My first question is this, Is this worth keeping and repairing or selling out right?
It does need some things such as new oil tank, carb re-built and other minor issues. It does run but unable to due to the carb and oil tank issues. The electrical that needs repaired is just new wire ends and put back on generator.
I really like the stlye of the bike and the way it sits, but could'nt I just have a newer bike set up the same way?
I would like to know if a newer engine/ trans. would fit in this frame? Part of the whole problem is in my area NO ONE will work on this bike, the one shop I did find had a 3 month wait a $2000 deposit and atleast 30 days to repair.
Any help or ideas would be great I do have a budget but it's not much.
Will add pics in a bit.
ironheads rock,......theres plenty of parts on ebay, plenty of tech help on line, so just about anyone can work on these old girls. i'd keep it but i love my ironheads so i'd keep any ironhead. and the evo engines are taller so they wont fit in your frame without cutting and modifying.
This bike has upgraded front brakes and wheels (looks good too). The problems you mention (plus it looks like it might have a kickstarter return spring issue) are all easy fixes. Roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself. When you are done the appreciation level for the machine will go way up.
__________________
"When the government fears the people there is liberty; when the people fear the government there is tyranny"
:Thomas jefferson
If the kicker return spring is the one that mounts on the outside of the cover near the kicker it self, i just took it off and did not put back on for pics.
Yes front end is fron 77-78 Sporty?
Thank you for such quick replies.
I know I want to repair it myself, but having questions and no answers really sucks especially when people look down their nose at you because the bike is so old and you did not buy it from their shop.
As for the oil tank will just about any aftermarket tank work provided I have someway of mounting it to the frame?
Also would it be better to have the magneto rebuilt or add a battery and coil and switch to electronic ignition, or am I in way over my head either way?
You could probably get most of your questions answered on this forum. The parts are available for a reasonable price. The fact it is old iron is what makes it worth the time. Either fix it and ride or sell it someone that will. Do not just let it sit DAMHIKT. Good luck with whatever choice you make.
__________________
"When the government fears the people there is liberty; when the people fear the government there is tyranny"
:Thomas jefferson
The photo of the machine appears to indicate that it is in pretty fair shape and reasonably complete. The front end with disc brakes is much newer than what the bike came with, so someone added this on.
If you want to get the machine running and then plan to ride it you must be prepared to do the work yourself. Dealers will not work on the older machines, and independent shops all have a high hourly labor rate.
The Sportsters are not complicated to work on. You will need a factory repair manual. They do require a few special tools if you have to go into the engine or clutch. Many of these tools can also be home built if you have some mechanical aptitude and shop tools. I have repair manuals for 1959 thru 1969 and for 1971. These are not for sale at any price but I will be glad to scan and send you a PDF file of the section(s) you may need. Just let me know.
If you are not comfortable in doing the work yourself, I suggest you sell it or trade to someone and get a newer model that the shops will work on. This would be a 1986 or newer.
I have owned my 1971 XLCH since 1973 and have rebuilt it twice, doing all of the work myself. If you intend to own and ride one of these things it will require that you be an accomplished wrench as well. Good luck...................piniongear
p.s. No one looks down on my 1971 as an old bike. Oh yeah, it's old all right but that is what attracts the attention. I am finding that mine is much older than a lot of folks who are looking at it.
I have the offical Harley manual so we'll see what happens when I fix the things needed to atleast try and start it again.
Hopefully some one will let me know if the electronic ignition idea will work or if it's even feesable.
But in the event I can not get it running even after I fix those things, what would be an estimate of value in selling it?
If I were standing in your boots I would forget about electronic ignition. All that would do is require you to carry a battery on the machine. Keep the Fairbank-Morse magneto! It is part of the machine.
What type of carb is on the bike? It should be a Tillotson or Bendix unless someone has changed the carb out. A Bendix I would keep. A Tillotson I would get another carb. Putting on a 38mm Mikuni will make the bike start easy and run smoothly. This would be my first choice if you want to upgrade the carb.
I had meant to comment earlier regarding your oil tank. You say you need another one? Why? Along with the magneto, I would do anything possible to retain this tank. I wish I had such a tank to put on my '71, but there would be issues concerning a '71 needing a battery because of the electric distributor.
Does your bike have the tin primary chaincase? That would indicate it is an XLCH. If you have an aluminum case then it is most likely an XLH. Yep, if you have the factory manual you are going to be able to take care of almost anything you need to do on this machine.
If you decide to sell it, I would guess that you should expect to get around 2K if you can find someone who wants a project. To put it in some perspective, my last rebuild of my '71 CH costs me around $5000 for the needed parts and paint supplies. My bike was in terrible shape and covered with rust and occidation when I began, but doing all of the work myself, look at what it still cost me. These things are far from cheap to fully restore. Oh well, as my wife tells me, some guys waste money on golf. I have no interest in that, I'd rather throw my $ at a cycle. The foregoing is only my two cents worth.................piniongear
I believe the carb is swapped out with a kehin, i did get the a tillotson in a box with the bike. I will be having it rebuilt when i pick up the oil tank.
As for tin cover i dont know but the VIN stamped shows xlch.
The oil tank bracket some how failed is my guess and slipped down where the chain rubbed a rather lager hole in it. It is at the shop being fixed and tested right now.
Worth keeping/Repairing?!
