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Harley holdup

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:33 am
by MountainManJohnson
new biker here, considering what bike/make would be good, i have heard that older harley's have issues with leaking oil and such, but at some point they changed there quality control and more recent HD's dont have that problem...

is that true? whats the truth around that?

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:37 am
by SuperRookie
The truth is "Harleys don't leak oil...they 'mark their territory'" 8)

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:50 am
by Bugg
wasn't it the late 70's early 80's bikes that had *some* problems? The newer ones definitely have some good quality, and this is coming form someone who used to be anti-Harley (still don't like many of the new riders) I rode my friends Sportster and I was impressed.

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:56 am
by Mustang
The older Harleys had a problem with leaking oil, but the 88 engine that came out after '99 is supposed to be really reliable.

Actually, you couldn't have picked a better time to look for a used Harley, with the sweeping changes being made to the 2007 models there might be a lot of motorcycles coming on the marketplace with riders upgrading to the bigger engines and 6 speed gearbox.

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:10 am
by MountainManJohnson
sweeping changes coming in 2007? do tell, do tell!

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:25 am
by earwig
MountainManJohnson wrote:sweeping changes coming in 2007? do tell, do tell!
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/2007models.htm

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:31 am
by Mustang
MountainManJohnson wrote:sweeping changes coming in 2007? do tell, do tell!
Sure...you can check out TMW News Forums

or theres a story about it here

All the new models are going to EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) no more playing with the choke, and the newly designed exhaust system is supposed to give the new engine a 'throatier' Harley sound.

It'll be interesting to see how many bikers upgrade....

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:36 am
by OutToLunch
I'm just partial to the brand, I suppose, but I'd go with the 2006 Vegas or Jackpot that you mention in your sig line...

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:20 pm
by CentralOzzy
Harley Engines have been leak proof since 1984. :righton:

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:56 pm
by flynrider
Yep. I remember it well. In '83 I bought a new Harley and the models on the showroom floor actually had catch-pans underneath them to keep the oil off the floor.

The following year, Harley introduced the Evolution engine. One of the big selling points was that it was "oil tight". A stunning leap in progress from their previous designs.