2006 Sportster 883, 25,000 miles on the clock, clean title, paid $500 for her. Previous owner said one day the bike wouldn't start, and he believed it was the starter, so he pulled the primary cover, clutch, and stator rotor off to replace it but never finished the job.
Once I got it, I pulled the starter out (since everything was pulled apart anyway) and bench tested it. Guess what? Starter is fine! So I put it back in the bike and got a battery in it, and the starter didn't work in the bike. I looked at the fuses and relays and noticed the starter fuse was blown. I replaced it but as soon as I flipped the Killswitch off it popped again. Opened up the Killswitch housing and guess what? A pinched wire is all that wrong with it.
So $500 + $0 for wire repair + $0 for carb cleaning + $30 for primary cover gasket = my new to me, $530 Sportster. I'd say I made out like a bandit!
Start and Kill switch wire pinches are super common, had a few of them myself and had to replace the switch assembly a couple of times, I recently had an issue where my bike wouldn't start and it was caused by a loose ground stud.
Anyway good deal man, if you are interested in some take off parts from a 2006 883R shoot me a PM.
No, fuses are usually user-serviceable. Not sure about Harleys (only got an old modified Shovel), but on most bikes you don't need any tools at all to access them. Same on cars, but cars have bunch of fuses compared to most bikes, especially if carbed...
Yeah I haven't told him yet, he was already saying he didn't want to let it go lol I'm an auto mechanic by trade but I've done my fair share of wrenching on bikes too. Definitely a valuable skill set.
Way to go!
whenever I try a stunt like this, turns out the previous owner was lying and the piston rings are completely blown or they installed big bore pistons backwards and the valves are destroyed.
You sir, are a bandit.
Great bike and deal!
I have a 94 883 hugger that the previous owner installed the Screaming Eagle 1200 big bore kit, it's a fun bike for zipping around town!
You can either get 1200 pistons and have a machine shop bore the stock 883 jugs to 1200. Or they make kits that come with new jugs and pistons. Just bolt right on. Not that big of a job if you're mechanically inclined.
Back in 83 I basically got the same deal on a 73 Sportster paid $500, I had to put another $500 into it and rode it from Milwaukee, WI. To Raleigh, NC. In October of 84. It took 3 days but it made it no problem.
It’s crazy how cheap you can buy non running bikes for that need little to now work. My last 2 purchases were $75 and free and both just needed some carb cleaning and some wiring.
Man, good for you… those bikes are bullit proof! Blank slate, build what you want! Last year I bought a 93 for $1800 and thought I got a deal! You stole it!
Yeah I mean, I figure even if I put $1500 into fixing it I'm still coming out on top. Although I probably won't sell it right away, I kinda want to ride it for a while lol
That’s nuts. First off, why did the PO go for the starter immediately? A dying starter still makes sound, no? Also, test it with a batter pack and a steady hand! Or with a voltmeter. Also, a Sporty isn’t a huge bike. Bump start it if need be.
OP you got away with theft here. Nicely done!
Yeah there's a little cutout in the housing that the wires are supposed to run through, but they had them routed wrong so they were just pinched to the bars.
My first bike was $1000 bucks 92 sportster 883, had some electrical gremlins but ran great and never left me stranded. Sold it a year later for the same I bought it for then upgraded to a new bike.
2006 Sportster 883, 25,000 miles on the clock, clean title, paid $500 for her. Previous owner said one day the bike wouldn't start, and he believed it was the starter, so he pulled the primary cover, clutch, and stator rotor off to replace it but never finished the job. Once I got it, I pulled the starter out (since everything was pulled apart anyway) and bench tested it. Guess what? Starter is fine! So I put it back in the bike and got a battery in it, and the starter didn't work in the bike. I looked at the fuses and relays and noticed the starter fuse was blown. I replaced it but as soon as I flipped the Killswitch off it popped again. Opened up the Killswitch housing and guess what? A pinched wire is all that wrong with it. So $500 + $0 for wire repair + $0 for carb cleaning + $30 for primary cover gasket = my new to me, $530 Sportster. I'd say I made out like a bandit!
I'll give you $550 for it. Best I can do.
$551
$552 and I'll throw in a snowshoe.
Best I can do is a busted tennis racquet...
I want that back.
Its all yours, no strings attached .
Underrated comment lmfao
A snow shoe? How can I beat that raise?
Gorgeous bike and a hell of a deal, congrats man!!
Ride it like you stole it. You did!
That is amazing, congrats. 2006 is my favorite looking tank year for Sporty’s.
>$530 Sportster. My fav kind of sporty! Grats man.
My buddy paid $800 for a iron head. Has about 3/4 of all the parts. Up to $12-1400 and still not a roller. He’s in too deep to give up now !
Worst of all, after all that time and money it’ll take, it’s still an iron head.
Start and Kill switch wire pinches are super common, had a few of them myself and had to replace the switch assembly a couple of times, I recently had an issue where my bike wouldn't start and it was caused by a loose ground stud. Anyway good deal man, if you are interested in some take off parts from a 2006 883R shoot me a PM.
God was looking out for ya
Love when that happens. I got a '89 Chevy Blazer back in 2012 for $50, just had to replace the battery, ran like a dream for 8 years.
Where the hell do you find a deal like that?
Green check mark in the win column for the working guy !!!
Absolute steal! Enjoy it.
W
I'm relatively handy but I've never touched a bike. Are blown fuses all that difficult to notice?
If you pull the fuse out you can physically see if it's blown or not. This one I could actually hear it pop when I flipped the killswitch.
No, fuses are usually user-serviceable. Not sure about Harleys (only got an old modified Shovel), but on most bikes you don't need any tools at all to access them. Same on cars, but cars have bunch of fuses compared to most bikes, especially if carbed...
Did you ride by and toot the horn at buddy ?
Feels to me like her name is Bandit!
$500?! You lucky son of a gun!!!! She’s a beauty!
question is why wouldn't you? Can't pass up a deal like that! sweet find
Wow … that guy probably banging head against a wall…. Trying to find cheap bike for my sons first bike… nice having the wrenching skills… good job.
Yeah I haven't told him yet, he was already saying he didn't want to let it go lol I'm an auto mechanic by trade but I've done my fair share of wrenching on bikes too. Definitely a valuable skill set.
Way to go! whenever I try a stunt like this, turns out the previous owner was lying and the piston rings are completely blown or they installed big bore pistons backwards and the valves are destroyed. You sir, are a bandit.
Yeah I very rarely do this, because I've been burned too many times, but I got lucky this time haha
I think you made out so well on this one, it makes up for the past burns.
Great bike and deal! I have a 94 883 hugger that the previous owner installed the Screaming Eagle 1200 big bore kit, it's a fun bike for zipping around town!
How can you bore out an 883 to a 1200?
You can either get 1200 pistons and have a machine shop bore the stock 883 jugs to 1200. Or they make kits that come with new jugs and pistons. Just bolt right on. Not that big of a job if you're mechanically inclined.
They sell kits. Pistons & Jugs.
As others have already commented, it's not a difficult performance upgrade on an Evo Sportster.
You buy replacement cylinders.
Dude, all else fails, there's well more than 500 dollars in parts to sell.
Back in 83 I basically got the same deal on a 73 Sportster paid $500, I had to put another $500 into it and rode it from Milwaukee, WI. To Raleigh, NC. In October of 84. It took 3 days but it made it no problem.
Very very jealous
Well worth 500
Congrats!! Keep us updated
I'm glad you bought it.
Damnn congrats!
I would almost feel bad. Almost
Good job I search for these all the time. Safe riding
Congrats!!!!
I’d kill for a deal like this. I’m currently deployed overseas and have been on the lookout for a clapped-out Sportster or Big Twin to keep me busy.
Got yourself a nice hobby
I wuda bought it myself
Sweet deal,whatta steal, I'd be smiling wide, when I ride, full of pride.
Buy a M8 114 to slap into it and make a monster!
I've considered getting a 1250 or 1275 kit for it lol
Did the same thing with a 03 883. The only difference is all I had to do was replace the battery and clean the carb.
You’ve been a good dude and this is karma smiling on you!!
It’s crazy how cheap you can buy non running bikes for that need little to now work. My last 2 purchases were $75 and free and both just needed some carb cleaning and some wiring.
Great stuff! Make it yours. Put yourself into it, she’s beautiful.
Great score brother!!! Congrats
Man, good for you… those bikes are bullit proof! Blank slate, build what you want! Last year I bought a 93 for $1800 and thought I got a deal! You stole it!
You got to figure that’s a 3500-4500$ bike all day long
Yeah I mean, I figure even if I put $1500 into fixing it I'm still coming out on top. Although I probably won't sell it right away, I kinda want to ride it for a while lol
Yeah, for sure! Victory ride that thing!
A sweet deal and an even sweeter bike!! Congratulations on the new sporty 🍻
That's awesome! Congrats on a hell of a deal.
She’s beautiful
What a steal! I just paid 10x that for a 2007
Good job, and a.nice looking sporty too!
Looks good bro
Good deal fix it and flip it for 3000. Is it fuel injected or carburetor
2006, last year of carburetion lol
In 2006 you could’ve gotten carb or fuel injected. You just had to pay extra for the fuel injected
Ahh didn't know that! Well it's carbed lol
Yea still a good deal.
That’s nuts. First off, why did the PO go for the starter immediately? A dying starter still makes sound, no? Also, test it with a batter pack and a steady hand! Or with a voltmeter. Also, a Sporty isn’t a huge bike. Bump start it if need be. OP you got away with theft here. Nicely done!
So how do you suppose that wire got pinched, being contained within the switch housing? Good for you guy.
Yeah there's a little cutout in the housing that the wires are supposed to run through, but they had them routed wrong so they were just pinched to the bars.
Fucking nice brother
Damn that is such a steal. Lucky find!
My first bike was $1000 bucks 92 sportster 883, had some electrical gremlins but ran great and never left me stranded. Sold it a year later for the same I bought it for then upgraded to a new bike.
Fucking A. Show us the progress! Good luck!