Alright so this is the last one I need an opinion on, I think this is the one I'm gonna go pick up. 1997 Sportster 15k miles, quite a few mods and a jockey shift. It's an 883 I know I'm gonna up it to a 1200 but that come later. It's pretty much between this one and the 2004 883 that's got 43k miles but not much else going for it. Same price, I can grab either one of them for $2400 what do you guys think about this 97? It's a decal on the tank and not paint but whatever lol everything looks kinda in check tho. I personally love this one but I'm wondering if I'm getting in over my head?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcy/5436322775.html

 

I don't know about your previous riding experience. But if your somewhat new Id stay away from a jockey shift. That's a whole new monster and a total different way of riding.

If it will be your only bike and a daily driver id convert it back to standard shift.

 

Nightmare waiting to happen. Leave it whee you found it. Look for something as close to stock as possible. That way you get to fk it up, not deal with someone else's fk ups.

This bike is s**t. Dont be the sucker that buys it.

You dont need to stop asking the forum about bikes, but t might be better to do it all in one thread rather than making a new thread for every bike you find. And lastly, you are the one that has to ride your purchase, we are all just a peanut gallery full of idiots.

 

It has had some work done to it. The first thing I noticed was the rear fender has had the brake light removed and chopped. That means the wiring has been tampered with. Ask him to pull the seat and take a look at how he did the wiring. As stated above try and buy a used bike as close to stock as possible then start customizing.

 

Foot clutch, hand shift, hard tail, bobbed fender, re-wire job.........got a backyard mechanic look to the whole thing. You're nuts! Do not walk........RUN..............away from that.

 

Hmmm you guys make valid points. I've been riding rockets for 10 years and trying to get into the Harley scene, ridden a sportster a handful of times and the jockey shift doesn't really scare me but the point about dealing with other people's stuff that they did does. I'll post this bike, instead of making a new thread, this bike is relatively close to stock I mean windshield, sissy bar, and screaming eagle but yeah I mean doesn't look like anything too extensive. I know for sure I want to add forward controls and a low profile seat but yeah. Let me know your guys opinions for this one then. I obviously know going to check it out it still gonna be my best bet. And I know a thing or two about bikes and the tinkering of them but like I said I've ridden rockets so I've really mainly known the ins and outs of some jap speed machines lol. I can tell what to look for when it comes down to hearing it run and seeing it in person but like you guys pointed out like chopped fenders and what not I never really woulda realized it through the post. But this one is the 2004 883 with 43k miles

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/5435320534.html

 

have you checked ebay and cycletrader?

 

eBay I haven't just cause of the whole not really being able to check it out first thing. Cycle trader, a little bit but mainly came across dealers

 

Are you into the buzzzzzz on anything not rubber mounted ? 04 & below ? 05 > yes

 

in all honesty, the sportster is like the miata of motorcycles in just about every way. reliability, rawness, purity. sure there a better, faster, cooler bikes... but none like the sporty. polaris and the scout are nice but it's still is not authentic, the bolt is tin can joke.

that being said, if you find one that has not been molested by some idiotic clown of an owner and is as near stock as possible. you will have yourself a reliable bike that you will never forget.

ignore morons saying.... oh you need a bigger bike. bigger bikes require more work to raw speed, cost more to maintain, are heavier, less reliable, have serious heat issues, and are basically tearing themselves apart from day one. only your ego is improved with a bigger bike because random people, who know nothing about bikes, will complement it more.

ebay bikes are good, cycle trader has plenty, you may just have to travel
to score a beastly deal. high milage, bizarre paint, and third party mods are red flags.

it will work out, just be patient and keep posting your finds. don't rush.