I'm Not A Harley Guy But...

I got a tip on a 1961 Sportster, it's pretty, in externally good condition, and the price is right.  Would anyone here know if this vintage is worth a sh!t?  I freely admit that I know next to nothing about older Harley's so any insight is good.  You can even point me to a different forum with reliable information and helpful members.  I'm not even sure yet if I'm really interested or if it's just a novelty.  Thanks!

I suppose it you got somebody to haul it to your house, and throw in a couple of cases of beer, and a little cash...nah, it's still an old Harley.

No appeal to me whatsoever. Heavy, underpowered, vibrating SOB, just no appeal.

Considering that the Sportster was introduced around 1957 the  61 sounds like an early one at least.  Hey, you never know might be of some value to the right collector/buyer/rider.  HD had to come up with a bike that could actually move along nicely along the British twins and others.  "Sporty" :beer:

If you're going to own a HD, that would be a cool one.  Not that I know anything about them.

Not knowing what '61 Sportster really looks like, I googled it and came up with this.... I don't see much progress in 50-ish years. Fatter tires and forks these days but I feel like not much has changed.

https://www.google.c...F54%2F;1024;676

If you see it as an investment, invest in gold.

Still old metal but takes up far less space...

:-)

What Dutchy said, plus the gold won't leave oil stains on your driveway or garage floor.

No definitely not an investment, I already know vehicles are terrible investments.  Was just thinking of getting it to screw around with, maybe make all the hipsters at the cafe jealous :rolleyes:

Did a little more reading - 6v electrics, left grip advance, leaky, hard to get parts...

Meh, even for something to play with it sounds like more trouble than it is worth.  I'd rather try to track down correct size wrenches for an old Norton whilst cursing Lucas and Amal in the same breath.

I think you arrived at the right decision. If you're going to go old, go with old British or old Italian (did I just say that??) or old Japanese. A bike like that - and I respect a bike like that, don't get me wrong - requires an owner who is of the flock.

If you want a HD, shoot for mid 80's a newer. They Improved greatly through that time period per HD owners I have talked with and things I have read. I've considered one for some time, just don't know what I would do if I had to ride that slow.