74 sporster (1000cc) worth trading??
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
Now that I see the bike, I would say go for it. Looks very original and all there. You say you have another bike to ride while working on this one, good.
I did minor resto on an 82 last year and sold it for $4000. A nice original will sell to a true Ironhead Head. Sounds better than any evo or twinky. It is a great #2 bike.
My rule on the Antiques is be gentle, stay off the interstate and keep a cell phone handy. My Iron never left me stranded but I did spend time on the side of the road. Carry tools and a book, an extra set of plugs and points. Tighten up the carb bolts, all bolts, carry some xtra oil and keep the chain in order.
This is not a gas and go bike, until you become friends the bike will test you. Have fun.
I did minor resto on an 82 last year and sold it for $4000. A nice original will sell to a true Ironhead Head. Sounds better than any evo or twinky. It is a great #2 bike.
My rule on the Antiques is be gentle, stay off the interstate and keep a cell phone handy. My Iron never left me stranded but I did spend time on the side of the road. Carry tools and a book, an extra set of plugs and points. Tighten up the carb bolts, all bolts, carry some xtra oil and keep the chain in order.
This is not a gas and go bike, until you become friends the bike will test you. Have fun.
TRADE!!!!! QUICK!!!! Classic Harley from 1974 is still on the road and still an awesome machine. How many 1974 Kawasaki's have you seen? Plus the Kawasaki plant is where the engines were built that the Jap Zero's had that bombed Pearl Harbour.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 2
From: USA
Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade! Make the trade!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 2
From: USA
It does run but needs new starter atm but he is replacing it. I only rode a lil over 6k last year, i was a full time pizza driver and there rule is cages only. I also split the miles last year with my old 82 kz 550 ltd. I will try and get a pic of my vulcan up it does have a dent on the tank that can be covered up with a new badge with ease. Here is a pic of the sporster it's sorta a shity pic the guy hasn't exactlly embraced the digital era so he is a few years behind. When I saw it was right side shift i actually got sorta excited I thought it was different and cool lol. Was 74 before they took all the lead out of gas, and would i need an additavie? Are the older bikes 4 speed not 6? Still 1 down rest up?As far as value they are blue booked about even.
Officially all lead was out of the system by 1973
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
If you are mechanically inclined with a decent set of tools and a check book it might be ok. I was riding those bikes when they were new and a basic rule of thumb was ride an hour and wrench an hour. Nice looking sporty but as basic transportation you will be better served by an evo sporty or later. Just my thoughts.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Never buy an Ironhead Sportster because you want a reliable motorcycle you can ride every day. If thats what you want, hold on to your Jap bike. If you want a cool classic Harley that will give you utter **** fits at the worse possible time, then an Ironhead is the bike for you. People who ride Ironheads do so because they love them... not because they need a cheap reliable way to get to work. I have owned them and they are cool as hell, but ANY motorcycle built in the 70's will have plenty of issues. If your willing to get you hands dirty and learn a whole different way of owning motorcycles, an Ironhead will provide that. Just don't expect ANYTHING resembling what you have now. Not in terms of maintenance, reliability or performance. Of course, an Ironhead pisses cool all over ANY Jap bike ever made.... but it comes at a price.
____________________________
____________________________