Would you buy a Harley CHEAP if it doesn't run?
#22
08-15-2016, 04:19 PM
#23
08-15-2016, 05:25 PM
Tourer
If it was worth repairing the guy selling it would have repaired it. If you want to get the bike to fix up and keep and it's a model you want then that's one thing. If it's a flip, you're about 10 years too late for that program. There are 100 bikes for sale for every buyer. There are tons of guys out there who realize this and "fire sales" are everywhere.
#24
08-15-2016, 05:29 PM
Banned
#25
08-15-2016, 08:46 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#26
08-15-2016, 09:25 PM
Let me be the devils advocate. If he's never checked the cam chain tensioners, maybe they exploded and have ruined the internals. I would definitely see if the engine turns over and listen for noise down at the cam chest. I agree that one year old fuel should not have turned to gum yet. (Open the fuel fill and smell.)
If he won't let you turn the engine over, you know all you need to, walk away.
If he won't let you turn the engine over, you know all you need to, walk away.
To give a reference, I bought my 03 RKC injected with 33k from an estate. The bike sat in storage for 7 years with a half tank of gas sitting in it. The bike would run, but ran crappy. In that case, I did replace the bulk of the fuel system (pump, filter, fuel lines, injectors). I replaced the cam chain tensioners, bearings, and other crap over the winter. Runs like a freakin top now; absolutely love it.
#27
08-16-2016, 06:48 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
I have the opportunity to buy a 2002 Road King with 42,000 miles for $4,000, possibly a little less. From the pics in the listing, it is very clean with plenty of added chrome/accessories. The story is that the tank needs to be cleaned because it has been sitting for a year. I believe the bike is fuel injected and I plan to attempt to connect an external fuel source and a good battery to try to at least start it. I also plan to check compression on the engine. My question is if others think this is sounds like a good enough deal to take the chance without actually being able to ride it. It seems like a selling price, in my area, could easily be $7,000 and above in the Spring with it running. Thank you for any input you may have on this subject.
I would have to hear the rest of the story from the owner as to why it has sat for a year and why they are selling. Could be as simple as a death in the family, divorce etc... Or it could be that there is a lot wrong with the bike that he is not telling you and he simply did not have the $$ to fix it and is hoping to dump it off
I guess the real question is do you have the tools, money and knowledge to get the bike running if you are looking at it for your personal use. If not then you may be stepping off in a hole and end up with a $4K lawn ornament
#28
08-16-2016, 07:00 AM
Cruiser
#30
08-16-2016, 08:06 AM
Do you know the guy? I'm always skeptical taking the seller's word for something like that.
It's mid-August. Guy is trying to sell a non-runner. You're holding all the cards.
I'd pound the crap out of him on that price to give yourself as much headroom as possible for other issues that come up.
How confident are you in your $7k figure? Seems high to me, particularly for the miles. If you're looking at this as a potential flip, I think you need to be thinking more like $5,500 to $6k as your sell price.
It's mid-August. Guy is trying to sell a non-runner. You're holding all the cards.
I'd pound the crap out of him on that price to give yourself as much headroom as possible for other issues that come up.
How confident are you in your $7k figure? Seems high to me, particularly for the miles. If you're looking at this as a potential flip, I think you need to be thinking more like $5,500 to $6k as your sell price.
I think I agree with this. It is not a bike I want to keep, but I would like to play with it over the winter, so I think I will sleep on it for a couple of weeks, if it is still there, try to get it for $3,000-3500, leaving room for profit for a worst case scenario spring sale of $5,500.