Better Beaters - Building Cars and Daily Drivers

 I found a bike on CraigsList that seemed to check off most of my boxes. A 1997 HD 883.

Asking price was 2,200.00.
It looks pretty good in the pictures.

It was located in Salinas, about an hour away.

I'm looking for a bike that already has many of the things that I want for my build.

Wire spoke laced wheels, front and back. This is non negotiable.

Foot pegs and controls that are in the middle position. Though that is not a deal breaker.

This bike has wire spoke wheels. 

The front is a 19 incher. The rear is an 18 incher. I would eventually like to have the front wheel changed to a 21 inch size, while the rear wheel is already what I want.

I don't especially want forward mounted controls either, this bike has the standard position controls. 

It also has the basic handle bar mounts, with a low superbike type handle bar. Some models come with the taller set back "Lowrider" style risers.

It also has a two into one collector exhaust which saves me the trouble and expense of changing the staggered duals. 

It even has a pretty cool Corbin Gunfighter seat. These are a bit dated but still look pretty neat.

The bike in the background is the seller's other machine.
I like the Sportster's blue color.

The gas tank is the larger 3.2 model. This model also has belt drive and a five speed transmission.

I also liked that it didn't have a blacked out or chromed engine. I would prefer the regular polished aluminum castings.

Sportsters have always been lean machines.

I straddled this bike and I felt right at home. It was a feeling that I have missed.

The later models Sporsters are still pretty slim.

If the bike was in decent running shape, it would be a good base for my modifications. I plan on bobbing the rear fender, and replacing the tail light.

I would have preferred the larger 1200cc model, but that is pretty irrelevant for my purposes. I'm sure that the 883 would be adequate for regular riding.

I went to check out this bike, accompanied by my Wife. It was about 45 mile drive from my home. I had even rented a trailer beforehand, since I wanted to be able to make my offer and buy the bike right then! Cash AND a trailer on hand. I thought that would give me real bargaining power to make a really good deal. 

The bike was rougher looking in person than it looked in the photos. There was significant rust on the wheel spokes and other chrome parts. The tires were very old, worn, and cracked. The paint on the fenders and tank was okay, as well as the seat upholstery. I figured that I could use those deficiencies as bargaining chips.

I straddled the bike and thought, "I've been missing this feeling for too long!" Maybe I was letting my emotions get too revved up!

The seller had stated that it needed a battery and a carb cleaning and that it wasn't currently running. I had brought tools, a jump box, and a can of gas with me. I put a half a gallon of fresh gas  in the tank.

We hooked up the jump box and the seller sprayed starting fluid in the carb. The engine would fire but not run. It turned out that fuel wasn't flowing into the carb through the petcock. 

The seller was unable to get the engine to run.

He told me that he had bought the bike to modify into a bobber, but that he had lost interest in the project. 

The seller had been asking 2,200.00. I had planned on only offering 1,500.00, which I thought was a fair offer considering the condition of the bike. The ad stated; offers only discussed face to face with cash in hand. I fulfilled both of those conditions.

The bike was rougher than I thought, I knew that I could get it running again, but it would need a new battery and tires. I offered 1,500 thinking that it was worth at least that much. 

The seller disagreed, he really wanted at least two grand. I ignored my better judgement and offered 1,800. Looking back, I'm glad that he turned down my offer. I had the two grand in my pocket, but I soon realized that I should stretch a little more and hold out for something better. 

I was disappointed, but as is so often the case, I knew that the right bike would turn up eventually. I drove back home with an empty trailer.

Now I just have to wait for those pennies to show up!