New iron in the fire

[Panzer]

Haven't dealt with an iron head before and looking for some info.
Have an iron in the fire for buying an 89 iron.
He's asking $1800 for the bike, no extras with it.
He said when he ran it the last time and one pipe turned red so he shut it down.
He claims that there might be a valve stuck on one cylinder and that it might need a voltage regulator as it won't hold a charge.
Recently he says he tried to start it but she just pops, won't start.
This is his wording, not mine, just relating what he told me.

For the price ( he'll probably take $1500) run and don't look back or buy it and tackle the repairs?
I'm looking for something to work on and resell.
Thx for any input.

[Hossamania]

How much will it be worth once you have it in running condition? I don't see running examples selling for a lot of money, $2.5k to $3k around here. Not much profit to be made if you have to put in more than a few hundred bucks, plus your time to learn how to fix it, and to actually fix it. (I charge myself $25 per hour to calculate what my time is worth to me.) Do you have any experience working on Ironheads?
Do you homework, at the very least a compression test before buying. Without some kind of test ride, you have no idea what works, what doesn't (transmission, clutch, etc.)
Ironheads rarely require "just a little tlc" to get them running. Especially when a seller says "it just needs a little tlc to get it running."

[JW113]

If it's an '89, it sure ain't no Ironhead. Last year for Ironhead is 1985. Typo? Or does the guy not know what he has?

-JW

[Ohio HD]

Beat me to it. Maybe meant a '79.

[Panzer]

Sorry, yup typo, shes an 85'.
Me bad.

[Ohio HD]

I'd pass unless you can get it for next to nothing. It's worth maybe in running order $3,500?

[JW113]

I think that $1800 is about all it would be worth in running order. A dead ironhead that needs parts and labor? The dude will be lucky to get $500 for it IF the thing is somewhat cosmetically OK. My first ironhead was given to me by a guy at work as it needed a lot of work. Sounds like this bike is going to need a lot as well.

-JW

[Pete_Vit]

Haven't dealt with an iron head before and looking for some info.
Have an iron in the fire for buying an 89 iron.
He's asking $1800 for the bike, no extras with it.
He said when he ran it the last time and one pipe turned red so he shut it down.
He claims that there might be a valve stuck on one cylinder and that it might need a voltage regulator as it won't hold a charge.
Recently he says he tried to start it but she just pops, won't start.
This is his wording, not mine, just relating what he told me.

For the price ( he'll probably take $1500) run and don't look back or buy it and tackle the repairs?
I'm looking for something to work on and resell.
Thx for any input.

is this bike in Delaware? is the guys name Buddy ?
if so I know that bike

[garyajaz]

what they all said.
I love ironheads.
have had one since 1974.

but to get one to work on and sell is ok .............
if you like losing time and money.

[Hossamania]

what they all said.
I love ironheads.
have had one since 1974.

but to get one to work on and sell is ok .............
if you like losing time and money.

That made me laugh!

[Panzer]

No Pete, it's in Lancaster, Pa.
Now he says it's an 84'. 

[Pete_Vit]

No Pete, it's in Lancaster, Pa.
Now he says it's an 84'. 

got ya! an 84 ha...wow a one off 
I think I'd be backing away quickly from that one

[garyajaz]

RUN
Forrest
RUN

[Panzer]

Now I need to know, seriously...........why do you all say back away and run.
I will listen to you all, but I have to know why? 

[Hossamania]

In your op, you said you're looking for something to work on and sell.
Are you looking to make a profit on the sale? I ask that honestly.
With the info you gave, if everything comes together perfectly and easily, you MIGHT break even, but I don't see it, unless this thing is in pristine condition.
Good parts are hard to come by. Your learning curve will be steep. You will more than likely have to farm out at least some of the work.
They are not exactly a bike that is in high demand.
Have you checked to find out what they are selling for in running condition?

[JW113]

And not just running condition. Curb appeal is everything. If it looks like trash, it ain't worth much unless it is rare and in high demand. Knuckle head? Heck yes. Late model Sportster? Nah...

-JW

[Pete_Vit]

it's a different animal 
the guy I thought was selling his in Del was a wrench, got this Ironhead and did a total restore, engine, tranny, fired it up and blew the motor simply because he got the oil line routing wrong 

[Panzer]

Thanks guys for the feed.
Hoss, I checked Blue Book and the going price is $3400 in good condition, he's asking $1800.
The bike (from pics) is fair as far as the tins go.
He claim it has top end problems (valves ?) 
Won't hold a charge like I stated above, he claims it needs a regulator.
I had in mind of offering him 1k........... what's all your thoughts on that??
I doubt he'll take 1k so, on what you guys have suggest, I'm going to back off the sale.
I'll see what he says, and all of you say.

JW113, Pete, Hoss, & Gary........thx.

What say ye??   Listening!!

[Hossamania]

Ironheads are the redheaded step child of the HD family. No offense Gary!
Just the thoughts that go through my head.

[Hossamania]

.

[Hossamania]

Well, I just checked Delaware CL for the going price of ironheads, and I must say, they are asking a lot more than they are here, so maybe you can make it work.
But if you don't have mad skills and good knowledge working on them, the learning curve is steep.

[Panzer]

Hoss, I understand what you're saying, I'm willing to learn, not to old yet to learn.
I'm still looking for a reason why not to buy any no one has given a good answer why not to buy.

No one has said.......parts are non existent, or part prices for an Iron are outrageous, etc., that bike was  mechanical disaster & part prices for an Iron are outrageous, that bike was mechanical unfit from day one or AMF made that bike not HD, etc.

Again gents, I'm depending on your educated answers.
Standing by..................thx,
Panz

[Burnout]

Almost all Ironheads are mechanical disasters, after 30-50 years of mistreatment by owners who couldn't buy a big twin. Worked on by savages who really don't have a clue or a manual. Patched up and ridden til it quits.

Hey I said "almost".   

[garyajaz]

third time to type this?   
its gonna be short.

Panzer, Burnout got it dead on.

first time, 2 hours ago, I typed out a list as you required. then something happened and a whole page got zapped.

crap.

so I retyped it and refined it some.  was nice work.
hit send. my one hour time frame ended and site wanted me to sign in again.
that dissertation was lost.

so now starting over and frustrated (but wanting to help)

in 1974 I bought mine NEW. mine been only ham hands on it.
and I still wonder.

how many hands your prospect been through.

I also guarantee he did not notice red pipe and shut it down.
it clattered to a stop and he selling it.
I agree valve is probably stuck...into the piston.

so looking at total top end disassembly, parts, few special tools,
on and on.
unless you really like iron they really not worth the time and effort.
regulator?  right. the "cheapest" part of charging system.
nope. new batt right off. I would bet 85% chance bad gen. new from cycle electric more money.

then to clutch, primary chain wear.
you want it to shift?
betting that old has bent shift forks and some rounding gear dogs.
pull tyanny door out.
while there new swing arm bearings so it wont wobble?
and don't forget fork bearings.  wheels and tires and tubes?
more money.  never ending.

if a pet project with love they fine.
to sell, and make money?
first like Hoss said find a buyer.  they not lining up.
then how much is your time worth?

some years ago when I got seriously old I sold off my vintage euro race bike collection.
over 100 machines.  all restored to as or better than new running condition.

made about .25 cents an hour.  I not worth much but my labor and knowledge is worth more than a quarter an hour.

[Panzer]

Well Gary, you won out on this one. 
All the rest of you came in second and I appreciate the feed on this Iron head.
It goes without saying that I'll back away from this bike, I really am not in favor of "red heads"....... they have a temper.

I really wanted a bike to work on during the winter, well winter is almost at its end, time for riding & warm weather...........next time, next winter.

To all, thanks again for the feeds and a tip-o-the hat from Panz.