I'm going to look at a 1996 Heritage Soft Tail tomorrow. I've been looking for a little while now, and although this particular bike needs some changes to suit me, (handle bars, has a hideous 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust system that had an extra outlet stuck on a stock system to give the appearance of dual exhaust with a pipe on each side….with fish tails)

Anyway, the price is OK. It has 30,000 miles on it. Comes with a few extras such as a passenger seat and sissy bar. It's not black. $7500 is the asking price. I reckon if it is as presented in the ad, I'm ok with the look and condition.




Anything I should be looking for? This would be my first soft tail

 

leaky primarys and don't go fast through curves.

 

Check over the base gaskets. These old evos weap and leak. Leaky gaskets are not too big of deal but can run you a weekend or $500 at an indie to replace.

 

I don't know if you're dead set on an EVO but even for California that bike seems overpriced by about a grand. For a couple bucks more you can get a counter balanced Softail

 

Nice find..
Ride a 96 fatboy myself and couldn't be happier with it.
Never let me down in all the 14years i own it.

Few things to keep in mind tho...
Weeping base gaskets...wont hurt anything. They do need replacement in time.
Chances are the previous owner allready replaced/upgraded them.

Inner INA-type cam-bearing...should be replaced with torrington type in time.
There is a majority of 90s EVOs still riding around with the INA bearings with no problems what so ever...

Voltage regulator plug, beneith oilfilter, might weep, have it replaced when you get your next rear drivebelt, doesn't cost a ton.

Bite the bullet and enjoy the ride ;-)

 

Will he allow a test ride? Be aware that some of these guys clunck pretty noticeably going into 1st (sometimes). And can be a bit of a pain finding neutral (sometimes). But, neither is a big deal. Just a little inconvenient. Make sure all switches and lights are functioning properly. Good luck.

 

We'll see. I sure as hell ain't gonna buy it without riding it first.

On the gears, my Sportster is pretty much the same way. Have to womp 'er down pretty good in first, and neutral is hard to find unless you shift into it before coming to a complete stop.

I'll report back after i go check it out. Thanks for the info guys!

 

Almost 20 years old and only has 30,000 miles? I put that many on my 2011 RK in only two years. Check it over good. Especially the tires and any repair/maintenance receipts he may have. Find out when the last time anything was done to it too.

 

Nice paint; never seen that color, but priced a tad high. Offer him 6.

 

Well Dickey, around here, it seems to be at the low end of the scale. But then it is a little older than most. And I agree, the color is unusual. It's "vintagy" looking!

The mileage is pretty low. even at 5000 per year that should still be 90K. But then my Sporty had only 1500 on it when I bought at ten years old. The guy bought it for his wife and she was afraid of it. I have the same scenario going on right know with a honda rebel. I bought for my gal, she's scared to ride it. 125 miles. I gotta take a pretty good hit on that to move it.

Dang women!