Can I build a nice Harley Kit Bike for about $13,000?

I just want a black frame, RevTech, S&S motor about 105 ci or so, 6 speed
tranny. Prefer a wide tires and side shifter. One color tank and fenders and
some chrome goodies. Nothing fancy. I have a chronic disease and have less
that 10 years left. I want to spend around 2 years cruising the country. My
Mom passed away on the 26th of December and left me enough to spend about
$13,000 for a bike. This is something I've always wanted to do and maybe God
has enabled me to trade some years for a dream. I live in Indiana. Also
where is the best place to purchase the parts I need? Motor and tranny,
frame, tank and everything else.

Thanks
Larry

 

Buy a Japanese or English bike instead of the Harley"IF" riding as
apposed to getting towed or waiting at the repair shop matters. A
couple of suggestions. Used ST100/1300, FJR1300, Triumph Sprint ST or
Trophy. None will leave you stranded like a Harley. Don't bother with
the metric cruisers either, rather stick with the big Sport Tourers.
(plently of 1 or two up comfort, lockable, waterproof easy removable
hard luggage, power and 250-300 mile range).

These are the top tier street bikes not Harleys as most neopytes
wouuld have you believe.

PS. BMW's are over priced and low tech compared to the ones I've
listed. Remember status is mostly an illusion.

 

If you're serious about a custom bike (i.e. you don't really want to ride
lots, but simply want the "Ferrari in the garage" type bike - the one that
you ride here and there occasionally just to show it off and get your
adrenaline and testosterone pumping) then I've got a good supplier of
"naked" parts for you. Custom cycles are often showpieces and/or bar
hoppers. If you want to do some touring, choose to spend your money on
something a bit more rideable - but that's a new thread.

Let me know if you want that guy's contact info.

Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
http://www.autodrill.com
http://www.multi-spindle-heads.com

V8013

My eBay: http://tinyurl.com/4hpnc

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
.... is second EVERYTHING Bob said

 

Well the first question to ask yourself is do you have the skill set
to do this. If you don't why waste a couple of the few years you have
left trying to wrench together something. Additionally if you do have
a chronic disease how will riding impact it? I would that you would
be better off buying a stock Electra Glide for just a little more
jingle, jump on and take-off now. Either that or (I'll hate myself
for saying this) find a Jap, Brit or even Eye-Tie sport-tourer and
again jump on and take-off now while your health is at it's best. If
your chronic things are only going to go down hill and you don't have
time to waste IMHO.

 

For touring? Electra Glide Standard. Its a little over your limit, but a
great touring bike. I put over 40K on mine with no trouble except for
getting smacked from behind by a truck. I had some problems after that, but
they were all related to damage from getting hit. I did have a cracked
exhaust on it at around 18 or 20K miles, but I swapped that out pretty
quickly. I sold it a couple years ago, and I miss it. I have pretty much
decided if I buy another Harley I'll by another one.

Then you can ride for the next couple years instead of spending your time
building a bike.

FLHT Electraglide Standard Prices and Specs:
http://tinyurl.com/58cxg

If you absolutely have to stay under your 13K budget start with an
FXD/FXDI Superglide:
http://tinyurl.com/5mycy
Add some bags and a windshield, and go touring.

 

Just go buy a bike and ride. Building a kit bike will take away some of
that time (even more time if you don't have all the necessary tools or
mechanical knowledge) that you want to ride. If you want a cruiser,
there's plenty of Harleys and look-alike jap bikes that will fit in that
$13k range (even more if you buy used).

--
Odinn

'03 FLHTI ........... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/ElectraGlide
'97 VN1500D ......... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/VulcanClassic
Atlanta Biker Net ... http://www.atlantabiker.net
Vulcan Riders Assoc . http://www.vulcanriders.org

rot13 to reply

 

Try here:
http://www.bigeasychoppers.com/

The Nemesis kit seems to be about in your price range.
Rob

 

Not to mention potential problems with insuring the thing.

Barry #36

 

Nice dream but not practical.
I have a friend who started on doing this a few years back and he
still isn't up and riding.

If you want a Harley, just buy a Harley.
There are plenty for sale in that price range used. Some even have
lots of custom touches.

 

Troll troll troll your boat you simple minded fool.




Roger

 

He can pick up a 3-4 year old Dyna of FXST for $10-12k and spend the rest
tweaking it for touring w/ bags, seat, etc....

 

A couple solutions not yet mentioned:
-A BMW R1150R, it's what I ride. $10Knew (low mileage used for about $8) +
$300 for a set of used bags and you have the hauling capacity of an
ElectraGlide, and the horsepower of stage two or three HD and a 3-year
warranty. Pretty much the same engine, tranny, suspension etc of the
$16,000 beemers without all the tupperware.
-Minimum down payment on the HD of your choice, finance for 72 months (or
longer if possible) and sell it when you can't ride it anymore or when the
$13k alotted is used up. Default if you have to.
- Do the same thing with a Big Dog or Indian (you're $13k just won't go as
far)
-Build the bike you're dreaming about, but as others have said, don't expect
to do much touring with it. If you've ever toured for even a week, you'll
know what we're talking about.
-A Kawi Concours is the best value in touring bikes, period. You're not
going to impress anyone but who cares?
-Yammy FJ 1300 sells for $12,999 before you start dealing, I saw a 2004 demo
yesterday listing for $9,999
-Buy a wreck and re-build it. It will cost less than buying parts for a new
bike, but will take all the skill that you'd need to build new and all the
patiernce you'd need to title and insure a new home-built kit.
-Look through the listings on eBay and Cycle Trader, you may find just what
your looking for (some dude in Green Bay has a Victory that's going pretty
cheap so far. Pick it up, chop it out, slap a new gas tank and a bunch of
chrome on it and you've got a great ride for half of what you're looking to
spend.
That's all I can come up with for now. Best of luck Larry.
-Larry

 

First of all, you don't want to build a "Harley Clone" for
touring......If this is your "dream bike" then build it, just don't
expect to tour, unless it's an hour or two a day........
If you are serious about seeing the USA, then buy a good used Concours,
or older BMW, then see the States.
Joe

 

It's the Consumer Reports influence. If they review a cheap piece of shit,
it ends "but you would be better off with a used Honda Civic". Mid-range is
"but you could get a Honda Civic for the same money", and high end is " but
you could get 2 (3) Honda Civics"

 

"Cause the original message was crossposted all over the frikkin place and
people reply with answers about bikes they like.
I saw a lot of good advice given about a variety of bikes.......although I
choose to ride a Harley, I ride with guys who do the FJR/Concourse/BMW (and
others) thing.......and we have a great time.

 

because it's a good piece for touring.
they could suggest a goldwing or such, too.
sam

 

is that the street address or is there an apartment number?

 

They have shows about building bikes on the discovery channel? I
thought it was just soap operas.

 

Jim wrote...

Now THAT'S funny.