Hi everyone! This is my first post, so please be gentle.

I have the opportunity to buy a HD Sportster 1000, kick start only bike. I have been told it is only one of about 159 made in 1979. Starts and runs great. A few minor cosmetic issues and a leaky rear brake line is all I could visually find wrong with the bike. Shifted well, started on the first kick, horn works, brake light/head/high all work. Turn signals out. Motor and Frame match.

With all that being said, this would be my first bike, and to be honest, I know nothing about HD bikes. Price seems reasonable ($2K).

My biggest question would be is this bike really as rare as being only one of about 160 made, and if I bought this bike as my first, would I be getting killed on a well running, Nice shape bike....not great, but nice.?

Any input you guys can provide this newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and safe riding!!

Rob

 

I don't know anything about this particular bike, but I would be surprised if the price was excessively high. I see 1990's sportsters advertised for $3500 or higher consistently. You aren't going to find a running harley much cheaper than $2k unless it has significant problems.

If this bike is some kind of a rarity, it may be underpriced. Of course, it is cool to have something not many others have, and I doubt you will see many 70s or 80s sportsters on the road regardless of how many were made.

 

I'd say it depends more on your mechanical ability, and what you want the bike for. Ironheads are different animals than evo sporties. It's going to leak oil where the iron meets the aluminum on the heads, nothing you can do about it. It's going to eat points and need continuous adjustment, and being kick start only means cold weather starting and motor trouble-shooting are going to be a b@tch. That being said.... Iron heads rule! They're great bikes, and with a little money you can make them just as reliable as an evo. If you do buy it, get a chilton's or factory harley service manual. Don't even bother with the cheap haynes manual. Old irons and shovels are great bikes though, their simplicity is key in making them great runners. Just be prepared to do some wrenching. 2k is a great price if it runs.

 

Guys, thank you for the input. From what I have gathered, in '79 they offered the 1000 as electric start and kick start as an option. As a result, not many kick starts were sold. This is one of them.

 

get some pictures! I would love to see what it looks like! I dig the old Sporty's!

 

ditto, I love old bikes, and I guarantee you'll get more respect/looks on it than most bikes

 

I have to reiterate the points about being prepared to wrench on the bike frequently. I know shovel guys (shovels need constant attention) who won't touch an ironhead because they claim they're even more needy. If you love to wrench and tinker, go for it. 2k is a great price although I'm not impressed with the so-called rarity of the kick only. May or may not be true (HD still made kick only shovels well into the 80s so I'd think there are more kick IH around) but either way I doubt it will increase the value to anyone.

 

Not true about the oil leaks and eating points. I have a '76 XLH bought as a near basket case for cheap. After putting it back together properly, I have a little over 2100 trouble free miles on it thus far. It's averaging 50.21 mpg and does not leak oil at all. Not one drop. I did remove the automatic chain oiler and plugged the oil source to it, though. It does have the factory installed vent tube from the cam chest but I cannot count this as an oil leak. All vehicles back in the day used to vent crankcases to the ground.

I've been riding it to work now that the weather permits, a 127 mile round trip. It's been dead solid reliable. I hear it often stated as a known fact that all old Harleys leak oil, but this is a myth. If assembled correctly with good quality gaskets, they do not.

 

Glad to hear it! Hopefully the gaskets continue to hold. Usually where the iron heads meet the aluminum rocker boxes is where you will see trouble. Iron and aluminum expand at different rates with heat, and sometimes they will leak between the two. They're great bikes though, and can be very reliable if maintained and adjusted correctly.

 

Rob,

You've seen the bike and sound keen. It is likely you will find things that need attention if you buy it, but that will simply be a challenge. If you are seriously thinking about buying it, take a pal along with you for a next visit, simply to have a second pair of eyes. Would help if they know bikes, but that is not essential.

I don't imagine many bikes of that age are runners so that is a good starting point.

Let us know if you buy and best of luck!