Looking at a 1990 FLHTC next week as a possible 2nd bike purchase. Bike has more than 70K miles but engine was re-done at 55K.
Bike is 1st owner and elderly and he's giving up riding.
Bike does not look abused.
This will be just a kick around bike,

Is there anything I should be aware of or look at closely?

I've seen some at 100K miles and still going strong and others complaining of model year. luck of the draw or what??

Opinions to model year for those that have them will be appreciated.
TIA
Fixer

 

Although a bit later year model, I just took the plunge and bought a 2001 RK Classic from an individual. After asking similar questions to yours of the super folks around this site and doing all of the research I could do, it came down to the trust established with the owner. It's worked out well, fortunately. Yeah, ...probably a lot of "luck" involved, but anyone who's owned and ridden the bike for a good number of years is likely going to be honest and straight up with you as they know how to be. Don't waste any money on "CycleChex" (...uselessand will give you absolutely nothing)but, satisfy yourself that you've searched and asked all that you reasonablycan and, then, trust your gut. Good "luck"!

 

I need some response's here folks.................I can't image your all or your bikes are dead ?????????.

 

items to check:
Base gaskets, especialy the rear jug. Head and rocker gaskets as well.
rear Y pipe of exhaust for cracks or welded repairs
oi/air leaks of rear shocks, air leak of front fork antidive setup as wel
trany shifter arm - check to see if loose
if engine is stock or what mods were done, general smoking on startup, or acceleration
worn clutch, tires, rear drive belt, brakes
make sure al the electrical works, take your time and go over all the lights, horn, etc.
Biketronics.com - get the retro radio with speakers, it will work with your handelbar controls and be light years better than the stock radio
If you want to make the tourpac, removable, you can modify the stock rack or fab one, but buyig one is next to impossible.
The H-D parts manual and service manual are well worth, since the H-D dealers for the most part wil not work on it.
Sure there is a bunch of stuff that I forgot, but that should get you going...

 

Base gaskets problems started when Harley eliminated asbestos ... got it pretty well cleared up around 1995 (12th revision IIRC). The three piece rocker boxes are a source of leaks on every Evo ever made, 1990 being no better or no worse.

Battery life is short on those models, since the battery is right side mounted, right against the oil bag (which will run 250-300 degrees on a hot day).

The latest Used Bike Value Guide (MCN Summer 2007) shows the 1993 model at $$6690 - at $5500 to $6000 it would be a good buy:
http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/usedbike/UBVGSummer07.pdf

 

89FHHT & Precisionworks...thanks guys. I will check out/buy the bike friday night and use what you provided as I go thru the process. THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

The bike looks solid and like anything else there's a comfort feeling I get from the seller.

I'm excited about the buy. I can't swing (nor do I want to) a new bike and so I like to try and find worth in buying used. I weigh use vs. cost and my pocket book and I'm willing to throw the dice a little if I get enough input from reliable sources and this is the place.

I'll let you know how I make out next week.

Thanks again.

 

I have a friend with 162,000 on his EVO.

 

89FLHT pretty much nailed it. I consider most of those to be maintenance items. My crossover tube shattered, causing me to drop a valve guide out of the rear head this year; that sucked, so keep an eye on that. Cams and lifters were probably replaced with the rebuild, so you should be OK there too but you might check. Yeah, my 87 eats batteries too. I get about 2 years from a top of the line battery, one year from a cheapo. I think I'm only going to use Genuine HD sealed from now on, as I got almost 3 years from the last one of those.

 

It will be a comfortable ride. Check the stuff mentioned above along with the the pivot shaft/swingarm bushings. Alsobe aware that many parts are now obsolete and only available used (cruise control).