Hi new here
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Stage II
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi new here
Hi, I’m new to the forums and to Harley. I’m hoping you guys can give me some advice on this. A co-worker is going to sell me a 1977 Sportster, 100cc XLH with 13,000 original miles for $1,500. He said it hasn’t ran in 10 years, so its been a garage ever since. I my self don’t know to much about working on bikes but. I’m hoping a new battery, oil, plugs and wires, is all I need to get it to run. An I called up a dealer to see how much tires would be since they are the originals. They said not only would I have to buy new tires, but also new rims. Because they said the tires now a days would not fit on the old rims, which kind of sucks I know rims alone are pricey. Thanks for any help on this. Also here is some pictures of the bike.
[IMG]local://upfiles/63041/FB1CDC231B5D477790BF61DFE39DA853.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/63041/FC8E1A354D3541FBB09C375B2DDBAA90.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]local://upfiles/63041/FB1CDC231B5D477790BF61DFE39DA853.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/63041/FC8E1A354D3541FBB09C375B2DDBAA90.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/63041/39198C3ABC24429398D5560BCAE6333A.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/63041/A2276B677E0F4DC6A2B4E9EC925DD5E2.jpg[/IMG]
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Hi new here
ORIGINAL: thin ink
Hi, I’m new to the forums and to Harley. I’m hoping you guys can give me some advice on this. A co-worker is going to sell me a 1977 Sportster, 100cc XLH with 13,000 original miles for $1,500. He said it hasn’t ran in 10 years, so its been a garage ever since. I my self don’t know to much about working on bikes
Hi, I’m new to the forums and to Harley. I’m hoping you guys can give me some advice on this. A co-worker is going to sell me a 1977 Sportster, 100cc XLH with 13,000 original miles for $1,500. He said it hasn’t ran in 10 years, so its been a garage ever since. I my self don’t know to much about working on bikes
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 192
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Hi new here
I don't know man, 10 years of sitting idle and the pistons could be frozen. Could be all kinds of corrosion problems. The cylinders could be pitted, bad compression, rusted cables. I guess if you are into a fix-er-upper, but if it was me I would at least get a bike that has been used more frequently.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,452
Likes: 0
From: North Yorkshire,England.
RE: Hi new here
Has the guy turned the motor over every now and again?...just to get some oil around.....bearings that have been stood In the same position for long periods can get flats on the *****.
I'm a sucker for bikes like these to work on,but I wouldn't be aiming to get It on the road real quick......besides I've already got a "vintage" bike In a rather small garage.
I'm a sucker for bikes like these to work on,but I wouldn't be aiming to get It on the road real quick......besides I've already got a "vintage" bike In a rather small garage.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
RE: Hi new here
I would pass on that Bike and look for a newer model, I bought My 01 Sportster recently and started tearing into as it sat for a while too and did not run right and I tell you the Money adds up Fast, I am doing a custom project with it that is why, I found out the Hard way and learned some things too. I am glad I decided to rebuild the Bike as it needed it, but it will be a one time only deal for me after it is finished.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: NJ
RE: Hi new here
Based on what you said about not knowing much about working on bikes I'd pass if I were you. In addition to what's already been said, don't forget about the fuel system. Is the inside of the fuel tank rusted? Not good if it is, not an easy fix. If some gas was left in it you've got 10 year old varnish in there and in the carb as well. Figure to pull the carb and do cleaning andrebuild. Lots of other skeletons may be lurking in the bike.
If all of your planets are in line you may get away with only gas, oil, battery, etc., but I really don't think so. Figure on spending at least at much, if not more on getting this thing up to par than you would if you bought something you could ride away. And after all the aggravation you may end up hating the thing. If you're wanting this particular bike because you're after a '70s-era Sportster AND you're wanting to make the commitment to learning how to wrench a bike, then cross your fingers and go for it. But that's not how it sounds to me, with your hope for a battery-oil-tires fix.
If all of your planets are in line you may get away with only gas, oil, battery, etc., but I really don't think so. Figure on spending at least at much, if not more on getting this thing up to par than you would if you bought something you could ride away. And after all the aggravation you may end up hating the thing. If you're wanting this particular bike because you're after a '70s-era Sportster AND you're wanting to make the commitment to learning how to wrench a bike, then cross your fingers and go for it. But that's not how it sounds to me, with your hope for a battery-oil-tires fix.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls, Va.
RE: Hi new here
Welcome to the madness. It looks like you would have yourself a time and money consuming project there. As the others have said, i'd look for a newer model.
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[IMG]local://upfiles/48168/601B9128D24B4007830594CAC0163CB7.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 4
From: Daytona Beach
RE: Hi new here
You might wanna check out the Ironhead forum.You'll probably get some more positive responses there.Like everyone said here,you'lldefinately have to sink some money into it to get it up and running and it will turn into a project,but, it might be worth it.A '77 with 13k original miles for $1500(I'd offer a little less) doesn't sound like a bad deal.You'd know how to wrench on an Ironhead for sure by the time it was done.Could be fun.I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat.Also ,you won't need to change the rims(unless they're shot).Do a search online for the tires...you'll find 'em.Dealers won't be much helpwith a 30+yr old bike.****, they can't help me with my 20yr old bike most of the time.Anyway, good luck with it and if you don't buy it,send it my way,I'd be interested .
