Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Advice on a XL1200S buy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-13-2017, 11:07 AM
MoneyFor's Avatar
MoneyFor
MoneyFor is offline
Stellar HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: East Flanders - Belgium
Posts: 2,518
Received 954 Likes on 657 Posts
Default Advice on a XL1200S buy

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.
 

Last edited by MoneyFor; 09-13-2017 at 11:13 AM. Reason: picture ad
  #2  
Old 09-13-2017, 11:09 AM
MoneyFor's Avatar
MoneyFor
MoneyFor is offline
Stellar HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: East Flanders - Belgium
Posts: 2,518
Received 954 Likes on 657 Posts
Default

Forgot to say that the dad on his last days was a bit seniel and he put diesel in the tank and that is also the reason why he didn't drove since 2010. The diesel is still in the tank and prob also the carb.
 
  #3  
Old 09-13-2017, 12:04 PM
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
grbrown is offline
Club Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bedford UK
Posts: 45,435
Received 2,851 Likes on 2,419 Posts
Wink

The gas tank and carb will need to be stripped and cleaned, to clean out all traces of diesel, but that isn't too much of a chore. It would be wise to get an overhaul kit for the carb, which will include gaskets and O rings etc. The 1200S is an interesting model in that it has twin spark plugs per cylinder and higher performance than the other models of that time. Looks like it could do with a good clean and polish and will need new tyres and fluids, to get it roadworthy.

Are you in East Flanders Belgium?
 
The following users liked this post:
MoneyFor (09-14-2017)
  #4  
Old 09-13-2017, 12:40 PM
TStephen's Avatar
TStephen
TStephen is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SC
Posts: 1,713
Received 296 Likes on 256 Posts
Default

Like Brown said, a good dismantle and cleaning of the fuel delivery system is in order, and definitely new tires.

If you can turn it over, check the compression before committing.

If it's solid, I'd pay $2k - $2.5k for it as long as it just needs a good cleanup, but I don't know what prices are like in VT.
 
The following users liked this post:
MoneyFor (09-14-2017)
  #5  
Old 09-13-2017, 01:35 PM
Brickchick's Avatar
Brickchick
Brickchick is offline
Advanced
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Washington state
Posts: 98
Received 21 Likes on 20 Posts
Default

I bought my 99 1200s this last october for $2750. Unmolested, bone stock, in great shape. 15k on the clock.

Personally if you can roll it over and get compression and since it is your friend i would offer him a grand. Between tires and all the going through it your going to need to do i would not be looking to pay much more.(unless youre trying to help him out of coarse)

Again thats just me. But i am a tite wad with my money.

I love my bike. And yes without modification, with my 140lb boy on the back i walk away from my brother on his 95 1200 him riding solo.
 
The following users liked this post:
MoneyFor (09-14-2017)
  #6  
Old 09-13-2017, 03:27 PM
multihdrdr's Avatar
multihdrdr
multihdrdr is offline
Club Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 10,914
Likes: 0
Received 2,232 Likes on 1,810 Posts
Default

A 1200S is better than just any 'ol sportster

Where do you see "1999"? On the frame? If so, it's probably a 2000 Model made in 1999...
The front-end (forks, brake cals/rotors) is a 2000-later.
Black heat shields is 2000-later
etc
 
The following users liked this post:
MoneyFor (09-14-2017)
  #7  
Old 09-14-2017, 01:02 AM
MoneyFor's Avatar
MoneyFor
MoneyFor is offline
Stellar HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: East Flanders - Belgium
Posts: 2,518
Received 954 Likes on 657 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by grbrown
The gas tank and carb will need to be stripped and cleaned, to clean out all traces of diesel, but that isn't too much of a chore. It would be wise to get an overhaul kit for the carb, which will include gaskets and O rings etc. The 1200S is an interesting model in that it has twin spark plugs per cylinder and higher performance than the other models of that time. Looks like it could do with a good clean and polish and will need new tyres and fluids, to get it roadworthy.

Are you in East Flanders Belgium?
Thanks for the advice, and yes I'm from East Flanders.
 
  #8  
Old 09-14-2017, 01:06 AM
MoneyFor's Avatar
MoneyFor
MoneyFor is offline
Stellar HDF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: East Flanders - Belgium
Posts: 2,518
Received 954 Likes on 657 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by multihdrdr
A 1200S is better than just any 'ol sportster

Where do you see "1999"? On the frame? If so, it's probably a 2000 Model made in 1999...
The front-end (forks, brake cals/rotors) is a 2000-later.
Black heat shields is 2000-later
etc
Thanks for that info, I saw the papers, it was on the road for the first time in november 1999 according to them. That is why I called it a 99.
 
  #9  
Old 09-14-2017, 04:57 AM
r1cochet's Avatar
r1cochet
r1cochet is offline
Tourer
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 380
Received 203 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

My '99 XL1200S



Bought this at the end of '98 and sold in 2013 when I bought my Heritage Softail.

Forward controls, Samson 2:1 exhaust system, S&S air cleaner/cover with K&N filter. Dynojet thunderslide carb kit.

Had a touring bucket seat and backrest for when the wife wanted to come along.
 
The following users liked this post:
MoneyFor (10-11-2017)
  #10  
Old 09-14-2017, 05:14 AM
Iceman24's Avatar
Iceman24
Iceman24 is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Eastern NE
Posts: 24,900
Received 2,220 Likes on 1,622 Posts
Default

Rare bike...owned a 2003 XL1200S and just sold this spring. Definitely a sweet project & this one will need TLC. Have them throw you a figure to see where the're starting and go from there. It will take a total strip-down, tear-apart rebuild, but fun project. Good luck!
 


Quick Reply: Advice on a XL1200S buy



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:07 PM.