Harley Parts Prices

[Dave Swanson]

This auction is really something to see.  A NOS Harley gas cap that was used from 36 into the 70s.  Its a super nice piece, but.......

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Original-Harley-Tall-Eaton-Gas-Cap-3507-36-Knucklehead-Flathead-Pan-OEM-359/133469026196?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[Gliderjohn]

Yikes! Even makes aircraft parts look reasonable.
GliderJohn

[BillinPA]

Wow, that's beyond ridiculous.

Wish I had a dozen!!

[Lannis]

A good chance that's it's just folks playing domination games, and that it won't really be shipped to anyone at that price.

Year's of following BSA bike prices on eBay showed me that things that "sell" at ridiculous prices are very often (more than half the time) back for sale again by the same guy next week ....

Lannis

[LowRyter]

thank goodness for cheap Chinese parts.   

[Ncdan]

Anyone interested in going into business with me to start an aftermarket Harley parts business?🤣🤣

[oldbike54]

 An old Harley riding bud believed it is because of the black and orange boxes .

 Dusty

[Lannis]

Anyone interested in going into business with me to start an aftermarket Harley parts business?🤣🤣

That's already a pretty crowded market!   Unless you've got something new to offer the Harley-parts-buying public, you're going to have a hard row to hoe ....

Lannis

[Ncdan]

That's already a pretty crowded market!   Unless you've got something new to offer the Harley-parts-buying public, you're going to have a hard row to hoe ....

Lannis

Yea but we could just make gas caps👍

[cliffrod]

Yea but we could just make gas caps👍

Very cool..  Add a plain, oem replacement gas cap for a 1990 FLHTC.  They don't exist. 

A neighboring shop borrowed a cap from my bike for reference after they couldn't source one for a customer's bike. Billy had mine for 6 wks after looking another 2 wks before that.  No luck- nos, dealer inventory or aftermarket. Used or swap meet is the only option.  Not a fancy cap, but slightly different dimensions so no interchange could be identified.  Don't think we've ever come across a similar obsolete part situation for such a normal part.  Even the dealerships were surprised. 

The main keyed electrical switch (at steering neck) for those same bikes is another do-or-die part.  NLA.  When it dies, it's time to rework wiring for all those functions.

Let me know when you go into production....

[Lannis]

Yea but we could just make gas caps👍

True, a "niche product" like that (and a few other "unobtanium" items) might at least provide tobacco money for a busy retiree, and help out the hobby too.

But it's like tearing down fences - first you need to figure out why the fence was there in the first place.   Lots of ambitious folks out there, so there must be some reason why no one is making Big Twin gas caps.

MAYBE it's because folks outside the sport don't know there's a need, and with modern manufacturing techniques, they could be produced at the cottage-industry level and sold for a few bucks.   Or MAYBE there's some other reason that won't be discovered until you've sunk quite a few of your own bucks into it .... ?

I've never been an entrepreneur, so I probably won't be the guy to find out.

Lannis

[Ncdan]

True, a "niche product" like that (and a few other "unobtanium" items) might at least provide tobacco money for a busy retiree, and help out the hobby too.

But it's like tearing down fences - first you need to figure out why the fence was there in the first place.   Lots of ambitious folks out there, so there must be some reason why no one is making Big Twin gas caps.

MAYBE it's because folks outside the sport don't know there's a need, and with modern manufacturing techniques, they could be produced at the cottage-industry level and sold for a few bucks.   Or MAYBE there's some other reason that won't be discovered until you've sunk quite a few of your own bucks into it .... ?

I've never been an entrepreneur, so I probably won't be the guy to find out.

Lannis

Well Lannis, the way I had the partnership figured was if you could put up the money, run the shop, do the shipping and receiving, I’d take the orders and give out the checks on Friday. What ya think?
🤔🤣🤣😂😂LMBO👍

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

This part is hanging in may garage.  1970-'83 FL, FLH, FLH-80, fender to terminal board/plate.  I did a search and found in listed in the Netherlands for 25 Euros.  Do you think it's time to list it on eBay?

[cloudbase]

The cork gasket in that cap might not have aged too well.

[dguzzi]

But it doesn't have a logo on it!

I have 3 Harley parts, 4 if you count the throttle position sensor I bought.  I didn't realize it was my 401k in a box.

[Lannis]

Well Lannis, the way I had the partnership figured was if you could put up the money, run the shop, do the shipping and receiving, I’d take the orders and give out the checks on Friday. What ya think?
🤔🤣🤣😂😂LMBO👍

WAAIITT just a minute ... lemme think ... umm, I THINK I've already done that .... and .... NO!   

[EldoMike]

seen a original USED cap like that sell for $1500 last year at Wauson AMCA meet...

[Dave Swanson]

seen a original USED cap like that sell for $1500 last year at Wauson AMCA meet...

I guess I better keep a close eye on the pair that are on my 56 FLH.

[EldoMike]

I know the price because my friend did just that...guy offered him big money and he took it off his own bike to sell him !

[jim_W]

 I don't know much about Harley parts but I bought a throttle position sensor from a Harley dealer for my CalVin and it was about half price of the Guzzi part.  They sure looked like the same part and worked the same.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Prices for knuckle parts are insane. If you have a good frame for one you can name your price. Actually, don’t. Auction it and then buy multiple Guzzi’s with the proceeds!

[twowheeladdict]

Well, considering that I have over $3000 in changes to my V7III, and just paid $750 for two little mufflers delivered, I don't find that price out of line for someone who is restoring an old Harley that could now be worth $50k or more. 

[Perazzimx14]

Well, considering that I have over $3000 in changes to my V7III, and just paid $750 for two little mufflers delivered, I don't find that price out of line for someone who is restoring an old Harley that could now be worth $50k or more.

But if it like most restorations you spend 3x what its worth in the end. The only people making money on restorations are the shops doing the restoration. Not the guy writing checks to the shop. 

[EldoMike]

In the old Harley world right now "Patina" bikes are bringing more than restored bikes...

[Lannis]

I guess I better keep a close eye on the pair that are on my 56 FLH.

The more I look at that, the more I realize why I used to like them so much.   Looks like Gelbke's "Roadog" from that angle.   We talk about how much money they are, but if you start with a repro frame and build a non-matching one up from a combo of original and non-original parts, you can end up with a nice rideable bike that only a rivet-counter would know isn't real, for not a whole lot of money ....

Lannis

[Dave Swanson]

Just for you Lannis.  This is my favorite shot of the 56.  It was one of the last decent riding days of the year.  We stopped at the Slurp and Burp in Loran, Illinois to warm up a bit before we made the last run for home.  The sun was setting pretty early and the light caught the old girl just right.   

I think it is much more svelte looking than Roaddog!!

[Lannis]

Just for you Lannis.  This is my favorite shot of the 56.  It was one of the last decent riding days of the year.  We stopped at the Slurp and Burp in Loran, Illinois to warm up a bit before we made the last run for home.  The sun was setting pretty early and the light caught the old girl just right.   

I think it is much more svelte looking than Roaddog!!

I had a lot of fun on my '54 model, I can tell you that!  54FLE1814 ... FL model with the softer "EL" cams from the 61" twin, pretty smooth motor, sort of awkward using the hand shifter (the '54 was a "50th Anniversary" commemorative model from when Harley dated their start from 1904) but not bad once you got used to it.   

I had someone who knew what he was doing rebuild the motor (I was the second owner but the first owner had completely worn it out, the pistons were going up and down sideways in the bores), and it was bulletproof and maintenance-free by 1954 standards!

Lannis