help. need advice for purchasing my first harley - Harley Forum

leatherjunkie · #1 09-02-2009, 04:52 PM

Ok i spent 2 years looking at the harleys and have decided that i will be buying the heritage softail.

mechanics have told me mixed things about the twin cam 96" engine.

2 mechanics told me the tension shoes are bad will go out by 30,000 miles and should be replaced by the s & s drive gear system. this change over is going to cost $2500 bucks if i have the shop do the work.

these mechanics also told me that when the shoes go out they have a high chance of taking another item out with them, i.e. the oil pump.

other mechanics have told me that harly davidson has improved the tension shoes and should not wear out so fast.

i asked various people about the extended warrenty that harley sells.
most private mechanic shops said that there are loop holes in the warrenty and people have trouble getting harley to grant the warrenty work.

regardless of what i have herd to this point i will be buying the 2010 heritage softtail classic by next may as long as i can find the colors that i want.
I am not sure about any of what i just typed in so i am looking for advice into these two matters.

am also wondering if buying the extended warrenty is worth the gamble or not?

thanks for letting me bend everyones ear on this.

tommyglide · #2 09-03-2009, 01:12 AM

Ggreetings Junkie,
wrong, wrong and right.
Several forum members have 07 and newer scoots and there hasn't been a great deal of complaining about them. The cam chain tensioners they are warning you about were last used in 06 on the 88 inchers. The 96's all have an improved design that is almost worry free.
Extended warranty is expensive and you have 2 years from the date of purchase of the bike with which to buy the EW. If your bike appears NOT to be a dud which is quite likely you've saved a wack of cash and then can take another road trip. Or buy chrome. Or buy the missus expensive parfum.

Rocky · #3 09-03-2009, 04:16 AM

I've got an 07 with the 96 in. motor with over 26k on it with no engine problems. I live in a very dusty and hot spot in Ok. Sounds like you are on your way to picking out a nice ride.

aceharleywrench · #4 09-03-2009, 10:21 AM

The new cam chain tensioners & oil pump are vastly improved,buy your dream bike & don't worry about it.

unclepsycho · #5 09-03-2009, 11:15 PM

Welcome to the Forum Leather
Yer gonna love it here.......

as soon as you get your new ride, be sure and send in a picture.

I was scared into buying the extended warentee for my '06. the bike only has 36k on it now, and has seen no problems yet.... I am taking off tomorrow for a 1500 mile joyride!

Have fun when you get the bike.

tejasandre · #6 09-04-2009, 12:37 AM

Welcome leatherjunkie!

Safe trip uncle.

harold · #7 11-14-2009, 02:58 AM

if you buy a new bike you can put the s and s gears in yourself for about 700.00 if you use a bolt in cam. if you buy a used bike changing over to something other than the non improved system requires you first find out what the pinion shaft runout is , other wise you could be ordering parts that dont tolerate the runout you may or may not have . i have an 05 , the new system is suppose to be better . if i understand it correctly the new shoes are made of the same material that the primary chain tensioner is made of. But i have replaced that part already. the spring loaded shoe disintergrates and the bitts and pieces get into and score the oil pump, the new shoe material wont break into pieces but will eventually wear. im not a wrench but just finished dealing with this problem. personally i would rather have the gears or the woods system.
but this is not a professional opinion , only the opinion of a person who has to live within a budget. i cant afford to have my bike rebuilt at the dealer.
to me an extended warantee is just an excuse for the manufacturer to build a less than durable product, plus as stated by others , there are people who are having troubles getting the dealership and warantee sellers to honor the deal. good luck and look and learn before you buy so you can make the best decision possible.