Any Known Issues on 1992 Softail Custom FXSTC?
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
Any Known Issues on 1992 Softail Custom FXSTC?
I recently bought a 1992 Softail Custom with 47,000 miles on it. Are there any known issues with 1992 Evos in general or Softails in particular? I assume this would be a Bottom Breather? It is un-modified in pretty much original configuration and runs great.
I have a slight leak at the transmission sprocket area. Do 1992 Five Speeds have any particular issues? Is it most likely just the seal or do these have a history of needing bushing / shaft wear and most likely need replaced?
I have a slight leak at the transmission sprocket area. Do 1992 Five Speeds have any particular issues? Is it most likely just the seal or do these have a history of needing bushing / shaft wear and most likely need replaced?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,623
From: NC USA
Not really. Address the primary side leak right away. Could be a loose front pulley and if run too long, will cost you a complete transmission tear down and main drive gear replacement. That's not specific to any model Evo but the pre- late '94 are more prone to a loose pulley.
It's a bottom breather but could have top breather heads from the factory and adapter/plugs in the air cleaner mount holes of the heads. It will have bottom breather rocker covers but will accept top breather covers as well.
It's a bottom breather but could have top breather heads from the factory and adapter/plugs in the air cleaner mount holes of the heads. It will have bottom breather rocker covers but will accept top breather covers as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,180
Likes: 12,754
From: South Carolina
If you have a slight leak at the transmission sprocket area you should investigate.
The transmission sprocket retaining nut had a nasty habit of coming loose on machines made before mid `94.
It was common enough that the factory implemented a lockpate in `92 (didn`t work), and a new sprocket, and spacer for mid `94.
It is a bottom breather, but the rocker covers will be the head breather type without umbrella seals in them.
At 47,000 miles I would replace the lifters, the early EVO lifters had issues with failures in the needle bearings on the rollers.
The lifters were upgraded in the mid `90s.
Avoid no name lifters. OEM are fine, as is S&S and Johnson HyLift.
Avoid Ebay for any important mechanical parts, too much counterfit stuff out there.
The transmission sprocket retaining nut had a nasty habit of coming loose on machines made before mid `94.
It was common enough that the factory implemented a lockpate in `92 (didn`t work), and a new sprocket, and spacer for mid `94.
It is a bottom breather, but the rocker covers will be the head breather type without umbrella seals in them.
At 47,000 miles I would replace the lifters, the early EVO lifters had issues with failures in the needle bearings on the rollers.
The lifters were upgraded in the mid `90s.
Avoid no name lifters. OEM are fine, as is S&S and Johnson HyLift.
Avoid Ebay for any important mechanical parts, too much counterfit stuff out there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,180
Likes: 12,754
From: South Carolina
Not sure when OEM switched to the INA bearing, but if that is what is in there I would replace with a Koyo B-138.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
Not sure when OEM switched to the INA bearing, but if that is what is in there I would replace with a Koyo B-138.
OP,
Since you are running a shovel I guess your good with a wrench and this bike will be no real trouble. The trans leak could be a few things, I think there are two seals on that shaft, main and quad, plus a little O ring that's called a 5th gear seal or something like that... Change them all if you go in there along with everything that seals the primary... Might take a good look at the belt and pullies since you are there, mine are 30 and look OK with similar mileage... Change all the fluids and go get used to it and enjoy it... You have all winter to do lifters, which will lead to a cam and the bearing ..you know.. "might as well"...
The FXSTC is my favorite bike in my 55 years of riding, I've had two -99&94- and will still have one when I'm done... They handle very well with larger/taller riders, I put a 120 on the front and a 140 on the back and it stays out of the road snakes and centerlines...
D/S
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,610
Likes: 3,377
From: Cental, MI
Somewhere in the middle of the 92 year, other than looking at it I don't know how to tell by say the VIN or anything...
OP,
Since you are running a shovel I guess your good with a wrench and this bike will be no real trouble. The trans leak could be a few things, I think there are two seals on that shaft, main and quad, plus a little O ring that's called a 5th gear seal or something like that... Change them all if you go in there along with everything that seals the primary... Might take a good look at the belt and pullies since you are there, mine are 30 and look OK with similar mileage... Change all the fluids and go get used to it and enjoy it... You have all winter to do lifters, which will lead to a cam and the bearing ..you know.. "might as well"...
The FXSTC is my favorite bike in my 55 years of riding, I've had two -99&94- and will still have one when I'm done... They handle very well with larger/taller riders, I put a 120 on the front and a 140 on the back and it stays out of the road snakes and centerlines...
D/S
OP,
Since you are running a shovel I guess your good with a wrench and this bike will be no real trouble. The trans leak could be a few things, I think there are two seals on that shaft, main and quad, plus a little O ring that's called a 5th gear seal or something like that... Change them all if you go in there along with everything that seals the primary... Might take a good look at the belt and pullies since you are there, mine are 30 and look OK with similar mileage... Change all the fluids and go get used to it and enjoy it... You have all winter to do lifters, which will lead to a cam and the bearing ..you know.. "might as well"...
The FXSTC is my favorite bike in my 55 years of riding, I've had two -99&94- and will still have one when I'm done... They handle very well with larger/taller riders, I put a 120 on the front and a 140 on the back and it stays out of the road snakes and centerlines...
D/S
Anyway..Internet Wisdom says nothing short of a Complete teardown and rebuild will suffice!!!
Me??? I ride 'em til they show me a problem...costs the same!!!
Last edited by Racepres; Sep 7, 2023 at 05:51 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,180
Likes: 12,754
From: South Carolina
Early EVO`s came with Torrington B-138 inner cam bearings, the original B-138 is still in my `89 FLSTC.
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I swapped out OEM cam at 48k miles and my '92 had the caged bearings. Changed them out for Koyos FWIW