Hello all, I have 1000 of my own miles on my wide glide and that brings it's total to 5700. I have a few questions. First off, what noises would be considered normal for this engine/bike? I don't think mine is making any out of the ordinary, just dont want to make myself crazy either. Secondly, I have always pictured my bike's engine being blacked out, exaust too, very little chrome. Is it possible to find black engine covers for an EVO? Also I was looking at Hooker trouble maker slash cuts, but local speed shop guy says rear pipe too short, anyone know of another good all black set of pipes? Also, what is best way to clean this wrinkle black? Lastly, the 2nd and 3rd day I owned her, it rained, I rode home. There is a rusty goo (not oily per say) that comes out the TOP if the forks from under the topmost bolt that holds to the tripletree on both sides, is this rain water or something serious? Also, when I test rode it everything worked ok, then first ride speedometer wouldnt go over 35mph, but Odometer it perfect on. Then it was ok, then it started again today and is still doing it??? Also the left turn signal, worked good, then stopped working at high speed, but still worked at low speed, then it quit all together, replaced both left hand bulbs and checked connections, still no left turn signal at all Right works good even works with auto cancel..???
Any help is appreceated, Thank You!!!

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96 FXDWG, V&H Big Radius 2 in to 2, 44mm CV Jetted w/ adj. shimmed needle & Thunderslide, Hypercharger, SE Cam, SE Coil, SE ECU, Progressive Shocks/Springs FatBoy Rear Wheel
13" Apes, 2" Tank Lift

Hi, cant say anything about engine noise( 97 wideglide, 23k,) get a shop manual and it will help w/ lots of things,, i have the rusty goo out of the fork bolt too. not sure what it is yet,, i"ll look in my book to see if theres a round Oring there ,and i bet it needs replacing,,,I found that the speedo is very picky , check the batt. cables and the speedo wires, i can tell you from experience , if you forget to plug in your voltage regulator,the tach(aftermarket) dies first,then the speedo dies,then the bike back fires on accell, and then runs like your out of gas.. then you push,, then you see the f&^%$#$ up you did and feel like a ass,, plug in, push start ,ride home charge batt. learn lesson #1, check your work...[:@]

What year is your WG? Sounds like really low miles.

We always love to see a pic.

Can we please turn the tables a bit and ask you what noises you are wondering about? Maybe you have some because you asked? Harleys do make noises, like the clunk when they shift, etc.

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Is it the first 1000 miles you've ever ridden on a Harley-Davidson?
That's why I asked the first question. These motorcycles make noise. I know, you've already said that it doesn't appear to be making any 'unusual' noises. You're gonna hear just about everything that's going on with the combustion cycle: Valve train noise is a biggie. Don't worry about it until it sounds like two midgets (oops, sorry my bad, Little People) banging' ball peen hammers together under your rocker boxes. The cam is gear driven, it'll make it's share of noise too. Especially when that dang INA bearing starts to go out (hint-ditch the stock cam and change to aTorrington bearing). Primary drive chain is another source of noise. On a 96 the trans should be a bit quieter than my 93 is. The MoCo backcut the gears in 1994 IIRC. But none the less, it's gonna sound like a heavy duty truck transmission. The first time I rode my new bike home in 1993, I thought I was driving my old Peterbilt. Almost turned around and went back to the dealership.
Probably, but if I was gonna do it, I'd pull my stock HD covers off, take them to a reputable powdercoater...And have them do it. The rocker boxes on the EVO are susceptible to warping. Which means leaks. In some cases (don't ask me how I know this), big leaks. Stick with the HD rocker boxes, or spend the big $$$ and get a set from S&S that are two piece.

Get aThunderheader and have itpowdercoated. Best 2-1 header exhaust for anEVO, IMHO.

Don't get it dirty. Now that that is impossible, do not use any caustic cleaners on your bike. Especially the motor. DO NOT, use Castrol Super Clean!!!!! You might as well pour Drano on your bike. Or spray it with Easy-Off oven cleaner (like some peoplerecommend to remove shoe crap from pipes). Soap and water, use a brush. Have beer and band-aids available. No matter what you do, it's gonna 'fade'. Consider having the jugs and heads powdercoated when you do the covers. Not to dis The MoCo, but like most major corporations, its a matter of no expense overlooked (not spared) when it comes to saving a few dimes here and there.
Not familiar with a 96, but if it's still got the cable driven speedo, you probably need to lubricate it. Something that's overlooked during the 'recommended service intervals'. I'm not accusing the stealers or indy's of anything....
Damn bro....No wonder there was only 4700 miles on the bike when you got it. Anyway, The MoCo uses a funky electronic turn signal canceling device. It works off a Reed Switch inside the

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In the end...It's all Hack."
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S100 engine brightener, spray it on a clean engine, let it sit a couple min. wipe off excess. Simple and works like magic.

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EITHER GET A CLUE OR GET OUT OF THE F@#KING PASSING LANE!

You found a 96 with only 4700 miles on the clock? Wholly smokes. I can't imagine such neglect
My 05 had over 5k on the second month. I need to start looking around for some of these low mileage
garage queens.

Seriously, you're going to hear strange noises. I'd have the 5k service doneand make sure all was well and then just ride it like you stole it.
You've done well with such a good find. Just don't tell me you paid $3k for it now

Now post a pic.

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Thought my 96' WG had low miles 17,400 when I got it a couple of months ago.
Sounds like the previos owner of your bike enjoyed looking at it than riding it!

Cheers... Ben.

Wow, it took a while, but you guys answered me, thank you! My bike is a 1996. It was bought and ridden in 97, then the origional owner realized he was too old to ride, so he parked the bike in a garage, ran it regularly, replaced the battery and fluids before putting it up for sale. I immeadetly took it in for the 5k service with 4700 on the clock. I has all of the oils changed to synthetic, (yes forks too) and even had them change out the brake fluid. I also found the bike to have the Screaming Eagle stage 1 kit, so they cleaned and oiled the air filter as well.

This is the first Harley Iv'e ridden more than 20 miles.

The noises I hear, that I never heard on my old KZ1100. I hear the 4th gear whine and the clutch noise, as well as the shifting clunk, these seem to be Harley standards. The only noise I hear that concernes me is a noise on the lower right of the engine area. At first I thought it was a cam chain slapping, then I found my engine doesn't have a cam chain..... The noise seems to go away when I step on the exaust, right at the bend. I am thinking it is the front heat sheild, but have tightened everything and the noise is still there sometimes (usually when the bike is hot, and running slower I.E. after getting off the freeway and going slow through town.) I plan on getting a stethascope to listen close and hopefully rule out a cam bearing, I hate the mysterious, especially on a motorcycle, and want to know for sure what the noise is.

I have been looking into powder coating and I have questions there too... I want the black wrinkle "Night Train" look, as I understand it powder coating will be smooth, either flat, semi-gloss or gloss. I am told to find an epoxy type product that sprays on then sets up, does anyone know what method Harley uses? I found the pipes, Hooker Troublemakers, slash cut. I also found the S100 products and WOW! the cleaner is one thing, works great, but the engine brightner, DAMN, made the black on my engine look better than my friend's 07!

The speedo, I think I have to replace it, but I feel that the turn signal is related to it as well. (hopefully)


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96 FXDWG, V&H Big Radius 2 in to 2, 44mm CV Jetted w/ adj. shimmed needle & Thunderslide, Hypercharger, SE Cam, SE Coil, SE ECU, Progressive Shocks/Springs FatBoy Rear Wheel
13" Apes, 2" Tank Lift

Sold my 96 glide last june, and man do I miss my glide. I had the same noise in the front exhast pipe right at the lower bend. I tightened all the heatshields, and still had the noise. I looked forever, and finally located the miserable cause. If you have stock exhast, check th lower crossover pipe. It is located very low by the transmission. The pipe is about one inch in diameter, and is covered by small heat shields. The crossover pipe has a small circular gasket that seals the two pipes where they come together. This gasket failed in mine, and the two pipes rattled against each other. Same result, ifI pushed on the front pipe the noise would disappear. Moco is the only supplier for the gasket I could find, and I had to practcally beg the stealer to get it for me. If I remember right it was about twelve bucks, but a major pain in the a$$ to put in. You have to remove the rear pipe, or front pipe to split the crossover pipe apart. Remember if you were thinking of changing pipes, the aftermarket pipes don't have the crossover, and becomes a non-issue.
As far as blacking out the motor, as big of a pain e-bay is, there is a fair amount of used night train evo engine components at times. Be prepared to spend a pile of money to black it out. I ran the numbers, wanting the same thing, and couldn't justify it. I sold the bike, and bought a 99 evo nightrain instead. Let my opinion show that for the ride of the glide is twice as good as the softail.
Invest in a black Thunder Header or Black Supertrapp exhast. I don't think they look as nice as the two single pipes, or are as loud, but dyno numbers don't lie. These pipes normally dyno higer. I don't care for the look, but The 2-1 Supertrapp will be on mine by next spring. Keep in mind the 2-1 exhast is ussually quieter, so if you like it loud, it may not be for you. The short pipes are supposedly known to burn valves.

You found one of the best HDs built with very low turns on it. Nice buy.

Good luck.

You can have it powdercoated in wrinkle black, keep checking until you find a coater that does the wrinkle. They are out there.

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EITHER GET A CLUE OR GET OUT OF THE F@#KING PASSING LANE!