One of the first things I usually see when Google searching a bike is a few original photos and then hundreds of customs. I recently purchased a '94 FLSTN that is largely original, but when searched I see no customs. My conundrum is that I see many of them for sale around $14k, KBB values at $7k, and they are for sale here in Japan for $24k. I live on a very salty island south of the Mainland and rust here is a huge issue. The bike sat for a year and was a pain to clean. So I am looking for opinions. I want to do a total dark custom, black out the engine with powder coat, re-paint, change parts, etc. even thought about doing a Springer cause I love those. Will this ruin the value of my bike? since some people say they are rare and others say they are not, but many say that the '94 Birch White paint was the best. I thought about doing plasti-dip to preserve the original pain as well. Any adive or opinion are welcome, thank you.!!

 

First off, you are confusing the US used Harley market with the Japanese used Harley market. KBB values are based on the US market period.

As far as customizing goes - do what you want but don't expect to get more money because you put $5k custom wheels on the bike. Wheels are standard and the buyer will not pay extra for standard equipment.

 

Trust me, I understand the two markets of 1HD and 5HD very well. I have seen them for $14k stateside and mine was appraised a few years ago (albeit in better condition) for $14k. I also understand that minor customization's like that do not increase the value at all if very little. My question was more so that if i do customize will it just ruin the bike overall.

 

If it was a '93, AKA a Moo Glide. The original Nostalgia, i would say don't mess with it too much. But the '94's simply don't have that level of appeal in the collector market. The $14k you mention is completey unrealistic in todays market. And by your own admission is double current NADA. I say, have at it. Make it exactly as you want it, and never look back.

 

I say you customize it to your liking, it's your bike. I've put so much time and money into my bike and I will never sell it. I've even had someone offer me more then what I have into it and I still told them no way, it just means to much to me. A lot of people say it's a waste of money and time. You know what though, it makes me happy and I love doing it. At the end of the day its YOUR bike and YOUR money. The only person that should care what your bike looks like is you.

 

Unless it was a low mileage museum piece, and you found a buyer that just had to have it...you would never get 7k, much less 14k in the states...

I have no idea what the bike would sell for in Japan...but i would think some rules would apply, no matter where the bike is located. A bike being "rare" has nothing to do with value...for it to be valuable, it has to be "rare" and "desirable" meaning there are more people seeking that model, than there are that model out there. Don't believe there are a lot of people avidly seeking a 94 model anywhere.

As far as customizing it and the final value...it all depends on what you wind up with...customizing is a very personal thing. If you wind up with a bike, that every one who sees it wants it...you could increase the value over how it sits now...but you would be lucky if you could get what you have in it. If you customize it, and the general public doesn't like it...you could make the bike difficult to sale.

I say customize the bike...make it what you want.

 

I really like your bike. When im done with mine I wont sell either

 

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

I too would be lest apt to mess with a Moo Glide than a run of the mill Heritage Nostalgia. I say build the bike you dream of and if and when its time to sell it then deal with its value.

 

Thank you all for your input, this bike shall now be bobbed out!!!!!!!