Q's on 1994 Sportster...

[Jedz123]

Hey guys
Thought I would post here since I do value your input on things such as this.
The Sidecar has been on the market for the better part of a month as it's sitting and taking up valuable garage space. The dog still has no interest in motor powered anything so I'm officially going to move on from the sidecar project, for now.
So side car was listed for sale or trade and have been offered some odd stuff but nothing too interesting.
Last night a gentleman reached out and asked if I would be interested in trading a good running 1994 Sportster 1200 XL. He sent me some videos of it running well and pictures, seems to be in good shape, the only 2 issues I could pick up on was 1) it looked to be a rattle can job done poorly (I can fix that) and 2) the odometer is unreadable. It has 31K miles allegedly. Seams reasonable for a Sportster of it's vintage.
Here is the best pic he sent me.:

Relatively clean, no rips and the paint is workable.

I obviously really have no intention of welcoming a Sportster into the heard but when I booked it these bikes go for $3600 to $5500. I checked Marketplace and Craigslist and these bikes are indeed going for those numbers.

Might make a cool flip or just something cool to just run. I know these are carbureted and that concerns me slightly as I have absolutely 0 experience with Carb'd Harleys.

Anything to look out for, any issues I should take an extra look at? Any input on the bike would be most helpful.

Thanks,

 

[storm 64]

Jedz, your picture is not showing up. All I'm seeing is DOLLAR SIGNS!
just kidding. It looks like it's in good condition. I'm not sure what you have into your sidecar, but if you can flip this thing and make a few bucks, go for it!

 

[Jedz123]

Jedz, your picture is not showing up. All I'm seeing is DOLLAR SIGNS!
just kidding. It looks like it's in good condition. I'm not sure what you have into your sidecar, but if you can flip this thing and make a few bucks, go for it! 

HAHA I was like, wait that's an code error... NM Got it!
I'm not very much $$$ into the side car. After sleeping on it I think I will end up agreeing to the trade. I would like to invest in fixing the paint and replacing the speedometer (no odometer makes it tricky to guess fuel range with no fuel gauge) and see what I can't flip it for.
Thinking of doing an iconic twin review for my channel, Sportster 1200 vs R1100R VS Bonneville T120. Make for some good watching!
Thanks,

 

[Rob S.]

For a sidecar that's taking up space? Jump on that like white on rice!

I won't tell you about usable torque right off idle since you ride a VMax, but it does have an interesting personality. Maybe like an old steam locomotive compared to a modern bullet train. Good vibrations!

 

[LAB3]

So the Sporty goes for $3600-5500 up your way huh? Geez, maybe I should be buying bikes in Michigan and taking a ride to New England! The sidecar is worth money in the near future (When it sells) and the Sporty is a 27 year old bike that will need attention by sheer virtue of the fact it's 27 years old. Sell off the sidecar and spend a couple of extra weeks off this summer, you already have too many toys for a guy your age so go act your age!

 

[trevor]

"Anything I should look out for"??.....Yes....it's a Harley! Don't do it Jedz!!!

 

[Jedz123]

"Anything I should look out for"??.....Yes....it's a Harley! Don't do it Jedz!!!

HAHAHA Noted!

 

[Rob S.]

You sold the VMax? Say it ain't so!

 

[GS1150Pilot]

"Anything I should look out for"??.....Yes....it's a Harley! Don't do it Jedz!!!

Much the same could be said about BMW. Now, regarding that Sportster. If it has good compression and shifts well, it's probably well worth flipping. Primary chain should be checked and adjusted if necessary.

If you keep it, swap out the carb for a Mikuni HSR.

 

[Jedz123]

You sold the VMax? Say it ain't so!

Motorcycle ADD... HAHA Nah I wanted out after my injury to my elbow, just WAY TOOO big. I made a very comfortable profit margin on it so all good. It was a good experience, the Tracer 900 isn't much slower believe it or not.

Much the same could be said about BMW. Now, regarding that Sportster. If it has good compression and shifts well, it's probably well worth flipping. Primary chain should be checked and adjusted if necessary.

If you keep it, swap out the carb for a Mikuni HSR.

Awesome Mason!

I was secretly hoping you'd chime in here!

I think the bike has upgrades the current owner doesn't know about, the air breather is much larger than the stock unit and it has a full screaming eagle exhuast.

I did have the XR1200 for a short time but I think that bike was a lemon because it was a giant headache... However it was so easy to work on... Primary is easy, in fact the whole damn bike is just easy...

Definitely have an itchy trigger finger for it!...

 

[trevor]

Much the same could be said about BMW. Now, regarding that Sportster. If it has good compression and shifts well, it's probably well worth flipping. Primary chain should be checked and adjusted if necessary.

If you keep it, swap out the carb for a Mikuni HSR.

Boy..you really have turned into a Harley rider, haven't ya Mason...can't take a joke or laugh at yourself...lol..It's a joke, don't be so sensitive. Btw BMW stands for "Bring My Wallet"...see...funny.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Boy..you really have turned into a Harley rider, haven't ya Mason...can't take a joke or laugh at yourself...lol..It's a joke, don't be so sensitive. Btw BMW stands for "Bring My Wallet"...see...funny.

Ah, Trevor. I have become a Harley aficionado because the bike is exactly as advertised. I know that you go for stereotyping, but I really wish you would just accept that Harley is not the old AMF.

 

[trevor]

Ah, Trevor. I have become a Harley aficionado because the bike is exactly as advertised. I know that you go for stereotyping, but I really wish you would just accept that Harley is not the old AMF.

I will try...just for you. Btw my buddy has one of those AMF Cafe Racer xlcr ...pretty cool Harley imo.
I just think it's cool that we like our bikes so much.
Sorry for the thread hacking Jedz...please carry on.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Jedz, this is a good little read:
https://www.cycleworld.com/2016/03/...ster-motorcycles-cycle-world-best-used-bikes/

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I will try...just for you. Btw my buddy has one of those AMF Cafe Racer xlcr ...pretty cool Harley imo.
I just think it's cool that we like our bikes so much.
Sorry for the thread hacking Jedz...please carry on.

The Cafe Racer is a very cool Harley, but yeah, the Evo bikes are simply head and shoulders above in reliability.

 

[Jedz123]

Jedz, this is a good little read:
https://www.cycleworld.com/2016/03/...ster-motorcycles-cycle-world-best-used-bikes/

Nice share!
Yeah I think a single carb is stupid easy to clean or work on.. About as complex as my Kohler powered lawnmower. I know these EVO motors are abut as reliable as they come. Easy to work on and swapping heads, jugs and cams are as easy as it gets.
I will likely not keep long but I will definitely put some miles on it, who knows I might want to just keep it as back-up to the Bonneville which has been plagued with odd issues in it's high mileage life(Today the Tachometer was deciding to work randomly)...
Best,

 

[GS1150Pilot]

The beauty of that Sportster is, no matter where you are, parts and service are available.

 

[RichDesmond]

...I know these are carbureted and that concerns me slightly as I have absolutely 0 experience with Carb'd Harleys...

Don't sweat the carb, very simple. I recently helped a neighbor get his going, hadn't ever turned a wrench on a Harley before.
Be a lot easier to sell that than the sidecar.

 

[Rob S.]

How about a pic of the 'expensive' (exhaust) side? It's (I'm) strange - I love Sportsters, but dislike every other Harley.

 

[Jedz123]

Don't sweat the carb, very simple. I recently helped a neighbor get his going, hadn't ever turned a wrench on a Harley before.
Be a lot easier to sell that than the sidecar.

More I look at it the more confident I feel about it. Especially if I swap in a Mikuni off the bat.

The beauty of that Sportster is, no matter where you are, parts and service are available.

Also there is more people that no way more than I do about these bikes. There is probably only a handful of guys proficient in knowing the Details of the WC Bonneville T120 and I'm likely one of those digits.

How about a pic of the 'expensive' (exhaust) side? It's (I'm) strange - I love Sportsters, but dislike every other Harley.

So Looks like the mufflers are the only aftermarket thing... Hmm He said it has screaming eagle stuff. Looks like a forward control kit was installed. I agree I really like the look of these Sportsters more I look at it.