Good morning folks,

So I'm in the final stage of swapping my 2003 XL1200 Custom (pics below) with a 1984 FLTC. All I need to do is to test ride it and say "Let's do it!". The FLTC owner tried mine already and liked it.

I'm not too concern with the "old" look of his bike except for a noticeable leak under the primary that according to him it is because the gasket. When he's trying to fix the leak, he took the gasket out and replaced it with Dealer's gasket. According to him, the old gasket somewhat thicker then the one he got from the dealer. Hence the leak (still there).

Is this common? Or there is actually other problem somewhere in there that can't be seen by looking at it from the outside? The bike itself has only 37K miles. Original miles!

Due to my circumstances right now (been out of job for 9 months), I just cannot afford high cost maintenance (broken engine, etc.) right away after the swap. I am OK if it happens down the road, hoping that by then I'll have a job thus have some money to put into it.

What do you guys think? What I need to look out after? Oh by the way, the bike comes with the fairing and tour pack.

 

Well.., I'm out to my chapter meeting and hopefully when I got back in the next hour, I'll see your opinion(s).

 

Well, I personally would pass on the swap. If it's still leaking after a gasket install you can bet there is something more to it. You asked.

 

I would swap in a second...the 84 is at the end of it's depredation cycle and will only be worth more money in the future, IF you keep it mostly original. The sporty on the other hand would be hard to sell around here unless you got mightly low on the price. The 84 EVO's had mostly shovel bottom ends which IMO are superior to the EVO's made from 86-88. The leak could be pennies to fix if you can do the work yourself ...but be fore warned...if you are farming the work out, it takes a VERY good mechanic to get that bike where it won't leave a couple of drops on the ground after a hard ride.

 

I would swap a sportster for it in a second, but I`m not a sportster guy..

But in your case, it is damn near a 30 year old motorcycle, and you don`t have a job...and this bike will need some money thrown at it which you can`t afford. It will be gathering dust in your shed until you sell it (unless of course you land a job, then all is good).

I would love to come across a bike like that, but I would expect to put a couple of grand into it to get it in top notch condition, remember, a couple of grand is not much when you start buying parts.

 

tan and cream paint is a true classic. don't let a primary leak scare you off. my 85 leaks some, don't let it bother you and enjoy the ride.

 

I'm with Dan on this one. If you are in work and can afford to sort it out I wouldn't hesitate to swap. However there are parts missing, like the fairing and possibly a tourpak. The correct fairing will add greatly to its worth and aesthetics, although a tourpak was an option on many models around that time.

You may be better selling your Sporty and waiting until you are better able to move up market to a dresser!

Added later:

It occurs to me that early FLTs had an oilbath rear chaincase? Not certain when belts replaced them, but if it still has the chaincase my money is on that being the source of the leak. Or the trans oil seal.....

 

um sportsters come and go....vintage motorcycles?? not so much....just sayin.

 

I would trade in a minute. But..... I'm pretty handy and wouldn't be afraid to undertake any repair it needed. If it were to need, for example, a top end freshening, that's a pretty minor deal if you turn your own wrenches. If you pay for labor..... not so much.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. The bike do come with the fairing and the tourpak. I, however, are not sure if they are all original. But the color seems the same to me between the fairing/tourpak and the bike tins.

I have done some "work" on my Sporty. Changing the triple tree, handlebar and whatnot. So I don't mind as far as getting dirty. It might take longer than dealer but obviously saving up the money at the same. I also have buddies that are pretty much knows what their doing in term of fixin' up a Harley.

Speaking up about "vintage" as mentioned by botz723, I kinda feel a bit funny now. I'm 39 and pretty much active with my local HOG chapter. Typically with group like this you'll see lots of retirees. Cannot imagine how funny that much younger guy like me riding much older bike than what they are riding.

More pics posted on the next page!