Hi, my name is Geoff, I was looking into buying an 85 Sportster and the seller is willing to let it go for $1400 however it has no battery and they say it has an issue with the solenoid and won't start otherwise it's in good running condition. I don't know if I can cash out $1400 to find out I have a bike that doesn't run and ride after getting a battery and possibly replacing starter and solenoid. Is there any advice out there on this? Is there an easy way I can check to see if the bike runs before I buy? Neither myself not the seller has a spare battery, and I'm not sure if I can trouble shoot well enough on the spot as far as the solenoid goes, any advice is welcome! Thanks!

 

Fair price for that if everything else is good. Those parts aren't too expensive. You can verify the motor isn't seized and it shifts without running the bike, though. Just roll it around with it in gear. Still gonna be a little bit of a gamble though.

 

Right, would there be any way of verifying it starts, could I hook up any 12v battery and maybe there's a trick to starting with a bad solenoid? I'd hate to gamble and be out 1400 and have a dead bike.

 

Go buy a little cheap riding lawnmower battery at Wal-mart...then you should be able to push start it with no problem if it is indeed "good running condition".

I would rather waste $22 on a battery ..than $1400 on a turd

 

 

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