How to visit the Harley Davidson Museum

Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee

The Harley Davidson Museum makes its arrival in July 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Families, groups and individuals are welcome to experience the history of Harley Davidson motorcycles and the lifestyle of its riders. There is something here to please everyone. This museum promises a unique family entertainment experience. It is fitting that it is located in the city where Harley Davidson Motorcycles have been manufactured for over 100 years and counting!

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Transportation
• Tickets
• Money

1. • 1

     Call ahead 1-877-HD-MUSEUM to make sure the museum will be open on the day you would like to attend. You can also visit the Harley Davidson website for more information.

   • 2

     Purchase Harley Davidson Museum tickets online or at the door. Children under six years old are free. It is recommended you purchase before you go, as they sell out quickly.

   • 3

     Get a map either online or when you arrive at the Harley Davidson Museum. Plan your exploration of the museum so you don't miss any exhibits.

   • 4

     Find out from your Harley Davidson retailer or the local newspaper if the museum is holding any special events or activities. There are several spread throughout the year, especially in the Summer months.

   • 5

     After exploring the museum, check out the many shops along the River Walk, there are many of them. Or, grab a bite in the Harley Davidson Museum Cafe or outdoor restaurants in the Summer and during special events.

   • 6

     Complete your visit with a souvenir from the Harley Davidson Museum gift shop.

Tips & Warnings

• The Harley Davidson Museum Gardens include many native plants as well as breathtaking views of the river. No museum admission is required to visit these gardens and they are available 24 hours a day.

• There is ample parking for both cars and motorcycles

• If you need lodging, book well in advance

How to Find a Vintage Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson may be the most prestigious of motorcycle manufacturers, their vintage models being no exception. Harley Davidson has been making their fine motorcycles with distinct sound and classic design since 1903. With a number of vintage models available, you are bound to find the perfect Harley bike for you.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. • 1

     Visit your local Harley Davidson dealership. Harley dealers often carry restored vintage models available for purchase from the showroom floor. Dealerships often have restoration specialists onsite as well, so ask them about purchasing an older model to restore yourself or have restored especially for you.

   • 2

     Ask your local Harley dealer for notices of vintage bike sales. Many people looking to sell their vintage bikes will make their local Harley shop their first stop for placing an advertisement, so it can be a great place to begin your search. The expertise of the shop's team can also help you determine the quality of the bike as well as the accuracy of the price.

   • 3

     Search online for vintage Harley specialists and sales. Collectors often search far and wide for their perfect bike, so don't limit yourself to your own local area. The vintage bike of your dreams may be waiting in another state or even another country.

   • 4

     Participate in biker rallies such as the famous Sturgis run. Many motorcycle enthusiasts find these events the perfect opportunity to buy and sell motorcycles. Many biker rallies will have a motorcycle auction or swap meet towards the conclusion of the event, so be sure to ask for a rally program when you pay the entrance fee. Arrive early to inspect your buying options and take the opportunity to speak with owners of vintage Harley Davidsons.

   • 5

     Search trade magazines and want ads for vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles. If you are buying from a private owner, be sure to investigate as much as possible about the particular model and inspect the bike thoroughly for authenticity and restoration accuracy. Through the years many bikes have been modified or poorly restored, so make sure you are purchasing a quality vintage motorcycle.

   • 6

     Place a want ad in Motorcycle Trader and your local newspaper, especially if you have your mind set on a particular year and model. When looking for the perfect vintage Harley Davidson, you will have to have patience. Don't jump into a purchase or you may find yourself with a beautiful, yet expensive restoration project.

How to Rent a Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Renting is a great way to get the "Harley Davidson" experience without the cost and maintenance of owning your own "wild hog." Follow these steps to rent a Harley.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Valid motorcycle operator's license
• Major credit card

1. • 1

     Visit the Web site address for Harley Davidson Motorcycles (see Web site below).

   • 2

     Choose the link for a rental operator near you.

   • 3

     Select a country and language and click "Find."

   • 4

     Click on the state from which you will rent the bike.

   • 5

     Find the area or city that is closest to you or that you want to rent from.

   • 6

     Contact that dealership directly, either by phone, email or on their Web site.

   • 7

     Set up your rental.

   • 8

     Enjoy your ride!

Tips & Warnings

• You must meet all Harley Davidson Motorcycle requirements, such as age, valid motorcycle operator's license, major credit card and the skills and knowledge needed to operate a heavy motorcycle.

• Each rental includes the use of a country-approved helmet and rain suit.

• Twenty-four hour roadside assistance is provided for towing, jump-starting and fuel delivery if needed.

How to Restore a Vintage Harley Davidson

The mystique of the American motorcycle remains vibrant. As evidence, just consider the continued popularity of Harley Davidson chopper. If you like your motorcyles from another era, here are a few steps to help you restore your vintage Harley Davidson.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. • 1

     Consider if you should restore the motorcyle. Harleys from the 1970s are sometimes not worth the effort of restoration, while a Harley from the 1910s might be hard to find parts for.

   • 2

     Strip down the bike to the frame and remove any rust or corrosion you find on the frame, tank or fenders. Send these off to get painted.

   • 3

     Tear down and rebuild the engine using official Harley Davidson parts. Be prepared to replace all of the gaskets, hoses and wires.

   • 4

     Inspect the old exhaust for holes or rust damage. Replace whichever parts are worn out.

   • 5

     Consider upgrading old drum brake units to discs for better, safer stopping.

   • 6

     Reassemble your restored vintage Harley Davidson and go for a ride.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an old 350 cubic-inch Chevy engine you can use that to scavenge missing nuts and bolts for your vintage Harley Davidson.

• Changing the rake or length of the front forks on a Harley Davidson can weaken the bike frame. These modifications should only be undertaken by a trained and experienced professional.

How to Buy a Used Harley Davidson

Many riders would love to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Unfortunately, new bikes can cost buyers way more than their budgets permit. To save money, you can choose to buy a used Harley Davidson. You'll just need to make sure that the Harley is in good shape before making your purchase.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Locate used Harley Davidson listings. Look on the Harley Davidson website and online classifieds to see the used Harley bikes available in your area. Before you look for a bike, get an idea about current market values of Harleys.

   • 2

     Find out the enhancements made to the bike. When you buy a new Harley motorcycle, most of the features are standard. A benefit of buying a used Harley bike is that the tank, exhaust, carb, and other aspects of the motorcycle may have been upgraded.

   • 3

     Examine the appearance of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. Look for any rust, dents, and scratches to determine if the asking price is fair.

   • 4

     Check out the mileage. Ideally, the Harley will have low miles, so you know it will last a long time.

   • 5

     Inquire about where the Harley was stored. If the used bike was garage kept, you can rest assured that it did not sustain damage from being left outside for extended periods of time.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to first look for used Harley Davidson bikes in your area. You may not want to travel to check out different motorcycles.

• You should test drive the motorcycle and question the seller thoroughly before buying a used Harley. You'll want to make sure the seller's not trying to scam you by passing off a beat bike.

How to Build Exhaust Pipes for a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

The exhaust system on a motorcycle is one of the most noticeable aspects of a bike. Motorcyclists can change how their bike looks and sounds by changing the exhaust pipes. One way to customize your motorcycle is to build your own exhaust pipes.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Exhaust pipe
• Cardboard or template board
• Cutting utensil
• Measuring tape
• Marker or grease pencil
• Pipe or tube bender

1. Get Started

   • 1

     Create a design template for your exhaust pipes and outlet. You can draw the design on a sturdy piece of cardboard or template board. Make sure your template is the actual size you want your exhaust pipes.

   • 2

     Cut out the design from the template.

   • 3

     Secure the template to the motorcycle for a trial fit. This will allow you to see how your design will look on the motorcycle.

   • 4

     Modify the template as desired before proceeding.

   • 5

     Measure the length from the engine block to the first bend in your template.

   • 6

     Mark the measurement onto your exhaust pipe.

   • 7

     Repeat process as needed by measuring from the edge of one bend to the beginning of the next bend. Mark the measurements on your exhaust pipe for each bend you plan to make.

   Bending the Pipe

   • 1

     Place the pipe into a pipe or tube bender at the point of your first mark.

   • 2

     Bend the pipe to match template. Make small adjustments to the pipe as needed.

   • 3

     Repeat the process for each additional bend.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider purchasing an exhaust system kit for your motorcycle. There is a wide variety of kits available for Harley Davidson and other exhaust systems. Kits are easier to install and generally have warranties to ensure proper performance.

• Take an inventory of all the parts and pieces before you begin installing your new exhaust.

• Straight exhaust pipes generally have one bend and tend to be easier to build.

• Pre-bent elbows may be welded onto a straight exhaust pipe if you do not have a pipe or tube bender.

• Kits are designed for different makes and models and are not one size fits all.

• Not all kits offer the same warranties or parts.

• Local law may have certain restrictions in regards to the level of noise an exhaust system can produce. Check your local laws before deciding on a exhaust system.

How to Buy Harley Davidson Motorcycles

how to buy harley davidson motorcycles

So you've finally decided you want to buy a motorcycle and not just any motorcycle but a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Read on for some great tips on what to look for and how to buy a Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Money
• Time to look at bikes
• an idea of what type of riding you will be primarily doing

1. • 1

     The first step to buying Harley Davidson Motorcycles is to determine what type of riding you will be doing. There is a model to fit everyone's taste from Harley Davidson and once you determine what type of riding you will primarily be doing you can then start narrowing down your choices to model selection.

   • 2

     When deciding you buy Harley Davidson Motorcycles a huge factor is cost. I will be honest and upfront. My first used Harley Davidson cost me $10,000 and believe it or not I got a great deal on it. My point is Harley Davidson Motorcycles are pricey. So once you have gotten over stick shock it's time to set your budget. This is the second step to determining what model you will be selecting.

   • 3

     The next step is to have some general knowledge about the different model lines Harley Davidson Motorcycles has to offer. The first line is their what I like to call sport bike line. This line is basically comprised of the Buell. They look and act nothing like the traditional Harley Davidson Motorcycles lines you think of. They are bare bones and built for speed. The next line is what I call economy line which is the Sportster. It's bear bones and low priced. The lines then step up to the Dyna model which has different sub lines in it from low options to high options, the model lines continue up to Full Dressers that have all the bells and whistles which are mostly used for touring.

   • 4

     Now you must understand that like everything, you get what you pay for. So the cheapest lines are the one with the least amount of technology and comfort. Those are the Buell's and the Sportsters. Now that doesn't mean there aren't some expensive Harley Davidson Motorcycles I would stay away from as well. Primarily the Fat Boy which in my eyes is very over priced and doesn't handle well or give a comfortable ride for that matter. Once you have determined what line of bike you like where it be the economy Sportster or the Full Dressed Touring models it is now time to find a place to buy.

   • 5

     There are two basic ways of buying a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. The first is from a private party and the second is from a dealer. I have always bought from private parties. (see my other e-How) articles on what to look when buying a private party motorcycle. I would suggest if you are not mechanically inclined you stick to a dealership to buy your Harley Davidson Motorcycles and try to get at least a 1 year warranty if buying used. If you are buying from a private party be prepared to be wrenching on the bike as there is always unexpected issues that arise with any motorcycles bought from a private party regardless of how well they have been maintained.

   • 6

     Decide if you are going to pay in cash or finance. Right now with the banking crisis of last year and the ailing economy getting financing is difficult unless you have great credit. The other option is paying cash. If you do decide to pay cash and are buying from a private party I would urge you to at very least have the bike looked at by a certified motorcycle mechanic or looked over at the dealership if you are not too knowledgeable on Harley Davidson Motorcycles yourself.

   • 7

     Lastly, don't be afraid to walk away. I have seen more people be pressured into a purchase they end up not liking. Trust me it might feel bad at first to walk away but bottom line it is your money and you have to be 100 percent confident in what you are buying or you shouldn't buy it. Don't feel bad about negotiating either. Believe me, every price is negotiable. Every price....

Tips & Warnings

• decide what type of riding you do the most. i.e. Bar hopping, touring, etc.

• test ride bikes at the dealerships that are similar to the ones you are looking at in private party. This will help you get a feel for what a new versus used one feels like of the same model

• Don't be afraid to walk away

• Always negotiate price

• Never buy a bike without seeing it and riding it for that matter