Alright, let me tell you about this Harley 2003 Anniversary Edition I got my hands on. It wasn’t something I was actively hunting for, you know, but sometimes these things just find you. I was just browsing, as you do, seeing what’s out there, and this beauty popped up. The “anniversary” part always catches your eye, doesn’t it?
First Steps and a Good Look
So, I made the call, went over to see it. It was kept pretty decent, but you could tell it hadn’t seen a lot of road recently. A bit of dust here and there, nothing too scary. I always start with a walk-around. Just looking. Taking it all in. Checked the tires, gave them a good kick. Looked for any obvious drips or leaks underneath. You get a feel for things that way.
The paint, that classic anniversary two-tone, was mostly good. A few minor marks, sure, it’s a 2003, not a showroom fresh bike. But the chrome! That’s where these anniversary models shine, literally. It was there, all of it, but it needed some serious attention. Tarnished, a bit dull. I knew that would be my first real job.
Getting Down to It
Got it back to my place. First thing I always do is give it a good wash. Nothing fancy, just soap and water. You gotta get the grime off to see what you’re really dealing with. It’s amazing what a simple clean can reveal, and what it can hide if you don’t do it.
- Washed it down thoroughly.
- Dried it off properly, got into all the nooks and crannies.
Then, I grabbed my polishes. This was going to take a while. I started on a small section of chrome, just to see the results. Man, when it started to gleam, it was satisfying. I spent a good afternoon, maybe more, just working on that chrome. Bit by bit, section by section. Exhaust pipes, engine covers, all those little shiny bits. My hands were sore afterwards, but totally worth it.
Once the shining was done, I moved on to some basic checks. Fluid levels – oil, brake fluid. All seemed okay, but I made a note to change the oil soon. Better safe than sorry. Checked the battery connections, made sure they were tight. Little things, but they matter.
The Feeling of Progress
I haven’t done any major mechanical work yet. Just wanted to get it clean and looking respectable. It’s a process, you know? You start with the surface, then you gradually work your way deeper if needed. For now, just seeing it gleam under the garage lights, looking worlds better than when I first saw it, that’s a good feeling.
It’s sitting pretty now. Still got a list of small things I want to check out, maybe some new spark plugs, an oil change for sure. But for a bike of its age, this Anniversary Edition is a solid machine. It’s a great piece to have, and bringing back that shine was the first, and maybe most rewarding, step so far. More to come, I’m sure.
