Any Harley Davidison Bike "in the know's" on here? advice..

LittleBoyBlue

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Hi

I am looking to pickup a Harley.

Looking for something nice without going crazy money-wise.

Was looking at the Ironhead Sportster.

3G33K23Hd5Lc5H95X6cci888b99e14c3c1dd1.jpg



Here is the listing

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/3488298053.html



Tips, advise, comments.... ?
 

Dallas

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If you are going to run a HD, then buy something w/ a rake to it. Those classic store Sportsters look silly. If you like the style of the Sportsters, you might like this.

This is a Nightster

 

WPBCowboysFan

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Sportsters dont bring much money.

And if you plan on riding with a group of Harley guys, you'll always get crap for riding a Sportster instead of a real bike. On the other hand, you can get a Sportster to go pretty fast and take most of the Harley guys on their big bulky bikes.

You can get a Sportster to look pretty good but most look pretty hokey like the one in the pic posted in the OP.
 

WPBCowboysFan

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REDVOLUTION;4940921 said:
Hi

I am looking to pickup a Harley.

Looking for something nice without going crazy money-wise.

Was looking at the Ironhead Sportster.

3G33K23Hd5Lc5H95X6cci888b99e14c3c1dd1.jpg



Here is the listing

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/3488298053.html



Tips, advise, comments.... ?

Look how high this bike sits in the rear.

Look at all the crap bolted on everywhere cluttering up the look.

I think the company is White Bros that makes brackets for the rear that lowers the bike. Unbolt all that bolt on crap and clean it up, lower the rear and it would look way better. Compare to the other pic already posted.

Look at the little front wheel/tire. If you want a good looking Sportster get the Custom with the 21" front wheel.
 

LittleBoyBlue

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Dallas;4940981 said:
If you are going to run a HD, then buy something w/ a rake to it. Those classic store Sportsters look silly. If you like the style of the Sportsters, you might like this.

This is a Nightster




That is nice!!!!! The direction I was looking for. Thanks!!

I don't see them looking like that on Craigslist. They still look like sportsters?
 

Dallas

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REDVOLUTION;4941956 said:
That is nice!!!!! The direction I was looking for. Thanks!!

I don't see them looking like that on Craigslist. They still look like sportsters?

Couple of kits on this Nightster. That front end isn't stock its a raked chopper kit.. He also has dropped the rear as a couple of mentioned.

Instead of Sportster you can search for Nightster. This is a model of Sportster.

The major differences are blacked out engine, cast wheels instead of laced; narrower handlebars; different seat, belt guard, and front mudguard.

Drag bars are awesome on this bike too. hehe!

Sporsters aren't my fav HD but they can be modded soooo much. Very reasonable and EXTREMELY popular motorcycle. Especially now w/ all of the new riders. It's great!

If you want a BIKE.... google Night Train :)

0808_hbkp_00_z+2006_Harley-Davidson_Night_Train+Blacked_Out.jpg
 

LittleBoyBlue

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Dallas;4942062 said:
Couple of kits on this Nightster. That front end isn't stock its a raked chopper kit.. He also has dropped the rear as a couple of mentioned.

Instead of Sportster you can search for Nightster. This is a model of Sportster.

The major differences are blacked out engine, cast wheels instead of laced; narrower handlebars; different seat, belt guard, and front mudguard.

Drag bars are awesome on this bike too. hehe!

Sporsters aren't my fav HD but they can be modded soooo much. Very reasonable and EXTREMELY popular motorcycle. Especially now w/ all of the new riders. It's great!

If you want a BIKE.... google Night Train :)

0808_hbkp_00_z+2006_Harley-Davidson_Night_Train+Blacked_Out.jpg




Night train is nice but you have me itching for the nightster. THAT particular one you posted! Lol
 

ABQCOWBOY

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My advice would be not to buy a Harley from this time period. They don't run very well, they leak oil all over the damn place and they are uncomfortable to ride for any length of time.

I don't know what your budget is but if I had any cash to spend on a bike, I would buy a BMW. JMO
 

WPBCowboysFan

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ABQCOWBOY;4943042 said:
My advice would be not to buy a Harley from this time period. They don't run very well, they leak oil all over the damn place and they are uncomfortable to ride for any length of time.

I don't know what your budget is but if I had any cash to spend on a bike, I would buy a BMW. JMO

You are living in the past. This is the 21st century.

That whole "oil leak all over the place" shows how in touch with the past 20 years or so you are.
. :banghead:

And yes, while the whole Harley bike is somewhat antiquated in design, they are still popular for a reason. They certainly have a better feel than other bikes, unless you like a light weight feeling bike.
 

Dallas

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WPBCowboysFan;4943296 said:
You are living in the past. This is the 21st century.

That whole "oil leak all over the place" shows how in touch with the past 20 years or so you are.
. :banghead:

And yes, while the whole Harley bike is somewhat antiquated in design, they are still popular for a reason. They certainly have a better feel than other bikes, unless you like a light weight feeling bike.

ABQ is a pal-o-mine so I was going to take it easy on him w/ his comment :D . The whole leaky oil thing is a long time ago where HD is concerned. You just don't have that anymore w/ these bikes.

Gosh all of my biker friends pretty much ride Harleys. There might be a few off market brands sprinkled in buy not many. Harely is king here where we ride. There are no BMW's anywhere near us, unless its some hot chic in her old mans convertible. :)
 

WPBCowboysFan

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Dallas;4943361 said:
ABQ is a pal-o-mine so I was going to take it easy on him w/ his comment :D . The whole leaky oil thing is a long time ago where HD is concerned. You just don't have that anymore w/ these bikes.

Gosh all of my biker friends pretty much ride Harleys. There might be a few off market brands sprinkled in buy not many. Harely is king here where we ride. There are no BMW's anywhere near us, unless its some hot chic in her old mans convertible. :)

Very true.

If you have a group of guys that you ride with and you dont have a Harley, you will get endless ribbing about it. You just arent one of the guys. Its kinda like a bunch of guys (Cowboys fans) going to a sports bar to watch a football game and a Commander fan takes along. You get no respect. If you have a Sportster, you at least have a HD so you are kinda part of the group.
 

jobberone

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You need to marry your budget with what you want. I sold my bike a couple of years ago but I've generally ridden Road Kings. They are my compromise between a big bagger and a smaller bike.

For me you have a touring bike without the counter-rotation so the bike shakes and a rigid frame and the softail which has a smoother engine and a cantilever swingarm with hidden shocks. The Fatboy and Deluxe are my favorite Softails. Road Kings are touring bikes and I like the shake. I like the CVOs but they are EXPENSIVE.

Once you have your budget and your bike (go to the Harley store and ride one of each class) then you can get a range of years to look for. You can find a deal this time of year on a bike with low mileage and no history of repair or accidents. If you really take your time you can find the right one with updated pipes and more to get the sound you want.

I like to find police bikes used in funerals and/or parades (generally Road Kings) that have been modded back to a regular bike. You can get a year or two old bike with the big motor cheaper than most used bikes. But you can find civilian bikes that are just as nice and don't have any remnant police look or equipment for the same price if you take your time.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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WPBCowboysFan;4943296 said:
You are living in the past. This is the 21st century.

That whole "oil leak all over the place" shows how in touch with the past 20 years or so you are.
. :banghead:

And yes, while the whole Harley bike is somewhat antiquated in design, they are still popular for a reason. They certainly have a better feel than other bikes, unless you like a light weight feeling bike.

You guys do realize this bike is 33 years old right? If I'm not mistaken, that bike is still chain driven.

They leaked liked like nobodies business and that one will be no different.

Things at HD didn't start turning around till the mid 80s and early 90s.
 

Dallas

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ABQCOWBOY;4943523 said:
You guys do realize this bike is 33 years old right? If I'm not mistaken, that bike is still chain driven.

They leaked liked like nobodies business and that one will be no different.

Things at HD didn't start turning around till the mid 80s and early 90s.

Which "bike" are we referencing here? The one in the pic I posted originally is a 2007 Nightster HD.

You are correct w/ your concerns of the past. Back in the day HD were notorious for having bad seals and leaks everywhere. You def didn't want to take one on a x-country run. You would be fixing things every couple hundred miles or so.

Much much better these days.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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Dallas;4943530 said:
Which "bike" are we referencing here? The one in the pic I posted originally is a 2007 Nightster HD.

You are correct w/ your concerns of the past. Back in the day HD were notorious for having bad seals and leaks everywhere. You def didn't want to take one on a x-country run. You would be fixing things every couple hundred miles or so.

Much much better these days.

The one Revolution is asking our advice on. The 1980 Sportster.
 

Dallas

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ABQCOWBOY;4943555 said:
The one Revolution is asking our advice on. The 1980 Sportster.

Well, all we can do is hope Revo doesn't buy that particular HD. :D

Have a nice weekend and BOOMER 2 you TeJasFan!
 

trickblue

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Dallas;4940981 said:
If you are going to run a HD, then buy something w/ a rake to it. Those classic store Sportsters look silly. If you like the style of the Sportsters, you might like this.

This is a Nightster


That Nightster has always been a great looking bike...

I've always liked the low-profile handlebars...
 

ABQCOWBOY

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Dallas;4943559 said:
Well, all we can do is hope Revo doesn't buy that particular HD. :D

Have a nice weekend and BOOMER 2 you TeJasFan!

Sooners have a big game tonight. Fortunately, it's my BDay and the family is taking out tonight so I will miss it.

Good luck to you Dallas.
 

Vtwin

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If you just want to ride you don't want the iron head. You will always be wrenching on itSportsters are a dime a dozen. If you want a sporty I would look for a 99 -03 Evolution. Carbed and rigid mounted motor. Rock solid motor with plenty of room for mods.

What you really want is a Dyna though.
 

jobberone

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If you can afford it you want fuel injection. A Dyna is fine. I just like the Road King or Heritage Deluxe. Get some pipes.
 
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