eBay and bonus money do not mix. (1945 Harley Acquisition)

So yeah apparently I own this now, its not correct at all but all the expensive bits are there. Engine has 900 miles on the rebuild from someone who has a serious collection and that I know did good work. Its a one kick start bike even when its snowing out. I have been lusting after a WLA but the solo is a "better" bike and rarer to boot. Parts are surprisingly cheap for these flatheads and plentiful. Should have gotten it a 1K or so cheaper based on what I know of the bike but its 60 miles away and I don't have to ship it for 1K enclosed on a wish and a prayer. 

Covid bonus and leftover vacation cashout hs been spent. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284558329969?nma=true&si=S1QGRVfak2GtnmxDpjf%252Fpcc7QC4%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Nifty. 
 

And I think you got an excellent deal on it. 

You'll never lose money on that. 

Yeah that price seems downright reasonable. I started to say "in this market," but in any market really. Looks awesome and it's way cooler than that Texas chopper you posted a pic of the other day. 

Okay, now that's a cool bike!

dculberson said:

Yeah that price seems downright reasonable. I started to say "in this market," but in any market really. Looks awesome and it's way cooler than that Texas chopper you posted a pic of the other day. 

I actually tried to get that stupid thing. I like it for some reason. Even the shop that has it for sale was talking me out of it. I really just wanted something that I could occasionally ride and that would not depreciate. This hits the spot much better then that for sure.  

Really solid solo's can go for as much as 35-40K but non of them have the charm of this one and more importantly I can ride this one without caring if it gets scratched. TROG would be fun as well I think this qualifies. Still looking for a MH900e which will be the next bike but those went nuts in the last year and what was a 19K bike is now 35K. 

Very cool, well done.

Now THAT'S a Harley worth owning.

Harleys were cool before chrome, sculls and flames covered them. I approve.

That is a beautiful toy sir.  I like it not being 100% right as you don't have to feel bad about actually riding it.

Love it. Hard stop. 

Beautiful bike. Enjoy it!

Suicide shift and bicycle like kick start pedal...cool.  

That is berkeleyING rad! That's the kind of motorcycle I could see myself owning as well. Since I'm not going to do the whole sportbike and tracking ever again. 

Trying to get it tomorrow if I can manage. Got the cash in the safety deposit box to pick up, got a trailer booked and got a half day off at work. But and its a big but, its snowing up where the bike is and I have yet to drive the flex in the snow let alone with a trailer. Going to see how much snow is there tonight and then prioritize. 

That's one of those bikes that you definitely want to refresh what all the controls do before you jump on.  Going from a "standard" bike to one of those could get you in trouble very quickly!

Just be glad it's not one of the police bikes.  I believe some of the early ones had left side throttles... you know... so you can shoot your revolver while moving!!  (I can imagine the accuracy of that behavior!!!!)

In reply to aircooled :

Doesn't matter. One hand is spark advance, the other is throttle.

aircooled said:

That's one of those bikes that you definitely want to refresh what all the controls do before you jump on.  Going from a "standard" bike to one of those could get you in trouble very quickly!

Just be glad it's not one of the police bikes.  I believe some of the early ones had left side throttles... you know... so you can shoot your revolver while moving!!  (I can imagine the accuracy of that behavior!!!!)

Modern fuels and a 6:1 compression ratio means just just use the spark advance on the left when starting and crank it all the way back when warmed up. Trying to remember the exact number but I was told that the average fuel octane rating the in the 40's was 72. So the modern stuff lights off well enough even at max. Definitely moving the brake to the right hand side but if its anything like the other vintage Harleys I have been around the rear brake does most of the work anyway. Apparently there is a left side clutch lever that was used by the postal service and the police to allow both feet to be put on the ground when at a stop but its not something I intend to use. I don't mind the foot clutch. 

Well that was 8 hours of driving lost to a pile of E36 M3. 
 

so I am going to be careful here and say the bike was not as described or photographed. It is my opinion that it is not a 1945 solo and that it was assembled from wla parts and reproduction bits almost like a kit car. It is not legal as assembled as the vin surfaces are not correct. 
 

let's just leave it at that and I am going to go take NyQuil and sleep.  

Man, that sucks.

Glad you did your homework though.

Oof...bummer! It looked good in the photos, too bad the details didn't hold up under close scrutiny. Good for you for not getting caught up in the moment and checking things over thoroughly. Something else even better will come up soon enough.

Sorry to hear this.  Early HD's are (as well as some other vintage bikes) fascinating.  A buddy of mine had an original early Indian, after riding it it, I called it the Ministry of Silliness.  It's a shame that a lot of people try to pass off these bikes, using bogus stuff.  Another will pop up, and "caveat emptor", which you already know.

Dang.

Dirtydog (Forum Supporter) said:

Sorry to hear this.  Early HD's are (as well as some other vintage bikes) fascinating.  A buddy of mine had an original early Indian, after riding it it, I called it the Ministry of Silliness.  It's a shame that a lot of people try to pass off these bikes, using bogus stuff.  Another will pop up, and "caveat emptor", which you already know.

Going to go out on a limb here. If it was somebody who got caught up and bought it and advertised it accurately to the best they could do I could live with that. When I got up there it was clear he was a flipper with extensive knowledge of vintage Harleys. He knows what he is doing and he needs to live with that. Dude had multiple flathead motors in disassemble, a few other vintage Harley's and a 36' R in a truck. Lets just leave it at that. 

In reply to wearymicrobe :

Good on you for being able to walk away.
 

I've made that long, lonely drive home with an empty trailer a couple of times, and it's just no fun at all.