'76 Harley possible purchase
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue (Long Island), NY
'76 Harley possible purchase
Ok I am a complete newbie to the forum so first I'll introduce myself.
I'm from Long Island, NY and have been riding for a long time. Never a Harley owner but riding is part of my way of life so I'm not here to be bashed about owning a jap cruiser before this (Suzuki Marauder).
Anyway I had someone contact me to see if I would be interested in trading his '76 Harley for a boat I am selling on craigslist. I've been off the saddle for 3 years because I didn't have the funds available to get another bike after my Marauder and I met the pavement.
I do not have a lot of info to offer for opinions just yet because that is all he wrote. I do not know which '76 it is. I consider myself to be a good shadetree mechanic having wrenched on my bike, boats, cars and offroad Wrangler for quite sometime.
I know the older motors need a fair amount of upkeep to be reliable ('76 is a shovelhead am I correct?), but just how bad are these motors? I am completely fine with doing routine maintainence, tightening bolts, adjusting, etc but I sure don't want a bike that is going to leave me on the side of the road all of the time.
So my real questions are:
1. should this bike be in good condition just how reliable are they?
2. I understand they are definitely not the smooth runners like today but just how bone vibrating is the ride? (My wife does enjoy riding with me and I don't want the ride to be unbearable for her)
3. Again I do have strong mechanical abilities but for all the classic bike owners is there anything in particular I should pay close attention to when looking at this bike?
I will post more info and picts of the bike when he sends them to me.
Any help would be appreciated.
I'm from Long Island, NY and have been riding for a long time. Never a Harley owner but riding is part of my way of life so I'm not here to be bashed about owning a jap cruiser before this (Suzuki Marauder).
Anyway I had someone contact me to see if I would be interested in trading his '76 Harley for a boat I am selling on craigslist. I've been off the saddle for 3 years because I didn't have the funds available to get another bike after my Marauder and I met the pavement.
I do not have a lot of info to offer for opinions just yet because that is all he wrote. I do not know which '76 it is. I consider myself to be a good shadetree mechanic having wrenched on my bike, boats, cars and offroad Wrangler for quite sometime.
I know the older motors need a fair amount of upkeep to be reliable ('76 is a shovelhead am I correct?), but just how bad are these motors? I am completely fine with doing routine maintainence, tightening bolts, adjusting, etc but I sure don't want a bike that is going to leave me on the side of the road all of the time.
So my real questions are:
1. should this bike be in good condition just how reliable are they?
2. I understand they are definitely not the smooth runners like today but just how bone vibrating is the ride? (My wife does enjoy riding with me and I don't want the ride to be unbearable for her)
3. Again I do have strong mechanical abilities but for all the classic bike owners is there anything in particular I should pay close attention to when looking at this bike?
I will post more info and picts of the bike when he sends them to me.
Any help would be appreciated.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
Find out what model, look up on Kelly Blue Book. If in good shape it's worth about halfway between trade and retail. Now look at what you want for the boat. AMF HD's are like everything else mechanical, good ones and bad ones. If it's a FLH it is most likely at the bottom of it's value, meaning it will most likely go up as it ages, like pans, knuckles have.
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
If it's a shovelhead, poke yourself in the eye with a sharp stick and try to get over wanting another bike. If it's an ironhead sportster, just shoot yourself and get it over with.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: So Cal - High Desert
Once you find out what model it is, take a look at Ebay and see what similiar models are going for. Yes, the Shovelheads require constant TLC, but I know more than a few guys still riding them. Another perspective is that the Shovelheads are starting to become collectable, especially the stock machines that haven't been chopped and heavily modified. Many of these bikes have been rebuilt at one time or another, unless it's a low mileage machine, so a lot of the troubles that they've had, may have already been fixed (but that doesn't mean that they still don't require more). If you're still interested, get ahold of your Local Independent Bike Shop and ask them. They may very well inspect the bike for you.
I own a 2003 FXST, but I'd love to have a vintage Shovelhead FLH or Lowrider to cruise around town on. They were handsome bikes and have an appeal to them, especially if they have a nice patina of reasonable road wear to them. I believe some of the later Shovelheads came with 5 speeds and kickers, though most of the earlier ones were 4 speeds. Lots of resources to research out there. The sound of a Shovelhead and drag pipes is quite pleasing.
I own a 2003 FXST, but I'd love to have a vintage Shovelhead FLH or Lowrider to cruise around town on. They were handsome bikes and have an appeal to them, especially if they have a nice patina of reasonable road wear to them. I believe some of the later Shovelheads came with 5 speeds and kickers, though most of the earlier ones were 4 speeds. Lots of resources to research out there. The sound of a Shovelhead and drag pipes is quite pleasing.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 4
From: WA
I owned a 76 and a 77 fxe, and to be very honest i loved them. Never had problems that wern't a easy fix.... rode the hell out of them both. If i had the chance i would get another 77 fxe. It's all going to depend on the condition of the bike your looking at. Good luck
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 755
Likes: 5
From: Long Island New York
Welcome from another Long Islander. I've no real opinion on the bike, but would Suggest you get it checked out, before you cement a deal. No idea where your at on the Island , but if ya need a good mechanic, i can steer you in several directions, Nassau and Suffolk. GOOD LUCK keep us posted
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Enough said???
AND I NEVER have a need for 'anything' like this. 
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/1104961604.html
The ol' Girl does EVERYTHING I 'aks' it to, and then some.
And my ONLY store bought HD was a '76 XLCH
You build it, it'll run. IF you are a 'turn key, go' guy, get a Twinkie. Want a bullet proof puller, build an EVO. But the shovel will turn heads, and HEARTS.
And, YES, you want it to be 'sharp'. A guy HAS to look 'good' PLUS be seen, whilst standing on the shoulder of the road, nowadays. Thus ALL the 'safety' chrome on mine.
OOPS, fergot. There are folks on here, who have way more tied up in their wheels and 'tars', than is tied up in this.
.
Last edited by Da Gumpmeister; Apr 7, 2009 at 07:00 PM.