1958 XL

[Zaemo]

Hey Sean,
All I have seen for sale so far are chopped or custom bikes with chrome parts and bad paint for $6500 on up.
The seller knows nothing about the bike let alone how to start it or drive it. I have already offered $5500 but he has not accepted it yet. New Years is slowing everything down. The one person that knows anything about it won't be back until Monday.

Should I just offer less before he accepts?

Z

[sean]

i think the bike is worth what they are asking,it wont win best of show on pebal beach but will turn alot of heads.just dont pay till you feel the bike in person.

[dr dick]

this bike has parts on from many different years.
if it was built with care its can be a very solid rider.
a real concern is if it wasnst built well- if was assmd with the various parts that are in need of mechanical repair. prices of short frame bikes have steadily risen of late and you will find guys who put bikes together of dubious quality that are good looking shells of rolling basket cases.
how do you tell? you cant for sure.
a pro will be able to spot some telltale details on a personal observation.
care on assm is obvious to the pro- care indacates what the builders goal was, machine-centric or cash-centric.
unfortunately there are too few clear pics to start picking this stuff up.

from the pics i put together this list.
what it means is up for interpretation.
fr wheel- 58-63 ch

front fender- appears to be oem. correct for 60-69 ch and 67-69 xlh. (varition in 69 that cant be seen in pics).

fork sides are 58-67 ch, 67xlh. the boots are upside down. thats bad. its because the original upper retainers are missing. these are not hard to find parts. they are even repoped. why are they missing? the TRUE answer to that is a tell.

lower tree cover is 64-70 variation in 70.
headlite shell appears to be 63-74.
head lite visor is L66-69
top tree is 57-61 xlh
handebars are 57-60 xl, xlh.
the clutch lever is a repop of the 66-72 unit.
gas cap is 73>. ill bet the gas tank is a repop.
cam cover, kicker cover are 68-70 xlch. variation in both 1970.
magneto is L62-69. variations in 65,67,68
mufller is an old Superior replacement. rareish.
carb is a bendix?? 72-75.
taillite lens is 68-72.
rear fender looks to be oe 58-65 ch.
kickstand is 77>.

frame, oil tank, and tool box looks to be 57-66 xl, xlh

lock washers under the base nuts. thats a no-no for sportster.

you need a clear pic of the serial numbers.

the fla. amca meet is in feb? ill bet there may be bikes for sale there too.

[Zaemo]

Well....... much like the front tire on this bike, I am deflated.

Thanks for your expert eye here Dr. Dick. I appreciate it. Looks like I'm going to pass on another bike I thought I might get a deal on.

I'll keep searching. I understand your point that it still may be a great driver but there are too many unknowns with this bike.

Back to the search and Happy New Year everyone.

Z

[DaveC]

Excellent decision