Where is a good place to find beaters?
#12
12-28-2007, 03:28 PM
Tourer
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Denver, Colorado
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RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
Make swap meets your religion. I kick myself in the a$$ everyday because of what I have passed up. I could of had a '49 pan and a '77 shovel for $3,000.
#13
12-28-2007, 03:32 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
Let me give an example, maybe that will help. Craigslist of Minneapolis. 1978 FLH, black, solo seat, looked fair in the pic. Started at 7500 about a month ago. Then down to 6000, a week or so ago, it went down to 4800. Thing was snapped up in less than 2 hrs. I know, I bought it. and is in the grudge as we speak.And if I had the camera home (with kid on snowboard trip), I'd show you. The bike is DECKED. fully chrome frontend, swingarm, chubby apes, 2006 controls, hard bags, pre67 speedo,late style mirrors, polished mags and fresh sheetmetal and paint last August. I know you are looking to spend a couple, but hard to find a runner for that. And if you buy a fixer upper, you'll tie a bunch up just getting it road ready. I have seen numerous FLH shovels (pre 84) around here for 5000 to 7500, road ready. (Well at least what I call road ready) Right now there are 3 Ironhead Sporty's for less than 3000, and all of them look pretty decent. If you start on a fixer upper, beware, here is what can happen when you get holed up in the grudge and forget to go in for supper. 
This thing started as a fixer upper I bought in Tuscon 8 years ago.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0944.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0946.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0950.jpg
But then, I love wrenching, and I live in Minnesota. So we have ALL winter to putz with and on them.If you would rather remain problem free (subjective) then the guys are right, look for an EVO. If you are a road bike guy (read that bagger) they start in the low 7's to 12 for a Classic. By my measure, that is a good deal for what you are getting. But, I long for the ol' days. Where I grew up in South Dakota, my first ride on a panhead was our neighbors, and they bought a pan for $150, and it ran like a raped ape. But wish in one hand and s**t in the other, see which one gets full first.
Anywho, good luck in your search. They are out there, like what has been said, be ready, cause they do go fast when it is a good buy.
This thing started as a fixer upper I bought in Tuscon 8 years ago.http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0944.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0946.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0950.jpg
But then, I love wrenching, and I live in Minnesota. So we have ALL winter to putz with and on them.If you would rather remain problem free (subjective) then the guys are right, look for an EVO. If you are a road bike guy (read that bagger) they start in the low 7's to 12 for a Classic. By my measure, that is a good deal for what you are getting. But, I long for the ol' days. Where I grew up in South Dakota, my first ride on a panhead was our neighbors, and they bought a pan for $150, and it ran like a raped ape. But wish in one hand and s**t in the other, see which one gets full first.
Anywho, good luck in your search. They are out there, like what has been said, be ready, cause they do go fast when it is a good buy.
#14
12-28-2007, 05:17 PM
Road Warrior
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
Salvage bikes show up with regularity on ebay. Worth checking them out if you're mechanically inclined and brave.
#15
12-28-2007, 05:17 PM
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
Google Salvage yards,would be my first guess.For what it cost you to get a $4k bike roadworthy,you might be better off just building one from scratch.Good Luck
#16
12-28-2007, 06:17 PM
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
I saw a US Gov't link for older Police Road Kings up for auction. Google around and you might find it. I think they were for sale in Wash DC former as Capitol Hill, and Cabinet escort bikes.
#17
12-28-2007, 06:26 PM
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
ORIGINAL: Da Gumpmeister
Let me give an example, maybe that will help. Craigslist of Minneapolis. 1978 FLH, black, solo seat, looked fair in the pic. Started at 7500 about a month ago. Then down to 6000, a week or so ago, it went down to 4800. Thing was snapped up in less than 2 hrs. I know, I bought it. and is in the grudge as we speak.And if I had the camera home (with kid on snowboard trip), I'd show you. The bike is DECKED. fully chrome frontend, swingarm, chubby apes, 2006 controls, hard bags, pre67 speedo,late style mirrors, polished mags and fresh sheetmetal and paint last August. I know you are looking to spend a couple, but hard to find a runner for that. And if you buy a fixer upper, you'll tie a bunch up just getting it road ready. I have seen numerous FLH shovels (pre 84) around here for 5000 to 7500, road ready. (Well at least what I call road ready) Right now there are 3 Ironhead Sporty's for less than 3000, and all of them look pretty decent. If you start on a fixer upper, beware, here is what can happen when you get holed up in the grudge and forget to go in for supper.This thing started as a fixer upper I bought in Tuscon 8 years ago.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0944.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0946.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0950.jpg
But then, I love wrenching, and I live in Minnesota. So we have ALL winter to putz with and on them.If you would rather remain problem free (subjective) then the guys are right, look for an EVO. If you are a road bike guy (read that bagger) they start in the low 7's to 12 for a Classic. By my measure, that is a good deal for what you are getting. But, I long for the ol' days. Where I grew up in South Dakota, my first ride on a panhead was our neighbors, and they bought a pan for $150, and it ran like a raped ape. But wish in one hand and s**t in the other, see which one gets full first. Anywho, good luck in your search. They are out there, like what has been said, be ready, cause they do go fast when it is a good buy.
Let me give an example, maybe that will help. Craigslist of Minneapolis. 1978 FLH, black, solo seat, looked fair in the pic. Started at 7500 about a month ago. Then down to 6000, a week or so ago, it went down to 4800. Thing was snapped up in less than 2 hrs. I know, I bought it. and is in the grudge as we speak.And if I had the camera home (with kid on snowboard trip), I'd show you. The bike is DECKED. fully chrome frontend, swingarm, chubby apes, 2006 controls, hard bags, pre67 speedo,late style mirrors, polished mags and fresh sheetmetal and paint last August. I know you are looking to spend a couple, but hard to find a runner for that. And if you buy a fixer upper, you'll tie a bunch up just getting it road ready. I have seen numerous FLH shovels (pre 84) around here for 5000 to 7500, road ready. (Well at least what I call road ready) Right now there are 3 Ironhead Sporty's for less than 3000, and all of them look pretty decent. If you start on a fixer upper, beware, here is what can happen when you get holed up in the grudge and forget to go in for supper.
This thing started as a fixer upper I bought in Tuscon 8 years ago.http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0944.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0946.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r/PICT0950.jpg
But then, I love wrenching, and I live in Minnesota. So we have ALL winter to putz with and on them.If you would rather remain problem free (subjective) then the guys are right, look for an EVO. If you are a road bike guy (read that bagger) they start in the low 7's to 12 for a Classic. By my measure, that is a good deal for what you are getting. But, I long for the ol' days. Where I grew up in South Dakota, my first ride on a panhead was our neighbors, and they bought a pan for $150, and it ran like a raped ape. But wish in one hand and s**t in the other, see which one gets full first.
Anywho, good luck in your search. They are out there, like what has been said, be ready, cause they do go fast when it is a good buy.
I saw one much like it in a parking lot at a scenic lookout near a reservoiur on the way to Mount Rushmore.
#18
12-28-2007, 06:29 PM
Club Member
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
Not sure what your looking for but everyone on here has gave you some good info.
Shovels will be expensive just as mentioned its a cult thing and nothing sounds better than a shovel.
Now there are a million cheap sporsters out there if you don't mind a sporty.
Other wise do as they said and watch craigs list and the papers like a hawk and have cash ready. And trust me if you see it call that day and go see it that day cause if it sounds good it will not last till tomorrow it will be gone. The good deals only last a day if that.
Shovels will be expensive just as mentioned its a cult thing and nothing sounds better than a shovel.
Now there are a million cheap sporsters out there if you don't mind a sporty.
Other wise do as they said and watch craigs list and the papers like a hawk and have cash ready. And trust me if you see it call that day and go see it that day cause if it sounds good it will not last till tomorrow it will be gone. The good deals only last a day if that.
#19
12-28-2007, 07:12 PM
RE: Where is a good place to find beaters?
I've been watching for one myself.. With the prices on road worthy bikes dropping like rocks, the salvage bikes on eBay appear to be a rip to me.. These guys are "flippin" the bikes, buying them at salvage auctions and selling them for proffit.. Buying a wrecked Harley for $6800, needing $3-4k worth of work,when you can get one ready to ride for $10k just isnt what I'm looking for. Plus, the salvage bike will always have a salvage title. I would expect a deep discount if I boughta bike with a salvage title..I'm looking into the idea of going to the auctions myself... This way, I can buy one, fix it and sell it for a profit while getting to tinker and ultimatly practice on what I want to do to my ride..Craigslist and the local paper would be my first choice after the auction.. Just my take on it. Curious to see what others say too..
