Best place to buy vintage Sportster?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

If you wanted something like this 1960 bike, where's the best place to find one?

[Yorkie]

Walnecks used to be the publication that had the vintage bikes of choice for sale. These days something like that with patina would probably be on the Mercum auction circuit. The annual Barber Vintage Motorcycle festival in pre-Covid times would have been a great place to see what turns up. Other that, Craigslist turns up a few crusty old iron heads. Afterburn is the Sportster guy on this page.

[wilnj]

Word of mouth.

[Jeff Higgins]

I would simply shop local. Craigslist, ask at the local "indy" Harley shops, and stuff like that. There is no shortage of old Sportsters out there, that's for sure.

This is probably one of the more "risky" little niches in the motorcycle world, in that old Sportsters have long been the "bottom rung" of Harley ownership, and therefor seem to attract a "certain kind" of owner. The abuse, neglect, and sheer stupidity these poor bikes have suffered is legendary in Harley circles. "Buyer beware" has never been more applicable.

So, what do you want it for? Cool garage art, or do you actually intend to ride it, if even a little bit? Old crapped out, essentially non-rideable bikes are almost free these days, maybe a thousand bucks or so. A well done restoration, or well kept, well maintained "no issues" bike isn't all that expensive either. Maybe $4,000 - $8,000, unless you want something really special, like a first year XLCH. Even those only go $10,000 - $12,000 for the very best, so we are not talking a lot of money, at least compared to our Porsche hobby.

Here is my 1976, which I have owned since 1980. It was my third Sportster by then. I performed a full rebuild and light restoration on it in about 2014 or 2015. Even buying the best of everything, and replacing each and every reciprocating part in the engine, transmission, and primary drive with various aftermarket hot-rod components, I was into it maybe $6,000. Including suspension components, paint, and other tid bits. It's hard to spend much money on these things...

[asphaltgambler]

Really depends on what you're looking for. Iron Sportsters are pretty loooooong in the tooth these days. I know as I've owned a few. If you like the style that's in your OP, you can buy something close to that already done. Then make small changes to make the style all your own. If you're looking for something like the last pic, it will be harder and more expensive. Basically the 2 pics posted are 2 complete opposite ends of the spectrum.

Also with either, do you plan to ride it much? The biggest issue is the crude engineering/ execution of the engine and transmission. So you should look for a fresh / recent rebuild where someone else took the hit.

As far as where? Well let's say there's not one of those on every street corner. So use every resource including vintage bike swap meets ( in some areas where public gatherings are allowed)

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Here is my 1976, which I have owned since 1980.

Wow, that's nuts!
I can't imagine owning something for 40 years.
25 maybe,

[wdfifteen]

I would look around for a brick wall.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Good info, thanks.

Jeff, I sold my 900SS years ago knowing I would kill myself on it. Too much bike for me even though I loved it dearly. I want something to ride around town, easy to ride and generally a cool lookback bike. I miss my 74 CB400 which is also in the running but I think the closest I'll come to this 1946 is a 60+ Sportster. Want a patina bike that drives, nothing more.

[rfuerst911sc]

I always thought a Sportster would be a great foundation for a cafe racer build . Decent power and fairly light weight ( relative ) . Jeff Higgins how well does your bike handle ?

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Good info, thanks.

Jeff, I sold my 900SS years ago knowing I would kill myself on it. Too much bike for me even though I loved it dearly. I want something to ride around town, easy to ride and generally a cool lookback bike. I miss my 74 CB400 which is also in the running but I think the closest I'll come to this 1946 is a 60+ Sportster. Want a patina bike that drives, nothing more.

Interesting - I have always thought that if I were to kill myself on a motorcycle, it would be that old Sportster, not my 900 SS.

An unrestored "Ironhead" Sportster (pre-Evo Sportsters had cast iron heads and cylinders, hence the moniker) with "patina" is going to be fraught with peril, for the reasons I outlined above. One needs to be very careful, and very knowledgeable if one wants to wade into those waters. There is an awful lot of absolute crap out there.

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I always thought a Sportster would be a great foundation for a cafe racer build . Decent power and fairly light weight ( relative ) . Jeff Higgins how well does your bike handle ?

Well, it has a very loooong wheelbase and a 30 degree steering head angle. The handling can best be described as "lazy", but it does track very nicely. The frames on these are actually relatively stiff (for the day anyway), but they do have, by today's standards, pretty noodly swingarms and forks, and you can make both flex pretty easily. Early drum brake models have terrible brakes. Mine came with a disc on the front, and I've upgraded to an aftermarket caliper, so it actually has far better brakes than most bikes of that vintage.

These were raced extensively "back in the day", like through the '60's and early '70's. AMA rules of the time favored 750cc side-valve KR based motors, but the frames were the same. They compared very favorably, handling-wise, to the British twins of the era. Where allowed to run as 900cc overhead valve Sportsters, they did quite well. So, compared to other bikes of the day, handling was pretty darn similar.

I infrequently ride mine with some acquaintances who own a variety of old Triumph Bonnevilles, Norton Comandos, BSA Goldstars, and even one Triumph Trident. I have no trouble hanging with them in the twisties (that front disc really helps), and I'll flat drop every one of them on any kind of a straight.

So, yeah, handling is on a par with any similar twin from that era. If you are used to today's bikes, well, you will definitely be disappointed. It's nothing like my 900 SS.

[Jeff Higgins]

So, kind of "off topic", but since you asked...

Here is the original Sportster "cafe racer", as produced by HD in the mid 1970's. One of Willie G's first designs for the company. They did not sell well at all and were soon discontinued. Interestingly, my room mate in the early '80's had one, and desperately wanted to trade me for my "real" Sportster. I, of course, "knew better" and refused. In retrospect, this was akin to refusing to trade my 911 SC for a '67 911 S...



Next up is a modern Matisse framed Ironhead. These frames are still available, and I've met the man who makes them. A local R Gruppe buddy who is also into vintage Brit bikes introduced me. It's tempting... big buck$, though...



And, finally, this one was popular back in the day - the ubiquitous Norton Featherbed frame with someone else's motor wedged into it. Lots of these got Triumph motors, but a few got Ironhead motors. I followed this guy's build on youtube some time ago:



So, yes, Ironhead cafe bikes are a thing. A pretty cool thing, IMHO. Of course Evo motored cafe builds abound, but they aren't nearly as cool.

[Jeff Higgins]

O.k., one more and I promise I'll leave you guys alone...

The pre-1968 (I believe 1968, maybe someone who knows for sure can help out) XLCH was the "early S" of the Sportster world. Magneto ignition, kick start only, no battery, and special tuning and attention from the factory. The standard Sportster of the day was the XLH, which beginning in '67 (again, I may be off a year or two) became available with electric start as an option. I owned a '67 thus equipped while in college in 1979. The "CH" supposedly meant "California Hot" or "Competition Hot" (enthusiasts are still arguing that one). They also had a shorter wheelbase, by virtue of a shorter frame, than the XLH models. Lots of parallels here - "short frame", "short wheelbase", and at about the same time frame.

Well, according to Ironhead purists, the last "real" XLCH was built in, I believe, 1968. The next year it received the "standard" long frame and gave up the magneto, thereby also earning itself a battery. It was, from then on, basically no more than a kick start only XLH. Very much more "civilized" and "accessible" to the average rider.

So, much like an early S, the "short frame" XLCH is the holy grail of Ironhead Sportsterdom. This well preserved (supposedly unrestored) example sold for $16k not all that long ago. This represents very much the "deep end of the pool" in this world, so really not all that "unobtanium" by other standards.

[CalPersFatCat]

You are a very creative guy. I believe that you should at least consider building a brand new "vintage" Sportster, exactly as you picture it in your mind...

I am in Florida two or three days per week. My roommate down there is the finest motorcycle frame builder in the world. He founded and owned Chassis Design Company in SoCal before selling the company and moving to Australia. He started a new company while living in Australia https://www.facebook.com/pg/TinworksInc-2046997238846819/posts/ and has now moved back to the States and has a CNC/Machining and Fabrication shop in South Pinellas County.

Instagram: tinworksinc

ebay: Seller information
tinworksinc (938 )
100% Positive feedback

A custom built frame (drawn by you or copied from someone else, #HarleyDavidson) will run you between $1,200 and $2,000. I think that most frames are around $1,400 plus shipping. (He ships his frames internationally every single week.)

You just decide which motor/trans and wheel size that you are going to use, supply a drawing for the frame, and that's pretty much it...

Super talented, solid guy.

Hit him up on Instagram or Facebook.

[varmint]

The sixties sportsters are a little scarce. But seventies are all over craigslist. There’s one turning into a ball of rust in my neighbors back yard.

I’ve talked to guys who tried to race XLCRs back in the day. They were called “rolling chicanes”.

[Mike80911]

search craigslist and ebay. Old Harleys are pretty much bottomed out on price these days. I bought an old police bike off a guy that restored the entire bike and had a small fortune invested. I gave him $4000 for it and he was thrilled to get that. Rides like a dream.

[wilnj]

I’m not a bike guy. I’ve always liked the idea of one but I guess when it comes down to it, I was scared. Maybe of other drivers, probably of myself too.

Saw this one on another forum and saved the pic. Probably the best looking sportster I’ve seen, at least to my eye.

[flatbutt]

Off on a tangent here but just today I saw a baby blue / cream colored Vespa and thought... "hmmm maybe a grocery grabber for my 70th birthday". Now back to our regular program...

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by wilnj

I’m not a bike guy. I’ve always liked the idea of one but I guess when it comes down to it, I was scared. Maybe of other drivers, probably of myself too.

Saw this one on another forum and saved the pic. Probably the best looking sportster I’ve seen, at least to my eye.

The guy who posted the pic didn’t know anything about it. Any idea what I’m looking at?

[varmint]

Evo engine but before they went to belt drive. That should narrow it down.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by varmint

Evo engine but before they went to belt drive. That should narrow it down.

Could be a chain conversion but evidently Evos where available between 86 and 92.

Also inverted forks and upgraded rear suspension.