I am trying to determine if there is an easy way to confirm that a motor is a genuine HD motor and would appriciate any help anyone may offer.

I am looking at a bike that a local shop is selling and the owner tells me that the bike has a new HD Evo crate motor, but I am not so sure. Motor appears to be new with no leaks, cracks, etc and fires right up. I was able to ride the bike and motor runs strong and seems to be in tune. But I don't see any stamps or markings on the cases that identify it as a genuine HD motor.

Contacted HD Customer Service with serial numbers and they say that it is not an HD motor, but the problem is that the numbers were really hard to read from the engine and what I gave them may possibly be incorrect.

I just don't want to buy a bike believing that there is an HD motor in there and it turns out to be something else.

Also, the owner of the bike got it from someone else but can't produce any warranty or anything else from HD. Not sure if I should low ball him on price or just run away, but I really like the bike. Supposed to be a new build rigid with all new parts, but just not sure about the motor.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Sounds a little banged up to me a new motor should have a paper trail and you should be able to read the serial number unless the motor is "highly polished."

 

This is really very simple. No bills to support the claims of everything new, no buy! While the motor is obviously important, I would want to know about every major part used in the build. Even if it is cheap I would walk away and look elsewhere.

 

What does the title say? Should have name of bike like Road King, Ultra Classic or whatever it started as if bought new. Seems like the bike is something they pieced together from a garage sale without a clear title.

 

Thanks for the input and advice. I still like the bike, but there just seem to be too many questions unanswered, and producing the title seems to be a bit of a challenge for the seller, although he tells me its on its way. Right!

I am usually a glutton for punishment, but even I may have to pass on this "deal"

 

If I could not read the numbers on the engine that would end the deal right there.
No reason for the to be unreadable except a con

 

Could be built from stolen parts

 

It doesn't sound quite right to me. Ask if the seller would take the bike to the local state police for VIN verification.

 

A new motor where you can't make out the serial number? Seller can't produce a title? Doubt means NO..run like the wind.