Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
Hey guys...
A friend of mine ended up with an old Sporty chopper. I'm not sure what the frame is, but the engine is a '59 Ironhead. It's in rough shape and missing some critical parts...ignition components, rocker covers, rockers, intake, carb, something that plugs into the case below the carb, etc. And that's just some of the engine parts. Who knows what's missing on the rest of the bike.
Anywho. the guys not sure what to do with it. He wants to get it running, but I'm thinking it'll cost too much to get parts and may be better to replace the engine with something newer?
HEEEEELLLLPPPPP!!!!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/23327/FB2421D62A5F41A5A6F2C3F79AA6E571.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/23327/2246DDBB4A7B44E082BF9F3CDD6C2EFE.jpg[/IMG]
A friend of mine ended up with an old Sporty chopper. I'm not sure what the frame is, but the engine is a '59 Ironhead. It's in rough shape and missing some critical parts...ignition components, rocker covers, rockers, intake, carb, something that plugs into the case below the carb, etc. And that's just some of the engine parts. Who knows what's missing on the rest of the bike.
Anywho. the guys not sure what to do with it. He wants to get it running, but I'm thinking it'll cost too much to get parts and may be better to replace the engine with something newer?
HEEEEELLLLPPPPP!!!!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/23327/FB2421D62A5F41A5A6F2C3F79AA6E571.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/23327/2246DDBB4A7B44E082BF9F3CDD6C2EFE.jpg[/IMG]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
The left photo shows the primary cover missing. On a '59CH this will be a tin metal cover. This is going to be very difficult to locate.
The right side pic shows the rocker boxes missing. You may find a used set without much trouble.
The magneto is missing. The machine originaly had a Fairbanks-Morse mag mounted vertical on top of the timing cover. This will be as hard to find as the primary cover. You could substitute a circuit breaker, but then you will need a battery.
Come to think of it....where is the battery? Without a battery you will have no lights for all intents and purpose. I see the generator is there however.
There is no carb and intake manifold. Fairly easy to find these, but you are looking at a couple hundred dollars easily.
Last thing missing is the sprocket cover. This cover contains some clutch parts that go with it. Any cover for a 1970 (electric start or kick) and earlier will fit, but the best cover will be for a kick start only. The electric has a big notch in it for the starter end.
Yeah, it is a 1959 and it is tempting to try to revive the old girl, but a word of caution to your friend. It is going to cost a great deal of money just to get the parts. Then he has to do the build. There are sure to be other problems inside that engine. Someone removed the missing parts for a reason, and that ain't good news. Can he handle that? What does he expect to have when he is finished?
Members here who have had to listen to me harp about chopping old Sportsters should take a look at this one. This is what I have been talking about every time I hear someone wants to chop his old Ironhead. The result is later neglect and being one step away from the parts basket. This one is there.
If it did not have that front end, did not have the rigid frame and coffin gas tank, and a few other features... then my advise would be quite different. Myself? I would have to pass on this turkey unless there is a second engine laying around that could provide some of those missing parts. Just my 2 centavos.......pg
The right side pic shows the rocker boxes missing. You may find a used set without much trouble.
The magneto is missing. The machine originaly had a Fairbanks-Morse mag mounted vertical on top of the timing cover. This will be as hard to find as the primary cover. You could substitute a circuit breaker, but then you will need a battery.
Come to think of it....where is the battery? Without a battery you will have no lights for all intents and purpose. I see the generator is there however.
There is no carb and intake manifold. Fairly easy to find these, but you are looking at a couple hundred dollars easily.
Last thing missing is the sprocket cover. This cover contains some clutch parts that go with it. Any cover for a 1970 (electric start or kick) and earlier will fit, but the best cover will be for a kick start only. The electric has a big notch in it for the starter end.
Yeah, it is a 1959 and it is tempting to try to revive the old girl, but a word of caution to your friend. It is going to cost a great deal of money just to get the parts. Then he has to do the build. There are sure to be other problems inside that engine. Someone removed the missing parts for a reason, and that ain't good news. Can he handle that? What does he expect to have when he is finished?
Members here who have had to listen to me harp about chopping old Sportsters should take a look at this one. This is what I have been talking about every time I hear someone wants to chop his old Ironhead. The result is later neglect and being one step away from the parts basket. This one is there.
If it did not have that front end, did not have the rigid frame and coffin gas tank, and a few other features... then my advise would be quite different. Myself? I would have to pass on this turkey unless there is a second engine laying around that could provide some of those missing parts. Just my 2 centavos.......pg
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
RE: Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
I already sent you a P.M., but basically Piniongear has it right. Just the parts to put it back together would run around a grand, then you'd have the lower end and top end, so you'd have 3k into it and still have a lot of work left to do. With that sort of investment, you could buy a nice 70s vintage Sportster that's already on the road and spend the next year riding instead of building.
I also agree with his assessment about restoration. I'm working on three of them right now--a 61,62, and 68--and question my sanity daily. Don't cut them up, boys. Just don't do it. If you want a chopper, buy a Paughco frame and save the old parts--the manufactured frames look a lot better than a weld-on or bolt-on hardtail anyway, and if you really must you can sell the orginal frame, come out about the same, and at least let someone else have some of those parts they don't make anymore of.
In this case, the only relevant variable is whether or not you like the chassis. If you (or your friend) like the look of the frame and front end, then start looking for an engine. If I were you, since at least to me the cache of the early motor is lost, I'd look for a later model in good shape. If you're not in love with the cahsis, put all of it on eBAy, either together or piece-by-piece and start with an intact bike.
As I mentioned in my email, if you do decide to get ride of the motor, I wouldn't mind a chance at it, as that's my vintage, and I already have most of the missing parts.
Oh, and if you are still inclined to rebuild, pull the barrels and have someone that knows what they're doing look at the bottom end before you start buying parts.
I also agree with his assessment about restoration. I'm working on three of them right now--a 61,62, and 68--and question my sanity daily. Don't cut them up, boys. Just don't do it. If you want a chopper, buy a Paughco frame and save the old parts--the manufactured frames look a lot better than a weld-on or bolt-on hardtail anyway, and if you really must you can sell the orginal frame, come out about the same, and at least let someone else have some of those parts they don't make anymore of.
In this case, the only relevant variable is whether or not you like the chassis. If you (or your friend) like the look of the frame and front end, then start looking for an engine. If I were you, since at least to me the cache of the early motor is lost, I'd look for a later model in good shape. If you're not in love with the cahsis, put all of it on eBAy, either together or piece-by-piece and start with an intact bike.
As I mentioned in my email, if you do decide to get ride of the motor, I wouldn't mind a chance at it, as that's my vintage, and I already have most of the missing parts.
Oh, and if you are still inclined to rebuild, pull the barrels and have someone that knows what they're doing look at the bottom end before you start buying parts.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
RE: Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
Thanks for the replies guys.
My friend is torn between the two options.
Opt 1:It mighttake 1 - 3K to get the engine running and the bike rollin'...then add some $$ and a ton of elbow grease and buckets of sweat for getting rid of the rust and finishing the frame.
Opt 2: If he just wants to ride, what engines (years / styles) would be more easily installed in the place of this old Iron? And what is the ballpark cost of a used, or even a crate motor?
My friend is torn between the two options.
Opt 1:It mighttake 1 - 3K to get the engine running and the bike rollin'...then add some $$ and a ton of elbow grease and buckets of sweat for getting rid of the rust and finishing the frame.
Opt 2: If he just wants to ride, what engines (years / styles) would be more easily installed in the place of this old Iron? And what is the ballpark cost of a used, or even a crate motor?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
RE: Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
If he can get that bike rolling for a grand, he's a better man than I.
Choice of engines depends on availability. There's no crate motor I know of that will fit easily into that frame. I do see the evo style motors on eBay fairly often, but have no idea how hard it is to squeeze a late-model motor into that frame.
Occasionally you see complete Ironhead motors on eBAy. Of course it's always a crap shoot. According to the sellers they've all been recently rebuilt, some of them probably even have. I probably wouldn't pay more than 1500 for a complete motor--which, after selling the one you have, should put you well ahead.
Choice of engines depends on availability. There's no crate motor I know of that will fit easily into that frame. I do see the evo style motors on eBay fairly often, but have no idea how hard it is to squeeze a late-model motor into that frame.
Occasionally you see complete Ironhead motors on eBAy. Of course it's always a crap shoot. According to the sellers they've all been recently rebuilt, some of them probably even have. I probably wouldn't pay more than 1500 for a complete motor--which, after selling the one you have, should put you well ahead.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
RE: Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
This would be the friend who ended up with the 59. By the way the generator is also missing the guts of it , just have the case.Really appreciate your thoughts and experience.Always wanted my own ride but didn't want showroom.Figured the best way to know your bike is build yourself with help from those who have been there.Still not sure where to go, sell to someone better able to do the work and searching or sell the wife and hope it will cover the bill.W ill let you know,if the parts can go to a good project it wouldn't break my heart.
Thank you both for your helpful advice.May your road be smooth and gas prices go down.
Thank you both for your helpful advice.May your road be smooth and gas prices go down.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
RE: Advice needed. Rebuild? Or replace?
I got the rocker box's and rockers. the intake manifold, and even the carb. I think I have a hunt mag that will fit. and some of the clutch parts. But from the looks of this one, I think the missing parts are just surface of your problems. you may be better off just parting this old girl.
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