OK does anyone have any tips on good places to look for fixer upers? I am trying to get my hands on a harley but it just seems like they are all very expensive. Even used. I mean I can grab an early 80's ANYTHING else for a few hundred bucks but a harley will run $4k+. I checked the usual places, eBay, Craigs List, etc. Nothing really pops. So I tracked down this forum and was hoping its as helpful as the forum I use for my bike.

I was going to drop another $1000 into my bike shortly for a new set of coils, pipes, chrome, etc but figured if I am going to keep pumping money into a bike it should be a bike I really want to be riding not just the cheapest thing I could get my hands on. I have only been riding for a couple of years now, first on a 74' GT550 then an 83' GS850; not my first choices simply "Affordable". I have clocked about 3000 miles and as long as there is no snow or ice I am riding. I have rebuilt or fixed just about every part of both bikes excluding the engine and transmission so I am pretty handy with a wrench these days.

Any how, if any one has any insider tips as to where I can find those neglected early 80's harleys to fix up I would appreciate it.

 

Those bikes stored under a tarp in grandma's barn are an urban legend, I'm afraid.

 

No they aren't! You just gotta be patient and have money on hand to buy when the time is right.

 

After all these years in dealing with HD's, I've come to the conclusion that there aren'tvery many "affordable" Harleys. Even the "salvage" or "repairable" late models are going for $6K and up. The best advice to you is, determine a price you're willing to pay, save up your coin and go shopping.

 

And be sure to check for Elvis' name under the seat, too. Maybe someone who has bought a running HD for a grand will help the guy out.

 

LOL I wasnt expecting a running HD for a grand but that would be cool I was looking more around $2k for a fixer uper I could get on the road by spring.

 

Your going to have a tougher time coming up with an early 80s bike than a mid to late 80s bike. Id be looking for an 84 to 89 EVO bike rather than an 80 to 84 shovel. The Shovels have a fanatical almost cult like following. Kind of a clique within the clique.

 

Cool, thanks for the tip!

 

Try a motorcycle salvage yard. You may be able to piece together a bike. Still think that Craigslist is your best bet though. Look for something local and be ready to pounce on it.

 

Anyone know of a good salvage yard in CT or NH? Only ones I know about are for everything but HD!