Whats a 1972 FLH bagger worth?

[eichh]

Someone offered to trade a 1972 FLH bagger for my car and I was wondering about the pros and cons of that bike. Maybe a ballpark $ figure their value seems to range from 4,000 to 15,000. I cant seem to get the pictures off the email. But the bike looks to be in great shape. Basically I was trying to get a non bias opinion about that year and model, yeah I know its an HD but I'm sure someone around here has one.
Are they reliable? Prone to leaking or is there a way to fix notorious leaks? Are parts (service brakes and what not) expensive? One good thing is there seems to be a HD shop every 5 miles or so in my area.

[squidwood]

A 1972 FLH bagger should be had in good shape for about 3-5 k.They  have inherant problems as do all shovel heads.First off the pushrod to valve anlel is off by 15*.They were all made that way and it can be corrected but its expensive.Next the oil pumps have a check ball that sometimes let s the motor sump fill with oil.Not a big deal, just annoying.The intake manifolds are a pain in the arse because the o rings can become unseated fairly easily and will therefore leak.To fix this problem use the ham can (stock HD air cleaner ) but you MUST have the support bracket to hold that mega assembly in place.
The brakes on these bikes are shit.The front and rear banana brakes have a tendancy to wear out at the point where the pins fit thru the calipers,reuslting in sloppy fits.HD makes a kit to resolve this problem using shims and new pins, but the calipers have to be drilled exactly.
As for the left side , at speeds of about 70 mph you might grind down the primary chaincase on a left hand turn.
The forks are like wet noodles,brakes are shit,motors sluggish but the bikes are as cool as hell.If you buy one, or trade, be prepared to spend lots of money, don't expect good handling or braking.They are heavy and slow.Allow extra time to stop.
4 speed transissions are better than the five speeds.The rear cylinders run hot and need to be re bored every 35-50k miles.Front and rear cylinder heads sometimes have exhaust stud  issues and also be prepared to have issues with the valve seats.The main shafts on the flywheels are usually ok but if you have excessive vibration you need to have the cases apart and true the flywheels.This is a common problem on bikes being built back at that time when it was all AMF.
In short, if you want to make the beast with two backs with a bike this old then be preared to spend money and be disapointed in comparison to more modern bike.
You wanted some info, there it is.
Been there and done that!

[eichh]

Yikes that sounds like nothing I'm looking for.  Thanks for the input I figured I would ask around, I know nothing of HDs and did not know if that was a reliable old tank or a basket case.
Eichh

[mitt]

Yikes that sounds like nothing I'm looking for.  Thanks for the input I figured I would ask around, I know nothing of HDs and did not know if that was a reliable old tank or a basket case.
Eichh

HD's pre about 1990 are generally pieces of shit, that require a lot of maintenance to keep (or get) running.  HD really turned it around in the 90's, and now make bikes that are generally bullet proof.

mitt

[hydra]

squidwood and mitt are dead accurate. don't waste your time or money...

i don't know why i'm still torturing myself...