1987 Harley Softail
#1
1987 Harley Softail
I'm 6'1" and my Sportster was too cramped. My Dyna was way better but still didn't let me stretch out how I wanted...I kept pushing on the pegs and trying to sit further back a lot. So now I'm looking at this 1987 softail tomorrow. He says it's 99% stock. He got a different bike about 6 years ago and hasn't ridden this one. Put new gas in it today so I can ride it tomorrow. He wants 5K for it. 37K miles. I read about the solenoid and the starter clutch. Looks nice enough to me.
How's it look in the pics? Anyone catch any discrepancies?
How's it look in the pics? Anyone catch any discrepancies?
Last edited by Astrodokk; 03-27-2014 at 10:11 PM.
#3
Any bike that has sat that long will need all the fluids replaced. See if the motor is warm when you go to see it. He may have gotten it running before you got there so that it would start nice for you. That is a sign that it may be a bear to start when cold. Also factor in two new tires. Even though the tires look good, they are too old at this point to be trusted.
#4
Well... I can tell you what's not stock.
The front forks have been chromed and the caliper is not original nor is the brake line. He put a stupid thing on the front fender. The hand controls, grips, and pegs have been replaced with chrome ones. The derby cover is not original, the mufflers are not stock, and they didn't come with spotlights or eyebrows on the light. He added some extra rear bullet blinkers. The fender rack is an add on. Looks like the original air box, which means it still has the worthless stock carb. The paint is correct, although the candy/burgundy is a better color scheme (the best hd ever did in my opinion). It does have aftermarket extended foot controls, which you would want. Over about 5'9" these vintage softails get cramped. Makes sure the speedometer isn't broken, and it says 'harley Davidson' on the face, or it's not original; they didn't seem to last long from all the vibration.
All that said, I would pay 5000 for it. Then take off all the garbage and keep it stockish. Maybe throw on a Mikuni carb so it starts and runs better. Good luck.
The front forks have been chromed and the caliper is not original nor is the brake line. He put a stupid thing on the front fender. The hand controls, grips, and pegs have been replaced with chrome ones. The derby cover is not original, the mufflers are not stock, and they didn't come with spotlights or eyebrows on the light. He added some extra rear bullet blinkers. The fender rack is an add on. Looks like the original air box, which means it still has the worthless stock carb. The paint is correct, although the candy/burgundy is a better color scheme (the best hd ever did in my opinion). It does have aftermarket extended foot controls, which you would want. Over about 5'9" these vintage softails get cramped. Makes sure the speedometer isn't broken, and it says 'harley Davidson' on the face, or it's not original; they didn't seem to last long from all the vibration.
All that said, I would pay 5000 for it. Then take off all the garbage and keep it stockish. Maybe throw on a Mikuni carb so it starts and runs better. Good luck.
#7
I took a look at it today and up close and personal it was very rough. The chrome was pitted and it looked like it had sat outside for a very long time.
The owner pointed out that the speedo wasn't working, so no knowledge of true mileage. The seat had thinned out so that it was very hard and flat when I sat on it. I didn't even want to hear it start. He had warmed it up before I got there. There were a lot of red flags with all that other stuff he had added, and my gut told me to pass.
why the hell did I sell my beautiful Dyna?
The owner pointed out that the speedo wasn't working, so no knowledge of true mileage. The seat had thinned out so that it was very hard and flat when I sat on it. I didn't even want to hear it start. He had warmed it up before I got there. There were a lot of red flags with all that other stuff he had added, and my gut told me to pass.
why the hell did I sell my beautiful Dyna?
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#9
Caveat Emptor!!! A good price does NOT always mean a good deal! If it were I, I would look at that bike and ask myself ,how much more above and beyond the sale price of this bike am I willing to dump into it. Would I invest in another $500.00?, $1,200.00, $3,000.00 or even $5,000.00 into thias bike?
A bike that has sat that long, I don't care what the seller say's or what anyone else says or thinks, that bike is going to require time and money, period! How much of each? Well, that is why I asked what are you prepared to do and go! Good luck and let us know how this turns out. If you do go ahead and buy it I wish you all the luck in the world Dude!
A bike that has sat that long, I don't care what the seller say's or what anyone else says or thinks, that bike is going to require time and money, period! How much of each? Well, that is why I asked what are you prepared to do and go! Good luck and let us know how this turns out. If you do go ahead and buy it I wish you all the luck in the world Dude!