Harley Trade - Looking for input please

AquilaBMW · #1 06-28-2013, 09:11 AM

Hi There -

I am in the process of selling my 1998 BMW DINAN 5. I was offered a trade with a 1992 Harley Davidson Custom Heritage. I used to ride bikes - from Sports / Racing Bikes to Cruisers, but never owned a Harley before.

It's one of those things I've always wanted to do at some point and this might be my opportunity to do just that.

The bike has 17K miles on it, and comes with Bassini Shorty Exhaust Pipes, 14' Carlini Ape Hangers, a spare Chubby Handlebar, power coated parts like the bars, Mikuni Carb with tuning to mitigate throttle lag, Custom Paint, RC Component Wheels (21 Front/18 Rear), etc.

I am wondering what they are worth generally. Not because I am thinking of selling it or anything like that. Just curios as I've never done a trade before. The owner of the bike can't ride anymore due to injury and he is an uber cool guy with similar hobbies and another gear head like me.

He is getting into BMW's so this trade seems to be a perfect fit.

Just wondering if anyone on here knows much about Harleys and can chime in on this. Thanks!

This is the bike in question:

motordavid · #2 06-28-2013, 10:28 AM

Not a used bike price maven, but have and have had HDs since '72...
That scoot is not my choice, as it is a street ride, TT, (tavern to tavern) sled, with a lot of options that don't strike my eye.

And, some of the orig pieces that came on Heritage Soft tail, that made for better/useable road riding are gone/missing: windshield, bags, rear pillion, etc.

I would check out the oil pump check valve, Mikuni carb (ethanol gas is not any carb's friend and there are several versions of 'Mikuni carb', none are my fave carb), gas line, et al...Apes are cool looking, but comfortable for awhile, and not comfortable to many, depending on sleeve length. I would look closely at the brake, clutch and gas cables as apes tend to put strain on the extended cables.

17k miles is very low, (my '90 HD Heritage had ~60k miles when I sold it to a bro-in-law), and that low mileage is OK, if the owner did at least a once or twice a year oil/filter change. But, that low miles is indicative of how that sled is not made for much more than a Sun morning spin, imo. And, if those tires have been on the custom wheels for 5+ yrs or more, I would toss them.

Trans and front fork fluid are probably a bad chemistry class and need changing. Same for brake fluid, prob DOT 5. Fuel in tank, and tank itself needs careful inspection after all these years. Same for gas petcock, gasket, et al...

A cursory glance at pricing on the web shows that MY ranging from $5Gs on a trade in at a dlr to people asking $22Gs and up for their scoot, with different ranges of options, 'great condition', etc.

The mods on that sled will appeal to some, not to others, and like any modded vehicle the inherent price value of those mods is subject to a buyer really liking the mods.
Just my 50Cts...
GL, mD

AquilaBMW · #3 06-28-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

Not a used bike price maven, but have and have had HDs since '72...
That scoot is not my choice, as it is a street ride, TT, (tavern to tavern) sled, with a lot of options that don't strike my eye.

And, some of the orig pieces that came on Heritage Soft tail, that made for better/useable road riding are gone/missing: windshield, bags, rear pillion, etc.

I would check out the oil pump check valve, Mikuni carb (ethanol gas is not any carb's friend and there are several versions of 'Mikuni carb', none are my fave carb), gas line, et al...Apes are cool looking, but comfortable for awhile, and not comfortable to many, depending on sleeve length. I would look closely at the brake, clutch and gas cables as apes tend to put strain on the extended cables.

17k miles is very low, (my '90 HD Heritage had ~60k miles when I sold it to a bro-in-law), and that low mileage is OK, if the owner did at least a once or twice a year oil/filter change. But, that low miles is indicative of how that sled is not made for much more than a Sun morning spin, imo. And, if those tires have been on the custom wheels for 5+ yrs or more, I would toss them.

Trans and front fork fluid are probably a bad chemistry class and need changing. Same for brake fluid, prob DOT 5. Fuel in tank, and tank itself needs careful inspection after all these years. Same for gas petcock, gasket, et al...

A cursory glance at pricing on the web shows that MY ranging from $5Gs on a trade in at a dlr to people asking $22Gs and up for their scoot, with different ranges of options, 'great condition', etc.

The mods on that sled will appeal to some, not to others, and like any modded vehicle the inherent price value of those mods is subject to a buyer really liking the mods.
Just my 50Cts...
GL, mD

David - WOW! Thanks a mill for the great response and information. Much appreciated.

You are right that the bike was not built for long distance travel, it was more of a toy for the owner. He has two in the garage... and also a total gear head and into cars as well. So, I guess that's why the mileage is low.

I will ask him if has things like the bags still as the mounts are still on the bike. I was never crazy about shields (call me crazy), so the bike is okay for me. Also.... I was never keen on a pillion rider, but I might consider getting a rear saddle "just in case".

I will be using your response as a check list on what things to look for when I check out the bike again. If I get it, I will like to make sure things are in order before riding off into the sunset.

Thanks again!