Tell me it is going to be OK!!!!

You CAN keep it. Although they do require a little more attention to details on a regular basis - it's just that - attention to the details to keep it running trouble free.

The 2 valve engines are fairly easy to work on. You don't have to be a mechanical susperstar. Valve checks and adjustments are not hard to learn. I check every 3K and expect to adjust some of them maybe every 6K miles. Changing belts every 12K miles is easy and not too costly for the DIYer.

Even though I'm a tool fanatic, I haven't had to get a lot of specialty tools.(I have bought a lot special tools, but didn't HAVE to) First off, get a Haynes Manual. Chris at ca-cycleworks should have it in hardcover (more durable). In addition to lots of good info on the bikes systems, it has invaluable tips and tricks for making some of the special tools you'll want or need. This board and several personal web pages with maintenance info are a fantastic help for those of us who do it ourselves.

The basic tools you'll need to perform routine maintenance will be a set of metric wrenches, metric allen wrenches, metric allen type sockets in 6mm, 8mm, 10mm (and 14mm if you have the earlier solid type front axle), spark plug socket, torque wrench for starters. About the only metric socket I use regularly is the 22mm (I think) for the rear axle nuts. A decent vernier caliper, micrometer, and feeler guages round out the necessary measuring tools. Nice to have items include a compression tester and a multimeter for the occasional electric gremlin. I've added other stuff, and splurged on a set of T-handle allen wrenches because so much stuff on the bike uses them, but the basic list will get most stuff done

I made a cam belt tensioning tool as per Haynes from a spring scale with a custom bent hook on one end to hold on to the roller bearing while setting the tension. I made a little hook for pulling the spring clips off the rocker shafts more easily from an old ice pick with the end bent 90 degrees. (You find yourself taking these clips off and on several times while checking/adjusting the valves).

Not all valves need adjusting every time. As your bike gets past the 12-15K mile mark they should require fewer adjustments. At 12K when I got my bike I had to adjust all 4 openers and one closer. I checked them again at 15K and had to adjust one opener. Sometimes if more than one valve needs adjusting you get lucky and find that the shim coming off one valve may be the thickness you need to correct one of the other valves. Some dealers will give you a few dollars "trade in" on old shims. I just keep the few I have left over after buying the necessary ones in case they will be right for a future adjustment.

Hopefully this reply will calm some of the new-owner concerns. Yes,things can get expensive - but barring catastrophic failures, the basic stuff isn't that bad if you are mechanically inclined enough to do a lot of the work yourself. More than maintenance costs, you'll probably have to learn to control the impulse to spend $$ on more mods for the bike.

Dan,

Go out to the garage.
Take a look.

Start her up.
Hear the sound.

Take her on the road.
Peg it.

Unique, capable, and not as high maintenance as some would lead you to believe.

You CAN keep her.
Because you're gonna want to keep her.

DuckyDan,

Was it your 'dealer' or your 'mechanic' that was filling your head with that crapola?

Major service is every 6000, including a valve clearance check, belt change is every 12000.
I've ridden with lots of Ducs, never seen anything fall off. I don't recall a post here about anything vibrating off.
Depending on how you ride, tires are good for 3000 - 6000 or so, just like any other sportbike of similar performance.
Hex Nuts ???
Granted, the electrical systems sometimes are not as robust as some (far more boring) bikes, but lots of folks have no problems.

Keep her, do consciencious maintenance, and have fun riding.

I'm not even gonna comment on your 'mechanic' riding a Buell... :

Things rattling loose! - falling off!!!!

Let me tell ya a little story: My best friend bought a 2002 1200 Sportster about 6 months before me. It currently has 8,000 miles while my 2003 620 dark has 6,300 miles. My bike has been down twice - once a drop, the other a high side at about 30 mph. The Sporty has never been down, never sleeps outside (it's in his LIVING ROOM), and is maticuously maintained and cleaned.

On his ride home from the dealer the day he bought it the gear shifter fell off. About a month after that the starter switch fell off. Then the mirrors started to fall off - 3 in all. On his way to work one day the 100 dollar kickstand fell off. He found out when he got to work and almost dropped the bike. Imagine if that thing had hit the rear wheel? And last but not least, last weekend the bracket holding the gauge cluster cracked - he had to limp home with a bandana holding the cluster on. Don't get me wrong, this isn't funny. I love this guy like my brother and it pains me to see him have so much trouble. He LOVES Sporties though - the 2004's are rubber mounted . . . I'm trying to talk him into one of those.

Other than two handlebars (the stock steel ones) and a big dent in my tank - nothing. Nada. I get on the bike and RIDE. I'm scheduled to take it in for it's 6,000 mile service next week - probly have more like 6,700 miles on it but tough sh1t. I bought this bike to ride. After this service I'll be doing all the required maintainance myself.

So what does all this mean? If you want unbeatable reliablilty you should have bought a 919. My experience so far with my Monter has been very positive. I guess what I'm saying is it could be worse: you could have an unatural fetish for Sporties! :