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Message started by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 05:04:44

Title: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 05:04:44

Ok, here comes trouble. I have the opportunity to get a 74 Sportster, great condition, no issue, for 2k plus some spart parts, hard tail kit, etc... that's the ironhead.

Now, since I dont need to buy another bike, it is your job to prevent me from getting it, let's hear why it is a bad idea, help. Thank you...

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by splash07 on 09/20/13 at 05:47:28

....Doooo It! 8-)

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Blinky-FSO on 09/20/13 at 05:49:57

Arnie,
Let's try a little reverse psychology. No, go ahead. Buying a 39 year old Harley manufactured back in the AMF days sounds like a really good idea. 8-)

Keep us posted

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 06:00:17

Oh thnx a lot guys :). I'm trying really hard not to take that plunge. '74 though, last year of right side shift. And the sound of that motor...
Luckily, I'm stuck at work, I have to stay busy and hopefully get my biker friends to buy it.

That's the ad he put on CL: http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/mcy/4054981497.html

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by WD on 09/20/13 at 06:03:23

It has a right side shift more than likely, and if it has a race kit gear set, it is not only right side shift, but 1 up, 3 down...

883 or 1000cc? Drum rear wheel that couldn't stop a mouse or disc that couldn't stop a flea? Solid lifters with adjustable pushrods or adjustable lifters with solid pushrods, or those horrible hydraulic lifters with a choice of adjustable pushrods, solid pushrods or bent pushrods?

And if it is a "shouldered" bearing race version, odds are it has a cracked cam case... Oh, they have 4 camshafts, 2 intake cams, 2 exhaust cams, and odds are that they no longer match.

And it could have an American bolt on generator/alternator (alternator in a generator case) a Toyota (Denso) version or an Hitachi version. And they are NOT interchangeable...

Hope you love spinning wrenches. An Ironhead in a rigid frame needs to be gone over from stem to stern after every ride.

Buy it.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by WD on 09/20/13 at 06:05:23

Just saw the ad, grab it, that one looks alright.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 07:24:35

Thnx for all the info, IF, I mean if :) I go take a look at it, what should I look for beside test riding it?

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by WD on 09/20/13 at 07:50:10

Cracked frame welds, everything else is easy.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 07:59:35

Ok cool, I emailed the guy, let's see if it sold or not. It's all in the hands of karma now.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Badass94Cad on 09/20/13 at 08:51:13

It would be nice if there was a price. ::)

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 08:54:55

Ahhh, but the price is 2k.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by WD on 09/20/13 at 10:07:46

That is quite reasonable, around here a right side shift parts roach grade will set you back at least $3500.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/20/13 at 10:18:21

I know, and in NY everything is more expensive too.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/21/13 at 06:16:13

The guy still has it, he's just slow to reply to emails...
Ok, I found out that although it runs fine it has been off the road for 18/20 years. Should I still bother checking it out?

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by old_rider on 09/21/13 at 10:38:23

If its close to you (or what you deam to be close), I would go check it out. Find out what he thinks its worth and go there with that much in your pocket and offer way less, if he baulks, say "well I had to try didn't I?" and then make a higher more reasonable offer.

If it hasn't been liscensed on the road for 18/20 years there could be a reason. Either he just has it as memorabilia and he runs it up and down the drive, or its been sitting and he just put in new oil and gas and maybe cleaned the carbs. That's why you should go look and run it, ride it if he will let you.

Just remember, the older the ride, usually the more worn the parts are, make sure you can find replacements for anything you think you might need to make it run right, or else you are just buying yard art.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/21/13 at 12:18:30

Well his story his it's his friend's bike, he died and now helping the parents sell the bike. It's less than an hour away from here on the other side of the river. I'll go check it out and make a silly offer and see what it's about. For sure I wont buy it right away but will report my findings.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by jcstokes on 09/21/13 at 13:08:01

Consider taking some petrol and a battery and see if it will start, if the sellers are agreeable.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/21/13 at 13:22:28

Guys says it runs, I'll bring my helmet though :)

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Oldfeller on 09/21/13 at 15:38:54

This smells like baitfish stuck on a boat seat after 2 days in the sun.

Ask the guy if he has an active title in HIS name so he can transfer it to you at the point of sale in front of a notarizing loan officer at your bank.

If not, then he can't sell you squat .... he doesn't own it.

Accept no entanglements with a "promised activity" by any third person -- when it doesn't happen you are left holding somebody else's property which will be returned to them as soon as it shows up on the law's radar with any attempt to get title or register or get plates, etc.

And you will get squat out of it, except a citation and a fine for having had somebody else's bike in your posession.

Worse yet if the title is in the dead guy's name, not even his heirs or parents could sell that bike without it going through escrow (inheritance legal BS) and then a new title being generated at considerable $$$ cost (18/20 years worth of back taxes) and delinquent taxes fines & even more DMV BS and then finally the generation of a new title in the new inheriting owners name.

Then the bike can be sold to you.

You are likely getting played by someone with a dead bike that belongs to a dead guy that they CANNOT gain title over.

Or else it is a stolen hot bike that if you wrote down the serial number on the frame to ask DMV about it the seller would get all sorts of upset about that -- they know what it is. :P ie NOT THEIRS TO SELL .....

Don't be a mullet ....

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/21/13 at 15:55:32

Yea, that was my last question to him, the title... Waiting for the answer.

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/21/13 at 22:21:53

Sage advice up there. Take that guy and the title to the dmv & make sure that title is good if youre not 100% satisfied that it is,
Maybe you could
Get a hand written bill of sale, signed by the guy & include in the bill of sale that the title is clear & in his name & he can legally sell it & you can transfer the title into your name using normal, standard methods OR he will refund the $$.
IDK how legal all that is, it sure Sounds like a decent deal.,. with a bit of a potential Gotchya attached.,.,

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by babyhog on 09/23/13 at 05:35:12

The ad has been deleted. What happened with the deal?

Title: Re: Opportunity for dark side
Post by Arnold on 09/23/13 at 05:47:30

The bike has been sold, problem solved :) Maybe I missed an opportunity or maybe a headache, either way it's done and someone else's worry now. The guy never replied about title, he was slow to answer and short on his email, something I dont really like to begin with. But there's always the next opportunity, thanks to all.