Where to find an old beat up harley begging for a rebuild? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

drewboy7 · 07-30-2008, 02:50 PM

Hello All, I have ridden dirt bikes for years and have always wanted a Harley. I figure the best way to justify owning one is to build one. I have always wanted to find an old beater that's beggin for a ground up restoration. The only thing I have needed was a garage... and, I finally got the garage. So, where do I find that old beater? I have checked cycle world but everything there has for the most part been restored....

What do you folks think?

claydbal · 07-30-2008, 03:51 PM

most were shipped overseas in a frenzy. late 70's the mid 80's.

you can build a nostalgic look with evo power on the cheap tho.

heres an idea i did a couple years ago.

claydbal · 07-30-2008, 03:51 PM

with sidecar, wife loved it.

claydbal · 07-30-2008, 03:52 PM

heres a pan

thrasher · 07-30-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claydbal

most were shipped overseas in a frenzy. late 70's the mid 80's.

you can build a nostalgic look with evo power on the cheap tho.
...

Why were they shipped overseas? Just curious.

Y2K · 07-30-2008, 04:09 PM

Ebay,craigslist,swap meets,local paper.
You might even post a WTB add any of these places and or on this and other forums then see what comes up.
They are out there,might be tough or expensive if you want a particular vintage and or model like a Knuck or Pan but there are tons of Shovels out there needing TLC on the cheap.
If you buy a ratty looking/running but complete old bike at least you'll know it's pretty much all there and you can dissemble it with care so putting it back up won't be a real puzzel with missing pieces like most basket cases are.

04ctd · 07-30-2008, 04:50 PM

http://crazedlist.org/

is the only way to go.

people from NJ and NYC are buying stuff i list locally by using that.

pajoe · 07-30-2008, 05:28 PM

Walnecks always has old beaters, some times for a good price.

http://www.walnecks.com/

Here's one from the www.pennlive.com Harrisburg Pa:

:HARLEY DAVIDSON '71 SPORTSTER 900 4 speed. Good cond. $2400. or best offer. 717-422-7571 or 717-776-5379

LE PEW · 07-30-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrasher

Why were they shipped overseas? Just curious.

I can remember a time when the tax on a new harley in some countries overseas was the same as the sale price, they were paying double wha we paid for a new bike.

Older bikes (20 years or older??) were exempt from the luxury tax so they were scoffed up at a bargain price and restored to various stages of running condition while still being finacially ahead of the curve.

ccryan67 · 07-31-2008, 12:36 AM

+ y2k. A rough but complete bike is much easier (in my limited experience) to rebuild than harley salad.

Buddy Seat · 07-31-2008, 03:05 AM

Estate sales, & my favorite) barn finds...

There's a very complete '60 Pan on ebay right now, Estate Sale.

Been sitting since 1981, says it need everything rebuilt, but complete !!!!

Bubba Neil · 07-31-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrasher

Why were they shipped overseas? Just curious.

Europeans love big american muscle cars and HD's, a lot of bikes went to Japan too, they bring more money there then here.

Bubba Neil · 07-31-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claydbal

heres a pan

Damn claydbal,
Tell me more about this bike?

claydbal · 07-31-2008, 05:17 PM

bubba, something i threw together. if you are serious about building one, PM me and i will be happy to tell you contacts and suppliers.

Buddy Seat · 08-01-2008, 12:08 AM

claydbal-

Your old style evo looks sweet, I like the look with the hack.. Looks like fun !!!

Bubba-

Your STD pan looks good too..
Just curious as to the late 1930's tank decals for a Pan/clone ??
The red looks close to the 1937 Teak Red used by HD.
IMO the evo air cleaner, could be changed with a good old style HD smoothie..

Nice bikes ...