Is the 1995 Dyna a good year?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 209
Likes: 6
From: Ontario Canada
I had a '95 for 21 years. Ate the cam bearing at about 20,000 miles. An alternator every 60,000 miles or so. A clutch cable about every 65,000 miles. Gasket leak about every 10,000 miles. Paper gaskets are junk. Get the rubberized steel gaskets and they last 250,000+ miles.
I had a cam installed when the inner cam bearing was replaced.
My FXD had a Crane "Fireball" 316-2B cam. It was slightly weaker in the idle to 2500 rpm range than the 49 State cam from the MOCO.
From 2500rpm to 3500rpm it was about the same as stock. From about 3800rpm to redline, it took off.
Stock carb was jetted and 2 into 1 V & H pipe.
It had a lot of miles when I moved it last year. Bike ran perfectly, but I didn't thrash it either.
Take care of your bike, and, and, and...
I had a cam installed when the inner cam bearing was replaced.
My FXD had a Crane "Fireball" 316-2B cam. It was slightly weaker in the idle to 2500 rpm range than the 49 State cam from the MOCO.
From 2500rpm to 3500rpm it was about the same as stock. From about 3800rpm to redline, it took off.
Stock carb was jetted and 2 into 1 V & H pipe.
It had a lot of miles when I moved it last year. Bike ran perfectly, but I didn't thrash it either.
Take care of your bike, and, and, and...
What bike do you have now? Would you ever consider another 90s Dyna?
I'm stuck between a 2008 Dyna Low Rider or a 90s Dyna. I have enough $ saved for the 2008 though. Thanks.
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Something I didn't see come up. Are you going to be doing repairs yourself or having a shop do them? At some point you will need something repaired and if you aren't like many of us on here doing your own repairs however detailed they may be, just get the newest bike you can afford and get a warranty since it's going to be maintenanced and repaired at a shop. If you're mechanically inclined and will be doing it all yourself I'd go no newer than 1998 evos are great. I love my 98 and I got it with 40k or so but let me tell you that I spent countless hours repairing things for a couple years finding everything the previous owner failed to disclose. And it's not done after more than 3 years. If I relied on a repair shop I'm pretty sure it woulda been cheaper buying new by now. Just something to consider.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 209
Likes: 6
From: Ontario Canada
Something I didn't see come up. Are you going to be doing repairs yourself or having a shop do them? At some point you will need something repaired and if you aren't like many of us on here doing your own repairs however detailed they may be, just get the newest bike you can afford and get a warranty since it's going to be maintenanced and repaired at a shop. If you're mechanically inclined and will be doing it all yourself I'd go no newer than 1998 evos are great. I love my 98 and I got it with 40k or so but let me tell you that I spent countless hours repairing things for a couple years finding everything the previous owner failed to disclose. And it's not done after more than 3 years. If I relied on a repair shop I'm pretty sure it woulda been cheaper buying new by now. Just something to consider.
Another reason I'm considering a '98 Dyna is because I deal with a gentleman who is a mobile motorcycle mechanic. He has worked on my bike before and my friend's too. When I asked if a '95 Dyna is a good year, I was going to bring the mobile mechanic to go look at this '95, but family dissuaded me not to buy this '95 with about 42,000 miles. The mobile mechanic was only going to charge me $40 Canadian to inspect the bike.
As I mentioned, my friend used the mobile mechanic on his VTX 1300 because it was running bad. The mobile mechanic went to look at the VTX, and it was just a cracked vacuum hose for the carb. My friend then asked him, "What are you charging for the job?" And then the mechanic said, "You don't owe me anything because it was just a 5 minute job." My friend then insisted he take $50.
You also mentioned about getting a newer bike that I can afford... That's a big reason I'm interested in this 2008 Dyna with 7,000 kilometers. And it's for a sale at a Harley dealer. They only offer 30 day warranties here though on used. They want quite a lot over book value though.
No I'm wrong about extended warranty. I could get "Used Sales Anytime" program. I don't know the cost though.
Last edited by WilllyD; Mar 29, 2017 at 06:37 AM.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Another reason I'm considering a '98 Dyna is because I deal with a gentleman who is a mobile motorcycle mechanic. He has worked on my bike before and my friend's too. When I asked if a '95 Dyna is a good year, I was going to bring the mobile mechanic to go look at this '95, but family dissuaded me not to buy this '95 with about 42,000 miles. The mobile mechanic was only going to charge me $40 Canadian to inspect the bike.
As I mentioned, my friend used the mobile mechanic on his VTX 1300 because it was running bad. The mobile mechanic went to look at the VTX, and it was just a cracked vacuum hose for the carb. My friend then asked him, "What are you charging for the job?" And then the mechanic said, "You don't owe me anything because it was just a 5 minute job." My friend then insisted he take $50.
You also mentioned about getting a newer bike that I can afford... That's a big reason I'm interested in this 2008 Dyna with 7,000 kilometers. And it's for a sale at a Harley dealer. They only offer 30 day warranties here though on used. They want quite a lot over book value though.
As I mentioned, my friend used the mobile mechanic on his VTX 1300 because it was running bad. The mobile mechanic went to look at the VTX, and it was just a cracked vacuum hose for the carb. My friend then asked him, "What are you charging for the job?" And then the mechanic said, "You don't owe me anything because it was just a 5 minute job." My friend then insisted he take $50.
You also mentioned about getting a newer bike that I can afford... That's a big reason I'm interested in this 2008 Dyna with 7,000 kilometers. And it's for a sale at a Harley dealer. They only offer 30 day warranties here though on used. They want quite a lot over book value though.
I think there is a lot to be said for the simplicity of the '95 over the '08.
Much less to go wrong.
That said if you do decide on the '08 just because the dealer is asking for a certain amount doesn't mean they will get it.
If I were you I'd go in with the blue book value in cash and see if they will take it.
If they don't then walk away since all you would be doing is giving them money for no good reason.
Now is the worst time to be a buyer as bike prices are jacked up for the beginning of riding season (I think that's what ya'll up there call it).
The best prices can be had in the fall or winter.
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If you have a good mechanic then I'd go old vs new but know you will have issues. It's guaranteed to happen and even a good look over by a mechanic is no indication of what might happen or come to light after owning it for awhile. Make sure he rides it and doesn't just look at it
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 209
Likes: 6
From: Ontario Canada
Personally I think you will be much happier with the '95 since you seem to have a good mechanic to keep her right.
I think there is a lot to be said for the simplicity of the '95 over the '08.
Much less to go wrong.
That said if you do decide on the '08 just because the dealer is asking for a certain amount doesn't mean they will get it.
If I were you I'd go in with the blue book value in cash and see if they will take it.
If they don't then walk away since all you would be doing is giving them money for no good reason.
Now is the worst time to be a buyer as bike prices are jacked up for the beginning of riding season (I think that's what ya'll up there call it).
The best prices can be had in the fall or winter.
I think there is a lot to be said for the simplicity of the '95 over the '08.
Much less to go wrong.
That said if you do decide on the '08 just because the dealer is asking for a certain amount doesn't mean they will get it.
If I were you I'd go in with the blue book value in cash and see if they will take it.
If they don't then walk away since all you would be doing is giving them money for no good reason.
Now is the worst time to be a buyer as bike prices are jacked up for the beginning of riding season (I think that's what ya'll up there call it).
The best prices can be had in the fall or winter.
This 2008 has been for sale for at least 2-3 years. And I have a bike to trade in. And as you mentioned, "Now is the worst time to be a buyer..."
Not a winning proposition.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
This 2008 has been for sale for at least 2-3 years. And I have a bike to trade in. And as you mentioned, "Now is the worst time to be a buyer..."
Not a winning proposition. Attachment 504262
Not a winning proposition. Attachment 504262
Since you are taking advice from your family I gotta ask...do any of them have experience with EVO's????
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
It isn't.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 209
Likes: 6
From: Ontario Canada
I was wondering if I made a deal with them to pay book value, would they give me a good deal on an extended warranty? I only ride about 3,000 miles a year so a plus for them if low miles have any factor in extended warranty.
And my father is the one who dissuaded me from buying the '95 Dyna.
He was a pilot for Air Canada and knows nothing about EVO's LOL