Ironhead Looking to buy a '77

[skyheart]

Hi!
I got my eyes on a '77 IH, which looks to be in good condition.
Matching numbers.

This spring it had a new clutch, new electronic ignition and a new electric starter. Owner says its starts first try everytime and runs really well.

I dont know much bout engines myself, but would love to try a HD and this is at a fair price.
But is there as much "wrong" with this/these bikes as i get the feeling of, when reading the forum posts, or should i just try and go for it and see if it would happen to love me sometime? )

Br
Thomas T Jensen, Denmark

[skyheart]

You can see the bike here:

(Danish site)
http://www.dba.dk/asp/soegning/detai...nceId=61269302

[GA_Ironhead]

The biggest thing wrong with old IHs is neglect or improper work done by previous owners. They do require more work than newer bikes do, as is true with any mechanical device this old. If you don't enjoy working on a bike and getting greasy, an IH probably isn't for you. They are however, quite infectious. There is nothing on Gods' Green Earth with the look, sound or feel of an IH. Many have tried, none have succeeded.

It looks to me, to be a very nice, well maintained bike.

[skyheart]

I dont mind getting greased up, just afraid its more than i can handle.
But i would also see it as a learning project, i dont expect it to ride as a 2 year old bike.
Did you see the pictures of it in the link?

[GA_Ironhead]

Originally Posted by skyheart

... Did you see the pictures of it in the link?

Yes. It's a pretty bike. But I've always been a sucker for a pretty face!

For our english speaking friends: http://translate.google.com/translat...istory_state0=

[IronHead78]

77 and 78 were the best years of the 70s sportsters IMO. No cross over linkage to deal with, easy access to the oil pump and the last years of the orginal frame design.

[GA_Ironhead]

With a manual, they are easily worked on. The technology is dead simple. If you have some mechanical aptitude and common sense, they are easy to maintain. If you do buy it, make a H-D service manual and parts manual the first 2 things you purchase for the bike. They will pay for themselves many times over.

Oh, and welcome to the forum from Athens, Georgia USA!

[dr.feltersnatch]

And most people who post on here are only posting because they have a problem of some sort tpu just don't hear about the thousands of trouble free miles in between so don't use that a a judge of how reliable they are

[skyheart]

Originally Posted by IronHead78

77 and 78 were the best years of the 70s sportsters IMO. No cross over linkage to deal with, easy access to the oil pump and the last years of the orginal frame design.

Thats nice to know!
Im gonna go check it out further asap. Guess i cant really decide before ive taken it for a ride.

[Tin Man 2]

Doctor F, I like my old Ironhead,alot. But "thousands of trouble free miles" may be stretching it a bit. An Ironhead requires an "involved owner".