Saw and rode yesterday Softail Heritage 2004 FLSTCI. 30,000 miles, $5,500.
I'm excited but a side of me isnt sure: am I buying a bike that will have a major repair next month?
Last ridden 4 years ago (2011). Last started 6 months ago.
Started instantly when owner put new lithium battery in yesterday.
Word I always hear is 30,000 isn't too many miles.
Idled fine, ran fine through lots of stop-and-start stop signs, torque-y.
Plenty of power (compared to my XL883C).

Rust, lots of surface rust all over, bolts, welds, chrome. Most superficial.
Needs new tires ($400 installed), spokes tune. Rusted brake lines, pads, new fluid. Leather saddlebags severely dried out but I can revive them.
Must replace too-loud Samson pipes $???, then ECM re-map EFI. $?
But only $5500. plus $1,000 tires, brakes, pipes, thorough major maintenance, lots of rust cleanup for a vehicle with 30,000 miles vs my Sportster's 1,000 miles.
Family will think I am nuts, but I've lusted for a Heritage for years.

Bottom question: am I buying a bike that is close to MTBF i.e. could have a major repair next month?
Kayakeur
Aug 4, 2015

Fly the radar.
below
Think outside the dodecahedron.

 

Why was it parked for 4 years?
Why did the owner only start and not ride the bike 6 months ago?
How do you know it is only surface rust and not something deeper?

Hoses should be replace because they probably dried out.
Gunk in the bottom of gas tank, engine, primary, transmission from sitting for years.

You won't know the condition of the bike until you start tearing into it.

 

If it's got that much rust, where was it stored? Was it out in the weather all it's life? Is it a flood bike? The amount of rust raises questions, a red flag if you will....

The main issue with that year twin cam engine, is the cam chain tensioners. That bike is at the mileage where they could go.... and take things with them, making for an expensive repair.

If you are confident that the rust is superficial, I would add inspecting and/or changing out the tensioners to your immediate maintenance concerns.

30,000K is nothing on a well maintained bike......

You need to figure out if this bike was well maintained and then just ignored for a long period of time...

Or....

If it wasn't ridden because of an issue it has...

In either case, you will have some maintenance to catch up on.........

Personally, I think you should be able to find one, without as many questions about its condition, for a few grand more...!

Good luck, my 2003 Heritage is a great bike!!!!!

 

I'd keep looking if I were you.

 

If the owner can't answer some of the questions posed here and document the cam tensioner fix I'd shoot him an offer of $4500 based on what I've heard about the repair.
With light rust and a little catch up on maintenance I'd jump on it.
Craigs list is full of new and used parts so the mods/changes you want to make can be done cheap compared to retail.

 

Your buying the bike with your heart,,,, Buy it with you head!!!!

 

I love my '03. But I maintain it. I would pass on a rusty bike.

 

I bought an 02 Heritage Springer about 18 months ago with 46k on it. I've replaced most of the rusty parts and gaskets (inner primary, rocker box, exhaust), tires, battery, so yes it will cost you some. But I've got it running great now and it was an excellent buy.

 

It's not hard to check the tensioners...here's my how to.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...with-pics.html

Where was the bike parked? If by the ocean and left outside you may have a hard time with that rust. Once it pits you have blemishes. You might try some 0000 steel wool and see how quickly it comes off and what is underneath.

And I'd be worried if it sat out in the rain all the electrical connections would be corroded which will be a bugger to deal with.

$5k is pretty much bottom dollar for a running Big twin even with a lot of miles. So the price isn't bad, but if you can swing a bit more for a clean maintained bike as stated above I'd probably do that.

 

Tensioner replacement is easy but my 06 with 22k miles (10 in the last year since I bought it) has none of the issues you mentioned. I'd pass on it.