75 Sportster rebuild, worth the money?

[xtremesports]

I found a 75 Sporty that needs all new wiring, new hand controls, ignition a front wheel and new tires. I am sure it needs a lot more that I haven't seen. Engine kicks over but no way to crank to see what it needs, I figure at least a top end rebuild.

I know nothing about the old Sportsters, is it worth my time and money to rebuild? I can have the bike for around $1000.

[bcnasty]

By all means yes, I am a big iron head sporty fan so I may be a little partial but that one apears in good shape and to bring it back to mostly stock condition would not only be fun but a heck of a conversation piece to ride on short runs.Bottom ends and cases are usually pretty good to past 100,000 . If its been sitting you may want to hone and re-ring her but the rest should be pretty darn easy. jp cycles has an old / antique motorcycle catalog that parts are fairly ready available but it is a little costly through them. Someone else may have a better line on parts. Two years ago I sold my 72 and 74 ironheads to a husband and wife and they ride the heck out of them. Wife wanted me to get rid of a few motorcycles before I bought my 07 bagger and she is the money earner so away they went and at the time still had a Norton, 03 FLHT and a 05 softail.
Good luck and have fun,
BC

[RK05]

A complete bike for $1000 I'd do it unless you don't have the money to spend on rebuilding it. That would be a good bike to play around with or you could buy it and possibly turn around and sell it for a few more $$.

[y2kflhr]

For 1000 its worth it, it probably needs a top end-all iron head sportys need valve jobs pretty often! tires, chain, etc etc.. If you are looking to make money on it forget it, I think its only worth about 3500-4K, when my 72 blew up it didn't pay to fix it, so I parted it out, engine cases were to badly cracked. I have a few friends who still have their 70's sportys and they run and run well! Having ridden one for years and the getting on a new one the old ones are alot more fun, just maintenance heavy, 500 miles tighten everything, then ride 500 miles. They are pretty easy to work on also. good luck

[RidingJerry]

Since it is a basket case try for $750 to $800.
Yes, I'd but it if I wanted a winter project.
Parts are available as noted above.
You'll plan on tearing down the top end. You'll need new valves and guides
for unleaded gas. Plan on having to bore the cyl. to get them round again.
Replace the clutch pack and the spring. The generator will likely need brushes.
You could even have to replace the rotor. Replace the voltage regulator.
Tires and tubes are a must.
Also, you'll need to replace the front disk brake. The oems rusted out and
are hard to find. Get a PM front and be done with it.

Good luck.

[Scarbelly]

I'd say it's worth a grand, for a project bike/rider. I wouldn't get too carried away hoping to turn a big $ on it though. Probably be a fun project, if funding isn't an issue.

[jonny oz]

i agree that it'd be a fun and worthwhile venture. those older bikes are just plain and simply COOL!

[highrider]

This would be a VERY EXPENSIVE project IMHO, I restore bikes including old XLs and from the pictures, it is VERY rough. If you cannot do this yourself and have at least 3-4k available to buy parts, I would advise you pass on this bike.

[miles to go]

Originally Posted by highrider

This would be a VERY EXPENSIVE project IMHO, I restore bikes including old XLs and from the pictures, it is VERY rough. If you cannot do this yourself and have at least 3-4k available to buy parts, I would advise you pass on this bike.

I agree, a basket case for sure. No way you'll ever get back what you put into it if you decided to sell. If you want to rebuild it for simple enjoyment then go for it.

[xxxflhrci]

I agree that doing a rebuild would cost more than it is worth. I'd buy it for 1k and part it out.

[head]

if you want it,buy it. its worth it. ive got a dude i ride with that has one that was similar situation. yeah it cost some to get it going, but what a cool bike. he uses it on short hops and his dyna for everyday use. its a sweet bike. there are some around that would pay a nice price for just that factory paint gas tank i see in the pic. getting hard to find. its all up to you. but if it were here, it would be sold quick.

[Milehog]

I'd sure hate to see that Sporty get parted out. There's better ways to make a quick buck.

[springer-]

I wouldn't try to restore it because of cost but I bet you could make it run for cheap and just ride it.

If it were near me I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[y2kflhr]

Originally Posted by Milehog

I'd sure hate to see that Sporty get parted out. There's better ways to make a quick buck.

I agree, it looks as if its mostly there, I hated to part mine out, it just wasn't feasible to repair, 1 more old bike that disappeared of the face of the earth.

[Scarbelly]

Originally Posted by springer-

I wouldn't try to restore it because of cost but I bet you could make it run for cheap and just ride it.

If it were near me I would buy it in a heartbeat.

THATS, what I was talkin' about. A rider, not so much a restoration. Barring getting into the bottom end, I'll bet a guy could have that thing up & runnin', and lookin' fairly presentable for not a whole lotta dough. It'd sell in these parts pretty quick, I think.