Quote:
Originally Posted by LWJ
I have no opinion. But, a buddy bought this beauty recently. Saddle is black now.
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They were beautiful bikes, for sure. When I started riding in the 1970's, the last ones made were still just over 20 years old, so they were just "old bikes". Parts were still pretty much available, so it was not uncommon to see them on the road. The problem with them by then was that they had simply become outdated. Reliable as can be, but underpowered by the standards of the day, and with terrible brakes to boot. Relatively cheap, though, so most guys riding them only did so because they couldn't afford anything newer. Same situation with Harley flat heads, Knuckleheads, and Panheads. Even though the newest Pans were only 10-12 years old, they were really showing their age by then. None of those bikes were yet old enough to be considered "classics", or "collectible", they were just old, and we kinda felt sorry for the guys "stuck" with them. They just couldn't keep up, especially on the freeway or more open highways.
Any of those bikes sure fetch a pretty penny today, though. I bet that Chief was pushing six figures. I see Pans regularly going up to and over $40k, with Knucks getting even more. I don't think anyone actually rides them, at least not very far. I think trying to navigate modern traffic on any of them would probably be downright dangerous.