Buying a Harley Sportster

**cheshirecat** · 3rd January 2009, 12:02

A friend of mine is wanting to buy a Sportster for around $9-8000. I know next to nothing about Harleys but there's a few on trademe with one in particular looking v promising but a little suspicious with no Harley decals on tank and not too sure re exhaust.
see here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=192215277

Any advice - without dropping anyone in it!

**scumdog** · 3rd January 2009, 12:33

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

A friend of mine is wanting to buy a Sportster for around $9-8000. I know next to nothing about Harleys but there's a few on trademe with one in particular looking v promising but a little suspicious with no Harley decals on tank and not too sure re exhaust.
see here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=192215277

Any advice - without dropping anyone in it!

I'll have a look, I'm curious about your comments re decals and exhaust.

**Coyote** · 3rd January 2009, 12:34

No Harley badges isn't such a bad thing. Go on, admit it, there is no 'friend of yours'

Harley's owners tend to take good care of the looks of their ride. If they paintwork gets shabby, they'll get it resprayed. That could be the reason for there being no decals. Respraying is not a bad thing if it's done right. Original paint can make the bike more valuable, but you can buy yourself a bike cheaper that looks just as good.

I'm not sure if they come out of the factory without badges. Doesn't sound like something an American company would do.

**scumdog** · 3rd January 2009, 12:38

THAT seems to be a good buy at that price - (if it's in good mechanical nick.)

Points: Should have mag wheels, should have a V-shaped 'chequered-flag' emblem on the tank, should have speedo and rev-counter (seems to only have a small speedo) should have flatter, narrower bars.

Have a look at normajeans avatar to get a bit of an idea what one should be like.

PS I think air-filter insert is aftermarket (Screaming Eagle) one - but the udjustable front forks and rear shocks are factory, hence why a Sporty 1200 'S' is better bang for your buck than a plain old 1200 Sporty.

**Shadows** · 3rd January 2009, 13:16

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

A friend of mine is wanting to buy a Sportster for around $9-8000. I know next to nothing about Harleys but there's a few on trademe with one in particular looking v promising but a little suspicious with no Harley decals on tank and not too sure re exhaust.
see here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=192215277

Any advice - without dropping anyone in it!

Speaking of "dropping" I've just put a feeler out for you. I'll let you know if it comes back with anything.

**cheshirecat** · 3rd January 2009, 14:34

Originally Posted by Coyote

No Harley badges isn't such a bad thing. Go on, admit it, there is no 'friend of yours'

.

Ha, I've got a VFR, what other bike could I possibly want!
Mind you wouldn't mind test riding the Harley occasionally.

Oh, many thanks you guys for the comments.

**mudthug** · 3rd January 2009, 23:08

pic of stock bike

**wbks** · 4th January 2009, 16:28

You should look at a '89 1200xl on there for a few grand cheaper. Fuckall km's on a completely rebuilt engine and repaint, new bars and risers and brake disks and wiring just basically pretty much a new bike for around 8k maybe lower

**sinfull** · 4th January 2009, 16:40

Mate of mine just sold his for 7 k which was an 03 sporty with faark all ks on the clock ! Tell him to hold out and make rediculous offers, he may be surprised what gets accepted for them as the shops wont give them SFA as a trade and things are as tight as hell out there, then follow up with a compresion and aa sorta check at a shop of yr choice, to see how they respond !
Buyers market out there !

**Shadows** · 6th January 2009, 22:42

The feelers I put out drew a blank... but looking at it I'm 95% sure its been crashed and repaired. It may have been repaired well - or it may not. The frames aren't very substantial and as such can bend easily, if the guy is thinking of buying it at least get the frame checked out first to make sure its straight.

**popelli** · 7th January 2009, 12:12

Originally Posted by wbks

You should look at a '89 1200xl on there for a few grand cheaper. Fuckall km's on a completely rebuilt engine and repaint, new bars and risers and brake disks and wiring just basically pretty much a new bike for around 8k maybe lower

89 is a four speed - best avoided if at all possible, not only because of the 4 speed gearbox but also because of the alternator mounted behind the clutch

the later 5 speed motors are a lot better

**74 knuckle** · 23rd January 2009, 20:15

mate when I bought mine I had evryone wantin to give me there opinion. Theres a shitload in your pricerange and it dont take much to check them out, the one you really want will come to you, if its put out there. As for info on Harleys try Readin the latest book Harley haxe put out called The Harley Archives. I guaantee it'll give you more than surfice info

**peasea** · 31st January 2009, 19:28

Originally Posted by scumdog

THAT seems to be a good buy at that price - (if it's in good mechanical nick.)

Points: Should have mag wheels, should have a V-shaped 'chequered-flag' emblem on the tank, should have speedo and rev-counter (seems to only have a small speedo) should have flatter, narrower bars.

Have a look at normajeans avatar to get a bit of an idea what one should be like.

PS I think air-filter insert is aftermarket (Screaming Eagle) one - but the udjustable front forks and rear shocks are factory, hence why a Sporty 1200 'S' is better bang for your buck than a plain old 1200 Sporty.

What the fuck would you know?