Purchasing First Shovel
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Things are a bloody tractor , the big Fl's like that will run at 60 - 65 all day long 2 up with gear I travel all over the Us & canada on mine for 20 + years . You just have to do the routine maintenance you can't play twinkie games with one and expect no troubles .
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
Update with pics
Went to look at the bike in person today. It looked very good. The only thing I didn't like about it was the tank. The guy put a one piece tank on the bike. He said the motor was not bored at all and had the a HD dealer do the rebuild. I talked him down to 5,750.00 What do you think?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Clean I see what you mean with the tank , mixed signals with rest of the bike . He have any of the stock parts to throw in ? If it runs good you change whatever later shovels are primo for customizing ton of stuff for them .
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
lhgdale, looks like owner took great care of bike! I am not a fan of those solid rims but to each his/her own. I have seen tank sets for that year on craigslist and at local swap meets. Bike appears to be in good working order from what you are showing. Missing cover for coil..Missing Speedo..Missing passenger pegs, boards. If it starts well and runs through all four gears without a problem you should be good. You will be changing things on any bike you buy, that's just how it is..Ask owner when front/rear brakes were last serviced, very important info..If you had inspection, they would go through bike in no time and inform you of any issues. Have you checked all electrical parts-only takes a minute or two but if any issues could be real problem. It's hard to find a clean bike set up just the way you have it pictured in your mind..You could do some trading on take offs and get to know your "new to you" Shovel real quick.. Remember that bike is old but someone made it appear newer with the tank and rims.
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
None of the old parts. I asked... I'm going tomorrow to look at another 78 FLH. This guy is firm at 6K but he seems like a cool old guy. He has all the receipts for all the work. Motor refreshed bored to .10 or .20 he couldn't remember, Kevlar clutches, S&S carb, new brakes, tires and other odds and ends. Says he would trust the bike to ride anywhere.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
Never hurts to sleep on it. Who knows, you may just wait and find what your looking for on cycletrader.com. Drive a little to get bike of your dreams.. Check every web site to see what's stock and what other have done. Your tastes may change a little...Those two your are checking out appear to be on the good side. Most of the older bikes not as nice..I would check title #'s-all bikes #'s and insurance card #'s also..Good luck lhgdale.. Any reason you are stuck on 78 FLH? Nothing wrong if so, I owned 1977 and 1980 Shovels. Both great bikes!!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
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
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
Yeah, I'm going to look at it tomorrow. If it checks out I will probably make him an offer. Talking to him on the phone he was really hesitant about selling it. He said he loves the bike. He said it is basically like it was in 78.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
Good luck with bike. I would ask for any take off parts, oil, lube, gear. You will need them and $ adds up real fast when you get started. Even washing-waxing supplies add up. Some sellers forget to include old stuff. Then just get rid of stuff and wish they had given them to buyer.. Just show respect to buyer, they are selling a part of themselves and can be very sensitive. Let them know you share the same passion..