I'm new here and to the Harley world.
I recently bought a 1997 Ultra Classic wholesale from a Honda dealership.
The bike looks to be in show condition and runs and rides beautifully despite having 39k miles on it.
I just received the title to the bike in the mail and the previous owner's names are on the title(husband and wife I would imagine)
I did a quick ZABA search and found out that they live on the other side of the state and I have their phone number.
This bike has a ton of extra chrome, aftermarker mufflers, SE air intake and stub stack, and who knows what, if any, mods to the engine.
I would love to call the previous owner and ask some questions regarding what mods and maintainence was done to the bike.
I am hesitant in case the previous owners lost the bike due to financial difficulties or other issues.
I don't want to sound like some idiot saying "yea!! look I have your old bike", it might have been their pride and joy.
I would also like to let them know the bike is in good hands and will be treated well.

So what's the opinions.... call the previous owners or not?

Thanks.

 

It looks like they took a lot of pride in the bike. Call them. At the worst, you could get the cold shoulder and never talk to them again. At best, you could find out some history of the bike and perhaps make a friend.

 

Sure.....why not? If the guy is an idiot or really peeved about losing the bike you will know in 20 seconds and you can hang up. I had a guy call me from out of state about a boat I traded in at a dealer once. Asked me about 10 questions....no big deal.

 

Call em.. That happend to me several years ago. It turned out my bike was half way across the country. I still had the original owners manual and some reciepts. I clued him in on the bike, sent him the paper work and made his day.. It was pretty cool knowing where my bike was.. Dont know why?

 

Give em a call. Don't come across as an arrogant ***, cuz you have the bike that they couldn't afford to keep. I would bet if you comment on the hard work, money and time they put into it, and how you plan on taking good care of her, they will me more than happy to talk to you.

I contacted the former owner of my ride, and he had no problems with it. Said call anytime if I have problems or questions. Ended up getting a few parts and documents he had in the house when he traded up, so it worked out well for me.

 

Dont assume the guy lost or couldnt afford the bike. He may have simply moved on to something else. You said you bought it at a Honda shop. I doubt if Honda repoed it?
Call him = No big deal

 

give um a call, if they had lost it , their name would prolly not be listed.

 

I say call them. It wouldn't bother me if someone called me on a bike I used
to own. Now, if they started calling me every week with silly questions, that
might be a different story. Like with the Honda Accord I sold years ago....

 

G'head and call him. If he's cool, ask him if he traded an HD for a HonDa.

 

Chances are he traded it in. It is a 97, and if he bought it new I doubt he was on an 8 years finance plan. Also I doubt a Honda dealer would have bought it at a auction. Call him