Hoping to get some good insight from all the pros on here. I'm looking at the Electra Glides and have a few questions as it relates to used bikes. Should I avoid a bike with the 95 big bore kit and SE 204 cams? I found an 06 with the kit on it with 31k miles and the guy said the dealer did it when it was still new.

I consider myself pretty mechanically inclined. However, I don't know much about HD. What kinds of things should I be looking for on the classics? It's a given on the oil leaks and excessive scratches. Any other systemic issues they had that I can catch up front? Also tires I should look at carefully they tend to dry rot before they are bad?

Thanks for the help.

 

Look for an un-abused virgin.

I won't even look twice at one with a big kit... UNLESS I KNOW the builder, and know him well.

Having said that, there are two, MAYBE 3 men that I would trust their work enough to buy from. Period.

Tires are cheap. Buying an older bike, unless the tires were BRAND NEW, with very close dates, I would change them anyway.

My 2 cents.

 

Thanks that's kind of what I thought.

 

if he cant provide receipts and paperwork to prove the big bore kit was done by a reputable shop, dont trust it.

06 electra glides are fairly bulletproof machines. the only major issue is they have shitty spring-loaded cam chain tensioners, but its pretty easy to replace those with hyraulic tensioners instead

 

Thanks. Can you hear if the tensioners are going bad? Is it just this year model or a range?

 

Can't hear them... unless they're GONE.

Only way I know of to check them is pull the front exhaust, open the cam chest and get a little mirror and a light. You can see the front, but the back is a bit more tricky to see.

 

You asked the right question, hopefully after several replies you will have some useful information.

Early twin cam engines (I don't know the beginning year) and on until 2007 or 8 had cam chain tensioners that would wear out in as little as 20,000 miles. Some engines have been destroyed by metal contamination in the oil pump and bearings because of this. There are retro-fit tensioners that will go the distance without wear out. If there are maintenance records, check for tensioner replacement or gear drive cams. The hydraulic tensioners have worked out very well. 96 and 103 ci engines before 2011 came with inadequate compensators. The weak compensator would also lead to an early failure of the starter clutch (a replaceable component within the starter). '11 and newer had improved compensators, though some of those have failed also.

Next are features added over time. The 6 speed cruise transmission appeared in 2007, 6 gallon tank in 07 or 08. The new frame which improved stability and handling appeared in 2009. By 2011 the 103 engines came with automatic compression release to ease starting.

Undoubtedly this list will remind others of other things to watch for. There are many decisions to make depending on your bankroll and features that are important to you.

 

I agree and that is exactly what I did.

 

I'm sure you can find a garage queen lying around in that model that might be best for you in the long run vs one that has been modified