1980 Electra Glide Value and Thoughts
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
IF you are seriously considering a purchase (10K is about 2K over) then you need to see the receipts for all the work done. Saying it has a "complete engine overhaul" means nothing w/o looking at the parts list on the bill for the rebuild. Some folks have a different opinion on what constitues a complete engine overhaul. Same thing applies to the transmission. The seller indicates all new gears but there is a huge difference between adding aftermarket V-Twin parts and doing it the right way with Andrews gear sets.
Not sure how much painters cost in your neck of the woods but they are expensive out here. I would suggest at least one-quarter of that build estimate was paint. That said the paint color and striping is definitely not my cup of tea.
Lots of parts have a chrome finish. That could indicate repop parts rather than OEM parts that have been chromed out. That needs explaining.
The other big question is the repop speedometer. What happened to the origianl? How many miles were on the bike prior to the rebuild.
With old iron you rarely (if ever) get back what you put into it. Appears the seller is attempting to do just that however.
IMO you could find an original survivor for that kind of money.
Not sure how much painters cost in your neck of the woods but they are expensive out here. I would suggest at least one-quarter of that build estimate was paint. That said the paint color and striping is definitely not my cup of tea.
Lots of parts have a chrome finish. That could indicate repop parts rather than OEM parts that have been chromed out. That needs explaining.
The other big question is the repop speedometer. What happened to the origianl? How many miles were on the bike prior to the rebuild.
With old iron you rarely (if ever) get back what you put into it. Appears the seller is attempting to do just that however.
IMO you could find an original survivor for that kind of money.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/motor...e-9-500-a.html
From the "For Sale" section on the forum. Appears to be a survivor & asking price is $9.5K.
From the "For Sale" section on the forum. Appears to be a survivor & asking price is $9.5K.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 83
From: Pennsylvania
hey Dirty - are you buyin' it to ride? wrench? collect? polish? chop? the 1980 is not the most collectable years for a cone shovel FLH - that bike is not really a great chop or modify candidate given the price - might be a nice rider - looks nice if you like the baby blue tough guy look - seems like a lot for a rider - if it were a 1970 or 71 - the price would be more in line with the value - it just not a collector bike and it is not original - I owned a teal and white bike painted like that bike and it looked retro and cool but I got sick of it and sold it - next guy got sick of it and painted it red - now he cant sell it - those colors are perfect for impulse buying - nostalgia - anyway - you asked for thoughts and those are some things to think about - the truth - "you sell it when you buy it" - dont let anyone tell you otherwise
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 207
From: Minneapolis
Not sure where you are in Pennzy - I lived across the Delaware River in Turnersville - if you keep your eyes open - you'll find a good FLH - pre-79 - that is a rider - and is reasonably close to stock in the 5-6K range with no problem. Keep this in mind - of the last 5 shovels I bought - 3 of them were DOA due to engine failures and I bought them for like 1500 bucks - all 3 were supposedly pro-built before the guy bought the bike - all 3 failed in the first year - I look for bikes like this - blown motors, hacked up frames - sold to rubes that get goo goo eyed over the pretty colors and big talk - when someone tells me a bike is rebuilt I typically walk away unless they have receipts from a well known shop or pictures of the build and blue prints - most guys sellin rebuilt bikes ask a lot of money - if you live near Johnjzjz - he could probably hook you up with a nice rider that is reliable and worth the price. He's in Jersey.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 83
From: Pennsylvania
Not sure where you are in Pennzy - I lived across the Delaware River in Turnersville - if you keep your eyes open - you'll find a good FLH - pre-79 - that is a rider - and is reasonably close to stock in the 5-6K range with no problem. Keep this in mind - of the last 5 shovels I bought - 3 of them were DOA due to engine failures and I bought them for like 1500 bucks - all 3 were supposedly pro-built before the guy bought the bike - all 3 failed in the first year - I look for bikes like this - blown motors, hacked up frames - sold to rubes that get goo goo eyed over the pretty colors and big talk - when someone tells me a bike is rebuilt I typically walk away unless they have receipts from a well known shop or pictures of the build and blue prints - most guys sellin rebuilt bikes ask a lot of money - if you live near Johnjzjz - he could probably hook you up with a nice rider that is reliable and worth the price. He's in Jersey.
Btw, what does everyone think of this bike?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/27488663401...sAAOSwSDhhBD6o
Thanks
Last edited by Dirty Dancer; Aug 4, 2021 at 11:57 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 487
Likes: 289
From: Northern MN
Mid 1978 is when the factory made all sorts of changes to the Shovelhead bikes. Factory manuals reference a lot of differences half way through the 1978 year. I don’t know if it was straighten out out by 1980 or not.
My next shovel will be either prior to 1978 or it will be an EVO instead. I own a 79 and oh boy. IT works and runs and is fun but those were some whacky years.
Another things that I always wonder when a motor is rebuilt is who did it. If I rebuild a motor and advertise it as all rebuilt, you better run away. I”ve never done it before. Just sayin.
Tom
My next shovel will be either prior to 1978 or it will be an EVO instead. I own a 79 and oh boy. IT works and runs and is fun but those were some whacky years.
Another things that I always wonder when a motor is rebuilt is who did it. If I rebuild a motor and advertise it as all rebuilt, you better run away. I”ve never done it before. Just sayin.
Tom
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 933
From: Long Island
Fergerberger: What did you find out about why the 3 engines failed in the first year? Todd, from HuntingHarleys on YouTube, says the top ends will blow if you don't change the manifold gaskets and carb gaskets every 6 months. He says it's a fact. Is that the reason they failed? Are there any other maintenance requirements to prevent a blown motor once they've been properly rebuilt?
Btw, what does everyone think of this bike?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/27488663401...sAAOSwSDhhBD6o
Thanks
Btw, what does everyone think of this bike?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/27488663401...sAAOSwSDhhBD6o
Thanks
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Mid 1978 is when the factory made all sorts of changes to the Shovelhead bikes. Factory manuals reference a lot of differences half way through the 1978 year. I dont know if it was straighten out out by 1980 or not.
My next shovel will be either prior to 1978 or it will be an EVO instead. I own a 79 and oh boy. IT works and runs and is fun but those were some whacky years.
Another things that I always wonder when a motor is rebuilt is who did it. If I rebuild a motor and advertise it as all rebuilt, you better run away. Ive never done it before. Just sayin.
Tom
My next shovel will be either prior to 1978 or it will be an EVO instead. I own a 79 and oh boy. IT works and runs and is fun but those were some whacky years.
Another things that I always wonder when a motor is rebuilt is who did it. If I rebuild a motor and advertise it as all rebuilt, you better run away. Ive never done it before. Just sayin.
Tom
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 222
Likes: 77
From: Gulf Breeze
Fergerberger: What did you find out about why the 3 engines failed in the first year? Todd, from HuntingHarleys on YouTube, says the top ends will blow if you don't change the manifold gaskets and carb gaskets every 6 months. He says it's a fact. Is that the reason they failed? Are there any other maintenance requirements to prevent a blown motor once they've been properly rebuilt?
Btw, what does everyone think of this bike?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/27488663401...sAAOSwSDhhBD6o
Thanks
Btw, what does everyone think of this bike?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/27488663401...sAAOSwSDhhBD6o
Thanks