Heya guys,

I've been looking at a 1971 Sportster with a broken kickstart, but in otherwise good condition. 20k miles(supposedly) and a 1988 Honda Shadow 800cc with 16k miles. Both are priced the same 2500USD.

Is the 1971 Harley worth it?
Does anyone know how much it will cost to get the kickstart replacced on such an old bike?

I'm just switching from sportbikes to cruisers so I don't know how to relate the engine size of a v-twin to the engine CC. Is the sportster 883 and shadow 800cc powerful at all?

 

for a little bit more money, you can do better than either bike you listed.

 

Unless you are really into the older bikes you can get a way newer sporty for not much more. My 883 can **** and git just fine for me. It will eventually be converted to a 1200 but for now it works great.[8D]

 

Best bet is if you can wait about 1 month. All bikes will be cheaper then. I'd steer clear of the 1971 Sportster if you're lookin' to ride and not to wrench. They are cantankerous and takes someone with a love for 'em to own.

Compared to a sport bike, V-Twin cruisers are not fast - regardless of engine size. If you're looking for pure speed, better stick with the sport bikes. If you're looking for a cruiser and want some occaisional spirited riding, Harley's the way to go. If you don't care about speed, and just want the more laid back run of a cruiser, go Asian.

 

If your fairly mechanically inclined, I'd go for the sporty, but it's pretty much a gaurantee that'll it'll need some maintenence and repair regardless of the kickstart sooner or later. The kickstart isn't that hard to replace, but it depends on what actually is broken. Otherwise I'd suggest looking for sporties from the 90's with the evo engines which are much more reliable engines. If you look hard enough you can find a good bike for around $2500, but average price would probly be in the $3500-5000 range.

 

I can't believe I'm saying this, but between the two the Shadow is probably going to be more reliable. I'd still probably get the Sportster, just because I really like old Sportsters (see my sig). If you are looking for an everyday rider I'd put a little more money into it and get something newer. I think the 71 Sportster is a 900 and should have plenty of power, but you will never get SportBike power out of it.

One more thing, don't believe anything anyone tells you about the mileage on that old Sportster, or anything else they say about it either. These old Ironheads often changehands more times than you would believe and it is hard to tell what has or has not been done to them.

Also, if you want to know anything about the Ironhead, go to the "Classics" forum here and click on "Ironhead Fourm." There are several guys there that know everything that can be known about these bikes (especially PinionGear).

 

Why, of why, would you want a kick start?

 

I live in Ft. Lauderdale, and the Sun Sentinal, the local paper, always hasa few cheep Sportys in it. I just traded my 1996 883 in on a 2006 XL1200L. The 883 was advertised in the paper for $3000.00. I got it for $2500.00. It was a reliable, fast, good bike. Look around and find a newer better deal. Your going to pay too much for the 71, and personally, I'd push a Harley before I'd ride a honda.

 

I miss my 64 "kicker"

 

I'd also go with a newer bike.