HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => General => Topic started by: chopper on January 13, 2022, 08:11:18 AM

Title: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: chopper on January 13, 2022, 08:11:18 AM
 Yes, I know it's a Sportster, but this is more of a general question.  Not too far from me, and was toying with it as a winter project.  Something grenaded in the cam box. Look at the pictures and tell me if it can be saved, please

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/672197607114151
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: cheech on January 13, 2022, 08:18:08 AM
Fixed Link (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/672197607114151) for ya.  :up:  :SM:
IMO, not at that price. YMMV
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: Don D on January 13, 2022, 08:38:46 AM
Yes, try this shop.
HERE (https://wefixharleys.com/services.html)
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: JW113 on January 13, 2022, 09:36:17 AM
Anything can be repaired. Look at the amazing job they did on Arizona Craig's Panhead that the cases were full of cracks. However, that was a '49 Panhead, not a '99 Sportster.

Welders and machinists get paid by the hour, along with the general overhead of the shop and equipment. I see two questions to answer: 1) how much is a pristine '99 Sportster worth, and 2) how much are you going to have to invest to fix that one.

The case repair aside, the other question to ask is: How much more damage did all the shrapnel do to the rest of the engine? Because I think there is a whole lot more money to fix this bike than just getting the cases repaired.

JMHO,

-JW
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: calif phil on January 13, 2022, 10:40:59 AM
Sometimes, the most expensive motorcycle is a free or low cost one. 
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: rigidthumper on January 13, 2022, 01:08:39 PM
Buddy of mine just came home with almost the same thing- a 99 XL with a grenaded engine (he paid $500 for his).
Hurt 23 year old motors just don't have a whole lot of resale value...
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: 92flhtcu on January 13, 2022, 02:21:02 PM
as stated, yes, anything is repairable, however, you can buy $1500 XL's around here that need nothing
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: chopper on January 13, 2022, 04:23:48 PM
Ya'll convinced me. I do see a lot of Sportsters in the 2000-2500 range. That run and ride  Thanks
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: SP33DY on January 13, 2022, 04:51:43 PM
Quote from: HD Street Performance on January 13, 2022, 08:38:46 AMYes, try this shop.
HERE (https://wefixharleys.com/services.html)

I recommend them too! Years ago they repaired a cracked case for me on an old 80" Flathead. Excellent work!
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: kd on January 13, 2022, 06:44:56 PM
Quote from: SP33DY on January 13, 2022, 04:51:43 PM
Quote from: HD Street Performance on January 13, 2022, 08:38:46 AMYes, try this shop.
HERE (https://wefixharleys.com/services.html)

I recommend them too! Years ago they repaired a cracked case for me on an old 80" Flathead. Excellent work!

The difference is yours was irreplaceable and worth keeping alive.  :wink:
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: Don D on January 14, 2022, 09:36:54 AM
I know they can fix it, it's up to the owner to decide if it is "worth it"
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: CraigArizona85248 on January 15, 2022, 06:48:05 PM
Quote from: JW113 on January 13, 2022, 09:36:17 AMAnything can be repaired. Look at the amazing job they did on Arizona Craig's Panhead that the cases were full of cracks. However, that was a '49 Panhead, not a '99 Sportster.

...

Those were exactly my thoughts. Yes,fixable. But is it worth it for a '99 Sportster?  Even with my old panhead I debated if I should repair or replace. Replace would have been cheaper, but sentimentality got the better of me.

-craig
Title: Re: Are These Cases Salvageable?
Post by: JW113 on January 15, 2022, 06:58:43 PM
And you absolutely did the right thing Craig, I applaud that. The more original '49 Panheads in the world, the better.

 :baby:

It's like throwing money to restore a '59 Cadillac El Dorado to keep it stock and original, vs. spend the same amount of money on a '85 Chevy Citation to do the same. Hmm, hard decision....   LOL!

-JW