The only problem with the older bikes is - they're old and who knows how much life they have left in them. I can't believe my bike is almost 20 - but still strong... low miles - only 40K - if I can be as lucky as DeerSlayer I'm only at 20% of what he's got on his bike - I'd be happy as a pig in sh!t!!

A Harley can always be brought back, a dealers wife use to say they only got faster after rebuilds, because of the larger pistons due to the cleaning up of the cylinders. From shovel on up everything can still be found in good shape and a lot of it NOS. Pans get hard because the heads had so many flaws in them from day 1, but I know one person that can bring back pan heads to looking like new and better in strength. No he doesn't like to do it but he does it. Frames can be repaired frontends are no problem, plenty of the stock 4 speeds around, and great parts can be bought to go inside the stock case to look original but be better. What does that leave, not much. Harleys can always be rebuilt to better that new. My rebuild on my twincam now has 59,000 miles on it, and I would take it anywhere with less worries than when it was brand new. If you talked to people I know they would say the same about Knuckles, WL, VL, JD, UL well maybe the VL'S just as good as in the beginning. I got to eat
DEERSLAYER

I'm in complete agreement - with the right parts - a rebuild is better than brand new. When it comes time for me to do mine - I'm gonna be asking you lots of questions - I'm just hoping you're able/willing to give me the advise to do it right.

as long as a deer doesn't run out. deerslayer

Nah, word in the Deer community is - Don't mess with the Deer Slayer!!