1989 FLHTC value?
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 20
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From: Iowa
1989 FLHTC value?
Hi!
It's been a few years since I've been in the Evo game but I may be getting back in with this bike. Here's the deal, it's a 1989 FLHTC with like 30K original miles and has a 96" S&S motor in it that was run for 1 season. Sounds good right? Well, the downside is that the swing arm broke on it and the bike has been apart ever since, for close to 10 years now. I would basically need to either buy a direct replacement swing arm and pivot shaft or convert to the 2002 up arm. Everything else is there. Trans case was damaged when they removed pivot bolt but the owner had gears swapped into a new case before he lost interest so I should be OK there. I can buy it for $2800. It's a good chunk of work to get it back to being ride able again, just wondering if it sounds like a good or bad deal to all of you money wise? Not sure how much the 96" motor is worth? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
It's been a few years since I've been in the Evo game but I may be getting back in with this bike. Here's the deal, it's a 1989 FLHTC with like 30K original miles and has a 96" S&S motor in it that was run for 1 season. Sounds good right? Well, the downside is that the swing arm broke on it and the bike has been apart ever since, for close to 10 years now. I would basically need to either buy a direct replacement swing arm and pivot shaft or convert to the 2002 up arm. Everything else is there. Trans case was damaged when they removed pivot bolt but the owner had gears swapped into a new case before he lost interest so I should be OK there. I can buy it for $2800. It's a good chunk of work to get it back to being ride able again, just wondering if it sounds like a good or bad deal to all of you money wise? Not sure how much the 96" motor is worth? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
Hi!
It's been a few years since I've been in the Evo game but I may be getting back in with this bike. Here's the deal, it's a 1989 FLHTC with like 30K original miles and has a 96" S&S motor in it that was run for 1 season. Sounds good right? Well, the downside is that the swing arm broke on it and the bike has been apart ever since, for close to 10 years now. I would basically need to either buy a direct replacement swing arm and pivot shaft or convert to the 2002 up arm. Everything else is there. Trans case was damaged when they removed pivot bolt but the owner had gears swapped into a new case before he lost interest so I should be OK there. I can buy it for $2800. It's a good chunk of work to get it back to being ride able again, just wondering if it sounds like a good or bad deal to all of you money wise? Not sure how much the 96" motor is worth? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
It's been a few years since I've been in the Evo game but I may be getting back in with this bike. Here's the deal, it's a 1989 FLHTC with like 30K original miles and has a 96" S&S motor in it that was run for 1 season. Sounds good right? Well, the downside is that the swing arm broke on it and the bike has been apart ever since, for close to 10 years now. I would basically need to either buy a direct replacement swing arm and pivot shaft or convert to the 2002 up arm. Everything else is there. Trans case was damaged when they removed pivot bolt but the owner had gears swapped into a new case before he lost interest so I should be OK there. I can buy it for $2800. It's a good chunk of work to get it back to being ride able again, just wondering if it sounds like a good or bad deal to all of you money wise? Not sure how much the 96" motor is worth? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
It has a broken swing-arm.
It has been reported to have been parked "broken" for 10 years.
It also has a damaged transmission case
Seems like it would be a $5,000 to $6,000 if it was unmolested, original, clean title and in good condition.
Unless the bike was a real looker it would just seem fair to less than fair to me.
A non-running, unable to be ridden bike is a big gamble.
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 20
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From: Iowa
I offered the guy $2K yesterday, just like you guys would have, and got a firm "no way". $2,800 is his bottom, started out at $3k.
Seems like an "ok" deal but not a steal by any stretch of the imagination.
I agree that it's a bit risky, but the cheaper bikes like this usually are.
I like to get stuff like this back on the road so it's not wasting away in some old garage.
Seems like an "ok" deal but not a steal by any stretch of the imagination.
I agree that it's a bit risky, but the cheaper bikes like this usually are.
I like to get stuff like this back on the road so it's not wasting away in some old garage.
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
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From: Haslet Texas
I offered the guy $2K yesterday, just like you guys would have, and got a firm "no way". $2,800 is his bottom, started out at $3k.
Seems like an "ok" deal but not a steal by any stretch of the imagination.
I agree that it's a bit risky, but the cheaper bikes like this usually are.
I like to get stuff like this back on the road so it's not wasting away in some old garage.
Seems like an "ok" deal but not a steal by any stretch of the imagination.
I agree that it's a bit risky, but the cheaper bikes like this usually are.
I like to get stuff like this back on the road so it's not wasting away in some old garage.
Just realize you are paying $800 for the fun of rebuilding not to mention the other parts you will have to buy.
I'd wait for a while then offer $2k again, he might come down after not selling it for a while.
I don't think many people will be pounding on his door at that price.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Indiana, USA
You will have 2k and your time repairing this bike that at most is gonna be worth 5K in running order.
Gonna get some backlash I'm sure but, The motor was trashed and replaced with an S&S, now the old tranny is trashed and the swingarm is broken. This thing has had the crap ran out of it, everything is trashed and for me the fact it doesn't have the stock motor is a deal breaker. Yes you still have the H-D Title but an aftermarket motor same as the other dime a dozen customs out there.
Gonna get some backlash I'm sure but, The motor was trashed and replaced with an S&S, now the old tranny is trashed and the swingarm is broken. This thing has had the crap ran out of it, everything is trashed and for me the fact it doesn't have the stock motor is a deal breaker. Yes you still have the H-D Title but an aftermarket motor same as the other dime a dozen customs out there.
Really comes down to your intentions.
If you want a foundation for a complete rebuild (I mean down to the last nut, stem to stern), then this may very well be a decent head start.
If you're just looking to get an Electra Glide on the road for cheap, there is every reason to think this is a very expensive nightmare waiting to happen. You are far better off paying $5k for a nice condition runner.
