OK, I'm finally trying to buy a bike again after a long hiatus (nasty wreck, divorce, etc.) but I'm still on somewhat of a strict budget. I found the following in the local ads. 1996 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Ultra Classic. 56,700 mi. FI. New wheel bearings & master cyl. SuperTrapp exhaust. Some extra chrome. Radio w/intercom. Front fender & tank repainted without 2-tone paint. $6700. The bike looks pretty good in the pi My only concern is the mileage. What kind of problems should i expect, if any? I don't to buy this bike and then have to dump a bunch of money into an overhaul. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!

 

Did you pull it up on the NADA bluebook to see where the value falls in respect to the asking price? You always want to look at it face to face as even the nicest items for sale will look real good in a photo.....take your time and do your homework.

 

It books for $7500 on Kelley, $7200 on NADA, assuming very good condition. NADA does not have a place to input mileage though. I fully plan on checking the bike out in person, but I was looking to find out if this was an acceptable amount of miles for this year and what things I should be looking for in a higher mileage bike as far as flaws that might affect it's reliability

 

Make sure the frame is not bent! I bet the owner did.t just repaint the tank and front fender for the heck if it. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 57,000 mile harley. With proper maintenence that engine is good for 100k. When you get it home check the primary chain tensioned for wear. Other than that if it sounds like its running good then it most likely is!

Oh also, be cautious of that second year FI system. Do some research and form your own opinion of it though

 

I'd do alot of research on that Magneti Marelli Fuel Injection, talk to some wrenchs and search the web from what I reacall they can be real pieces of crap especially in the early years like that bike. There is a reason they switched to Delphi. Good news you can update them with a good S&S system

 

57K on an EVO in it's self is no concern.
My 96 EVO is well over 50K

 

Thanks for the advice! waiting for the rest of my $$ to come in next week and then I go shopping!! I can't wait to get back on a bike again