Fat Bob - any good?

as long as you look after it ,any harley will run ,and run ,old or new .

This is a concern actually. I saw some 2 year old 883s at the dealer a few months ago, each with at most 10k km on them, and the rear trailing arm (???) had rust inside the rails... Also, the hardware used to attach the exhaust to the frame were rusting to hell.. These bikes were 1.5 years old!!

Or is that because the 883 is the "cheap" model that they make out of cheese metal ?
 
I simply reckon that the Evo 1340 is the best engine HD has ever made, and that pre 2000 there were fewer far eastern parts in the bikes (ie Chinese, HD have huge factories there allegedly). Also, I think the Evo's are great value for money, and I personally don't like new bikes :D
 
This is a concern actually. I saw some 2 year old 883s at the dealer a few months ago, each with at most 10k km on them, and the rear trailing arm (???) had rust inside the rails... Also, the hardware used to attach the exhaust to the frame were rusting to hell.. These bikes were 1.5 years old!!

Or is that because the 883 is the "cheap" model that they make out of cheese metal ?

I too looked at newer HD's and the rust on various fittings was plain to see..the painted and chrome parts seemed fine though.... My Glide has 91k miles is 16 years old and the rust is minimal..

Rear trailing arm = Swinging arm..:thumb2
 
This is a concern actually. I saw some 2 year old 883s at the dealer a few months ago, each with at most 10k km on them, and the rear trailing arm (???) had rust inside the rails... Also, the hardware used to attach the exhaust to the frame were rusting to hell.. These bikes were 1.5 years old!!

Or is that because the 883 is the "cheap" model that they make out of cheese metal ?

I recall a conversation i had with a Harley nut at the Red Lion, Avebury one night. He said dont buy a HD made after 2007. The quality went seriously downhill after that, anything up till then youre OK with.

I bought a 2006 Road King....
 
i had a one year old ktm950 adv s ,spokes would rust over night ,sure some are better than others .
if your on top of things ,you can look after them .
i had a 79 r80/7 paintwork fantastic ,brought a 1150 rt of a guy ,who had just brought a 1200 rt ,finish was shocking.
my old glide (went to the penguin of death ) paintwork was great,but then im allso anal ,about stuff ,and cleaning, (billy no mates ) .
dont expect to have a bike ,not clean /no clean (ac50) etc,and expect it . to look show room .
i had a 06 1200xr ,i was really happy with the finish ,but i would wipe it down after the rain ,and generally give it a weekly clean .
either, that or powder coat it black (you know who you are):augie
 
.... that or powder coat it black (you know who you are):augie


You looking at me ? :D

Secret to keeping a Harley looking good? Easy....don’t buy a late one....don't buy an AMF era one...unless you happen across a CR:cool:..then strip it down, de-chrome as much as you can and have everything powder coated..black is good:thumb2..then ride the feckin’ thing. When it gets dirty, hose it off, dry it with a big old leaf blower and stick it back in the garage..job’s a good ‘un. Unless of course, you actually enjoy polishing.:P
 
Quality on mine is just fine. (2005) No rust, paint good (very good quality in-fact).

But they are much better ridden than polished, not many folks can afford to spend the amount of time polishing that you do:thumb
 
But they are much better ridden than polished, not many folks can afford to spend the amount of time polishing that you do:thumb

There's only one thing I enjoy polishing and it aint motorcycles! :D ('The Champ' has never been so shiny)
 
Fat Bob

I have had Shovel heads Evo's, 1450 twin cam Road King R1200GS now A 2009 Fat Bob in that order, test rode a couple of soft tails (no thanks no brakes don't handle) the sales man convinced me to try the Fat Bob best Harley available twin front stoppers proper rear shocks and enough ground clearence (must have stage 1 tune) apart from the bars and twin head lamp, so i bought a 1200 mile 10 month old one , this bike handles well enough two up with luggage, I fitted Fat Boy bars and a 7inch chrome h light to sort out the front end look.
Took the Fat Bob to the Alps last summer france this summer, great fun, ok the GS boys passed me with ease but i would'nt have swaped bikes with them, the Fat Bob is well up to the job and suites us well.

Buy one you will love i if you don't sell it you won't loose much money on a nice Harley.
 
Fat Bob In France

Taken during this summers trip to the Dordogne I will find some better pics showing the front end mods.
 

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