Model/Year differences

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 31, 2019 | 12:54 PM

Gregatron

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 45

Likes: 1

From: Austin

Model/Year differences

Hey, I have a 99 Fatboy, I am doing the basic maintenance on it and I found some things I would like to have the service manual for, torque specs etc...

So my question is, I have found a service manual for a 98 Softail. How different is that model going to be from the 99 Fatboy. I know HD didn't vary much in the Evo line for most of the mid to late 90's.

Also, if anyone has a line on a 99 Fatboy service manual I'd definitely be interested.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice
Greg

Jan 31, 2019 | 01:43 PM

misfitJason

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 6,846

Likes: 1,387

From: Florida

It will be about the same

Jan 31, 2019 | 02:23 PM

Gregatron

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 45

Likes: 1

From: Austin

Thanks. I figured it would be very close. Just trying to double check if there were any important changes.

Jan 31, 2019 | 03:39 PM

texashillcountry

Dirt don't hurt

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 21,062

Likes: 4,547

From: Haslet Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregatron

Your Fatboy is a Softail.
I don't think there are any differences between '98 and '99 year model softails.

Jan 31, 2019 | 04:06 PM

Gregatron

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 45

Likes: 1

From: Austin

Yeah, I know the fatboy is a softail. I was more concerned with any changes that may have happened between the model years.

Thanks.

Jan 31, 2019 | 05:40 PM

texashillcountry

Dirt don't hurt

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 21,062

Likes: 4,547

From: Haslet Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregatron

Yeah, I know the fatboy is a softail. I was more concerned with any changes that may have happened between the model years.

Thanks.

Still getting over a cold so maybe I wasn't clear.
There are only Softail service manuals which cover all types of softails for that year.
You were asking about a fatboy service manual wish doesn't exist as a separate thing.

As I said before I don't think there were any changes between '98 and '99 so that '98 manual should be just fine for your bike.

Jan 31, 2019 | 06:48 PM

Gregatron

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 45

Likes: 1

From: Austin

Yes. You're absolutely correct. I was using "fatboy" as a shorthand. My fault for the confusion.

Thanks again for the info.

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Verdad Gallardo

Feb 1, 2019 | 06:41 AM

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

Your question is a common one around HDF, asking about the differences between model years relative to the FSMs. While those two model years may be very close Javieret has already pointed out a very significant difference. We routinely recommend buying the correct model year, rather than 'making do' with one that is not entirely accurate.The first time you discover something not properly covered in your FSM you will curse not getting the correct one, believe me! Not many of us have hands-on experience of bikes from adjacent years and I strongly urge you to find the correct year, or buy a new one from your local friendly dealer. They may seem expensive, but you get the cost back the first time you use it - from then on it's free!

Feb 1, 2019 | 03:14 PM

#10

Gregatron

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 45

Likes: 1

From: Austin

Thank you Javieret and grbrown... that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I figured after flipping through the service manual for 97-98 and seeing differences between those two years that I was probably gonna need to bite the bullet and get my years version.
Related... I found a few sellers on Ebay with the 99 manual. Has anyone had experience with buying from there? Good or bad?
Thanks again