Hi everybody,

I currently own a ‘17 Slim. It’s my 3rd Harley (and 3rd bike, period). All of them have been modern, ‘15 & later EFI Sportsters and Softails (one TC & one M8).

I have wanted a vintage bike for a long time. My biggest problems are:

- I’ve never owned or ridden a vintage bike. So, I’ve never even kickstarted a bike.

- I can wrench a little, but I have zero experience with, say, a panhead or even a shovel. I did own a ‘66 Mustang in college, and before getting in to bikes, I owned a replica ‘65 AC Shelby Cobra. I have rebuilt a carb before, but I’ve never torn apart an engine or transmission or anything.

- There isn’t a whole lot of indies shops locally if I got into a jam mechanically.

So, any advice at all? Should I go for it, or is it stupid to buy an old bike if I have no experience with them.

Thanks in advance,

Buzz

 

Owning a classic anything requires some degree on knowledge of wrenching, or a fat enough wallet to find someone who can. I am not saying don't do it. Just make sure you can figure out how to get it running should the need arise.

 

An old, vintage bike will need a knowledge mechanic with tools to own it and keep it healthy.
I've owned a lot of old cars and they all needed some fixin', all the time.
There are plenty of videos that show you what to do but you still need that mechanical aptitude.

 

No better way to learn than to actually have to do it and if you have the least bit of mechanical ability you can certainly accomplish any repair needed with enough research or find an indie to do the parts you can't. Old bikes are still way cooler than new bikes and always will be, it's just the definition of old changes over time.

 

You don’t half to be a mechanic to own an old bike… But it definitely helps to be mechanically inclined… Having someone handy who can troubleshoot out problems That you’re not able to is definitely part of the plan… As far as kickstarting a Panhead that has no electric start, once you have learned the particulars motorcycles starting sequence, if it is set up correctly it should be no more difficult than this...


Started after being warmed up.

 

If you were to buy a 60's English bike (B.S.A., Triumph, Norton etc.) you could earn your doctorate of Motorcycle Zen, within months. Go for it! Learn all you can and become the GURU of All Things Motorcycle. Have fun and buy many,many, tools and manuals. You're young and can afford mistakes.

 

I guess I am ready as well. I kept a 66 T-120 Bonneville running as my daily driver.

 

Ah, yes. Tickle the Amals, discovering who the "Lord of Darkness" was and why. And of course the wonders of the Zener diode. My hat is off.Sir...

 

Locating replacement parts would be a concern.

 

and you needed a set of Whitworth wrenches which i had. I was wrenching in a shop at that time.