Looking to get into cycling...used to ride dirt bikes in my teens, but never a road bike. Thought I would get a Honda/Suzuki/etc. to learn on, but looking at prices of used..for a couple hundred more I can buy a used Sportster.

I found a 1988 Sportster 1200 with 22,000 miles, owner says never wrecked, taken care of, garage kept. Pics look good. He is going overseas for 2 years, and says that he would rather sell it, than pay storage. He has come down to $2000, which is very affordable for me. I figure if I take care of it I should be able to get that back out of it.

Only downer is 4 speed Trans and chain drive...I've seen later year machines with higher miles go for 2700, so could possibly find one for 2500.

Good deal or not? Any problem areas to look for on a 88 sportster?

 

Bikes of that era are likely to be priced more on condition than age or mileage. I can't say it is 'old' as such, having owned my 1990 Glide from new! The sorts of things to look for are the age of the tyres, as it has stood idle for most of its life, plus service history. Personally, unless the tyres are recent, I would budget for changing them and all fluids, especially brakes. If you go to look at it take a friend, as a second pair of eyes. That way while you see what you want to, he/she may see other things you should be taking into account! It would obviously help if they know bikes and/or Harleys.

 

Nothing wrong with 4 speeds or chain drive. I think the 1988 has the accelerator pump added to the carb (a plus over earlier years). Alternator is part of clutch shell (magnets can sometimes dislodge), turn signals manual operation only (you hold them on). Other than that, a 1988 in great shape is a real nice bike. I have a 1991 (chain) that I bought new, still looks and runs great. Less electronic bullshit makes less potential issues.

John

 

Things are falling my way, if engine sounds good, I'm getting it for $1500. (crossing fingers) Gives me enough room to replace tires and such if needed and still have a good value. Owner says he just put a new battery in today, fired it up and drove it around the block, so its sounding good.

Now I need to figure out how to get it home - I have a trailer- -But is it big enough? I've searched the web for dimensions for Sportsters, and have come up with nothing.

If you have a Sportster of similar vintage (1988), can you take a tape measure and give me the length from the front of the front tire, to the center of the rear axle?


Also, I have the VIN - is there a site I can plug it into to get the build specs on the bike?

 

When it's formally yours you can register it on the H-D website, which will give you the best info, go to the Owners tab. As for length etc, they are a little shorter than a current one, so a quick trip to a nearby dealer with a measuring tape may be helpful!

 

My 1991 is just over 72" from center of rear axle to front of front tire. Should be identical to yours.

John

 

My Opinion.
2k is a real good price depending.
On what mechanical shape it is in. 4 speed is not a big deal. Even with 5 speeds you will occasionally looking for another gear that doesn't exist. Chain is pretty low maintenance and it has the advantage of being able to be repaired anywhere you are on the road.


I wouldn't bother souping it up. It is good as is. When you start trying to beef it up it loses reliability.


I love my 88 but I have put way too much money into it. I should of left it as is and just enjoyed it.

 

A stock/stage 1 1200 definitely has plenty of power, more than enough to get you in trouble. Get a new RK X ring chain for $80, use some BelRay super Clean lube on it, and motor on.

John

 

Drove 3 hours 1 way, engine didn't knock, everything looked straight, 19,400 miles, and amazingly no leaks on the engine. Paid the man, got the title squared away and put her on the trailer. As 1) I am a noob rider, and 2) no plate, couldn't take much of a test ride - I just ran a loop around the parking lot trying not to hit anything, listening for knocks, or taps out of the ordinary. That part seemed ok.

Condition- -as expected, for a 27 year old bike that hasn't been run much or cared for well for the last couple years - needs some TLC - polish on the side covers is good, but some of the chrome parts are flaking. Horn was on the side of the engine, and fell off on the trip (found it on the trailer - I was planning on relocating it as it was), and lost the battery cover somewhere along the way. It was pitted badly, so no great loss. I like the "blacked out" look, so it should be a good project bike for me.

Tires look great (Dunlops)- -hoping the date code is recent so I can get some use out of them, but I won't hesitate to toss them if they are too old.

I hate the handlebars. They are pretty narrow, and put my hands at an odd angle. I can see this as one of the first major changes. Need to sit on a couple to see what bars I like- -the choices of accessories are maddening.

Got the plate today at lunch time, and drove it to work. The engine runs really ROUGH. Thought it might be old gas, so I filled up with premium, and a 1/2 bottle of Seafoam...still runs rough. Misses, skips, pops, and bucks. It wants to pull - if you drop it a gear and twist the throttle, it pulls good a few seconds, then starts missing/popping/skipping/bucking again. Really flutters when revved up, or trying to rev it up, just doesn't get there.

Pulled the air filter, dirty, will replace. Put a set of plugs in it, but the ones coming out didn't look horrible. I had just started it up and moved it with the choke on just before I pulled them, so they looked to the black/wet side, as expected. Should have pulled them as soon as I parked it to get a better look.

I noticed the rear pipe is "bluer" than the front pipe, thinking it might be running a bit leaner than the front?

Needs inspected for my state, and there is a local cycle shop run by an ex Harley dealership tech with a great reputation, so I'm hoping he can look at it soon and get the engine sorted out....or should I jump in with both feet and rebuild the carb and replace the manifold seals?

Paid $1500 for it, so I think I got a great deal, as long as the engine mis doesn't break the bank.

 

A great deal for sure. Congratulations.

John