Hi there,

I'm planning to get my first HD. I've got my eyes on a 04' 883C and went to the dealer to check out the bike. It's in a mint condition with only 8xxxKM mileage.

But one problem puzzle me is when the shop keeper starts up the bike, I saw some smoke coming out from the engine. It was just a cloud of smoke and then nothing more, the engine sounds right and all. He explained it's because the bike's not started up for a long time and it's normal for it to smoke up a bit.

Is it really normal for a bit of smoke coming from the engine when it's started after a long time of idling?

The bike: http://www.kcchk.com/Pictures/5001.jpg

Cheers!!!!

 

Smoke is normal if you have a leaky valve guide seal or something on that line.

 

Thanks Doc 1, how can I check if there's a leaky valve guide seal?

I'm going to check out the bike again tomorrow, what else should I check for?

Thanks a lot!

 

There isn't a check for a bad seal except if it smokes.....if the bike only puffs a bit of blue smoke on start up most likely the intake valve seal leaked some oil by it and rested on top of the valve or piston....if the bike isn't burning oil while it runs I wouldn't worry about it. I just hate it when dealers say things are normal when in fact it is not normal...the only thing normal is the dealer saying things are normal....lol

 

Thank you so much doc. I will definitely ask the dealer about this. Is it a big problem or it just needs a simple fix? Should I still get the bike?

 

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I wouldn't let a little puff of smoke keep me off a new bike....lol.....no big deal if that's all that's wrong with it.&nbsp\\; You could ask if they will replace the seals.

 

Cheers Doc, could you suggest if there's anything else I should easily check when I test ride it?

 

Black smoke would be a good sign that the bike has been sitting and is nothing more that that, most bikes will billow out some black smoke if the engine spins over a few times and the enrichener is in, doesn't sound to me like the engine needs to be tore down. sounds normal....

 

Thanks extech and Doc, I test rode the bike yesterday and it's awesome. No smoke from the engine this time so I take the word of the dealer.

I've paid for the deposit and will pick up the bike next week, CAN"T WAIT FOR MY FIRST HARLEY!

 

Congrats on your first Harley...now respect that machine and ride carefully!!!