EVO YEARS?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
Back when the Evo first came out, one of the writers for a motorcycle magazine came up with the name, but it never caught on, thankfully.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Evorider seems to have hit the nail.
It was my understanding that the Evo run was this.
1984 to 1998 when the Dyna's and Baggers switched to Twinkie for the 1999 model year
1999 last year of the Softail Evo's and they switched to the Twinkie for the 2000 model year
2000, last year of FXR4 Evo and then gone forever
It was my understanding that the Evo run was this.
1984 to 1998 when the Dyna's and Baggers switched to Twinkie for the 1999 model year
1999 last year of the Softail Evo's and they switched to the Twinkie for the 2000 model year
2000, last year of FXR4 Evo and then gone forever
Last edited by bikerlaw; May 16, 2011 at 10:22 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: California / Sierra
Well, Spanner, I must admit that I occasionally refer to my bike as a "Blockhead". My last bike was a "Pan Shovel", so I guess I'm just stuck on the "head" thing.
I've heard folks refer to Twincams as "Fatheads", but only in writing, never out loud.
I've heard folks refer to Twincams as "Fatheads", but only in writing, never out loud.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 9
From: Far NorCal
Matter of record concerning the history of Evos, the last year was 98, except for the Softail, XL and couple limited exceptions. The rest got the Twin Cam 88's in 99.
Years ago we did call them blockheads and I still do sometimes too! I've been with evos a long time ('89) and a Shovel before that. Never owned one, but was trained on and rode a bunch of company Pans. The Evos are the best! I will be with the Evos a lot longer, unless hell freezes over, then who knows.
Probably be a walker on "The Road" ........if I can walk!
Years ago we did call them blockheads and I still do sometimes too! I've been with evos a long time ('89) and a Shovel before that. Never owned one, but was trained on and rode a bunch of company Pans. The Evos are the best! I will be with the Evos a lot longer, unless hell freezes over, then who knows.
Probably be a walker on "The Road" ........if I can walk!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 1
From: Keaau, Hawaii
I read an article that In had printed from some internet forum some time ago, but just read it a few days ago. It basically says that HD went to the Twin Cam engine not due to any deficientcies in the Evo, but because HD hadn't properly protected the design of the EVO with patents. So S&S and others were able to use the EVO design and produce their own versions legally. So HD designed the Twin Cam and did the legal steps to protect the design in the process. It also says that there were quite a few delays in releasing the Twin Cam motors due to too high of operating temperatures and some oiling problems. It said the Twin Cam does have a better oil pump and better oiling then the Evo. I hadn't heard this before.
A buddy of mine basically assembled his own softail with a new HD Evo engine. He bought an aftermarket frame, wheels, etc, etc. He loves the carb'd Evo engine.
Me? I ride a Sportster.
Jon
A buddy of mine basically assembled his own softail with a new HD Evo engine. He bought an aftermarket frame, wheels, etc, etc. He loves the carb'd Evo engine.
Me? I ride a Sportster.
Jon
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Twin Cities,Mn.
Actually it is 1984 to 1999, here is a list of the years of the HD motors
Flathead: 1909-1936
The Flathead was named because of the tell-tail flat vented tops that are recognizable at the top of each cylinder head. This is the famous motor that propelled the Harley-Davidson to victory after victory in the motorcycle races of the twenties.
Knucklehead: 1936-1947
On the eve of WW2, Harley-Davidson introduced an overhead-valve V-twin with knuckly looking valve covers. The new motor, affectionately named the "Knucklehead", performed well both for HD and for America in the difficult years to come.
Panhead: 1948-1965
WIth improvements to engine design, like hydraulic valve lifters that supplied oil through rocker arms, the Panhead hit the market in 1948. It was named for the pan-like valve covers replacing the knuckle covers.
Shovelhead: 1966-1983
By 1966 the Panhead underwent still more improvements. The most noticeable being the distinctive enclosed cylinder head in a sleek, slightly curved top. At a glance this looks unmistakably like a shovel with the pushrods tubes resembling the handle of a shovel, and the shovel itself.
Evolution: 1983-1999
In 1984 on the heels of a bold employee buyout of AMF, the motor company went public and introduced its now famous redesign of the V-twin. This radical new design utilized styled square blocks to house the valve train. This motor, revered as the Evolution engine is known amongst Harley enthusiasts as "the Blockhead".
Twin Cam 88: 1999-Present
With numerous American motorcycle manufacturers trying to surface and resurface, Harley-Davidson introduces its most revolutionary engine yet. The Twin Cam 88 gets its name from its two cams versus the single cam in all its ancestors. This motor also goes by the nickname "Fathead" for just exactly that, bigger heads. With this new engine design Harley-Davison puts one more notch in its insurance for success.
Flathead: 1909-1936
The Flathead was named because of the tell-tail flat vented tops that are recognizable at the top of each cylinder head. This is the famous motor that propelled the Harley-Davidson to victory after victory in the motorcycle races of the twenties.
Knucklehead: 1936-1947
On the eve of WW2, Harley-Davidson introduced an overhead-valve V-twin with knuckly looking valve covers. The new motor, affectionately named the "Knucklehead", performed well both for HD and for America in the difficult years to come.
Panhead: 1948-1965
WIth improvements to engine design, like hydraulic valve lifters that supplied oil through rocker arms, the Panhead hit the market in 1948. It was named for the pan-like valve covers replacing the knuckle covers.
Shovelhead: 1966-1983
By 1966 the Panhead underwent still more improvements. The most noticeable being the distinctive enclosed cylinder head in a sleek, slightly curved top. At a glance this looks unmistakably like a shovel with the pushrods tubes resembling the handle of a shovel, and the shovel itself.
Evolution: 1983-1999
In 1984 on the heels of a bold employee buyout of AMF, the motor company went public and introduced its now famous redesign of the V-twin. This radical new design utilized styled square blocks to house the valve train. This motor, revered as the Evolution engine is known amongst Harley enthusiasts as "the Blockhead".
Twin Cam 88: 1999-Present
With numerous American motorcycle manufacturers trying to surface and resurface, Harley-Davidson introduces its most revolutionary engine yet. The Twin Cam 88 gets its name from its two cams versus the single cam in all its ancestors. This motor also goes by the nickname "Fathead" for just exactly that, bigger heads. With this new engine design Harley-Davison puts one more notch in its insurance for success.