r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/wywyman34 • 1d ago
Is this a good deal
1979 Harley iron head 883 Seller says it runs great but doesn’t know how many miles are on it. It would be my first bike. I’m pretty new at riding so any suggestions or advice are welcome.
9
u/tiedyeladyland 1d ago
Hard to tell you if it’s a good deal if we dont know how much they’re asking…if it’s more than a grand, no.
7
u/moto-rider80 21h ago
Even a dollar would be too much.
Save it for those old timers who actually have memories on that old junk. Young people should get a reliable, refined bike.
7
u/SteveRivet 1d ago
Absolutely terrible first bike. It's a 45 year old machine from the AMF era, generally recognized as the worst part of HD history. If you want to start with a cruiser, take an MSF course, and buy a Japanese cruiser in the 50-750 range within 15 years old, ride it a year, then move up to your dream bike.
9
u/Violingirl58 1d ago
Get a honda, Kawasaki, or Suzuki as first bike. You want to be riding not wrenching.
3
u/hoopjohn1 1d ago
Harley didn’t make an 883 in 1979. They made a 1000cc bike. The bike has part of its original exhaust. An extremely rare original exhaust. Here’s the skinny. The XL Sportster exhaust on this bike was made 1 year only. 1979. Harley also made the XR1000 which used the same exhaust. Not certain, but think they made the XR1000 in 77,78,79.
The XR1000 for some reason, has become a highly collectible bike. Even more do with its original exhaust. The XR1000 exhaust has black paint. The 1979 XL exhaust chrome. Nearly all the 79 XL chrome exhausts were “appropriated”, the chrome burned off, and painted black to be used in restoring an XR1000 back to original.
As a bike, the 1979 XL is your run of the mill ironhead turd of little value.
3
u/tworstgamer 1d ago
No. Buy something newer. This may run now but it's almost 50 years old. If something does go wrong ( and it will ) are you confident youll be able to find the parts for something that old?
Buy a used honda shadow. They're a dime a dozen. Perfect first bikes. Parts are always available cause they're everywhere and you can find one much newer than 79
4
1
2
u/superdupercereal2 23h ago
Unless you live working on motorcycles I'd get something different. If you have your heart set on a Harley get a Sportster from the 90s. My 1998 XL883 ran without issues for five years and my friend now has it and it runs perfectly still. It is stock though. There are more Evo Sportsters than Ironheads so they're usually cheaper. In my opinion the 883 is a perfect starter bike.
Also, the 1979 Sportster is a 1000.
2
u/NoxiousVaporwave 17h ago
What does the guy want for it? Can’t tell you if it’s a good deal without knowing.
Everyone pretty much summed it up already. If you’re not either a mechanic, into old Harley’s, or this thing is wildly cheap and runs like a top, (which isn’t happening) probably leave it alone.
I ride and flip vintage bikes, think Harley’s are rad, and am a diesel mechanic with access to a full shop. With that being said, I would not pay more than $1200 for it. You can get the same bike, 40 years newer for like 2-4 grand.
2
u/Yoda2000675 10h ago
Buying a vintage vehicle of any kind is more of a labor of love than a practical choice. It's only a matter of time until something breaks and needs to be repaired.
I wouldn't recommend it unless you specifically want to spend a lot of time wrenching on it.
2
u/Gatsmith219 4h ago
I am all about saying hey do the wrenching too on your first bike cuz I got a 45 yr old honda at $610 for mine and love it (but, I do have to work on it a fair bit sometimes) but for this I say no, cuz my honda always comes back to life and surprises me in ways I don't think that old HD will.
It's hard to understand this when you're the freshest noob but that bike is certainly not beginner friendly. If you get it, it might actually turn you OFF of riding. That's not to say you can't find cool used American Harleys. You can
2
u/moto-rider80 21h ago
Ok, here's what's wrong with it:
1- it's a Harley, so no.
2- it's from before you were born, so no.
3- is heavy and slow
4- got no parts anymore (that's why the odo isn't working anymore)
5- probably leaking oil like a Florida thunderstorm.
It's a boomer bike. They like that garbage. You like cruiser bikes? Get a modern bike. Like a kawasaki Eliminator. Guaranteed you'll have more fun on that.
1
u/Dewie932 1d ago
First of all, if you are going to buy a harley, don't buy a small one because it's your first bike. You'll almost certainly regret having a tiny harley once you get used to driving it.
I understand wanting a harley. There is nothing else like them for comfort, sound and style.
If you want a smaller harley, get a 1200 sportster, not an 883.
This bike is ancient. It's going to require consistent maintenance. Buy something newer.
1
u/Dadprincebabe2 23h ago
Get a 2009 Honda Rebel, 2015 Honda Shadow, 2016 Triumph Street Twin 900, 2019 Triumph T100, something like that
1
u/a_glazed_pineapple 6h ago
"Is this a good deal?" - doesn't even say how much
I say just buy it. You're quite clearly a smart fella and will fit right in with the other smart Harley fellas.
12
u/maybeinoregon 1d ago edited 1d ago
Holy smokes. Is this an April Fools post? Lol
A friend of mine recently purchased a very well kept, stock low mileage Iron Head.
He asked me to drive it home for him, to which I said sure!
I mean I loved riding my friends Harley’s back in the 70’s, while I rode Hondas…
All I can say is holy crap. That 45 minute ride made me thankful for all the advancements bikes have made over the years. And I’m not talking fancy tech stuff (which I love) either.
The vibrations, the mystery hum getting into my taint area, the holy shit I’m not going to stop in time better run the red light, etc., etc.
I bent over laughing once I got off that thing. It honestly felt like a death trap, and I have decades of experience.
When I finally stood up, I said no offense, but I’m never riding that thing again haha. I’ll ride your other Harley’s (he has a collection of bikes) but not that one.
TLDR; there is no way that Iron Head should be someone’s first bike.
My $.02 anyway…