HarleyTechTalk

 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

Fixed Link for ya.   
IMO, not at that price. YMMV

Yes, try this shop.
HERE

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

Sometimes, the most expensive motorcycle is a free or low cost one. 

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...

as stated, yes, anything is repairable, however, you can buy $1500 XL's around here that need nothing

Ya'll convinced me. I do see a lot of Sportsters in the 2000-2500 range. That run and ride  Thanks

Quote from: HD Street Performance on January 13, 2022, 08:38:46 AMYes, try this shop.
HERE

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

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

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. 

I know they can fix it, it's up to the owner to decide if it is "worth it"

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

And you absolutely did the right thing Craig, I applaud that. The more original '49 Panheads in the world, the better.

 

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