I am looking at buying a 1973 XLH. I no absolutely nothing about any Sportsters, and no very little about any Harley, other than what I have been able to learn since April when I acquired my 09 Road King Classic. So I apoligize for asking many questions and appreciate all the help I can get.

The sportster is a 1973 XLH that had the top end redone 4 years ago. It has had Disk Brakes put on the rear as it came with a front disk brake that is as much as I have been able to discover from the owner via craigslist.

The problems with the bike are: he says the rear master cylinder needs replaced, and the speedo quit on him "yesterday."

He is asking $2000. I will need to replace the master cylinder and speedo.

Ok now to the questions....

What does the master cylinder cost to replace. From what I can tell the same master cylinder was not changed until the mid 80's, and I should be able to find one for about $100.

I have not been able to find any info on fixing/replacing the speedo. any help or advice would be great.

Is there a service book still in print from Harley to fix it, or would you suggest other publishers. I am buying this for a project for my brother and I to work on, and for him to ride with me.

What other things should I look for when looking at the bike to make sure that I am not buying a money pit?

 

A master cylinder is well under 100 bucks. A rebuild kit is about 10 bucks. The speedo could be any number of things, from a bad speedo to a broken cable to a broke drive unit.

If you plan on riding it, you probably are buying a money pit...LOL.

 

If the bike is in decent condition 2K is a great price. The speedo problem will generally speaking, be a broken cable. Older Sportsters require a little more attention then todays bikes. I had a 77 it was a great bike. Had almost 60K miles on it and no major work.

 

What probelms have you seen on yours that have made it a money pit? If I am going to do my own wrenching how much do you think it would cost to keep running for an Iowa riding season as a weekend bar hopper. I have my Road King so I will never be hindered by it not running. Just my brother when he comes over from college on the weekends/ some evenings would have problems, but hard to find a Harley, to ride for 2500 including the cost to get safe to ride (BRAKES), that I am helping him with. I think he has it made but not if I can't afford to keep it running.

 

Remember, you are buying an AMF era HD (1969-1981). Just Sayin.

 

Yeah, they were all turds......Well, not all of them. I can ride mine anywhere, anytime.

 

Besides being a AMF, does it have a ""right side"" shift? Kick Start or both (electric & kick).? You might find if its in pretty good condition, after doing some work, you might have a valuable bike to resell.... Just my

 

My understanding is the 1973's had a left side shift and as it is an XLH it has an electric start. I am going to go and look at it after work today. So we will see how condition it is in.

 

Up until 1975, all sportsters were right side shift. On my '73 the back drum brake was almost useless, it's good that this one was replaced with a disc. $2K is a great price for a good running Ironhead. Plan on having a mechanic go through it twice a year to adjust the valves and timing. With proper maintenance, that thing will last forever. XLH's were electric start only.

 

Yeah....here it is 2009 and the bike has only lasted 36 years...darn AMF quality...probably never see 50 years...he might want to reconsider getting it....