Ok guys, if you read my other thread, you'll know Im looking at buying a 2008 Nightster. I Love the styling if it and the 883...

Now here's my dilemma, I just saw a 2007 blue sportster 1200c for sale, asking $900 cheaper than I'll pay for the nightster and they NEED to sell it for medical reasons, so I may end up saving $1000+ over the nightster. Now, with the 1200c, I would change the tank (hate it!) remove front fender. Put on a set of black 10" mini apes i have at the house and chop the rear fender.

I can get a 3.3 gal peanut tank for $219 shipped, unpainted and have the ability to paint it myself. So, what do you guys think? Spring for the uglier, cheaper, 1200c and make it look like a nightster?

The tank is $219
Mini apes $60

And I'd have a little more saved up to get my short shots and other stage 1 components a little quicker than if I got the nightster.

So which is the better deal guys?

2007 1200C with 7350 miles, forward controls (thats a must!) Asking $5200 (bike is 12 miles from my house)

2008 Nightster with 3100 miles, no forward controls $5800 FIRM. (Bike is 60 miles from my house)

 

I would go with the nightster, but then I am biased...I am a little confused though. The nightster has the 1200 motor, I'm reading you think it has the 883. It also has the 3.3 gallon tank too. The custom's are nice bikes, but if you like the looks of the nightsters better then go with it and worry about the apes and forwards later. Here's a pic of mine for inspiration...

 

Go with the nightsters as it has pretty much everything you want stock. The better deal isn't always the better choice especial if it isn't what you want.

 

Well the only downside with the nightster, is it will also, like the 1200c need mini apes. It will need forward controls (1200c has them) So besides the gas tank and blacked out parts on the nightster, seems like the same bike almost and at about $1000 cheaper, I could easily replace the tank.

I hate making these kinds of decisions.

 

Is the 2007 going for 4800 or 5200? I would say if its $4800 and only thing you will need to buy is a tank, then go for it. Maybe able to sell the tank for a few $$s. If forwards cost about the same as the tank, then your way ahead on the '07.

You already have the bars and would chop/remove the fender so no point paying the extra $$ of the nighster. The blacked out engine is a big plus for a lot of people though.

 

He is asking $5200, but Im hoping for $4800-$5000

If I could get it for $5000 cash, new tank and bars, im at $5280 with the C. The N, if the guy i know still has his FWD controls for sale, ill be at $6050 on it. Im going to go for the C i suppose and hate the tank until I order a new one. Im kind of excited that Ill be able to do work to it and make it unique to me. The blacked out engine is a huge plus for me, but I just thought about my 72 not having it, and i blacked out a lot on that, handle bars, mirrors, pipes, horn cover, foot pegs, and with all that matte black, the small amount of chrome made it pop to me and I liked it.

 

One other thing about the "C" models to keep in mind is that if you are going to replace the bars with some mini-apes, you probably will want to do away with the ugly stock riser. If you do that, you'll also have to relocate or find another mount for your speedometer and indicator lights... something to think about when you are figuring up all the costs.