2008 Harley Davidson FAT BOB 1.6L Petrol · AA58 NHC

The 2009 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 20 October 2025 at 25,575 miles with zero defects recorded. That result marks three consecutive flawless MOTs following a period of minor faults in 2021 and early 2023, suggesting the previous owner addressed outstanding issues and has since kept the bike in good order. The trajectory from multiple failures to a run of clean passes indicates attentive rather than neglectful ownership in recent years. The mileage profile tells a story of very light use. Across roughly seventeen years the odometer has advanced just 25,575 miles, averaging approximately 1,504 miles annually. The 2021 failure at 24,633 miles and the February 2023 test at 24,635 miles show the bike covered only two miles across nearly two years, pointing to a prolonged period of storage or near-total inactivity. From October 2023 at 24,651 miles to October 2025 at 25,575 miles, the bike added 924 miles in two years, a modest but more active pattern. That long stationary phase warrants attention because extended sitting can degrade fork seals, tyres, brake fluid, and fuel system components even when mileage remains negligible. The 2021 failure is the most technically significant entry in the record. The tester flagged a stop lamp remaining on after the front brake was released, a non-functioning rear brake stop lamp, and headlamp aim set too high. A persistent brake light suggests a sticking front brake lever, a misadjusted stop lamp switch, or a hydraulic issue such as a binding master cylinder or caliper. Combined with the rear stop lamp fault, the entire brake lighting system was compromised at that time. The missing rear reflector also points to cosmetic neglect or possible impact damage. All of these were evidently rectified before the clean passes began, but a buyer should verify the brake light switches operate correctly, check for caliper drag, and confirm headlamp aim meets specification. The February 2023 advisory for a noisy offside exhaust is worth noting. On a Harley-Davidson V-twin, exhaust noise can stem from a loose heat shield, a cracked baffle, or a small exhaust leak at a flange or gasket. The fact that no exhaust defect appeared in the subsequent October 2023 or later tests suggests the issue was resolved, yet a buyer should still inspect the full exhaust system for corrosion, gas leaks, and secure mounting. Given the low annual mileage and extended storage periods, a thorough in-person inspection should also cover tyre age and condition regardless of tread depth, brake fluid moisture content, fork seal integrity, battery health, and any signs of corrosion on the frame, fuel tank, or electrical connectors that can develop when a motorcycle stands unused for long intervals.