Here's my plan...
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
From: Seattle
Here's my plan...
Greetings all!
I"m a new member here and I joined out of frustration and desire. Frustration because I just bought a new bike, but it's the wrong one! It's a triumph explorer and a fine bike but not right for me it turns out. I got it because I though it would be a fun bike and because I was planned to go to CO from WA via back roads and dirt roads but that didn't work out too well as my riding buddy had to return soon after we hit MT. Anyway that's another story...
So I've decided that after owning myriad bikes, the Harley's I've had are the ones I like best and here's what I plan to do - and am soliciting input:
I'm going to find a decent evo bagger (because I like the evo engine) and over the winter, upgrade where I think it needs, then sell the Triumph next spring. I'm thinking that a mid 90's RK or EG would best fit my plan and be comfy for my wife - she hates the back of the Triumph. Upgrades I'm thinking of are brakes - my previous two softails both had weak feeling brakes , though my 07 RK had decent ones. and maybe a cam and or bigger bore depending. You guys are the experts so perhaps you can advise things to look for and typical upgrades and evo-specific things to be wary of when buying.
Thanks ahead for suggestions!
Cheers,
Eric
I"m a new member here and I joined out of frustration and desire. Frustration because I just bought a new bike, but it's the wrong one! It's a triumph explorer and a fine bike but not right for me it turns out. I got it because I though it would be a fun bike and because I was planned to go to CO from WA via back roads and dirt roads but that didn't work out too well as my riding buddy had to return soon after we hit MT. Anyway that's another story...
So I've decided that after owning myriad bikes, the Harley's I've had are the ones I like best and here's what I plan to do - and am soliciting input:
I'm going to find a decent evo bagger (because I like the evo engine) and over the winter, upgrade where I think it needs, then sell the Triumph next spring. I'm thinking that a mid 90's RK or EG would best fit my plan and be comfy for my wife - she hates the back of the Triumph. Upgrades I'm thinking of are brakes - my previous two softails both had weak feeling brakes , though my 07 RK had decent ones. and maybe a cam and or bigger bore depending. You guys are the experts so perhaps you can advise things to look for and typical upgrades and evo-specific things to be wary of when buying.
Thanks ahead for suggestions!
Cheers,
Eric
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
Mid 90s are mature products, so there aren't really any problems to look for in particular. Make sure the cam bearing has been upgraded to a full complement bearing. 93 and up gets you a top breather and the newer bags. 96 and up gets you a newer frame, I believe. At least a new seat mounting, which makes it way easier to shop aftermarket seats.
Softy brakes suck because they are single discs. The baggers you are looking at are dual discs, so you may find them sufficient. There are adapter brackets to upgrade the single pot calipers to the 2000 up 4 pots. You can do bagger stoppies with that arrangement. Well, maybe not, but it seems like it.
For performance, don't go bigger bore. Not enough meat in the cases. You can stroke it, and I understand that makes a powerful, well mannered engine. A lot of us have gone the route of forged 10:1 pistons, mild head work, drop in cam, breather and exhaust and get HP and torque numbers in the 80/80 range. Seems like enough for most of us.
Good luck. We'd be happy to help you spend your money.
Softy brakes suck because they are single discs. The baggers you are looking at are dual discs, so you may find them sufficient. There are adapter brackets to upgrade the single pot calipers to the 2000 up 4 pots. You can do bagger stoppies with that arrangement. Well, maybe not, but it seems like it.
For performance, don't go bigger bore. Not enough meat in the cases. You can stroke it, and I understand that makes a powerful, well mannered engine. A lot of us have gone the route of forged 10:1 pistons, mild head work, drop in cam, breather and exhaust and get HP and torque numbers in the 80/80 range. Seems like enough for most of us.
Good luck. We'd be happy to help you spend your money.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
With an opening statement like that get ready. If your bank account can handle it these guys will show you how to tweak it.
On thing, the frame seat mounting change was in '97. The next year was 2001 or 2. So there's lots of parts that will work for those years.
Good luck.
On thing, the frame seat mounting change was in '97. The next year was 2001 or 2. So there's lots of parts that will work for those years.
Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,095
Likes: 7,622
From: Poolville
Seriously.... Pay attention to what Outlaw said. I truly learned the hard way and am still trying to make it right....
If you really want an Evo then build it to a reliable cruiser that will hover in the 85 hp/tq range and it will really give you a lot of pleasure. The further you go the more frustration it'll create.
If you want a big earth shaking motor then get a 124 or a twinkie with a 107 or 117. Don't jeopardize the reliability of an evo. It ain't worth it.....
Probably one of the best builds you can do to an evo without shortening the life of it is going with a 10:1 build stage II heads and a woods w6. They perform very well.......
If you really want an Evo then build it to a reliable cruiser that will hover in the 85 hp/tq range and it will really give you a lot of pleasure. The further you go the more frustration it'll create.
If you want a big earth shaking motor then get a 124 or a twinkie with a 107 or 117. Don't jeopardize the reliability of an evo. It ain't worth it.....
Probably one of the best builds you can do to an evo without shortening the life of it is going with a 10:1 build stage II heads and a woods w6. They perform very well.......
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,857
Likes: 17,908
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
In my opinion, try to get a bike that is as stock as possible, especially the engine. If the V2 timing cover is still riveted on, then it is likely the engine has not been tampered with.
Since braking is already high on your list, a Road King, Electra Glide, and Tour Glide should be on your short list of bikes to look for. They have dual discs up front whereas a Heritage for example has single disc.
Since braking is already high on your list, a Road King, Electra Glide, and Tour Glide should be on your short list of bikes to look for. They have dual discs up front whereas a Heritage for example has single disc.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
From: Seattle
Outlaw, Crashone, 98hotrodfatboy,and Prot: thanks for the advice, it all sounds reasonable and is appreciated! Ill stick with the dual front disc bikes and I'll do most of the work myself except machining so can keep everyone updated if anything interesting comes up.
It probably will.
E.
It probably will.
E.
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