Looking for an early Ironhead
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: DC Area
Looking for an early Ironhead
Gentlemen (and ladies) I am hoping that you can help me out with some suggestions. I am looking to buy an early (late 50s) Ironhead as a project to restore. The problem seems to be that all the ones I find have either already been restored, or have been chopped.
Which, brings me to my questions:
How much should I expect to pay for a close to original bike?
Where should I start looking? (already tried ebay and craigslist)
Thanks for all the help.
Steve
Which, brings me to my questions:
How much should I expect to pay for a close to original bike?
Where should I start looking? (already tried ebay and craigslist)
Thanks for all the help.
Steve
Last edited by scbasteve; Jun 24, 2011 at 08:19 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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I believe that there is a for sale section on this forum. Price is going to vary depending on location and how much the seller is attached to the bike. And on how much of a project it is gonna be. I Know that around my area N.H. there are basket cases selling for $2000 and running bikes for same price.
IronHeads were made starting in 1957, so for a 50s model you are looking at only 3 years. To find one that is not chopped or already restored i suggest looking in the elephant graveyard, between the Holy Grail and the Arc of the Covenant.
You would have more luck looking for a 60s. Still, many are heavily modified.
For what you are looking for you would search eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji and similar sites and hope to find something in the next few to several years, and then be prepared to outbid guys who have lots of $s.
If you can find one that has the original unmolested frame and a more or less original engine you would have a good starting point. Original wire harness would be a big bonus. You could then scour eBay etc over the next few years outbidding other guys for the parts you need.
I prefer myself to do what i call a refurbish rather than a restore. I use "period" parts. Restoring is hugely expensive and leaves you with a bike that is useful only for bringing to shows, and virtually always losing to someone who has a 100 point restore while your is a mere 97 pointer.
Here is my 1978, 75th anniversary edition Sportster, in the midst of a refurbish ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIOdqYh_fR0
You would have more luck looking for a 60s. Still, many are heavily modified.
For what you are looking for you would search eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji and similar sites and hope to find something in the next few to several years, and then be prepared to outbid guys who have lots of $s.
If you can find one that has the original unmolested frame and a more or less original engine you would have a good starting point. Original wire harness would be a big bonus. You could then scour eBay etc over the next few years outbidding other guys for the parts you need.
I prefer myself to do what i call a refurbish rather than a restore. I use "period" parts. Restoring is hugely expensive and leaves you with a bike that is useful only for bringing to shows, and virtually always losing to someone who has a 100 point restore while your is a mere 97 pointer.
Here is my 1978, 75th anniversary edition Sportster, in the midst of a refurbish ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIOdqYh_fR0
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: DC Area
Thanks for the thoughts guys.
Oil leak - Thanks, as I started looking I searched the forum and didn't come up with much. I figured a post was the next step.
IronMick - Ill have to go watch Indiana Jones again and try to follow the clues he recorded for the rest of us. After I find the holy grail I will sell it for the money to do a restoration. If I find the bike before the holy grail I will most likely end up doing a "refurbish" as well. And your bike looks great by the way.
Thanks,
Steve
Oil leak - Thanks, as I started looking I searched the forum and didn't come up with much. I figured a post was the next step.
IronMick - Ill have to go watch Indiana Jones again and try to follow the clues he recorded for the rest of us. After I find the holy grail I will sell it for the money to do a restoration. If I find the bike before the holy grail I will most likely end up doing a "refurbish" as well. And your bike looks great by the way.
Thanks,
Steve
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