ask:
Whats the story with all fluids, gas (stabilizer) oils, hydraulics etc?
How many times was the bike ridden each year, if at all?
What is the longest period of time the bike has sat without moving?
What was done during storage (Michigan winters)
etc...etc..

What else would you be asking about?
And what are things I can physically check to get the information I'm looking for, besides the obvious, fluids, tires, etc.

The mileage is obviously a big selling point for me, but only if I know it hasn't actully done more harm than good. Have never come accross a bike with such low mileage for it's age, so I'm a little perplexed deciding if it's a good thing or bad.

I would try to do a search to comfirm the milage. I would change all the fluids, drain the fuel tank,check the date on the tires, most likely replace the tires and battery, if it is the original battery. All the things are a cost to you good leverage for your offer for the bike in a down turn market.

pdd, without going into boring details, I can say the mileage is 100% confirmed and real. I haven't seen the bike in person yet (probably this week sometime) but I'm told it is in perfect showroom condition. I agree with everything you say, but those would be "after purchase" type things. I just want to make sure I cover all the bases when I go to look at the bike, before I make an offer. BTW, if you guys have any ballpark figures on what a bike like this might be worth, feel free! I'll have all the details about what extras it has in the next couple of days and will post here. I hear he had about $6000 worth of HD accessories installed before delivery. Not that that matters, I won't be paying him for those! LOL

If it's what yer lookin for I wouldn't worry about it. I bought a 94 FXLR Low Rider Custom last summer from the original owner with only 1700 original miles on it. He said he was out of the country a lot due to his job and that the longest the bike sat was 6 years. I changed all the fluids and added Marvel mystery oil to the engine oil and gas in case the seals were a bit to dry and it is all good to go. Runs like new with no leaks. Go for it 

+1 what PD said.  While I might be concerned about seals, I would definitely change the tires and battery....without question.  Fluids is of course a no brainer.  Then ride the snot out of it.

As for value, look at NADA.com or KBB.com for the bike.  Its worth the high end of their figures with that mileage and all the accessories.  But, its not worth a lot more--its a 10 year old bike.

Dennis

I'd be surprised if the bike has been ridden at all over the last 10 years. A lot of guys bought bikes during the height of the fashion trend only to discover that they really didn't like riding. Most of the miles on them were put on in the first year (or first couple of months). Once they realized it just wasn't for them, most of the bikes just sat in the garage and were only mentioned when they got in the way. The fact that he had 6k in accesories added before he even took delivery kind of reinforces my impression of a "fashion trend buyer". On of my biggest concerns would be rust and corrosion. This is easy to check of course. Bikes left sitting without attention can pick up a lot of corrosion because of neglect. With only 850 miles in 10 years I doubt the owner knows anything about the bike so questioning him is a waste of time. I suspect that a lot of things would not show up till the bike is run. I would start the bike as though it has not been started in years (bring a battery and oil squirt can). If the brakes work at all (maybe bring a small can of fluid) try it out in his garage. Holding the brakes on, slip it into first and see if the clutch is working. the clutch could be frozen up. If everything seems to be working then drive it around the block. Make sure it shifts through all the gears. Make sure all the lights, signals, etc work as they should. If everything looks good to that point I'd probably still want to do a compression check before making an offer. There's not much difference between a bike with 850 miles and one with 20k. I would not consider paying any more than what I considered to be a good deal on a bike with 20k on the clock. A quick search on ebay of completed listings shows low milage touring bikes around that age that actually sold going for around 10k. However, many more did not sell at all. Of course, the owner may have believed his bike was an investment and could actually expect to get as much as he paid. Too many guys discoverd too late that owning a Harley did not make you a biker anymore than owning a rope makes you a mountain climber. A good friend of my son's just bought a 2004 Dyna Lowrider for $5,100 and it has less than 3k on the clock.

A co-worker is the son of the seller. He tells me that the bike has been stored at his house for a couple of years, but that his dad comes over a few times per summer and takes it for a quick ride, as a matter of fact, he rode the bike back to his own house about a week ago. So it should be OK in that regard.

Unfortunatley, I think you're also right when you say he probably believes the bike was an investment and expects to get what he has invested! But it won't be from me. I haven't seen the bike, nor talked directly to the seller yet, but will probably do so this week. If it's as good as it sounds, I'm thinking somewhere in the $11-12k range, which will probably be an insult to him!!

I'm hoping he'll bite, this is pretty much the exact bike I've wanted since I had to sell my '03 a few years ago due to financial hardships. I've been obsessing ever since!! To find one is this condition has got me pretty pumped up, to say the least!! Fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed here for you   

Even though ebay asking prices are not always realistic, doing a search of completed sales will give an idea of what the market thinks is a fair price. Of the  FLSTFI's that actually sold over the last 30 days the typical going price has been between 11k to about 11.5k. this is for bike in claimed "showroom condition" with fewer than 10k on the speedo and for bikes that are '06 and newer. Take off about 1k for anything older than that in the same condition and miles. So I'm thinking that your offer would be very fair in comparision. If he balks ask him to do his own research. Or go to the dealer and tell them he's interested in a new bike and see what they would be willing to offer for trade in value.

I'm thinking somewhere in the $11-12k range,

imho... 11-12 grand for a 10 yr old bike is way too much.  Mileage doesn't matter at all to me. I think there as much chance of damage with a 10 yr old 850 mile bike as there'd be with a 3 yr old bike with 50,000 miles. ( as long as it was maintained)

Quote from: chopper on March 27, 2011, 04:14:58 PM
I'm thinking somewhere in the $11-12k range,

imho... 11-12 grand for a 10 yr old bike is way too much.  Mileage doesn't matter at all to me. I think there as much chance of damage with a 10 yr old 850 mile bike as there'd be with a 3 yr old bike with 50,000 miles. ( as long as it was maintained)

Gotta agree here.    Unless it was professionally put up for storage, there's the possibility of serious and expensive issues.   We had a guy bring in a "great barn find" late nineties softail with about 1K miles on it.    The shocks were frozen, the forks leaked the first time he strapped to a trailer and it spilled gas eveywhere when he filled it. 

Quote from: codyshop on March 27, 2011, 04:37:26 PM

Quote from: chopper on March 27, 2011, 04:14:58 PM
I'm thinking somewhere in the $11-12k range,

imho... 11-12 grand for a 10 yr old bike is way too much.  Mileage doesn't matter at all to me. I think there as much chance of damage with a 10 yr old 850 mile bike as there'd be with a 3 yr old bike with 50,000 miles. ( as long as it was maintained)

Gotta agree here.    Unless it was professionally put up for storage, there's the possibility of serious and expensive issues.   We had a guy bring in a "great barn find" late nineties softail with about 1K miles on it.    The shocks were frozen, the forks leaked the first time he strapped to a trailer and it spilled gas eveywhere when he filled it.

My buddy bought a garaged 99 Ultra 2 years ago with 1600 miles on it. He put 10K on it so far and no problems other than the stator croaked. I think he paid 12k for it but I'm not sure. Trade in he'd be lucky to get $ 5-6000. Just guessing. I my old EG Classic with 12K on it and it was 7 years old when I got it, other than the usual maintenance and fixing a few odds and ends I put 60K of fun miles on it. Go for it but expect some work.

I looked up the value in Kelly blue book $10250.00 and nada $8870.00 That's in Fl. my zip code 32765. You said it has a lot of extras. If it were me I would split the difference and not go higher than $9570.00. Start at $9000.00 and go up to $9570.00. It is a bad market for used bikes. Plus you need to money in the bike before you ride it.Tires $500.00, battery $120.00, change all the fluids $90.00 if you do it your self, and flush the brakes, drain and flush the fuel tank. Then ride it to see if it leaks oil etc.This could be a good deal if you work it well. Good luck.

I inherited a 05 NightTrain. 750 miles on it. Ive put almost all those miles on it over the years. Kept the oils moving etc. Battery tender,  My question, is the tires. Unheated garage kept. No visable cracks or anything obvious wrong. How important to put new tires on it. Not wanting to jump on the thread, but curious what you all think is too long for tires to sit.  thanks  wingie

At six years old the tire becomes a hazard, according to government studies.

Kinda sorta following others above............pick the KBB 'target' rate that feels best (to YOU)..................then subtract $500 (tires & battery etc) and wave exactly that much in FRESH 'Franklins' right under his nose.................unless you target rate was WAY off - he'll break your fingers grabbing the cash!

Quote from: wingie on March 28, 2011, 01:40:00 PM
Not wanting to jump on the thread, but curious what you all think is too long for tires to sit.  thanks  wingie

Outdoors, or indoors away from UV and ozone?   Down on the rim or inflated?   I'm aware of plenty of properly stored vintage bikes with tires almost as old as I am (50) that are driven occasionally in perfect safety.    There's no set formula.   

What is amazing is that I've only had to add a squirt of air twice to keep 40 psi int the rear and 38 in the front. I'm 240 lbs without gear. wingie

Quote from: codyshop on March 28, 2011, 07:28:38 PM

Quote from: wingie on March 28, 2011, 01:40:00 PM
Not wanting to jump on the thread, but curious what you all think is too long for tires to sit.  thanks  wingie

Outdoors, or indoors away from UV and ozone?   Down on the rim or inflated?   I'm aware of plenty of properly stored vintage bikes with tires almost as old as I am (50) that are driven occasionally in perfect safety.    There's no set formula.

An 8 yr old 1/2 way shot free E Dunlop is what made me decide on a pair of new E3's. Rode like a dream and lasted 5k.

The question I'd be asking the seller is, "Will you take 6 grand for it?"   

Garry

I would ask what price range the guy was thinking before I made an offer. I`m sure he doesn`t want to give it away but he may be thinking $6000- 8000. I would remind him of everything and the cost  that needs done to update the bike.

Price and Worth are two very subjective terms and mean different things to dfferent people.  After all just look through ebay at what some of the folks expect to get for their rides. 

Only you can determine what it is worth to you, but obviously a little education helps in that regard and the folks here have provided several different avenues to help there.

Last year I bought a 2000 Screaming Eagle Road Glide, from a H-D Dealer no less, the bike had 11,500 miles on it and I would be the third owner.  Used a little more than yours but still had the original tires; at least old tires.  That bike cost me about $12,500.  Worked for me.   
 

Most of these guys with lo mile bikes of that age bought them on impulse, and told their wives that "It's an investment! I can ALWAYS get my money back out of it, or even MORE""

  They're the guys you see on ebay asking 20,000 for a 7,000 bike.  Especially in the spring of the year.
  Hell, he probably paid 3-4 grand OVER MSRP.

he's in for a rude awakening.....................

Thinking out 20 plus years there will be a whole new crop of low mile Harleys late 90s thru early 2000s  garage/ barn freah finds.

Only 2 more years to 2013 and those 2003 anniversay models should really start to increase in value.

I haven't spoke with guy yet, going over there Friday. But I'm starting to think I'll be coming home without a bike. His son, who I have spoke to, seems to think he might want something like 15-16k! It's one of these deals where the guy is saying "It's not really up for sale, but if someone gives me what I want, fine...if not, I'll just keep it" Apparently he paid almost 22k for it after all the stealer add-ons, I think in his mind it's still worth that!

Where are you guys finding all these $8-10k bikes? (let alone 6-8k) Have any of you ever sold your bike for KBB or NADA prices? I think thats a little bit of wishful thinking, aint it? I can't seem to find anything worth looking at for under 12k. Send me some links, I'm in the market!