motor cycle value

[rancher1913]

I know there are a few riders and probably some harley experts so I need some advice and info. a fellow at work has a 79 harley sportster, really nice condition and well maintained, he wants 4 grand for it. I always thought the sportsters were the cheepe harleys and dont know much about the late 70's manufacturing quality. would just be a tooling around bike but needs enough power to go up into the mountains occasionally.

[rockrat]

Do some searching, I think the late 70's were the AMF ownership times and IIRC, quality was not job one. Someone with more knowledge than me will give you alot more info.

[Finster101]

I wouldn't pay that for it. Four grand will buy you a much later model with more power, better suspension and brakes.

[AZ Pete]

you can buy a much newer Sportster for the same money. The newer ones are more reliable and much better made.


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[bdicki]

Nothing wrong with the 70's Harleys, but that Sportster is worth between $2000 and $2500. I wouldn't touch it for any price. Search Craig's list you can find a newer one that you can still get OEM parts for, for your $4000. There are a lot of Harleys for sale.

[Houndog]

I've been foolin with Harleys since 1966 and I wouldn't buy a Sportster of that year model unless it was less than $1000! You can take your $4000 and buy a NEWER Dyna and have a MUCH better motorcycle, especially buying it in the Winter months!

[Nobade]

Ironhead Sportsters are wonderful if you have a nice shop where you can go through it and make sure it's built right, then keep it properly maintained. But to just buy one to ride around on without knowing it intimately will not be good for you or the bike. And yeah, the price is way too high.

[birch]

I bought a 93 Dyna Wide Glide for 3500 dollars with 26,000 miles on it 4 years ago. When I put it up this fall, I just rolled over 51,000 miles, and all I have done to it is a battery change and a set of tires.

I had a 78 sportster and all I did was work on the thing. ........and it wept so much oil a feller could almost follow where it came from just by paying attention to the oil drips on the pavement. It left it's own trail of bread crumbs.

[atr]

I've had several 70's vintage Ironhead Sportsters, working on another one now in fact. The price you quoted is high unless that bike has really been "tricked out". For 4K you can get a much better ride. If you are looking for a HD, sportster then for 4K look for one manufactured in 2004 or later as they have isolated the engine from the frame for a much smoother ride.
Ride safe
atr

[rancher1913]

thanks for the quick replys. you guys confirmed the suspicions I had. it is a really nice bike but I think I will wait.