Advice on a XL1200S buy
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
We were just down the road from you earlier this year for a few days, in Mons. Had a lovely time.
Last edited by grbrown; Sep 14, 2017 at 05:50 AM.
Hi all,
As the title say, I'm looking to buy a XL1200S from 1999. It's from a friends dad who is past away and hey wants to sell it to me. It was not taking care for since 2010 and sits in the garage since. It shows 21K miles on the tacho.
There are no dents in, the sadle seems to be in good chape and it shows a bit of surface rust on the upper parts of the fork.
Now I have 2 questions:
- what is it worth
- is it a bike that can looks cool ?
so any pictures of custom builds on a XL1200S base would be apriciated.
I allready own a 2017 Iron 883 and a 2016 FXSB. If I buy this XL I want to rebuild it to get a cool look, not a factory restore.
Thanks for any tips on price and build.
As the title say, I'm looking to buy a XL1200S from 1999. It's from a friends dad who is past away and hey wants to sell it to me. It was not taking care for since 2010 and sits in the garage since. It shows 21K miles on the tacho.
There are no dents in, the sadle seems to be in good chape and it shows a bit of surface rust on the upper parts of the fork.
Now I have 2 questions:
- what is it worth
- is it a bike that can looks cool ?
so any pictures of custom builds on a XL1200S base would be apriciated.
I allready own a 2017 Iron 883 and a 2016 FXSB. If I buy this XL I want to rebuild it to get a cool look, not a factory restore.
Thanks for any tips on price and build.
get it. save that poor sporty! $1500-3000 ($2000). your friend, you make your call on low balling him into oblivion or not.
save that poor sporty.
Last edited by cvaria; Sep 14, 2017 at 06:28 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 188
Likes: 29
From: Idaho
Cylinder wall rust could also be an issue if it sat 'untouched' since 2010 (i.e. the engine wasn't turned over every year or two, preferably with a small amount of oil added to each cyl). If this is the case, then a top end job might be necessary which would, imo, drop the price down to $1000 or so. Either way, I'd be sure to add a teaspoon or 2 of engine oil to each cylinder before you attempt to turn it over by hand (the Internet should have a lot of detailed information on the best way to do this).
Good luck, and let us know what you find.
Good luck, and let us know what you find.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 1,029
From: East Flanders - Belgium
Thanks for all the reply's guys, I'm hoping to see the bike next week again and then evently buy it. I'll keep you all posted about the progress and how much I ended up paying for it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Factory stock, that bike has a "cool" factor that many people spend thousands of dollars trying to attain. Hot-rod motor, dual front discs, remote-reservoir shocks, factory tacho and a classic paint scheme...very cool.
You'll spend some dough on new seals, re-build kits, gaskets, and, possibly, some wiring, etc. If you want a project, that's the bike for you. Otherwise, and I don't intend to be offensive, let it go to someone who appreciates a potentially fine machine for its true value - a bike that's cool, straight from The Motor Company. That's a some-what rare Harley, indeed.
A 2004-2006, the end of the carburetor Sportsters, rubber-mount engine, with much less than 25,000 miles, can be bought for $3,000 all day long in the USA. One major difference, besides being a solid-mount engine, is the design of the transmission. That 1200S has a trap door for the trans. A hundred times easier to repair, should the occasion arise, than splitting the engine cases on the rubber-mounts. Still, if you're intention is to "chop" it, please don't.
If I were there, I'd give your friend 1,000 bucks in a heartbeat, and treat it right.
Good luck.
You'll spend some dough on new seals, re-build kits, gaskets, and, possibly, some wiring, etc. If you want a project, that's the bike for you. Otherwise, and I don't intend to be offensive, let it go to someone who appreciates a potentially fine machine for its true value - a bike that's cool, straight from The Motor Company. That's a some-what rare Harley, indeed.
A 2004-2006, the end of the carburetor Sportsters, rubber-mount engine, with much less than 25,000 miles, can be bought for $3,000 all day long in the USA. One major difference, besides being a solid-mount engine, is the design of the transmission. That 1200S has a trap door for the trans. A hundred times easier to repair, should the occasion arise, than splitting the engine cases on the rubber-mounts. Still, if you're intention is to "chop" it, please don't.
If I were there, I'd give your friend 1,000 bucks in a heartbeat, and treat it right.
Good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 160
Likes: 17
From: Columbus, OH
Factory stock, that bike has a "cool" factor that many people spend thousands of dollars trying to attain. Hot-rod motor, dual front discs, remote-reservoir shocks, factory tacho and a classic paint scheme...very cool.
You'll spend some dough on new seals, re-build kits, gaskets, and, possibly, some wiring, etc. If you want a project, that's the bike for you. Otherwise, and I don't intend to be offensive, let it go to someone who appreciates a potentially fine machine for its true value - a bike that's cool, straight from The Motor Company. That's a some-what rare Harley, indeed.
A 2004-2006, the end of the carburetor Sportsters, rubber-mount engine, with much less than 25,000 miles, can be bought for $3,000 all day long in the USA. One major difference, besides being a solid-mount engine, is the design of the transmission. That 1200S has a trap door for the trans. A hundred times easier to repair, should the occasion arise, than splitting the engine cases on the rubber-mounts. Still, if you're intention is to "chop" it, please don't.
If I were there, I'd give your friend 1,000 bucks in a heartbeat, and treat it right.
Good luck.
You'll spend some dough on new seals, re-build kits, gaskets, and, possibly, some wiring, etc. If you want a project, that's the bike for you. Otherwise, and I don't intend to be offensive, let it go to someone who appreciates a potentially fine machine for its true value - a bike that's cool, straight from The Motor Company. That's a some-what rare Harley, indeed.
A 2004-2006, the end of the carburetor Sportsters, rubber-mount engine, with much less than 25,000 miles, can be bought for $3,000 all day long in the USA. One major difference, besides being a solid-mount engine, is the design of the transmission. That 1200S has a trap door for the trans. A hundred times easier to repair, should the occasion arise, than splitting the engine cases on the rubber-mounts. Still, if you're intention is to "chop" it, please don't.
If I were there, I'd give your friend 1,000 bucks in a heartbeat, and treat it right.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 1,029
From: East Flanders - Belgium
I bought the bike, my friend is going to deliver her with his truck next weekend, looking forward to start with her restauration.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Very few Harleys of any model, unfortunately. My '03 FXDXT did. We've been deprived of decent adjustable suspension for far too long!