1978 Shovelhead
1978 Shovelhead
Good afternoon,
I have found what I believe is a really good deal on a 1978 Shovelhead for $3500. I am going to make the purchase this Friday.
My questions are...
#1 - Is this a good price?
#2 - What questions should I ask when I go to buy it?
#3 - What should I look for when I go to buy it?
#4 - Should I even care about questions/looks because $3500 is a steal?
I am looking to restore it, rebuild it, or customize it somehow. I have a few ideas but your input is valuable to me. I have NEVER done anything like this before. I have wanted to for a really long time. I think the best way to learn about motorcycles is to get elbow-deep, so to speak, and learn by doing. I can turn a wrench and run wires, however, I have never been taught anything at all about the internal combustion engine. I'm looking forward to digging in!!
I have pics of it but they would not load on here.
I have found what I believe is a really good deal on a 1978 Shovelhead for $3500. I am going to make the purchase this Friday.
My questions are...
#1 - Is this a good price?
#2 - What questions should I ask when I go to buy it?
#3 - What should I look for when I go to buy it?
#4 - Should I even care about questions/looks because $3500 is a steal?
I am looking to restore it, rebuild it, or customize it somehow. I have a few ideas but your input is valuable to me. I have NEVER done anything like this before. I have wanted to for a really long time. I think the best way to learn about motorcycles is to get elbow-deep, so to speak, and learn by doing. I can turn a wrench and run wires, however, I have never been taught anything at all about the internal combustion engine. I'm looking forward to digging in!!
I have pics of it but they would not load on here.
Last edited by MasonicVet; Nov 20, 2023 at 03:51 PM.
Popular Reply
Nov 20, 2023, 06:46 PM
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
If the title matches the frame & engine numbers buy it, even if it isn't running, you can part the thing out for that much. Wave $3 grand at him cash.
Here's the deal peeps I watch prices as a hobby I used to make a living at this **** and swap meets in the 80's and baskets in a pile were $1200 to $1500 then. Today bare frames and a pile of parts with a shovel title is $2000+ if you can score one, if it's rolling and most of its there with some extra's $3000 is low end. Beater frankenbikes running are clocking $4500 and up.
The cheap shovel days are gone gents.
That bikes gonna need a lot of work but there's a lot of good used gold on it too, those saddlebags complete are hitting $500 now.
Here's the deal peeps I watch prices as a hobby I used to make a living at this **** and swap meets in the 80's and baskets in a pile were $1200 to $1500 then. Today bare frames and a pile of parts with a shovel title is $2000+ if you can score one, if it's rolling and most of its there with some extra's $3000 is low end. Beater frankenbikes running are clocking $4500 and up.
The cheap shovel days are gone gents.
That bikes gonna need a lot of work but there's a lot of good used gold on it too, those saddlebags complete are hitting $500 now.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 605
Likes: 441
From: BRIGHTON, ENGLAND
over priced in a non running condition in my book,... offer $2k MAYBE $2.5k if ya fall for it,
if he says yes then buy a workshop manual,(it will save you lots of $$$$'s) and a factory parts manual, so you can see order of assembly of componants that may not be clear in the workshop manual plus show whats missing and the part numbers to look for when into the rebuild
either way, expect to double the purchase price in the rebuild, if your LUCKY, you might just luck out....................................good luck, & let us know how it goes down
if he says yes then buy a workshop manual,(it will save you lots of $$$$'s) and a factory parts manual, so you can see order of assembly of componants that may not be clear in the workshop manual plus show whats missing and the part numbers to look for when into the rebuild
either way, expect to double the purchase price in the rebuild, if your LUCKY, you might just luck out....................................good luck, & let us know how it goes down
I have already purchased a Clymer Manual for 1966-1984 Shovelheads. I also have downloaded the PDF for the service manual for 1966- early 1978 and for 1978 1/2-1984. Are there other I need?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 3,374
From: Cental, MI
Clymer manual is worthless...or less.. if that thing goes...get it got, and do whatever ya want with it!!
Best to have a plan...or they end up all tore to hell, and no one riding it...
Edit; Folks are gonna tell ya the closer to stock the Better....But...for what it sounds like you want... Get it!!!
Closer to stock....= more $$$....Always!!!
Best to have a plan...or they end up all tore to hell, and no one riding it...
Edit; Folks are gonna tell ya the closer to stock the Better....But...for what it sounds like you want... Get it!!!
Closer to stock....= more $$$....Always!!!
Last edited by Racepres; Nov 20, 2023 at 05:41 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,152
Likes: 9,564
From: central NC
Here’s my thought on the definition of a “fair price”. Not that anybody asked...
Aside from new bikes (which I usually buy) I won’t pay more than I think I can turn around and sell something for in a reasonably short period of time. I don’t try to flip things for profit, but if I decide I’m bored of a project, or just done with it, I want to be able to get rid of it, and not take a beating.
That said, I’d start a lot lower than $3500 on that FX.
Aside from new bikes (which I usually buy) I won’t pay more than I think I can turn around and sell something for in a reasonably short period of time. I don’t try to flip things for profit, but if I decide I’m bored of a project, or just done with it, I want to be able to get rid of it, and not take a beating.
That said, I’d start a lot lower than $3500 on that FX.
Last edited by gonemad; Nov 20, 2023 at 05:46 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 2,172
From: australia
what racepres said...you need to have a plan .So if you do purchase it, best to wash it down, get it going by that it will need a full service ( fluids changed brakes inspected all that type of stuff) that alone will test your mechanical skills then ride it like it is at the moment, then you can figure out what it needs mechanically who knows it might need an engine rebuild a transmission rebuild or both then you can get an idea of what you want it to be and how much you need to spend. It does look like a bike to customise to your own preferences
