Best year for EVO
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Here, Hear, SIR GRAHAM........
You Are quite right old chap.......
There is a similar trail of 'upgrades' of twincams just as there is for Evos and shovels. Some changes address actual problems, while others are simply improvements or developments to progress the design. A sweeping generalisation is that later versions will be better, but just reflect on the TC96 'upgrade' of the TC88 and the problems with its new 'improved' compensator! If you find a nice bike in good condition bother about the year later!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
92- had 70 tooth rear pulley. Had better cam bearing.
93 International gearing, 61 rear tooth pulley.
94+ trannies, primaries same as early TC, lots of parts change out on the softails. 94 went back to 70 tooth rear pulley.
95+ went to 65 tooth rear pulley.
96+ has the digital speedos, newer hand controls, vacuum petcock.
Somewhere in the mid 90's they improved the head bolts and gaskets.
Early springer front fenders are different than later. I think the change was in 92 or 93.
The Heritage Springer came out in 1997.
I would go 96+ and avoid FI. No evo softail is counterbalanced so she's gonna shake, but thats a good thing.
93 International gearing, 61 rear tooth pulley.
94+ trannies, primaries same as early TC, lots of parts change out on the softails. 94 went back to 70 tooth rear pulley.
95+ went to 65 tooth rear pulley.
96+ has the digital speedos, newer hand controls, vacuum petcock.
Somewhere in the mid 90's they improved the head bolts and gaskets.
Early springer front fenders are different than later. I think the change was in 92 or 93.
The Heritage Springer came out in 1997.
I would go 96+ and avoid FI. No evo softail is counterbalanced so she's gonna shake, but thats a good thing.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Ah! you guys are great. Thanks Harley Dude, that is what I was looking for. Since I'm mostly planning to use the bike for in town riding, I'm really not that worried about which year. But I'm one of those guys that likes to know the progression of things so I know what I'm talking about when I look at a bike. I have a Goldwing buddy who is looking as well and knows nothing about Harleys.
I also like learning the little things like the fender and wheel changes and the speedometer. I think learning that kind of stuff is fun. I will do more searches because I know these things have been discussed a 1000 times before, but finding this stuff out isn't as easy as you would think. If you think of other little facts about the EVO years and especially the FXSTs and maybe even the FLSTs, I'm an interested learner.
I looks like I can get a nice fairly stock EVO (FXSTC) all day long for $7000. I'm in no hurry because I can't ride for a couple months anyway, so I'm thinking of finding one closer to $5000 if I'm patient. Does that sound right?
Thanks again
Beary
I also like learning the little things like the fender and wheel changes and the speedometer. I think learning that kind of stuff is fun. I will do more searches because I know these things have been discussed a 1000 times before, but finding this stuff out isn't as easy as you would think. If you think of other little facts about the EVO years and especially the FXSTs and maybe even the FLSTs, I'm an interested learner.
I looks like I can get a nice fairly stock EVO (FXSTC) all day long for $7000. I'm in no hurry because I can't ride for a couple months anyway, so I'm thinking of finding one closer to $5000 if I'm patient. Does that sound right?
Thanks again
Beary
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 101
Likes: 9
From: Truckee
Read this article quite some time ago. http://www.hdopenroad.com/guest-arti...e-sweet-years/ Agreeably, may not be enough detail on each year.
My personal experience:
1985 - don't care for the oil pump vomiting oil after a long sit. Clutch release seems to be weak point, although only repaired once since owning it. Fuel tank is smaller.
1990 - seems pretty stable with 70K+ miles, except for starter relay
1998 - too new for me to comment yet
My personal experience:
1985 - don't care for the oil pump vomiting oil after a long sit. Clutch release seems to be weak point, although only repaired once since owning it. Fuel tank is smaller.
1990 - seems pretty stable with 70K+ miles, except for starter relay
1998 - too new for me to comment yet
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
$5k is possible but make sure she's in good shape. That's about the bottom on evo softails, as you can part em out for that.
I use this link on ebay, no reserve auctions only:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles-...1&_sc=1&_sop=2
Here's a beauty:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles-...1&_sc=1&_sop=2
I also use the completed auctions to see what they sell for:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles-...mplete=1&rt=nc
The next few months is the time to buy. Good luck Beary.
I use this link on ebay, no reserve auctions only:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles-...1&_sc=1&_sop=2
Here's a beauty:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles-...1&_sc=1&_sop=2
I also use the completed auctions to see what they sell for:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles-...mplete=1&rt=nc
The next few months is the time to buy. Good luck Beary.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,604
Likes: 3,374
From: Cental, MI
Amazing isn't it that a '05 Softail custom is bringing about $5000.00 around here?
Evo's are still bringing a tad more than Shovels, and may yet catch up with Panheads!!!
Evo's are still bringing a tad more than Shovels, and may yet catch up with Panheads!!!
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Yes some parts are harder to get but I like the simpler design.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
A lot of them have been sold overseas. Another thing is once the price on evos gets down to around $5k people just part them out for more money. And that has happened to a lot of them. Thus reducing the supply of a pretty popular motorcycle.