Author Topic: I need a harley but.... (Read 2821 times)

Two Bears · « **on:** March 16, 2009, 07:15:23 AM »

OK I really WANT a harley but the funds are not looking good.

So would it be much cheaper to build one? What do you all think, can a person part one together and end up with a really good deal when finished?

buck460XVR · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2009, 07:22:26 AM »

There's a lot of nice used, low mileage Harley's out there right now at good prices......I think this would still be cheaper than building new from scratch.

Two Bears · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2009, 07:30:51 AM »

New built from scratch would be great but I am thinking of building a bike from "used" parts, maybe even a repairable. I would want to do it at a really reasonable price.
I am a bigger guy so a sportster woulb be too small for me and am thinking of a Dyna style.

hogrdr · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2009, 03:24:25 PM »

IMHO you would be better off buying used as building one would $100.00 you to death! To many buys out there right now buddy just picked up 2005 Heratige Softtail with 3400 miles on it for $9500.00 this bike is like new plus he got a set of ape hangers wire extensions and VH pipes. Hell I don't need one but I would have bought it for weekend bar hoppin bike!
Hog

mirage1988 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2009, 06:11:30 PM »

You can build one yourself, for a lot less than what you can buy one for IF, you know exactly what you want!, Know EXACTLY what parts fit together, and what the finished bike is going to look like. Too many people watch american chopper and think they can do the same thing.
I don't know you, or anything about you, but I will say this. Go home, get drunk, take your washing machine and your dryer apart to nuts and bolts. In two weeks, put them back together in running condition, then you can think about building something you will trust your life to!

Two Bears · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2009, 06:25:24 AM »

Funny stuff......
I might need some help with figuring out which parts will fit/work but I can build it when I have the parts.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2009, 10:57:53 AM »

IMHO, Yamaha makes the best Harley made!!!

You can get one fantastic Road Star for around 4 bills!

pastorp · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2009, 12:15:17 PM »

wareagleguy, I respectfully disagree with you. Yamaha makes good bikes ,and I've owned a few over the years, but they an't Harleys.

I wanted a new Harley but was a tad short on the cash, so I compromized and bought a Kawasaki Vulkin 1600. Nice bike but It an't a Harley.

Regards

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2009, 12:53:52 PM »

As hogrider said, it is possible to build up a bike but it will nickle and dime you to death. You can find a basket case for three or four grand and have to invest more than that to get it running

A basket case is risky at best. It may look like all the parts are there but if they are mixed years they might not fit together and if it is missing a lot of the specialty hardware that is needed, there goes your savings.

You may find one that's been in a wreck cheap.

I would look for a used bike, there are deals out there if you can wait.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:10:35 PM »

You can build one yourself, probably won't be much cheaper than buying one, but it will be one of a kind.

A good book is "how to build a cheap chopper" from http://www.wolfgangpublications.com/ (got mine at a bookstore)

You will have the best luck starting with a sportster or a buell motor/trans. They are one piece, so you won't have the trouble of aligning them, finding a chaincase that works, etc., and you can find crashed ones fairly cheap.

Check out the mutant buells at www.redneckengineering.com

You might get lucky at an auction site for a donor bike, here are a few in minnesota:

www.crashedtoys.com
www.toysalvage.com

They don't have much right now, but will when riding season starts!

Hope this gives you a few ideas anyhow.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:31:11 PM »

I am building my own, but I don't expect to save alot. What it will do for me is, I have what I want when I am done (Mostly

), I can buy parts when I have the cash (no credit), I like working on my own machines. I also do not expect to have it done anytime soon.

BTW it is a 1987 1200 sporty motor on a North Carolina customs rigid frame, Old style painted springer, 16" FL style spoke wheels and fatbob tanks. Its gonna look a lot like a late 40s panhead bobber cept for the engine.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:37:01 PM »

Sounds like a fun project. I was going to build one as well, went to an auction four years ago looking for a donor bike, started bidding on a mint 98 superglide, got it for 8500, been riding it ever since. Oh well, I guess my next bike will be a build!

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2009, 01:54:16 PM »

Used Sportsters are cheap. I'm just crazy about them. One of the last real rides IMO.

twocan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2009, 04:23:02 PM »

Quote from: wareagleguy on March 17, 2009, 10:57:53 AM

IMHO, Yamaha makes the best Harley made!!!

You can get one fantastic Road Star for around 4 bills!

A Yamaha will never look this good!

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:57:58 AM »

I just can't bring myself to ride anything made in Japan. They run well enough, but they just don't make anything attractive.

For me it has to be Harley, Indian, Triumph, BSA, Norton, Matchless, or perhaps a BMW. I keep hoping Victory will produce something attractive.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2009, 02:15:25 AM »

There ya go - Triumph.

Don't mind Asian production but there's just none that appeal to me. Hate the sport/racer look and the typical cruiser does nothing for me either. I like the old style, hence Triumph. Love my Bonneville. Norton is back but not nearly the same.
Looked at BMW's yesterday. Really like thier adventure line. Will proberly add something else in the coming months. Want something different just not sure what.

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2009, 02:33:35 AM »

The only new Harleys I'm really crazy about, are the Sportsters. They are what I refer to as regular motorcycles.

I do like some of the Big Twin customs I see in Horse Magazine. A Knuckle or Shovel Head rigid gets me going.

The late 1960s Triumphs are the best looking bikes ever made IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HZw-wsCK5w&feature=related

wareagleguy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:22:28 PM »

I was kinda poking fun at the Harley guys. Harleys are fine bikes and would love to have one. I just am not willing to put that much money in any motorcyce. Now, if I had Jay Leno money I would have MANY motorcycles and several would be Harleys.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 21, 2009, 03:23:01 PM »

and many more Yamahas too!!!

pastorp · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2009, 04:20:02 PM »

Wareagleguy, We ride what we can afford, or like. I wanted a Harley this time but it just didn't happen.

deernhog · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2009, 11:28:45 AM »

Buy one the first time then try the build. Mine is always in the garage and not on the road. I luv my Yamaha also but I have always had a Harley bug. You can get a nice 90's Harley for under 10k and ride the heck out of it. You get to building one it's going to cost you 1/3 to 1/2 of that then the parts if you can do it your self . Labor sneaks up on you quick if you have to have stuff done. I looked into a old Triumph Bonnneville for a projectt but it was just going to be too much for my budet right now. BTW it was not going to be cheaper to build just something I like and wanted. Buy one and ride it first.

Tommyt · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:33:52 AM »

Quote from: Two Bears on March 16, 2009, 07:15:23 AM

OK I really WANT a harley but the funds are not looking good.

So would it be much cheaper to build one? What do you all think, can a person part one together and end up with a really good deal when finished?

#1 OK I really WANT a Harley but the funds are not looking good.
There it self lies a Problem when you say Harley Sad true Fact
But you can look in you area for Insurance Wrecks
#2 So would it be much cheaper to build one?
Absolutely NO not in todays Market there are way to many Harley's on the used side
#3 can a person part one together and end up with a really good deal when finished?
This is answered in #2

What a Person can Do when Putting one together (Build one)
First Let Me SAY If you do a BUILD from the Ground up
YOU DO NOT have a Harley you have a Chopper with Harley Train
But when you build you get something thats Truly your Way

Weather its Pocket short parts way,or not all parts come together you have a CUSTOM Built Bike

Have you made a decision YET

buckweet · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:50:24 AM »

Quote from: buck460XVR on March 16, 2009, 07:22:26 AM

There's a lot of nice used, low mileage Harley's out there right now at good prices......I think this would still be cheaper than building new from scratch.

THERE is a 93 ultra classic for sale in sedalia mo, 6900 bucks, hi miles , but in very good shape, far cheaper to buy used.

weet

Two Bears · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:41:26 AM »

Going to buy used for now.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2009, 03:45:29 AM »

Ever gave any thought toward a Moto Guzzi? They are very solid bikes, for the most part easy to work on, although dealers are far and in between parts are no problem. The Wild Guzzi forum provides great support. Very good used Guzzis can be had in the 4-6K range. If you have not heard one run before they sound very much like a Chevy small block with glass packs. Mine is a 76 model that was a police bike and 850 cc. I have a 1000cc kit in it now with a slight performance cam, bigger carbs and some head work. Even when it was a stock 850 I could travel two up and packed all day long at an honest 80+ mph with plenty of passing power left.

myronman3 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:53:20 AM »

you can pick up a barely used dyna for about what a sportster goes for new. i have seen then at 7500 with less than 5000 miles.

deernhog · « **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2009, 05:11:41 PM »

Im looking at a 96 heritage softtail for $7500 low miles and looks mint. I know the bike and he needs to get rid of it to pay fr another for his OL. It's a good bike but there are lots of good deals out there right now just figure what you can pay have the money ready and wait for the right moment

Swampman · « **Reply #27 on:** March 26, 2009, 12:39:34 AM »

I had a new Super Glide, & I greatly prefer the Sportsters.

deernhog · « **Reply #28 on:** March 26, 2009, 02:01:55 AM »

Swampy I'll swap ya my 69 sporty just meet me half way and it's yours. On second thought come all the way here and bring a trailer she is really tempermental lately. LOL

Swampman · « **Reply #29 on:** March 26, 2009, 11:27:37 AM »

I could build a "Then Came Bronson" replica.