Thanks for all the encouraging words. Should get bike Sunday. Won't have plates yet, but may ride it a bit anyway if I can get it started. I would like to run some good gas through it. Clean it and ride it is most of what it needs.

 

Welcome to the forum, and the EVO world!

If you've never owned a Harley, you're in for a number of 'surprises'. Most have been mentioned. But I will re-post:

These engines make noise. Lots of funky, mechanical noise. I don't think any two EVO engines sound alike. Mine makes different noises on different days. Loose things on the bike, will make you think the engine is about to toss a valve. Transmission will not shift like a Japanese bike. Mine shifts more like my old Peterbilt did.

When I took delivery of mine (new in 1993), the head of the service department told me to do most of the routine 'stuff' myself. These are really simple machines, that for the most part, do not require much more than a simple set of hand tools.

Mandatory: FACTORY service manual.
Highly Recommend: FACTORY parts book.

The MoCo (The Motor Company - what Harley-Davidson is often referred as), has obsoleted a number of parts for these bikes. But some are still available or are still sitting on dealer shelves around the country. If you need something that has been obsoleted, ask the parts guy/gal to run a nationwide search for it. Otherwise, you are forced into the aftermarket for parts. And a variety of other vendors: eBay, Craigslist, swapmeets, forums, etc.

Don't be afraid to ask ANY question. We were all there once.

First upgrades: Air cleaner, exhaust, CAM (stock HD EVO cam is pathetic), and Torrington CAM bearing (stock INA is a weak item). Rebuild/Tune the CV carb. And get in the wind.

 

Spoken like a true biker.....

 

Good information. Thanks.

None of this would "surprise" me. I guess depending on the degree. I am expecting the bike to be rideable.

A clunky old thing with personality is my impression of Harleys. If you want something that is efficient and smooth, Harley is not the right bike.

But something with unique noises and feels only its owner knows is my understanding of the Harley experience.

And a simple machine that an amateur can service and fix seems consistent with the overall program.

Now whether that is the program that pushes my fun button remains to be seen.

 

Ain't nothing like sitting on a Harley and the way your nuts vibrate, I miss it. My scooter leaves my hands buzzing after an hour! Enjoy the ride...

 

How do you assess values of EVO Harleys? On Craigslist the prices asked are all over the map. I am paying $4,500 for my 94 Heritage Softail. 40,000 miles, pretty well maintaind but not ridden much recently. Mostly garage/trailer kept. But some sun exposure and a little corrosion. Getting it from original owner. Nada value is between $2,000 and $11,000 depending on condition. I feel like the condition of this one is decent.

Seems like a decent deal, but hard to say. Will see how she runs.

Read an article suggesting the EVO engine is best Harley has made for simple reliability. True? I have never worked on engines, but I am tempted to work on this - as simple as it seems to work on these engines. Heard stories of them going for hundreds of thousands of miles with no need for a mechanic and minimal maintenance cost - possible?

Sounds like a fun project. Or maybe just stick with my Jap bikes. Spend my time riding and leave the wrenching to the mechanics?

Anyway - seems I cannot go wrong for $4,500.

 

4500 is a very good deal. Does the owner have maintenance records or receipts? 40k is not a lot of miles by any means if it was well taken care of.
The prices on Evos has fallen a lot over the last few years cause everyone on wants a Twincam. Harley literally had the fate of the company riding on the Evo design. It's a simple, reliable motor that's easy to work on and is indefinitely rebuildable. In many, many ways it's a far superior design compared to the Twincam.
Please share some pics when you get her home.
Todd

 

Hard to come up with an exact method to access values on old (none collectable/vintage) motorcycles. NADA values vary from stupid to overly optimistic.

1) A couple of things you will need the first time you clean/detail your hog. I call them the 4B's: Bucket, Blower, Beer, Band-Aids.

2) I don't know if I'd go that far out on a limb. All Harley engines have their own personalities. And their own avid fan clubs.

3) Routine stuff is simple. Some of the more complex crap requires some specific tools.

4) Yes and no. There was a guy that got well over 300k on his. The MoCo even bought it back from him to tear it down. Routine maintenance, owner abuse, etc. will either lengthen or shorten any mechanical object's life.

5) Maximize the fun. Minimize the project.

6) Uh... Jap bike? No.

7) $4500 is a good/very good price for that bike.

Fresh oil, fresh tires, fresh gasoline. Get in the wind before you start upgrading things.

 

Dave Zein got a million miles out of his FXRT. It's in the Harley Museum. It had several rebuilds along the way.

 

Hmmmm. The guy I was thinking about lived in the Carolinas, IIRC. He was a semi-retired cabinet maker and if he decided he wanted some lobster, he'd head to Maine. If he wanted BBQ, he'd head to Texas. Rode an E-Glide model.