Without too much detail, I'm seriously considering buying an early 60's
Harley Servi-car. The bike is in very nice condition, was restored a couple of years ago.
It's missing the bumpers, and possibly some other stock parts.
but I'm surely no expert on these old bikes.
The price is "around" 10K, is that a decent price on the bike?
Nada puts the bike at $13K exc, or $8900 in "good" condition.

Any thoughts on this? Anyone here have one?

It would not be my main ride, but will go into my collection.

I have been looking at trikes, and it seems like this might be a cheap way to try one out.
It has reverse, and looks pretty much original to me.

I have a phone deal going at the moment, have not seen the bike in person yet.

Thanks!


Update: Very ODD, I'm watching that auction show (Gallery 63) on TV now, and they have a beautiful 47 Servi-car at auction , we will see what they get for it, the owner wants only $8K, and the bike looks mint too. maybe these things aren't really worth that much?
update: The gallery 63 bike sold for $9250, and was older and in better condition from the crappy pics I can see in the ad.


ok, here's the ad
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harle...#ht_500wt_1182

 

Don't know about the price/value but it would be neat to have one. I have often regretted not buying a used one from the PD in the old days. Good luck.

 

My Daddy used to have one that had Cragar Slots on the back. He sold his years ago to some guy that exported it to Australia. I was neat when he had it but not very practical, seems like it would not go much over 60 or so. I wonder if I have some pics around here somewhere...

 

I'm sure it's not the fastest thing on the road, but who cares, looks like fun.
I'm slowing down a lot in old age, so it might fit me good.
Hopefully I can kick the thing with my bad back, that would be a real drawback.
If it's hard to start, then I'll be out of luck. Had several back surgeries, and kicking
a bike is not one of favorite things to do. :-)
I have other kickstart bikes though, so how bad can it be to kick this thing over?
It can't be as bad as the old BSA Victor 441.

 

They are not worth much resale. I saw one go for 5k about a year ago. And it was in pretty good shape.

 

Be fun to own. AFAIK they were never intended to be run on the highway, more for around town use.
$10K isn't a real great deal, actually it would be way too much for most of them I've seen for sale.

 

Interesting that the hand-shift is on the right side instead of the left. I've never seen that. Servi-Cars are easy to kick over because they're pretty low in compression. 60 MPH in a Servi-car is pretty optimistic, as the little 45" engine puts out between 20 & 25 horsepower. I've never owned a Servi-Car, but I did have a 45" WL in the early 70s. I've always wanted a springer Servi-Car with a metal box. Still do. What a great vehicle to take to the supermarket!

 

Pass on it at that price. The term "restored" is the most over-used word out there in the old iron market. From the looks I would say there is a lot, a lot of Taiwan Ted ***** $hit on it. Bike is a pile of parts that were assembled as one.

Go to www.collectorsweekly.com scroll down the drop down list to motorcycles and then click on the HD section. There is a nice 47 that looks pretty correct. Still not at reserve at 15 though. Interesting thing is the bike you listed was there earlier today in Collectors Weekly but now it is not.

Side valves are pretty simple design. If it is correct it will be a G motor vin number. As has been stated top speed is not all that good but it will get you from point to point.

I am partial to old iron and a fairly accurately assembled one would be a nicely addition