1991 Harley Davidson 1340 1.3L Petrol · J868 RJT

A clean and uninterrupted run of MOT passes since mid-2022 defines the mechanical profile of this 1991 Harley-Davidson 1340, with the most recent test on 9 September 2025 returning a pass and no defects recorded against any inspected component. The two prior annual passes, in September 2024 and June 2023, were equally clean, and even the single failure logged on 20 June 2022 was recorded with no advisories or specific defect categories, suggesting it was either a presentational or administrative refusal rather than a substantive mechanical failure. Subsequent retests within the same month confirmed that the issue was resolved immediately. The absence of recurring advisories for items such as braking components, steering, suspension, lighting, or exhaust system integrity over a three-year continuous testing history points to a vehicle that has consistently met the basic roadworthiness standards expected of its class, with no flagged deterioration trending. With only 20,143 miles recorded across roughly 35 years, annual mileage averages around 576 miles, an exceptionally low figure that strongly suggests long periods of storage interspersed with relatively short riding seasons. Such a usage pattern is typical of a motorcycle kept as a leisure or weekend machine rather than a daily transport workhorse, and the relatively even spacing of recent MOT tests indicates the vehicle has been kept on the road consistently since at least 2022. Mechanically, low mileage of this nature tends to preserve major drivetrain and engine components from wear, but it does place greater emphasis on the condition of seals, gaskets, fuel system internals, and electrical items that can deteriorate during extended standing periods. The clean advisory record, however, offers no direct evidence that any such deterioration has yet been flagged at test. For a prospective buyer, the lack of recorded advisories means there is no specific component history to interrogate, so the inspection focus should shift to condition checks that MOT testing does not fully cover. On a test ride, attention should be paid to the throttle response and any hesitation or misfire from the V-twin, which can indicate fouled plugs, stale fuel, or carburettor issues after long storage. Listen for knocks or rattles from the primary drive, transmission, or final belt area when pulling away and through the gears, as these can betray worn internals or chain/belt tension problems. Warm the engine fully and watch for any drips of oil from the primary cover, rocker boxes, or crankcases, as aged gaskets on low-mileage Harleys commonly weep once the seals dry out. Brake feel and effectiveness deserve close attention on a road test, with focus on lever travel, any sponginess that might indicate fluid contamination from infrequent use, and the response of both front and rear calipers. Steering head bearings should be checked for notchiness or binding by turning the bars through full lock at a standstill, and suspension should be exercised over uneven surfaces to confirm there are no clonks or top-out noises from the front forks or rear shocks. Given the long-term low usage, particular care should also be taken to inspect the battery health, tyre condition including sidewall cracking from age rather than wear, and the condition of any rubber fuel lines and vacuum hoses. Overall, the clean MOT history is reassuring, but the usage profile warrants a thorough hands-on mechanical appraisal before purchase.