Hi there. I don’t know much about Harleys (sorry in advance), but my family is trying to settle a bit of a dispute. One of my brothers-in-law has been asking repair shops for estimates and told us it’d cost around $25,000 to repair (and thus not worth it). My other BIL says there’s no way that’s true and it should run about 3-4K for repairs. I’m inclined to believe it’d be closer to 25K but would love input from more knowledgeable minds. What would you estimate repair costs to be?

 

actually, that'll buff right out.

 

Frame is bent so no dealer will use it, more than $4000 for sure. You might look for used parts like off a stolen and recovered.

 

Congratulations on your first post to HDF, welcome to the forum.


Like above, frame is bent, repair would cost more than the bike is worth. Even at 3-4K to repair it would not be worth it. Part it out would be the best option.

Year: 2003
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: FLSTCI Heritage Classic
Model Type: Cruiser
Displacement: 1450
Cylinders: 2
VIN: 1HD1BWB13
Finance Advance: $4,115
MSRP: $17,595
Avg Retail: $5,485
Auction Wholesale $4,330
Clean Trade: $4,140
Fair Trade: $3,340

 

I think both BIL are right.... to a point...

If a shop does the repairs with parts, labor, dealing with a bent frame where a new one is no longer available (as well as several other parts), the cost will be quite high... I'd guess a solid $15-$20K, depending on your geographic location... Many shops won't touch a bike with a bent frame, that can't be replaced with a new one, for liability reasons...

An insurance company would total that bike just on the parts list v market value alone, not to mention the inability to provide a new frame.....


If you did the repairs yourself.....

Since that frame is no longer available, you'll need to get a used frame (around $2K on eBay), and then do the VIN dance at your local DMV, only to probably end up with a salvage title...

If there is absolutely no damage behind the front frame damage, and front end...

The frame forward components are going to run $800 (right fork assembly & tube #45915-00 and left #45916-00) for two new forks alone, plus the wheel ($307.45 new #43085-97), the fender (primed new @ $593.45 #59129-86A), the brake components (about $500 new for brake disc and caliper), and some small pieces are no longer available, like the chrome hub cap, stainless front cover behind the headlight, and forget about getting a new anniversary painted fender.

You'll be finding many pieces on eBay, to save money and for the "no longer available" parts....

If you do the labor yourself, I'd guess you are looking at $4K-$5K+ in parts.... just a tad less if most parts are found in good condition used... then you need to deal with the paint, if you can't find an anniversary painted front fender.. That alone could double the parts cost..

You will have put $5K minimum, into a bike worth about $6-7K in excellent condition.... but you could end up with a salvage bike worth half that...

That's not counting all your "sweat equity", by doing the labor yourself...

I suspect you could get a bunch of money selling off the good parts on that bike on eBay.... maybe a good choice...

Only your family can decide what is worth it and what is not...

Good luck with your decision....

 

Or just buy this....

 

unless that bike has sentimental value that's worth more than common sense, walk away.

At best, you'll transplant parts to this bike onto another frame (and you'll have a motor/frame combo vin that doesnt match. )

or find a GREAT welder that has experience on motorcycle frames and geometry, scrounge swapmeets, ebay, facebook and craigslist spend $$ and a hundred hours of your time.... for a $5000 bike that you'll have $12-15K into

there are plenty of lightly damaged bikes that you can buy cheap, fix, ride and then sell and make a few dollars. THIS ISN'T ONE OF THEM

 

I'm just curious what the previous owner hit, at what speed, and if he lived.

 

Last pic shows bent frame, its totaled, hope your BIL is ok and has insurance.

rk classic.

 

If your patient and have the ability to do it yourself I would estimate 3 to 5 thousand including a new frame. But that's buying parts off Ebay and swap meets etc.. and doing all work yourself. I just saw a 2000 to 2006 softail frame on eBay for about 800 shipped. But, be aware that when you get done you will have a non numbers matching bike and depending on where you live may be a pain to register and find insurance for. It is an anniversary bike but 2003 wasn't a great year for anniversary bikes so there isn't much value there, so I would buy it for parts and start a new project.....Good luck on your decision.

Just an FYI I would purchase this for parts but I build 2 to 4 bikes a year as a hobby and have a large garage, a lot of spare parts and all the tools and above all the knowledge and ability to do this......