How long have you had your bike?

[V-Twin]

Bought it used 4 years ago, and Don't plan on ever getting rid of it.

[BadgerOctane]

I guess I'm at the other end of extremes. I won't buy a new bike, or basically anything with an Evo or newer. I look for engines mainly, because chances are I won't like the stock frame anyway and I'll build what I want. I like Shovels, Pans and Knucks. For my next bike I'm still looking for a 50s-60s Pan. Yes I realize there are companies that are reproducing those, here's the key phrase though... "Those are not original, they are reproductions!" I will only settle for one of these if time is running out and I see no other alternatives, but I rather have an older original engine. There are those that say you can't do much with an older powerplant. But those are the same people that A. don't know what the fukk they are looking for, B. are merely repeating the same thing some moron said, who they 'think' is somekind of damned expert, or C. They themselves 'think' they are somekind of damned expert and are infact morons.

Badger's quick laws to vintage powerplants.

1. With a little determination and putting everything you've learned to work, you can rebuild it providing its not too screwed to begin with.

2. No, it won't leak once I'm done with it, and NO, I won't tell you how to acheive this yourself as the knowledge must be passed from grey bearded gear heads called 'bros'. I'm not a grey beard yet, and I'm not your bro.

3. When purchasing vintage iron, the only thing you're really buying is the powerplant. All else is subject to change, be discarded, or otherwise end up on a shelf somewhere so I can build what I want the first time. This includes tins, frame, certain forks, bars, oil tanks, headlight housings, and much more.

So in short, I keep my rides until I feel inspired by something else. The Shovel is for sale and I'll eventually be on a Pan instead which I'll likely keep for many years to come. So there you have it from the other extreme, not that anyone really gives a sh!t though. I now return you to your regularly schedualed thread.

Badger

[tcrowe]

I got it aug 8th 2003 and it is my first harley so I dont ever intend selling it since it is my first. I only plan on adding to the stall. When this one gets tired she will be rebuilt, when the wheels fall off I wil get new ones. Since august I have put 11k miles on it thus far.

[02 Sporty]

I've had my bike for almost 3 yrs. and don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I only get to ride on weekends so I don't rack up miles very quickly. I'd probably consider selling when the repair costs get too expensive or I find another bike that I just have to have. Other than that I'm very happy with my bike now.

[Maj]

Picked it up from the dealer new on 5/12/95.

[Russtkd]

Originally Posted by berserker

Congrats, but not what i weas looking for. Keep riding.

I'm working on it, but the weather and work keep me from enjoying myself.

Had my last bike 8 months and put 3000 miles on it. But I bought it knowing it was temporary.

[BUCK]

First HD, a 72 Sportster, I bought it in 74, sold it in 1981, with around 75K miles.
Next came a 80 Low Rider, sold it in 89, with around 100K miles.
In 89, bought a 88 FLHTC, sold it in 99, with around 80K miles.
Present ride is a 99 Ultra, with 40K+ miles.
Both the Sportster and the Low Rider I rebuilt the motors a couple of time, and many other items needed replacing. Rebuilt and bought many carbs for these bikes.
The EVO, I only replaced the head gaskets once, and bought a better carb for the bike, bike ran like a champ after that.
The present TC88, is now a 95" and have only replaced the starter so far.

Have no plans on selling the present bike till I have over 75K miles. I buy bikes that are 1 year old, with low miles, because they are in good shape and I find people that just want to sell the bike, and I get a good price. I also get to put on my own creature comforts on them.
Would have gone thru more bikes, but I live in a state that you are lucky to get 7 months riding a year.

[MLC-Harley]

Bought it new March 19, 2004 - it's only a temp ride until I steal my brother's '03 Heritage Softail, after he orders his '05 Ultra...

This is really BAD...I'm already eyeing the RKCustom - maybe a second ride!!

[redrsv]

My wife will sell my 2003 106 Road King after I'm dead. Hopefully, G-d willing, that woun't be for a long time.

[donF]

Took delivery April 21/04. First Harley (2004 FLHTCI) and HAVING A BLAST!!!!! 1200 kms so far..........Don

[bikertrashdude]

bought the sporty new in dec 99 (99 1200 custom) rode it till I sold it a few weeks ago. 4 years. just bought the Ultra 3 months ago, 5,500 miles so far. I plan on riding this one for a long time. HD will have to come out with something very different for me to justify getting another new bike. ie a new motor, built in mp3 player, cd changer or something.
but I also do plan on buying another bike in a few years, after I free up some money. no Idea what it is going to be but it will be a bar hopper of some kind, and it will be older iron.

BTD

[Mister Breeze]

Shovelhead bagger- 23 years and counting

03 bagger- 13 months.....and keep until death takes over

[nidan]

Picked up my 99 FXDX mid July of last year . I'v put a little over 5000 miles on it and it gets better every ride.

[fauskar]

31 years with the same bike. 72' shovelhead. Can anyone top that?

[mikeyc]

i put the money down on a '02 fxd in november of '02 and picked her up in april '03. i saw my bike emerge from the crate. even got a picture!! i was to pick it up on april 23rd but guess what......SNOW!! i picked her up the next day under sunny skies. it was cold but the roads were dry. i love my Harley!!!