Bad Eye saw this bike on Craigslist and went to check it out today. He took some pics and wants our feedback on whether he should buy it or not. I'll post the text from the ad as well as some of the pics he took.
Although it's listed for 4k, as long as his offer starts w/ a "3" and has 4 digits then the guy will sell the bike. Bad Eye's hesitation mostly stems from the fact that he couldn't take it around the block for a spin. Evidently there's some rear brake and clutch adjustments that need made. The guy said HE would take it up and down the street but didn't want someone else riding it in this less-than-road-worthy condition. However, I believe he contends that the fix is easy and he has dropped the price of the bike significantly low enough to cover any professional tuning that may be needed.
Pro's: it looks bad as hell, looks real clean and well-restored, lots of slick custom work, amazing wheels(!), big bore kit, comes w/ extras not on the bike like a custom exhaust and fwd controls, a real looker.
Con's: it's 35 years old, the clutch and brake are reversed b/c of the time period, it's gonna be hard to handle due to the serious rake, not good for the triple nickle!, probably not the greatest bike for roadtrips, he can't test ride it before he buys it...
From the ad: "i have a 1975 custom harley, has custom paint,frame. a springer front end, it is a hard tail, the motor is a 1000cc iron head that has been bored over, it has the electronic ignition control and electric start. this bike runs like no iron head i have ever seen or ridden. i have been told the rims on it are very rare and if sold alone would be worth over 4K. has tittle with matching number, has a few odds and ends that arnt on the bike yet like a new custom exhaust for it and some other stuff just havnt put them on yet this seasoon. it needs to go!!! but please no low ballers , cash talks and the right offer gets you the bike."
So, should Bad Eye buy the bike?
Or should Bad Eye look at this one instead?
i'm quite partial to this bike aesthetically. the paint job is obviously questionable, but i mean everything else. i think the rims are amazing. it has a lot of character. but after thinking about it, i think the single thing that kills it for me is the reverse brake/clutch situation. that's a show-stopper for me.
ReplyDeletethe rake and handling would be weird and i would feel real sketch taking it to Hocking Hills, so that's a big damper, too.
although the sporty he could check out isn't as charismatic, i think it's a better bike for everyday use. the chopper is a great second bike, imo. i would love to put those crazy ass stovepipe lookin pipes that they used to use in the 60s that stick up real high.
i think the sporty would look great w/ a custom paint job on the side of the tank. some pinstriping or a Varga girl or something. it's missing that little something extra to push it over the edge and make it a real eye-catcher. maybe a wizard...
I think it looks cool, sans paint. Did he ever hear it start up and did the guy actually ride it? What kills it for me is not being able to ride it. I mean he needs to test out the, see if it is a good fit for him. I think all of your comments are valid...the sportster would definitely be more usable. Like anything already modified you put a lot of trust in someone's modifications. Did they take shortcuts, or use questionable parts etc.
ReplyDeleteI guess it really depends on what bad eye wants, I mean that would be a cool bike that turns heads but I can see how the he can modify the sportster to make it his.
I dunno.
I would do the black one it has way more potential and doesn't look like OCC threw up on a period chop. Also a rebuilt motor and front brake is a plus.
ReplyDeleteuse questionable seat brackets? ;)
ReplyDelete@ Bandit. He started it up.. Real strong runner. Sounded pretty impressive actually. No leaks or signs of past ones. Here is a vid of it running: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMcoIEWaq0w
ReplyDeleteDude, won't let me ride it. Clutch is f'd and he doesn't want to risk bike or rider until it's tightened up.
I am going to tell him him I can't do it anywhere near what he's asking.. if I'm going to buy something I can't ride right out of the gate I'm not spending a dime over $2500. If that were to be the case and he wants to sell for that low it's going straight to Detroit Bros. to get tightened up. I'm thinking consider this a project bike and buy a 2nd, reliable jap bike for touring.
Anyone feeling this?
Bad Eye is taking a pass... Thanks for the input Skullz.
ReplyDelete