1979 Value ?
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 18
From: Rochester NY
1979 Value ?
I'm going Wednesday to look at a 1979 ALL original (even the pipes) 1979 super glide in *Chestnut Brown with 12000 miles.
The person is the original owner and I was told it is in great condition and runs well.
If this is the case, how can I determine it's value. I don't want to over pay.
Please, I already know the saying of it is worth what I'm willing to pay and I would like other suggestions besides that.
I will most likely ride it a few times a year (I have other Harley's) and sell it when it hits 40 years old.
Is that color rare?
The person is the original owner and I was told it is in great condition and runs well.
If this is the case, how can I determine it's value. I don't want to over pay.
Please, I already know the saying of it is worth what I'm willing to pay and I would like other suggestions besides that.
I will most likely ride it a few times a year (I have other Harley's) and sell it when it hits 40 years old.
Is that color rare?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
It might be a rare color because nobody liked it and had them repainted black. With that low mileage and running I would imagine it should go in the 6K to 7K range. A particular nice one may demand higher.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
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From: Farmington ,MS
Being "rare" doesn't make something more valuable...it has to be "rare" and "desirable"...many things are rare because they didn't sell well when new. 6-7k sounds about right if it is as nice as you say...condition of the bike means more than mileage ...I have seen "low mileage" bikes that spent most of their life outside that were in pretty bad shape.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 18
From: Rochester NY
Thanks for the feedback.
It was refeered to me by a friend who it is HIS co-worker.]
He says the bike is in mint condition and he would buy it in a heartbeat but hasn't finished his 50 panhead yet and doesn't have the funds for 2 oldies.
I asked if he could send me some pictures and he said the guy doesn't have a smart phone or a computer LOL so this makes it interesting and now I have to wait 2 more days to see it.
He said he will take $4500.00 for it.
I agree the chestnut brown was most likely an ugly undesirable color and most got painted.
For me, if it is 35 years old and ALL original, 70's ugly Chestnut Brown is what I want. It's got the brown seat too.
I'll post pictures of it Wednesday even If I don't get it but at that value, I could squeeze a few bucks into it and still be ahead.
It was refeered to me by a friend who it is HIS co-worker.]
He says the bike is in mint condition and he would buy it in a heartbeat but hasn't finished his 50 panhead yet and doesn't have the funds for 2 oldies.
I asked if he could send me some pictures and he said the guy doesn't have a smart phone or a computer LOL so this makes it interesting and now I have to wait 2 more days to see it.
He said he will take $4500.00 for it.
I agree the chestnut brown was most likely an ugly undesirable color and most got painted.
For me, if it is 35 years old and ALL original, 70's ugly Chestnut Brown is what I want. It's got the brown seat too.
I'll post pictures of it Wednesday even If I don't get it but at that value, I could squeeze a few bucks into it and still be ahead.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
It's funny they called it chestnut brown. Not many people living know what a chestnut board looks like. The American chestnut all but died out by the turn of the 20th century from a fungus. It was once widely used for making crates and boxes and low end furniture.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
At $4500 you should jump on it. If it is as original as claimed that's a good price in your neck of the woods and a very good price in mine (Kali).
I have the sales brochure for that year and have to say that the Chesnut Brown isn't the ugliest, it is the Tan-n-Creme Willie G one that most of us thought was butt ugly.
I have the sales brochure for that year and have to say that the Chesnut Brown isn't the ugliest, it is the Tan-n-Creme Willie G one that most of us thought was butt ugly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,510
Likes: 13,747
From: Pa.
At $4500 you should jump on it. If it is as original as claimed that's a good price in your neck of the woods and a very good price in mine (Kali).
I have the sales brochure for that year and have to say that the Chesnut Brown isn't the ugliest, it is the Tan-n-Creme Willie G one that most of us thought was butt ugly.
I have the sales brochure for that year and have to say that the Chesnut Brown isn't the ugliest, it is the Tan-n-Creme Willie G one that most of us thought was butt ugly.
A friend had that exact bike. It's not that bad of a color if kept clean.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
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It seems to be priced under what it is worth. The Chestnut color will grow on you as I remember quite a few running around in the day. My '81 is Candy Root Beer which was an improvement over the earlier brown. Enjoy the ride and wrenchin'
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: CT/FL
Bike and car paint colors seem to come in and out of fashion. I remember my uncle's 1972 Mercury was metallic brown and we all thought it was really classy. Years later Chrysler K-cars came in brown and they were ugly.
More on-topic, $4500 sounds like a steal for an original bike in good condition - but you know the saying about being too good to be true...
More on-topic, $4500 sounds like a steal for an original bike in good condition - but you know the saying about being too good to be true...
Last edited by Joe12RK; Oct 8, 2014 at 10:54 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 18
From: Rochester NY
Thanks everyone for the input.
It does sound too good to be true but will make a good story.
Tonight at 6:00 p.m. is my appointment to look at it.
Stay tuned for pictures and the end of the story...
It does sound too good to be true but will make a good story.
Tonight at 6:00 p.m. is my appointment to look at it.
Stay tuned for pictures and the end of the story...