I, like so many other guys in their early 30's, am looking to get back some of the bikes I had when I was younger and ride them before I get too old. I had a 1986 Haro Sport when I was 12-18. I was really into flatland at the time but stopped due to pier pressure. I am now going to get back into it. I found a 87 sport frame in a little rough condition but the original forks are gone. So here are my questions:

1. Is it likely I will be able to find some genuine Haro forks to go with it?

2. Is powder coating the best option for two tone bikes or paint? I want all original colors and parts. C4labs said it would be $225 to powder coat that seems like a lot.

My wife is only giving me about $450 to get started so I need to get the best bang for the buck now and then add things on one by one a little later.

Thanks, I can't wait to get back into this.

Welcome to the site! You can find those forks but you have to look hard and sometimes pay the PRICE $$$$$ for the parts you need the most, first to start build and finish the build.PS save your cash because you just got the BUG!

Welcome to the site. Yeah, basically every part you could want will turn up eventually. You've either got to be really patient or learn to comprimise. I hate to say it, but eBay can be your friend (and/or your worst enemy).
As far as getting the best bang for your buck, I'd suggest taking your starter money and buying a complete Haro Sport...that's totally doable on your starting budget. Buying or selling parts as pieced-out always yeilds the highest dollar. Complete builds are far more economical. That way you can start off with a complete '86 Sport frame and fork, plus a few major components that you may want for your build like bars or wheels and whatnot. From there, you can go ahead and sell the components you know you don't want to obtain the ones you do. Sell the '87 frame and you'll have over $500 and you should be able to find something that you really want with the fewest amount of changes needed. Start keeping your eyes open or ask old riding buddies about vintage bikes, and either you'll wind up with some useable stuff, or goodies you can sell or trade to eventually get the bike you're hankering for. Good luck.

Buy this....

1985 Haro Sport

its complete, although the parts aren't correct (stem, bars most importantly). You should be able to pick this up below the guys BIN price. Heck...even the BIN isn't super out of line. Getting the stem will cost you 40-75 depending on lunacy of competing bidders, bars...well...thats a whole other level of lunacy...painted, needing restore probably < 100...chrome...now your talking 150.

Chip is expensive, but I've seen his work at Rockford and it's show-bike stuff, no question. For a rider, I'd look for a "survivor" bike---one that looks decent as-is.

Keep looking, and be patient---I know that's hard sometimes---but stuff like that is always popping up.

Well I lucked out. I nabbed a '88 Master from ebay today. Looks like a good starting point. It has the kneesavers, group 1 stem and peregrine 48's. It is all black with the chrome back which isn't bad, but I would have preferred a two tone with chrome forks, but I think this will be a great start. I am going to switch to a laid back seat post and a dominator seat first. Take a look.

Great! That one looks nice already. Switch a few parts to the ones you want and your set with a cool rider. Show some more pix when you get it.

I will post some pictures as soon as I get it. It is supposed to ship on Thursday. I want to put this bike back to what it would have looked like at the bike shop in '88. where do I find a picture or description of this bike in all black. It seems like all the masters I have seen are two tone not just straight black like this one. I want to get the right color seat post and tires etc. This bike has kneesavers, did those come with some of the all black masters like this?