Topic: What kind of Harley is this and what's it worth?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

In my quest to track down good deals on fun project bikes I occasionally see a Harley that seems like a good buy. But, I know SQUAT about Harleys. I rarely venture out of my 71-78 Honda comfort zone, but thought someone might be able to advise me on this bike.

Owner says: "It's a 1957 Harley, it runs and I don't like motorcycles". I'm guessing he aquired it with other junk or something. Asking 3,500. Someone educate me, I'm not dying to do a Harley, but making a few bucks and learning about a new bike could be fun.

[seaweb11]

I just did a search.  http://www.google.ca/images?hl=en&rlz=&q=1957%20Harley&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi
1957 Harley. I didn't see a frame like that.  Have a look

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

it looks like a 70's bike to me, the problem is the sportster came out in 57 so there's mostly just pics of those

[spot45]

That is no 50's harley.  The motor looks like a harley Davision Shovel head motor which came out in the 60's.  But without better pictures I can not be positive.  My guess that this is a 60's or 70's harley and $3000 is a fair price.

[Shenanigans]

 edit: I mean iron head, dont know what I was thinking.

[BeSeeingYou]

If it was a 57 wouldn't it have to be a panhead engine.  Does not look like it to me, more closely resembles a later shovelhead from 1966-84.  I am no expert so can't pinpoint an exact year.

[kirkn]

Well, it's a Sportster for sure.  Sportster pushrod tubes are nearly parallel to each other, running each to their own cam.  Big Twins have a single cam, so all the pushrod tubes converge on that point.  Not a Big Twin so you wouldn't call it a Panhead, Shovelhead nor Evolution.  I'm guessing a '70s vintage by the square-section swingarm and shocks mounted way back at the axle area.

Other stuff (seat, tank, forks, wheels, etc) are too easy to change to rely on 'em for year clues.

Someone'll know, though...

[tortelvis]

Sportster. Unit construction engine. Big Twins have separate tranny and engine.

[kirkn]

So, the tank is not Sportster tank, but the bigger tanks from a Big Twin.  But, that's a common enough mod.  Can't really tell what else has been swapped out.  Need better pix.

It's an ironhead Sportster, so definitely pre-84 or -85 (first Evo Sportster).

$3500 seems about tops for a good-condition runner, maybe a bit more if the bling shines up nicely, so that doesn't leave you much wiggle-room for a money maker.  Still, it might be fun to tinker with, just to reaffirm why you ride a Honda!  

Just my two cents.

[bluefield dan]

That's an early 80's Ironhead sportster. 1000cc.  I can tell the vintage by the oil tank/side cover style. If the tank is stock, ( and it probably is not )  Than it was sold as a "Roadster" (1982-1984). If it runs and has a title, you could get $2000-$2500 for it up here in new england. But not from me.

[Old Scrambler]

Its a very mixed bag of HD parts........60s or newer 900 or 1000 motor with 80s frame and big-twin tanks and seat.

[mystic_1]

Sportster motor, no kick starter so probably post-1980.

mystic_1

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

haha, it just keeps getting worse and worse. Really I was just excited about working on something pre-70's. I'm passing on this one. thanks guys!

[754]

It is a 79 or later frame and motor looks like mid 70s to 84..
 You guys missed on a few things,

 57 Sporty.. first year had a similar engine, the rockers were not notched till 71 or 72.
 And in 79 you could still get kicker engines.. that would be an XLCH as opposed to XLH.. IIRC.. There was about 3 kicker 79s in this town!

 That frame actually came out in77 or 78 on the XLCR, but did not change to other models till 79.

[Grnrngr]

Probably wouldn't go as fast as the '77 750A running with title for $250 I saw on Craigslist Monday, but it would sell quick up here at that price. Anything Harley that looks complete under $4000...gone in a couple days, week maybe, if it didn't run... Really depends on the market in your area whether it's worth it tho..and since that one is a kinda crusty lookin mixmaster, probably not "worth" as much as a "real" whatever it is...heh..no one would accuse you of "chopping up a classic"     but..if you're looking for the thrill of learning about a new bike and you haven't experienced Harleys, and it fits the price range in your area for similar condition bikes, there is nothing like it, the sound, the history, whether you actually become a Harley "fan" or not...and that one is a project screaming for attention. Ask the guy why he thinks it's a 57..is there a way to date the engine numbers? Does the title say it's a 57? That may be suspicious.. I was thinking 70s also until 754 mentioned the no kick..

[Griz]

I agree this apears to be an early '80's Ironhead sportster motor. Good motor, strong, and very buildable. Not worth much though, as there's tons of  em. I've seen them for $2K-$3K pretty regularly around here. Great budget motor for a nice low priced chopper or bobber build.

[Laminar]

Quick! Someone else guestimate that it's an early '80s Sportster!

[Nighthawk Rat Racer]

Check the Vin numbers and quit taking guestimates. On Harley-Performance.com there is a VIN tab and it will break down the vin to let you know what you have. Check the engine as well so you know what year it is if it doesent match. If you like the bike buy it but dont plan on making money off of an IronHead. Trust me ive got a fat purse into an ironhead but that cause I like it.

[MickeyX]

Geez, I could have sworn I saw the OP say he was walking away from it. yet, he keeps getting told to walk away from it. Amazing. Go over to the SSDB if you need to up your post count.   

haha, it just keeps getting worse and worse. Really I was just excited about working on something pre-70's. I'm passing on this one. thanks guys!

Oh, and whut he sed...

Quick! Someone else guestimate that it's an early '80s Sportster!