r/Harley

Purchased my first Harley a couple months ago as a Honda bike owner for the last 17 years. I fell in love with the 2003 vrod. I love the power and while its smaller than my old vtx, it is really fun to ride amd much faster. And that all aluminum and chrome is just beautiful to look at. I know its not really a traditional Harley feel, but I wanted something a bit different to change up how I ride and give me a new experience.

Is there any maintenance or things I should be wary of to make sure it keeps running smoothly for me? It has 30k miles, but has been treated well and only a few small blemishes. I dont plan on doing a lot, if any modifications to it. Any suggestions or QOL improvements though I am very open to!

After jump-starting my 2018 FXDB to get home- I replaced the battery. A couple of days later - I went for a ride and when cornering at 60km/hr on a bend - the engine cut out and locked up the rear wheel. I saved it. Just. After an afternoon of trying to work out what was wrong- I did a “code check” on the computer - 5 different error messages. Looked them up - and checked the battery terminals, auto-shut off thing (safety feature when the bike tips over), signal lights etc. nothing loose. It turns out I just needed to delete the error codes - then the bike was fine again.

Do we really need all this computerised shit on a bike?

Don’t get me wrong - I appreciate some safety features like ABS - but just give me a simple air-cooled motor with mechanical controls…

If Harley announced a new lineup of old-tech carbureted bikes - I would be there in a hot minute ready to go.

Advice for first time riders? Maintenance tips or in general ? I feel lots of vibration in between shifts or when slowing down, what do I need to improve on or should I be looking at something on the bike? Bike has 3,600 miles

The fender strut bolt at the rear with the washer has begun to rust badly. both of them, literally the only rust on the entire bike. it’s driving me crazy. I have tried so many things to find exact replacements, preferably in black, or at least something stainless, but I cannot. Bought one bag of black ones that actually fit half decent, but the original hardware that goes on the bolt behind the fender doesn’t match somehow. would love to get some cool ARP ones from Bamco or somewhere, but there rear fender strut bolt kit, the bolts are like 1 and a 1/4 or something, not even close.

any ideas?? should be so simple, I know, but in practice, Iv struggled

Some before and after work. Always a work in progress.

if you ever wanted to debate whether to get a crash bar or not. i just tanked a KIA trying to commit insurance fraud.

So, as the title says, I just bought a Heritage Softail Classic like 2 weeks ago. I’ve been using it as an almost daily driver. I wasn’t a rider for years; my wife hated it, so I sold my Honda sport bike, but as we are settling back down in a new state(Mississippi), I wanted to ride again. I got a great deal on a cruiser.

It just doesn’t feel the same. I’m stressed when I ride, like I’m afraid the thing is going to fall apart, and I don’t know why I feel that way. It’s all legal; the title is in my name, and I’ve got full coverage. So really, I’m crazy, but I don’t know why…

Also, it’s got 12k miles, and I got it for $3300 cash. Let me know if I got a crap deal.

Well, I pulled the trigger got me a Harley. 2002 9/11 special edition. First thing I’m gonna do is flush and put in all fresh new liquids. Plan on re doing my cam chain tensioner. Upgrade oil pump. Best oil recommended to run through my Harley? Any other things you guys would recommend for me to do so that my bike is running at its best along with lasting me a long time. Thank you in advance if you take the time to read this and very excited to be apart of this group.

Found this white/chalky buildup on the engine finish around the cylinder head on my 2000 fxdl.

Does anyone know what it is and what the best way is to clean it?

Thanks!

Or maybe I just wanted to hear that sporty noise. Got rained on anyway tho 😂.

I'm not sure which is worse, lol. On Saturday, I made a deal to trade in my '23 RKS. Since then, I've been questioning my judgement. Sure - the stock seat sucks and the Mustang I bought to replace it was worse (it sat me higher and closer, which is a f*d up combination that I don't think many would appreciate), I wanted to change the bars, and it's going to need tires this year...but it's a great, amazing looking bike. WTF was I thinking?

The new-to-me bike is a '25 StreetGlide Ultra in Mystic Shift with black finish. Previous owner installed a detachment kit for the tourpack, supplemental lights in the lower fairings, and Cobra Neighbor Hater slip-ons...and the bike has just over 300 miles (yes, only two zeros). Picking it up this afternoon - it'll probably be raining by the time I'm leaving the dealership.

Bought her about 3 months ago and put around 200 miles on her before the mainshaft bearing spun in the case causing the trans oil to go into the primary. I guess this is common with the 6 speed. Anyway, here are some pictures of her during the rebuild process and after. Most expensive thing for the repair was the tool to remove and press the main gear and bearing. Didn't take pictures of everything but here is what I have. Any questions I can answer about it, I will!

Been running the complete holeshot set from @advanblack for the last few thousand miles and I’m impressed. For years I’ve had customers using their tour paks and raving about them so the moment I got the chance to work with them, I jumped at it haha

Long story made short, I’ve installed the s&s slip on exhaust for my sportster s. I have a slight pop/backfire only in first gear while accelerating. Other than that I’ve got popping on deceleration in any other gear. The only concerning part is the backfire upon acceleration, I’ve checked for an exhaust leak and all good there. No error code or check engine light either. Any ideas as to why I’m getting a backfire in first gear and has anyone else experienced this? Also should I get a pv4 from dynojet to tune it and would this void warranty? Thank you to anyone to who leaves a helpful comment.