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Hey everyone, I'm looking to sell my roller. The problem is I still dont know what I have, so I am afraid to sell it only to find out I got ripped off. I have been told there were no numbers on frames that old, so I am lost. I already found my next project, and now I'm starting to get antsy about selling this one. If anyone can help me, it would be much appreciated....
Looks like a conglomeration of different bikes put together. Maybe if you found a frame number, HD could tell you what it started out as. Did you check the neck and bottom of the frame really good?
Front end looks kind of like a Sportster (a really old Sportster) while the rear fender and tank looks like it's off an FL.
Frame looks to be a 65-69. In 70 they started stamping frames to match vins. Yours does not appear to have been altered around the neck so i would say it's OEM. Round swing arm, front and rear star hub and drum mark it early as well. Can't tell from the handlebars if they are OEM or aftermarket. Tanks might be aftermarket or OEM. If OEM they are 66 and later (65 was the last year to have the shut off rod in the tanks). There are no emblem mounts that I can see, but they may have been ground off and painted over the rattle can paint job. Someone took the star hub and mounted a 21 on the front. Tubes look like they might be 2 over from the angle.
Basically its a good roller that someone could go either way with, chopper/bobber or start putting together a pan or shovel depending on the date of the frame.
BTW if its a HD frame for 65-69 there should be a code on the left side of the neck just below the pin. This will tell you the year of the frame at least.
"The problem is I still dont know what I have, so I am afraid to sell it only to find out I got ripped off."
Are you afraid you will be leaving money on the table, or are you afraid you were ripped off when you bought it??
Do you still have the bill of sale from when you bought it? That will make selling it easier.
You can still sell it with a bill of sale now. Every state is different about titling and California is just different...
Call the state and see what their requirements are.
Without a bill of sale, in some states you could post it as an abandoned vehicle, then take it in and have a vin affixed. Again, check your state.
Someone that will take the time to rebuild it, will take the time and steps necessary to title it.
As for you being ripped off... It looks old enough not to have a vin, but look at it closely. Make sure the original vin hasn't been ground off and/or welded over. or the frame cut and replaced where the vin should be. If that is all OK, you should be fine.
As for what someone will pay for it, best of luck. I would determine the year of the frame and what motor it is set up for and that will help you advertise it.
Do not get a state assigned VIN put on it. It has more value as an old stock frame than as a "new" frame. Someone with a Shovel engine could build it and it would be titled as a Harley-Davidson, rather than as a "Special Construction" vehicle.
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