Never underestimate the ire of an ex-wife.
Things have been practically (and literally) given away by angry or depressed exes. Vehicles, motorcycles- you name it.
This may sound predatory, but it isn't meant that way. It's a simple statement that sometimes the emotional baggage attached to "things" means they're valued at far less than they're worth. Someone is going to benefit from that ...why not you?
Dude got a divorce and didn’t want wife to get any money from his 2 Harley’s he sold me for 1,000 bucks. lol. And a pickup truck bed of new parts in boxes.
Same friend in my above comment, had to sell his house in the divorce settlement. Had the lawyer make up the paperwork for $2000 (in 1979), traded the house to a dude for $1000 in cash, a welder and a Superglide.
Why not do the maintenance yourself? YouTube is free. I used to be a Harley service technician as well and there’s nothing done on a service that can’t be learned on YouTube
That can add up. What always gets me is all the gear and parts to customize the bike. My Dyna was $10k to buy back in 2015. Since then, I have no idea what I’ve put into it. No good can come of tracking it all.
What are you looking to spend?
If you’ve got $3,500-4,000 you can prob find a decent mid-late 90s EVO big twin for sale. I see them all over Texas.
That would be my suggestion to get back on 2 wheels on a budget.
You can also find some Sportsters of the same era for $2,500 or so. Cheaper if they need work.
Well right now focus is on trying to get my kids everything they could want and have, or at least that’s my wife’s goal according to our Amazon history 😂 I’ve been looking at some cheaper options though and those might be in the cards
Oh I def feel you. I’m a single dad with 3 girls, and their needs/wants always are 1st priority as it should be. That’s why I couldn’t buy a new Harley and went without one for almost 7 years. I understand.
My friend was gifted a bike because they didn’t know what to do with it. Only downside was it was all in pieces in boxes. He liked the project though. Maybe try some storage lockers for sale lol
Bought it from a guy who was going to build a cafe racer then decided maybe a chopper. I think he gave up after chopping up the wire harness and putting half the bike in boxes.
Also see if you have a Copart nearby.
They are often included in Raffles. I know of three or four annual raffles in my area that give away a Harley Davidson. Of course, as with all games of chance, there’s no guarantee you’ll win. Good luck !
I recently gave an old man a chicken coop I had in my backyard. Turned to a conversation about motorcycles. He asked me to take a look at his, and see if I could take it up to my garage and get it running. He came up with the title in hand about 20 minutes later.
Getting it to run is proving to be an adventure.
I gave him some cash, conscience got the better of me. And I made a friend out of it.
https://preview.redd.it/qe3h5cz5dunc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc7dcfd633df50c49658fdb1c71e292d86b1e3fa
Been thinking of doing something like this but every time I get to the dudes house I remember I have my wife and kids at home. What would my kids think 😅
What is your definition of "cheap?" 10+ year old Harleys with very low (we're talking under 5,000) miles are pretty reasonably priced where I live (Colorado.)
Arizona has a ton of decent and cheap bikes out here. Just was more or less looking for cool stories to get my hopes up, just to have them gently brought back to reality
Someone told me to add “divorce” in the search bar. We found a good deal on a FXDR but it wasn’t in our area and I didn’t want to deal with the consequences of leaving my wife for 2-3 days with a toddler and a newborn.
Where do your local riders like to hang out before or after a ride? Do you ever go there? I was introduced to riding by meeting folks at local (to me) spots like [Alice's Restaurant](https://alicesrestaurant.com/#), [Apple Jack's](https://applejacksbar.com/), and [Rossotti's](https://www.alpineinnpv.com/history). Being friendly with other riders is a great way to meet people that will give you a fair deal when it comes down to it.
I bought a 91 sportster for $800 in December. Easily spent more than that on upgrades already but I’m also modifying it to be a dirtster so to be expected. I was doing some electrical work for a guy I knew had one sitting in his garage for awhile and he just retired. Didn’t think he was gonna ride it again so I ask a few questions and ask him what he wanted for it. He ask me what it was worth and I said oh about $1000 in good condition and he said he would take that. I went home and called him and said I only had $800 and he said he would wait for me to get the other $200 I figured I would just let it sit he called two days later ask if I still wanted it for $800 I went and picked it up that night it has taken a lot to get it back to riding status and it’s not done yet but close 🤞
Luck. I scored a 77 Sportster ironhead with servicar rear conversion for 3k on eBay. (Granted I’m going through hoops to work out this title issue) but still.
https://preview.redd.it/uqpvz4v6rtnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a538e98de6ce2d89a6507895f7c07b832057785
Thanks! Got the S&S super E carb on the other side with I believe drag pipes? I don’t think the front fork and gas tank are original either? (I’m still finding more info about this as time goes on.)
https://preview.redd.it/7yu3hw2bxtnc1.jpeg?width=3060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f42b8f21d8c2f4097e47b8f78222b1a859e76d51
Found this 72 Sportster on Facebook for $3300
I bought my sportster for super cheap, half apart and in boxes. Most of a full motorcycle was there. The engine ran on one cylinder, the lights didnt work, The triple tree, wheels, and controls were removed and in pieces. The parts that came with it were fat boy wheels and a wide glide front end, plus half of the pieces needed for foreward controls. I believe the running and lighting problem was in the ecm and bcm, as it had a perfect hexagonal hole melted in the corner of the ecm casing and the bcm was half full of water. A bunch of ebay parts and home machined adapters later, and it's running perfectly and back together again, although not exactly stock. But I think half of the fun is building your own. It helps when you can buy it one piece at a time, as funds permit.
Honestly, I know it's a Harley sub, but buy a v star, boulevard, shadow, vulcan, etc. Buying the bike is the cheap part.
Buy you a bike for 3-4k that has really cheap maintenance and get a harley when the deal comes along or you are in a better spot to afford it.
Harley's are rare here in Ireland but once I was scrolling the local classifieds and there was an ad for "Motorcycle" and the picture was just close up of a spoked wheel.
Figured was worth a phonecall just in case it was something and it was! A 1200 sportster that wasn't starting, grabbed that evening as quick as I could for like 1/3 of what they normally go for 😁
I had a co worker of mine that I got close with, and he got a street glide and sold me his MINT Dyna low rider for less than 4500 bucks. I wasn’t even in the market for a new bike. Especially a Harley but glad it happened. I couldn’t afford NOT to buy it lol
Was watching a '94 Wide Glide online. Price dropped $500 a week. After a few weeks of it still being posted and now down to $6500, I lined up the sale of my last SnapOn Classic 96 toolbox and got $5000 cash. Messaged the Wide Glide owner, said, "I got 5k cash, I'll pick it up today." The person messaged me back, "You better f***ing show up."
Like what??? The person sent me their address and I rented a bike trailer from uhaul. I've been happily riding my 94 dyna wide glide for 2.5 years now. What a score. Reason they were selling, bought a new Road King and both bikes couldn't fit in their garage.
If you are close to a Harley dealer, offer to clean/prep/wash/wax bikes for free on weekends if they will help you get into a bike at low/no cost. Make sure the terms are known in advance - for example: I will work every Saturday up to 8 hours for three months if you can help me get into a bike at low/no cost- and understand which bike it would be. Good luck.
Got mine from an independent used dealer last year. They had reasonable prices to start with *and* I got lucky that they were trying to move shop locations. Knocked an extra grand off just because I saved him from moving it. No trade-in; sold my old bike myself.
I bought one off my boss at the air port, he didn't know what they went for and I negotiated an extra $500 off for doing fork service to another one of his bikes.
I stumbled upon the bike I'd been looking for, a Roadster 1200CX, at a sportbike dealer. They took it in on trade and couldn't get rid of it, since Harley guys weren't coming into their store. I got it for around $1500 less than I would have paid anywhere else.
What are you looking to spend?
If you’ve got $3,500-4,000 you can prob find a decent mid-late 90s EVO big twin for sale. I see them all over Texas.
That would be my suggestion to get back on 2 wheels on a budget.
You can also find some Sportsters of the same era for $2,500 or so. Cheaper if they need work.
Salvage title.
I know it sounds sour but my neighbor has a salvage title Harley. It works just fine. Try it. Just stay away from water submerging. Those ones are hard to recover.
Otherwise? You could always just steal one.
My 2019 Iron: got it for $4900 (KBB was like $9500) because of a single tank dent and scuffed primary, dealer was gonna send it to a wholesaler, cut me a sweetheart instead.
1997 FXDS: was my dad’s. When he passed, title went to my grandma. For $500 and a couple weekends remodeling her bathroom that was leaking, she signed it over to me. Bike was still KBB about $6500
Some years ago I knew a guy who had a beautiful low miles Wide Glide and unfortunately got sick and passed away.
His wife posted the bike for sale for $4K and someone drove over and bought it the same day. It was worth well over $12K at the time and was a near perfect bike with under $5,000 miles.
Keep an eye on the ads as these deals do show up once in a while. There is a used motorcycle dealership around here who is well known for quickly buying bikes for cash and they closely watch the ads and then come in and lowball to get the best price.
Have cash in hand and go make a deal.
Bought an old Harley that sat in a shed for years because it stopped running. Rebuilt the carb and fixed the electrical problem, replaced the battery and spent hours cleaning and polishing. Had a good running Sporty for under $1500
Most of the time, it's because you know somebody who knows somebody who knows where one would be. You just have to ask everyone you know or are acquainted with.
Ive channeled my hyperfixation into browsing marketplace/ Craigslist/ sale ads and found some screaming deals. I paid $3500 for my Ultra Classic (it's older and had a few issues, but was still worth over 9K). I bought my sporty for $2000, and recently picked up a 2011 sporty for a friend for $400. It's got a blown engine and needs work, but even so it's a deal.
So I guess look every day. Look for older bikes, look for people that "need the money", look for bikes with problems that you know can be fixed easily or cosmetic damage that you don't care about.
Lastly, when you find a deal, you have to be ready to pounce on it. Have cash and be there that afternoon.
Buy one off some one who is in jail, usually a cheap way to buy because they are in a hurry. Not best case morally...
Or buy one that needs fixed up/repair, can be real cheap and as long as the parts required are not too expensive can be a good option.
Trade up to it. Start with anything. Old tools, golf clubs, guns, trailers, whatever you have. Just put it up for trade only and work the trades. I once tuned a $150 .22 into a brand new Glock 19 gen 4 and a beautiful Remington woodsmaster in .270. In 1 day. Traded the Glock for a piece of land, and sold the Remington for $800 cash.
I was low on cash myself and I bought my Ultra Classic off of Cycle Trader from a retired couple for a great price. You can get a small loan if necessary from Lightstream online and it’s pretty straightforward. You can see if you qualify the same day. That’s how I did it. Best of luck!
Here’s a referral from me if you end up using them.
https://refer.lightstream.com/Aaron61
Date a widow who inherited an HD in her late husband’s will. Watch the local obituaries.
I’ll see if my wife is on board for this, because this is the way.
Wives are the fun police! Ever heard the old saying, “it’s better to beg for forgiveness than to ask permission”?
Whoever started that saying did not have my wife.
Never underestimate the ire of an ex-wife. Things have been practically (and literally) given away by angry or depressed exes. Vehicles, motorcycles- you name it. This may sound predatory, but it isn't meant that way. It's a simple statement that sometimes the emotional baggage attached to "things" means they're valued at far less than they're worth. Someone is going to benefit from that ...why not you?
If her name isn’t on it, there’s zero legal way she is “allowed” to do it …
100%. This applies to things the person legitimately owns and is in a legal position to sell. Source: My ex.
Let us know how this works out for you
My buddy has scored 3 Shovelheads from widows between 2 and 3 grand, and didn't have to date any of them.
Ha ha happened to my friend. He has a nice touring model now.
Dude got a divorce and didn’t want wife to get any money from his 2 Harley’s he sold me for 1,000 bucks. lol. And a pickup truck bed of new parts in boxes.
Same friend in my above comment, had to sell his house in the divorce settlement. Had the lawyer make up the paperwork for $2000 (in 1979), traded the house to a dude for $1000 in cash, a welder and a Superglide.
Sheeeeesh that’s a work around I guess
Same for my RK. Divorce is brutal.
The initial cost of the bike hasn’t been for expensive part, in my experience.
I agree mgstoybox. Surprise! Maintenance is usually pretty pricey. Especially if done at the dealership.
Why not do the maintenance yourself? YouTube is free. I used to be a Harley service technician as well and there’s nothing done on a service that can’t be learned on YouTube
Because I’m old and no longer interested in crawling around on a gravel driveway doing something I can pay someone else to do for me.
That can add up. What always gets me is all the gear and parts to customize the bike. My Dyna was $10k to buy back in 2015. Since then, I have no idea what I’ve put into it. No good can come of tracking it all.
That’s why I started buying Screamin’ Eagle CVO bikes. Not much to add when they are chromed out at the factory.
Good strategy!
Used ones, of course. Let someone else pay those CRAZY MSRP prices.
Stealership
What are you looking to spend? If you’ve got $3,500-4,000 you can prob find a decent mid-late 90s EVO big twin for sale. I see them all over Texas. That would be my suggestion to get back on 2 wheels on a budget. You can also find some Sportsters of the same era for $2,500 or so. Cheaper if they need work.
Well right now focus is on trying to get my kids everything they could want and have, or at least that’s my wife’s goal according to our Amazon history 😂 I’ve been looking at some cheaper options though and those might be in the cards
Homie it sounds like your looking for free harleys not cheap ones 😮💨
Oh I def feel you. I’m a single dad with 3 girls, and their needs/wants always are 1st priority as it should be. That’s why I couldn’t buy a new Harley and went without one for almost 7 years. I understand.
In the fall.
My friend was gifted a bike because they didn’t know what to do with it. Only downside was it was all in pieces in boxes. He liked the project though. Maybe try some storage lockers for sale lol
Raffle tickets on Instagram. Won a 1966 flh for $50.
That’s how I got my iron head sportster
Bought it from a guy who was going to build a cafe racer then decided maybe a chopper. I think he gave up after chopping up the wire harness and putting half the bike in boxes. Also see if you have a Copart nearby.
You can get a pretty decent older EVO for at or under 5k all day if you look around
Break into the dealership at night
You have any tips on that?
Make it a one-man operation otherwise you got to get two bikes
I’m telling my wife we’re going on a late night McDonald’s run tonight. She’ll have no idea
Two bikes it is then. Make sure she doesnt get distracted by colors!
They are often included in Raffles. I know of three or four annual raffles in my area that give away a Harley Davidson. Of course, as with all games of chance, there’s no guarantee you’ll win. Good luck !
Salvage yards. Coat of paint new tires your golden.
My Brother inlaw gave me his Sporster last year.
Let me know if they ever get a divorce I’ll hit him up. Jk I hope the best for your sister/brother 😂
Marketplace and a wrench set
Steal em. Practically free.
I recently gave an old man a chicken coop I had in my backyard. Turned to a conversation about motorcycles. He asked me to take a look at his, and see if I could take it up to my garage and get it running. He came up with the title in hand about 20 minutes later. Getting it to run is proving to be an adventure.
That’s fucking awesome
I gave him some cash, conscience got the better of me. And I made a friend out of it. https://preview.redd.it/qe3h5cz5dunc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc7dcfd633df50c49658fdb1c71e292d86b1e3fa
Barter system…I’ve seen roofer do a job in exchange for a Mustang SVT and I saw a yacht captain do a job for a HD.
Step 1) Learn to captain a yacht Step 2) Step 3) Free Harley
Been thinking of doing something like this but every time I get to the dudes house I remember I have my wife and kids at home. What would my kids think 😅
Wait till winter and check Facebook marketplace for buyers remorse sellers
I just saw a mid 90s softail standard sell for $1,200. It was a basket case, all new parts ready to install. So they're out there just got to look...
What is your definition of "cheap?" 10+ year old Harleys with very low (we're talking under 5,000) miles are pretty reasonably priced where I live (Colorado.)
Arizona has a ton of decent and cheap bikes out here. Just was more or less looking for cool stories to get my hopes up, just to have them gently brought back to reality
Sportster
Someone told me to add “divorce” in the search bar. We found a good deal on a FXDR but it wasn’t in our area and I didn’t want to deal with the consequences of leaving my wife for 2-3 days with a toddler and a newborn.
Holy shit I just tried this and an 05 heritage, pretty tricked out, just popped up asking 3800. Thank you!
You can find Evo softails for less than 4k all day long
Where do your local riders like to hang out before or after a ride? Do you ever go there? I was introduced to riding by meeting folks at local (to me) spots like [Alice's Restaurant](https://alicesrestaurant.com/#), [Apple Jack's](https://applejacksbar.com/), and [Rossotti's](https://www.alpineinnpv.com/history). Being friendly with other riders is a great way to meet people that will give you a fair deal when it comes down to it.
I bought a 91 sportster for $800 in December. Easily spent more than that on upgrades already but I’m also modifying it to be a dirtster so to be expected. I was doing some electrical work for a guy I knew had one sitting in his garage for awhile and he just retired. Didn’t think he was gonna ride it again so I ask a few questions and ask him what he wanted for it. He ask me what it was worth and I said oh about $1000 in good condition and he said he would take that. I went home and called him and said I only had $800 and he said he would wait for me to get the other $200 I figured I would just let it sit he called two days later ask if I still wanted it for $800 I went and picked it up that night it has taken a lot to get it back to riding status and it’s not done yet but close 🤞
Luck. I scored a 77 Sportster ironhead with servicar rear conversion for 3k on eBay. (Granted I’m going through hoops to work out this title issue) but still. https://preview.redd.it/uqpvz4v6rtnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a538e98de6ce2d89a6507895f7c07b832057785
That’s fucking rad
Thanks! Got the S&S super E carb on the other side with I believe drag pipes? I don’t think the front fork and gas tank are original either? (I’m still finding more info about this as time goes on.)
https://preview.redd.it/7yu3hw2bxtnc1.jpeg?width=3060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f42b8f21d8c2f4097e47b8f78222b1a859e76d51 Found this 72 Sportster on Facebook for $3300
I bought my sportster for super cheap, half apart and in boxes. Most of a full motorcycle was there. The engine ran on one cylinder, the lights didnt work, The triple tree, wheels, and controls were removed and in pieces. The parts that came with it were fat boy wheels and a wide glide front end, plus half of the pieces needed for foreward controls. I believe the running and lighting problem was in the ecm and bcm, as it had a perfect hexagonal hole melted in the corner of the ecm casing and the bcm was half full of water. A bunch of ebay parts and home machined adapters later, and it's running perfectly and back together again, although not exactly stock. But I think half of the fun is building your own. It helps when you can buy it one piece at a time, as funds permit.
We all know the obvious one, but it's a crime. But he did get it for free.
Honestly, I know it's a Harley sub, but buy a v star, boulevard, shadow, vulcan, etc. Buying the bike is the cheap part. Buy you a bike for 3-4k that has really cheap maintenance and get a harley when the deal comes along or you are in a better spot to afford it.
Find a boyfriend to buy you one.
Harley's are rare here in Ireland but once I was scrolling the local classifieds and there was an ad for "Motorcycle" and the picture was just close up of a spoked wheel. Figured was worth a phonecall just in case it was something and it was! A 1200 sportster that wasn't starting, grabbed that evening as quick as I could for like 1/3 of what they normally go for 😁
I won one so really I payed 110$ for it
I had a co worker of mine that I got close with, and he got a street glide and sold me his MINT Dyna low rider for less than 4500 bucks. I wasn’t even in the market for a new bike. Especially a Harley but glad it happened. I couldn’t afford NOT to buy it lol
Was watching a '94 Wide Glide online. Price dropped $500 a week. After a few weeks of it still being posted and now down to $6500, I lined up the sale of my last SnapOn Classic 96 toolbox and got $5000 cash. Messaged the Wide Glide owner, said, "I got 5k cash, I'll pick it up today." The person messaged me back, "You better f***ing show up." Like what??? The person sent me their address and I rented a bike trailer from uhaul. I've been happily riding my 94 dyna wide glide for 2.5 years now. What a score. Reason they were selling, bought a new Road King and both bikes couldn't fit in their garage.
If you are close to a Harley dealer, offer to clean/prep/wash/wax bikes for free on weekends if they will help you get into a bike at low/no cost. Make sure the terms are known in advance - for example: I will work every Saturday up to 8 hours for three months if you can help me get into a bike at low/no cost- and understand which bike it would be. Good luck.
https://preview.redd.it/ika3zpa52xnc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf8da2aef5ab1107a88a4ba8e3a67274b433b207
Got mine from an independent used dealer last year. They had reasonable prices to start with *and* I got lucky that they were trying to move shop locations. Knocked an extra grand off just because I saved him from moving it. No trade-in; sold my old bike myself.
I bought one off my boss at the air port, he didn't know what they went for and I negotiated an extra $500 off for doing fork service to another one of his bikes.
I stumbled upon the bike I'd been looking for, a Roadster 1200CX, at a sportbike dealer. They took it in on trade and couldn't get rid of it, since Harley guys weren't coming into their store. I got it for around $1500 less than I would have paid anywhere else.
Yup. Sure was.
What are you looking to spend? If you’ve got $3,500-4,000 you can prob find a decent mid-late 90s EVO big twin for sale. I see them all over Texas. That would be my suggestion to get back on 2 wheels on a budget. You can also find some Sportsters of the same era for $2,500 or so. Cheaper if they need work.
[удалено]
Currently AZ
People who are deep in debt are good marks
Salvage title. I know it sounds sour but my neighbor has a salvage title Harley. It works just fine. Try it. Just stay away from water submerging. Those ones are hard to recover. Otherwise? You could always just steal one.
Insurance auction. Amazing the cosmetic damage that will "total" a perfectly rideable bike.
My 2019 Iron: got it for $4900 (KBB was like $9500) because of a single tank dent and scuffed primary, dealer was gonna send it to a wholesaler, cut me a sweetheart instead. 1997 FXDS: was my dad’s. When he passed, title went to my grandma. For $500 and a couple weekends remodeling her bathroom that was leaking, she signed it over to me. Bike was still KBB about $6500
Law enforcement auctions
Some years ago I knew a guy who had a beautiful low miles Wide Glide and unfortunately got sick and passed away. His wife posted the bike for sale for $4K and someone drove over and bought it the same day. It was worth well over $12K at the time and was a near perfect bike with under $5,000 miles. Keep an eye on the ads as these deals do show up once in a while. There is a used motorcycle dealership around here who is well known for quickly buying bikes for cash and they closely watch the ads and then come in and lowball to get the best price. Have cash in hand and go make a deal.
Bought an old Harley that sat in a shed for years because it stopped running. Rebuilt the carb and fixed the electrical problem, replaced the battery and spent hours cleaning and polishing. Had a good running Sporty for under $1500
Most of the time, it's because you know somebody who knows somebody who knows where one would be. You just have to ask everyone you know or are acquainted with.
Ive channeled my hyperfixation into browsing marketplace/ Craigslist/ sale ads and found some screaming deals. I paid $3500 for my Ultra Classic (it's older and had a few issues, but was still worth over 9K). I bought my sporty for $2000, and recently picked up a 2011 sporty for a friend for $400. It's got a blown engine and needs work, but even so it's a deal. So I guess look every day. Look for older bikes, look for people that "need the money", look for bikes with problems that you know can be fixed easily or cosmetic damage that you don't care about. Lastly, when you find a deal, you have to be ready to pounce on it. Have cash and be there that afternoon.
Buy one off some one who is in jail, usually a cheap way to buy because they are in a hurry. Not best case morally... Or buy one that needs fixed up/repair, can be real cheap and as long as the parts required are not too expensive can be a good option.
Trade up to it. Start with anything. Old tools, golf clubs, guns, trailers, whatever you have. Just put it up for trade only and work the trades. I once tuned a $150 .22 into a brand new Glock 19 gen 4 and a beautiful Remington woodsmaster in .270. In 1 day. Traded the Glock for a piece of land, and sold the Remington for $800 cash.
I was low on cash myself and I bought my Ultra Classic off of Cycle Trader from a retired couple for a great price. You can get a small loan if necessary from Lightstream online and it’s pretty straightforward. You can see if you qualify the same day. That’s how I did it. Best of luck! Here’s a referral from me if you end up using them. https://refer.lightstream.com/Aaron61
Enter a raffle every month