Custom Harley value questions...
 

I have been emailing the owner of this bike, and and trying to find out what it might be worth. It was on eBay, and did not sell for $15,800. He said his reserve was $25,000, but he is willing to enterain offers. Description:

KETCH - ME COPPER HELL BOUND STEEL CHASSIS (2003)
250 REAR TIRE
TP ENGINEERING 107 C.I. MOTOR W / CHROME CARB TP
MATCHING TRANSMISSION
SPYKE HEAVY DUTY STARTER PRO METER SPEEDO W / BILLET MOUNT
HIGH END GENUINE OSTRICH SEAT W / MATCHING PAD
D & M HI- FLO AIR CLEANER
RHINEHART EXHAUST
CRANE HI - 4 IGNITION
CRANE COILS W / BILLET MOUNT
LOTS OF BILLET (NO CAST)
200 MILES

I asked him about title and insurance and this is what he responded with:
The bike is titled as a reconstructed title just like a car. It is insured for $35,000; and it costs about $500 a year.

Can anyone give me some insight as to a proper value?
Who would work on this when it has issues? A local Harley Dealer? Speed/Custom shop?

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Realistically its probably worth 25, Sean just sold his texas chopper for 25 and a guy wanted to trade me one for my 311. The thing you need to find out is;

A. who built it
B. Is it a special construction
C. will it pass VA inspection (lots of "homemades" wont)
D. whats the reason for selling it.
Depending on where it is you should visually inspect it, it may be a pig in a prom dress. you have to look at the wiring, the connections. pop the seat and check battery mounts. It's amazing how electrical gremlins show there heads. check to see the tank mounts and if proper number of threads are showing on through bolts. Ive looked at many and built mine in 3 different configurations. look for the unfinished details...Rob

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Thank you Rob. The bike is in York, PA, so logistics aren't too bad. I keep finding a few bikes that really turn my head. This one is one of them. For about $25,000, I could have a new American Ironhorse, with warranty. I am looking at a few new job opportunities, which would involve commuting. I would be looking into this as a fun bike, as well as a way to commute in HOV lanes. I still may stick to a V-Rod as well.

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Brian - Have you looked at Victory? I understand they are a pretty decent motorcycle, at a reasonable price. I've seen a couple but haven't had the opportunity to talk to the owner(s). I think there's a dealer in Annapolis. If you check them out, let me know. I'm looking around too...but I have to confess, I don't know much about what to look for since I'm a "newbie" rider.

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I sold my 1998 Fatboy for 21K three years ago. I purchased a custom from Covington. 113 Patrick Motor, 250 tire, air suspension, high end paint job. Paid much more than 25K. I'd say the bike is worth it. Any local custom or Harley bike shop could work on it. I have my bike insured as a custom and I pay 1200/year.

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I'll sell you one for half that much.

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I'm selling this one for $23k. It's a factory built Bourget w/1100 miles. That is a good looking bike. Rebuild titles are hard to sell though.

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I think his $500/year insurance cost is BS on that value. Any local motorcycle shop will be able to work on it.

You should have a lot of haggle ability unless the guy doesn't want to sell it or owes a lot on it. Customs are hard to sell. You have to either find the right person or give it away. You definitely can't buy them as an investment...unless you steal it :D

Good luck. It looks great but I would personally stick with the Harley for resale...JMO though. Even the used Harley market isn't what it used to be.

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its worth what you will pay for it.. :D

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Check this one out. 8K plus paint?

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Here's one for 60K.....Covington Chopper (covingtonscyclecity.com)

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Exactly!
I had over 32k in receipts on mine...I could't give it away for 18k & eventually sold it for 15k & I almost had to beg to get that for the bike.
Buy a known brand bike as it will be easier to resell & get insurance. Insurance for me in Fl last year was around $1400 with clean record $30k value.

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Here's the bike Johno sold. I wish I was in the market when he sold it. It was a bad ass bike.

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If you have an interest in a 2004 Fatboy with about eight thousnad in chrome and accesories let me know. There is pictures in the Lets see your bike thread from a while back. Pipes, solid chrome wheels, diffrent bars, all chrome controls,3 seats,chrome front and rear suspension, chrome brake hardware,etc.etc.....

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Found the picture.

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That is a sweet scooter and in the right place is worth 25k especially if its as good as it looks, if you went out and bought this bike at a custom shop they would definitely have a higher price tag on it...I paid 25k for my 2001 american eagle custom with 100" rev tech motor and i love the bike! it's my 16th scooter i tried to post the pics but not sure how. was able to post a pic under my picture gallery take a look!

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25 K seems like a lot of money for a used custom. If it is titled as homemade you will be stuck with it forever- and let me tell you custom bikes are very hard to sell because peoples idea of quality vary greatly. I built a custom fat tired Fatboy in 99- had over 30K in it, gave it away in 01 for 20. My suggestion is start with a Harley- build from there, at least you will have a known quantity that will always be worth something to someone- and you know it at least started out right from the factory. Do the 240 PM phatail kit and 95 big bore, some custom paint and make it into your bike- just my opinion. :D

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Hey Brian, check out this site. Eddie Trotta is a friend and they have built one of my bikes and sold 2 others. Their shop carries all kinds of bikes. Eddies personal stuff is BIG $$$, but his 2-3 yr old bikes aren't too bad and they deal in LOTS of trades.

If you like something they have I never need a good reason to go to the shop !!

Look at the site and call Howie. He knows me by name and is the MAN there.

http://www.thundercycle.com/thunder.html

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Probably the most honest post on this subject..Customs with rebuilt/homebuilt titles are worth whatever someone is willing to pay,,,but resales are generally in the toilet,,unless you find the right person that wants EXACTLY what you have. No matter how good they look, the quality of the workmanship is sometimes a little slack.
Just my 2 cents worth

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looks to me like its worth 15,800..ebay is a fairly good baromter for some things value. he should run it again in a few weeks and see if it will bring more. i have listed things a few times when i didn't get the reserve i was asking. just my .02

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Thanks everyone. Until I figure out my issues with Mercury Marine, my motorcycle owning days are on hold. I have talked to quite a few folks, and many recommend that since I plan to commute on the bike for a fair portion of my riding, that I should invest in a stock bike. I may lean back toward the V-Rod again. There are some SICK looking V-Rods on CycleTrader.com.


Greg, I took a look at your friend's site. SICK rides! I am not a fan of all the skulls, but this custom that is under used bikes is RADICAL as well:
http://www.thundercycle.com/images/b...CS/SIMMS/1.jpg

I have not heard of a Simms before.

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Ask your local Harley shop if they will work on it and they will likely laugh at you.
I had a shop owner say "Does the sign say Big Dog, American Iron, ECt.................

I owned a custom for a few years and it is a big pain in the a$$ to get the correct replacement parts for anything. A lot of the bikes have custom made parts or they are pieced together with aftermarket parts and it is hard to know just what exactly it is.

Harley has books and diagrams of all the different models and if they are a good shop they generally have the parts in stock or if not they get them in a short time.

Another thing is if you are away from your local area and you need something there is a Harley Dealer in just about every city.

I have been there and it is no fun. If you want to ride to the local watering hole and look at the bike buy the custom.

If you are going to ride it buy the HD.

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Brian, a V Rod is you. :)

Great bike.

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custom bikes are more for bar to bar stuff. Rigid mount shakes stuff loose so every week you spend a few hours going over the bike. For a regular ride I would stay with something more mass produced. I have a Harley that has the stage 2 kit and have never had a problem in 10,000 miles bike is 4 years old. resale on a custom is like others said only what someone is willing to pay for it. Good luck

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Brian, I am a HUGE v-rod fan. I am going to get one nexy year and customize the pizz out of it.

Like this one......

http://www.motorcycleshowcase.com/kodlin202.htm

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Wicked sick V-Rods:

http://www.rawpowercustoms.com/pics/...es/ygp6815.jpg
http://www.rawpowercustoms.com/pics/...ages/vrod3.jpg

http://www.rawpowercustoms.com/project-vrod.html

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Looking for about $31k for this one if anyone is interested, we took it on trade and has 1200 miles on it.

2002 Liberator
113" Ultima
6 Speed
Diamond Chassis
PM Everything
Legends Air

http://members.aol.com/hevythreds/bob1.jpg

We are manufacturers, listed with NADA and DMV, and have financing available. I have put a few bikes here in the past...

Our CycleTrader Showroom!

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This one just rolled out...

http://members.aol.com/hevythreds/note1.jpg

...I have 1 West Coast Choppers CFL frame ready to start a build with this style!

Our CycleTrader Showroom!