Go Sportsters

[davevv]

Depends on the market where you're looking. In Dallas, I would say $4500 or less for an excellent 883R and $5000 or less for a 1200R. People often ask more, but you can buy them fairly regular for those prices. Other Sportster models will be $500 to $1000 higher. With more miles and/or worse condition, subtract accordingly. The same weekend I bought mine, my buddy bought an '03 (solid mount) 1200 with 22k miles for $3000. It's not a Roadster, but is a good solid bike and he rides it all the time. There are good deals to be found on CL, but you have to be patient and at the same time ready to buy instantly when one of those great deals pops up.

[Randy]

Originally Posted by davevv

Depends on the market where you're looking. In Dallas, I would say $4500 or less for an excellent 883R and $5000 or less for a 1200R. People often ask more, but you can buy them fairly regular for those prices. Other Sportster models will be $500 to $1000 higher. With more miles and/or worse condition, subtract accordingly. The same weekend I bought mine, my buddy bought an '03 (solid mount) 1200 with 22k miles for $3000. It's not a Roadster, but is a good solid bike and he rides it all the time. There are good deals to be found on CL, but you have to be patient and at the same time ready to buy instantly when one of those great deals pops up.

Yeah, I know what you mean about being ready to pounce! I've seen some good deals for other bikes come up on CL and the really good ones don't last long. That's why I want to know what's what with the different models and the general prices. I'm in the Atlanta area, and while it's probably similar to your market, I just need to start watching CL to get a better idea. Thanks for the info. Still undecided which way I'll end up going, but building a good used R is really starting to make a lot of sense from the standpoint of getting what I want for the least $$. Guess I need to start breaking down a parts list and figuring out a rough idea of what it would take to make one what I want it to be. In the mean time though, I still have a lot to learn about these bikes since I have no experience with HD's

[Scrivens]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Jockey

Here are some shots of my mostly original 1969 XLCH.

That's a beautiful bike. First Sporty I rode was an XLCH; just wish the new ones had the same seat arrangement. I occasionally think about making up the mounts to fit one of the older seats on my '07.

[DAKEZ]

[Sidecar Jockey]

Originally Posted by EetsOK

Gorgeous Ironheads guys.
What I noticed about both the ironheads is how close you sit to the rear cylinder head. Does it get toasty down there?

Yes, it can be toasty in the summer. It feels great in the winter though (if you can get it kick-started).

Worse than the proximity of the rear head to your crotch, is the side mount oil tank of the 1957-78 XLH. It hits you in the thigh when you put your right leg down, and it gets HOT.

I dont know anything about Evos... but I hear they run cooler.

[EetsOK]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Jockey

Yes, it can be toasty in the summer. It feels great in the winter though (if you can get it kick-started).

Worse than the proximity of the rear head to your crotch, is the side mount oil tank of the 1957-78 XLH. It hits you in the thigh when you put your right leg down, and it gets HOT.

I dont know anything about Evos... but I hear they run cooler.

Holy crap, an Evo runs cooler? My experience with them was 1 ) the oil tank got toasty on my thigh and 2) it would overheat like crazy if I didn't run synth oil.

[ivantheterrible]

i've been following along with this thread and my sportster interest is growing. A couple of interesting pre-EVO motor sportster have popped up locally. I want/need any motorcycle that I own to be at least some what dependable without working on it every weekend. I hope it hasn't been asked, but what's the feeling on the pre-EVO'S? Common knowledge seems to be that they're a huge PITA, but common knowledge is often wrong. A couple that I really like are an '80 and a '84. Any feed back would be appreciated.

[HapHazard]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

This is the RSD Nightster I found @ www.rolandsands.com



I much prefer the spoke wheels on "my" version.

Go to :30 on this video to see the riding position with the clip-ons, mids and thin-thin seat

[EetsOK]

Originally Posted by HapHazard

This is the RSD Nightster I found @ www.rolandsands.com



I much prefer the spoke wheels on "my" version.

Go to :30 on this video to see the riding position with the clip-ons, mids and thin-thin seat

The riding position is absolutely stupid. After all that work, time and money and they didn't put a set of proper rear set on it? Dumbass.

[theKite]

My 2004 1200 Sporty is the most reliable vehicle - two wheels or four - that I have ever owned. Period.
Plus it's economical and fun.
Rob

[damasovi]

Well my question is simple, I am looking into a bike such as the sportsters but it hard not to look somewhere else, so since is a pro sporter, please tell why this is a better bike. I would be buying new since I tend to keep th bikes for as long as possible.

If it matter I ride a KLR 650 from kawasaki, I am 5'8" with 30 in inseam and 190 lbs with all the gear on.

I would prefer the HD since it can be bough in my country and save me the 1200-2000 usd importatins fees and the honda is the clone to the hd, the bonneville is different but also has that old look look.

Thanks

Damasovi

[Sidecar Jockey]

Originally Posted by ivantheterrible

i've been following along with this thread and my sportster interest is growing. A couple of interesting pre-EVO motor sportster have popped up locally. I want/need any motorcycle that I own to be at least some what dependable without working on it every weekend. I hope it hasn't been asked, but what's the feeling on the pre-EVO'S? Common knowledge seems to be that they're a huge PITA, but common knowledge is often wrong. A couple that I really like are an '80 and a '84. Any feed back would be appreciated.

Reliability of the 1957-1984 "Ironhead" Sportster TOTALLY depends on the bike's history and how well it was maintained. IF you need a reliable one, it is going to need to be a low mile bike that is mostly original. The more times the motor has been apart and the more things that previous owners changed... the more problems you will have. There are several 'groups' of Ironheads:

1957-1969: First generation 900cc. These bikes are RARE and EXPENSIVE. They are so old that they are NOT suitable for a daily driver, unless you get an original un-molested one, in which case you wouldnt want to daily drive it anyway. Most are kickstart only, but later (1965-1969) XLH models had electric start. Pre 1965 all sportsters were 6 volt, and electric parts are hard to get and VERY expensive.

1970-1972: Second generation 900cc. These have more modern ignitions (except 1970), wiring, and for the XLCH a battery. Same as above, the 900's have their own set of 'issues' and are much less dependable than the 1000's (slipping kicker gears and weak cases especially). All XLH of this era are electric start. All are left side brake, right side shift and have drum brakes front and rear.

1973-1978: First generation 1000cc. These are the best to daily drive. They still have the classic look, but have front disc brakes, and even better wiring and 'electronics'. Their electric starters are dependable too. XLCH is still kickstart only. 1978 and later got a much improved oil pump. 1973 was the last year of right side shift. 1977 had an engine block re-design to accomidate 'propper' left shift without a bunch of extra linkage.

1979-1981: These used the flat-track inspired frame and subsiquently look funny dressed as cruisers. 1979 was the last year for kick starters, but 1981 has the 'modern' one piece starter+solenoid combo that is dead reliable. Late 1979 was the introduction of electronic ignition as standard equiptment. This is the best handling frame. All models had dual front disc brakes and singe disc rear.

1982-1984: These use the same basic frame that continued through 2003. Personally, i dont like these, because the chassis looks just like Sportsters through 2003... so it doesnt feel like a classic. Stay FAR AWAY from 1984 models. They are the first year for the alternator (mounted on clutch basket) and the magnents tend to fall off and damage your primary drive or tranny.


If it were me, I would buy a low miles 1978 if I was going to daily drive an Ironhead.

[Mobiker]

Originally Posted by ivantheterrible

i've been following along with this thread and my sportster interest is growing. A couple of interesting pre-EVO motor sportster have popped up locally. I want/need any motorcycle that I own to be at least some what dependable without working on it every weekend. I hope it hasn't been asked, but what's the feeling on the pre-EVO'S? Common knowledge seems to be that they're a huge PITA, but common knowledge is often wrong. A couple that I really like are an '80 and a '84. Any feed back would be appreciated.

I had an '84 I bought new. It was the most reliable bike I ever owned. Never gave me any problems. Of course that was almost 30 years ago so its probably not too relevant to today. Unlike SJ above, I like the '82-84 ironhead frame for its handling over the older lugged frame.

Heat is felt off the rear cylinder when stopped. I never noticed it too much when moving. My buddies Duck 996 put a lot more heat on the right leg when the fan kicked on.

[Ginger Beard]

Originally Posted by damasovi

If it matter I ride a KLR 650 from kawasaki, I am 5'8" with 30 in inseam and 190 lbs with all the gear on.

I would prefer the HD since it can be bough in my country and save me the 1200-2000 usd importatins fees and the honda is the clone to the hd, the bonneville is different but also has that old look look.

Thanks

Damasovi

Are you considering the 883 or 1200?

If the HD is cheaper then it's a no brainer. Great mpg ( 45-55 on the 1200 and even better on the 883) , very low maintenance (belt, hydraulic valves, large oil capacity) , very reliable (but so are the others) and it has the best aftermarket of the 3 bikes mentioned. You can make it into anything you want.

[ivantheterrible]

thanks for the detailed response, sidecar jockey!
i must say, i much prefer the looks of the 1970's sportsters.