Help Purchasing Used Sportster
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge, GA
Help Purchasing Used Sportster
Greetings All!
I'm a relatively new rider preparing to purchase, or rather trade for, a used 2002 Harley XL1200 Custom Sportster from a private seller. He seems like a trustworthy man but you can never be too careful. I need advice on whether or not I should purchase the bike in light of a few pros and cons that may or may not be minor:
*Note the first owner tried modifying the bike to look like a Bob.
Cons:
1. The speedometer, and subsequently the odometer, was taken off. The man said there were 6,500 miles on it when he purchased it from the first owner and had only done about 2,000 miles on it himself.
2. The bike has only one mirror.
3. There's a small ding on the gas tank from where the handle-bar hit it.
4. The handle-bar hits the gas tank because the steering stop lug on the left side of the fork is broken off.
5. The first owner unprofessionally painted the two fenders and gas tank black from the original red paint.
6. The horn was taken off by the first owner.
7. It looks as though the first owner welded a wrench in place of the shift linkage. The wrench may just be a custom shift linkage but I'm not sure.
8. Looking from one of the pictures of the back of the bike, the back fender looks ever so slightly off centered, which may be a sign of a bent frame.
Pros:
1. Brand new seat
2. Brand new performance pipes
3. Low mileage
4. Mechanically sound
5. No rust damage
6. Brand new saddle bags
Overall, the bike is in great condition and doesn't look bad cosmetically with the exception of the less than par paint job and small ding in the gas tank. I have about $1,000 to invest in fixing any problems. What do you lot think? Will I go over budget with fixing the preceding problems? I appreciate the help!
I'm a relatively new rider preparing to purchase, or rather trade for, a used 2002 Harley XL1200 Custom Sportster from a private seller. He seems like a trustworthy man but you can never be too careful. I need advice on whether or not I should purchase the bike in light of a few pros and cons that may or may not be minor:
*Note the first owner tried modifying the bike to look like a Bob.
Cons:
1. The speedometer, and subsequently the odometer, was taken off. The man said there were 6,500 miles on it when he purchased it from the first owner and had only done about 2,000 miles on it himself.
2. The bike has only one mirror.
3. There's a small ding on the gas tank from where the handle-bar hit it.
4. The handle-bar hits the gas tank because the steering stop lug on the left side of the fork is broken off.
5. The first owner unprofessionally painted the two fenders and gas tank black from the original red paint.
6. The horn was taken off by the first owner.
7. It looks as though the first owner welded a wrench in place of the shift linkage. The wrench may just be a custom shift linkage but I'm not sure.
8. Looking from one of the pictures of the back of the bike, the back fender looks ever so slightly off centered, which may be a sign of a bent frame.
Pros:
1. Brand new seat
2. Brand new performance pipes
3. Low mileage
4. Mechanically sound
5. No rust damage
6. Brand new saddle bags
Overall, the bike is in great condition and doesn't look bad cosmetically with the exception of the less than par paint job and small ding in the gas tank. I have about $1,000 to invest in fixing any problems. What do you lot think? Will I go over budget with fixing the preceding problems? I appreciate the help!
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge, GA
The current seller has proof on his ticket of purchase and title that it was purchased with 6,500 miles at time of sale. Since then, with the odometer taken off, the current seller claims to have done no more than 2,000 as he has only had the bike for around 7 months, which sounds reasonable. Purchasing a bike without an odometer is legal, it's at the discretion and caution of the purchaser. I can't upload pics because they're too big but you can view all the pictures at the following link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89957786@N02/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89957786@N02/
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge, GA
I apologize, I forgot to post the price. The asking price was $4,500 but we settled on a trade. We are engaging a straight trade for my 1989 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat. It's a fair trade as the value is relatively equal.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 755
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
I think that $4,500 is too high for a bike with so many unknowns. As for the Lariat, what is it worth and how easy is to sell? $1,500? $2,000? If so, I guess you are in the ballpark, assuming you like the bike.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge, GA
I thought the price was a little high myself, which is why we settled on a trade. The truck is in excellent condition and I've put moderate work into it, which upped the value to about $3,500-$4,000. As far as simply selling it, I've been having trouble getting it sold. My main concern is how much it will cost to mend the little problems that it has. How much do you think that would cost from a third party garage? A Harley-Davidson garage was quoting at around $1,500 to mend all those small problems, which I thought was way over priced.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 755
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
But, let's say you can get $1,500 for the Lariat and you have another $1,000 to spend. I think that $2,500 gets you a lot more options for buying a bike. I mean, here's someone asking $3,000. Let's assume they'd take $2,500. Just a quick example, but I'd much rather have this bike:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/3371001589.html
Straight bike, no BS on missing parts, etc.
If it were me, I'd try to sell the truck and go shopping with the cash. There are a ton of bikes out there.
Good luck!
Edit: I'd call Carmax up in Atlanta to see what they'd give you for the truck on the spot. I've sold cars to Carmax before, just to get the cash. Worth a phone call.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/3371001589.html
Straight bike, no BS on missing parts, etc.
If it were me, I'd try to sell the truck and go shopping with the cash. There are a ton of bikes out there.
Good luck!
Edit: I'd call Carmax up in Atlanta to see what they'd give you for the truck on the spot. I've sold cars to Carmax before, just to get the cash. Worth a phone call.
Last edited by Big Lebowski; Nov 12, 2012 at 09:50 AM. Reason: Give Carmax a quick call.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,601
Likes: 4,036
From: San Diego, CA
With Hurricane Sandy destroying so many cars and trucks on the East Coast, used prices are going to go up as well. Your truck might be worth more in the next couple months, and buying a bike during winter usually gets a better price.
I've got a pristine, original owner 1991, and I'd probably be hard pressed to get $4500. And mine has never been hacked.
John
I've got a pristine, original owner 1991, and I'd probably be hard pressed to get $4500. And mine has never been hacked.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Nov 12, 2012 at 10:55 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
$4500 is twice as much as that bike's worth. W/the shitty approach towards the quality of changes by the former owner, I'd be suspect of the quality of general maintenance, and would expect large and expensive problems down the road.
There are LOTS of XLs out there - don't buy yourself a problem.
There are LOTS of XLs out there - don't buy yourself a problem.