Project for the un-initiated novice and son...??

[WmC1911]

Gerry,
Do you have a thought on how much $$ we could get a decent rider for? And, where we might find this new adventure? Do you suggest a sidecar application? Why or why not?
Wm. Covington
Member #35521

[WmC1911]

Sargehere,
Many thanks for the advice. I agree that a complete bike would be the better route. Being small scale ranchers, we do tinker with equipment often as most of our equipment is older, more mechanized equipment with little to no electronics...much easier to maintenance as my computer sense seems to be lacking (according to my children).
I look forward to this journey with my son and hope it's one we can begin together soon.
Thanks Sarge again for the reply...I've been eager to get this type of encoragement.
Wm. Covington
Member #35521

[WmC1911]

How much do you want to spend? How much do you think your going to spend? What era bike would you like?

Hello rwm,
Not sure how to answer these without getting laughed at...
Like most, I would like to get into a restoration to ride project as reasonable as possible. I'm not sure that I have a cap on how much I think I'm going to spend because I just dont have enough knowledge about the values to speak of it intelligently...as far as the year, I read a post somewhere that it was suggested that 1st time restorers might need to start with mid 1940's or early 1950's...possibly with a flathead 45 due to the ease(as compared to others) to rebuild and find parts for. This may or may not be true. I truly wish I knew.
My uninformed guess might be to get into a rider or restore to rider for less than 10k...knowing I might have 10k-15k to put back into it to make a nice rider...but again, I'll need some guidance as to how much it would take to get a project...how much it would take to get it right...and what kind of value it would be worth when finished.
Hey, thanks for your reply. I'm not sure if this helps you...but, I look forward to your advice and any info you can lend.
Thanks

[Sargehere]

I think you have a brilliant idea for a father & son endeavor, Will. A Harley for a riding project will make memories that will last forever for you both. Start with a complete bike, late Thirties or Forties EL, FL, UL, or WL, and just keep it running. While riding the hell out of it to meets and old motorcycle events. It will be an adventure and an education for you both.
Your story of being ranchers reminded me that the Motor Company once always built machines that could be shipped by REA Express to your local rail freight station in a wooden crate. Before the dealer network developed very much. Buyer received it and unpacked it and read a pamphlet on how to start the engine.
A farm boy used to wrenching on a rudimentary tractor was expected to be able to keep a Harley-Davidson running with a little support. The farm boy learned to use ordinary components to make roadside repairs; for instance, the throttle and spark control cables are common mechanic's wire run through the handlebars. Leading to the old saw that anybody with a little mechanical ability can fix an Old Harley with baling wire, if necessary.
Buy a complete Old Harley a reputable someone else built, and ride it and maintain it. It can be a father & son education.
Just running a 1930s or '40s Harley, and ride it.

[rwm]

How much do you want to spend? How much do you think your going to spend? What era bike would you like?

[WmC1911]

Hello everyone,
My son (12 years old) & I joined the AMCA at the end of 2018. We have been busy with life in general and have not been able to attend any club meeting...which has left us knowing almost no one within our club or the AMCA community. However, we hope this new year coming will be quite different.
We are reaching out to everyone here for advice. We are wanting an antique Harley Davidson motorcycle to restore as a rider... this could even be one with a sidecar for us both to enjoy. With that being said, I must mention that we are not expert mechanics, motorcycle builders, nor are we fabricators. We are cattle farmers...who enjoying motorcycling as a way to escape the busy, mindboggling stressors of life. But this time, we'd like to step back into a seemingly simpler era by working on and with a Harley Davidson from yester-year...with an effort to spend more time together and to preserve these absolutely beautiful machines.
My questions are these:
Where to start?
What years should we concentrate our first efforts?
Is this attainable for us novices?
Should we start with a basket case? Complete bike that needs TLC? Or????
Where to find such a bike without making costly mistakes in our purchase?
Any advisement you can give will excite us both!
Hope to hear your thoughts and advice soon.
William Covington & son (Will)
Member #35521