Hello,

A neighbor is selling a 1997 Sportster 883 with extremely low miles. The bike is like new as he bought it as a collector bike and never rode it. Can you all give me a rough idea of value?

Thanks!

 

3-4 K

 

That's a really bad choice for a Collector bike. A Cookie Cutter cheapest Harley in 1997. Look it up on KBB and find out.

 

I didn’t know if the fact that it had basically no miles made a difference or not.

 

Tank dry, carb dry of gas? Tires still the originals that came with it? A collector bike would be first year, low production built, like the XR1000. being in the sportster category of collecting in that series.

Is it refined some thru the years but still is an Evo type top end representation? Yes. So say if it was a 1984 first year, maybe 10k to start at a Vegas auction, where collectors pay good money because if the want it they've got the bank.

But yours is not an '84. It's booked at 3k and change. So say 7k? Privately, you'll be selling what the market will only pay. Auction, you might get lucky someone has room to park it like the queen it is.

 

Add $900 for low mileage

Subtract $600 for new tires
Subtract $200 for engine and transmission/primary fluid change
Subtract $75 for brake fluid flush
May need carb cleaned, if so subtract $100
Does it run? Have you heard it run?
All the above is if you do the work, if a dealer does the work, subtract another $400 for labor.

Year: 1997
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: XLH883 Sportster
Model Type: Cruiser
Displacement: 883
Cylinders: 2
VIN: 1HD4CAM1V
Finance Advance: $1,600
MSRP: $5,195
Avg Retail: $2,005
Auction Wholesale $1,405
Clean Trade: $1,400
Fair Trade: $1,170

 

Awesome, thanks all!

 

What a shame that the bike has never been ridden. That bike will probably take some money to get it ride ready, so price would be about the same as any other Sportster. Here in South Central Pa that bike would sell for about $2000-$3000 tops.
And if you're going to buy a Harley as a collector's piece, make sure it's not a base model, plain Jane Sportster.

 

It's worth what anyone is prepared to pay for it, possibly a motorcycle museum, biker's cafe bar, burger bar or just a person who wants a completely stock Sportster as a conversation piece in their home may give you a descent price for it.

But as stated above the 27-year-old tires, all fluids, etc would have to be renewed before anyone who buys it will be able to ride it on the road.

 

Have to disagree about a 6.4 mile collector bike changing anything, especially the tires. The point of collecting it to have it as original as the day it was pulled out of the crate. Especially if it is going to be judged at a bike show, enters a class like 'unrestored.' First thing they look at are tires. So instead of a 100 point bike, it's now a 99 point bike like all the rest in the class. By staying original you win by a point.

Here, I'll kill two birds. Tell the neighbor I'll trade him a stock XR1000 for 30K and his bike.