Rebuild/Restory Harley?

[Ace2000]

I would like some opinions here: I found an old Harley for sale that does not run and needs to be restored. All I really know about the bike right now is that its probably from the 1950s...I know, not much information to go off of (I don't even know the condition because I havent seen any pictures of it yet). I have never restored anything in my life before. I would like to believe I am somewhat mechanical and have a good selection of tools to work with. The seller is only asking about $1000 for the bike (again, never seen it, so dont know if thats reasonable or not yet). Depending on the overall condition, I am really tempted to buy it and try my hand at my first project. It would be nice to keep it looking original, but that might not be all that possible. How many of you have got a bike running again? are older harleys typically easier to tougher to work on than newer harleys? I really dont have too much mechanical experience, but am willing to learn. is the best way to learn just by doing? or would i really need to take classes or something? any advice or opinions would be great..like i said, ive been wanting to do something like this, but dont know how challenging it would be or where to start!

[PaulDM]

As I see it, this is a very good place to ask that question. It's kinda like a airplane mechanic that works on WW2 planes, they're hard to find, for good reasons. Parts are a problem and you need to learn old technology that didn't work so good some of the time. it will be a on-going work in progress. I'd guess if you really want to get into it as a hobby and an engaging pastime it would be hard to beat. Expect frustations as a part of the game and consider about like a boat without the storms and having to travel to maintain it, but still a hole in the water you deposit your funds into...

[DEEP DIVER]

Go for it .
The best way to learn is to do it.
When you get the bike, take lots of pictures of the strip down, to help when you rebuild it.
Put all the parts in to bags/boxs and label up.
Put all bolts back in to the holes they came out of.
The main thing is to get a factory manual and parts book.
You may find the engine is a runner? and just needs a good clean up.

[Atomic Punk]

It's a great learning experence and can be rewarding and can be a real pisser also. It is gonna cost you alot more than you are expecting. It is time consuming, very very time consuming. When you are doing a large project, you have to worry about money, seaching for parts and cleaning and cleaning along with turning wrenches. The longer you have it the less time you can find in order to work on it. It could and probally will take a couple years to finish, and the vast majority of people that start such a project never finish. But when you finish , you have a memory that you will never forget

[Tin Man 2]

Does the Bike have a title? Before you put much into it you had best make sure you can legally own it. Parts are available for most old Harleys, The paper work is crucial.

[mercypl]

I thought about buying an older Harley before I bought my Sportster. I am glad I didn't. The cost of just modifying this new one has kept me from doing much to it. I find that a stage 1 runs you nearly or way over $1k no matter how you do it. That's just the first step in the customizing. The cost of a rebuild looks like it will be over the cost of a new bike. Although, once you finish it's all about you, that's if you finish.

[Bob F]

I would like some opinions here: I found an old Harley for sale that does not run and needs to be restored.

The big question is how original is it? If it's all butchered up keep looking.

Here's a few scoots I've owned:

1976 FLH 100% stock:



1963 FL 100% stock:



1959 FLH 100% stock:



1960 FL 100% stock:



1972 XLH wrong seat: