Thanks for all the info.
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What years had the problems with the inner cam bearings (1984, 1985)?
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What are the problem areas I should look for? cracks, leaks, etc.
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How do I tell if it was dropped?

 

Personally, I'd check all the fluids and smell them. Leaks are fixable or not a real issue as long as they are minor. Some say a small leak is just Harley leaving it's mark.
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As far as if the bike was dropped, you can see sratches on the ends of the grips, dents in the tank, scratches on the primary cover. But again, all fixable. Just price in the fixes to what you are paying for the bike.
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Others here have tons more experience so they can probably add a little more. Just remember, no price is firm unless they say.."FIRM" in the ad.

 

Lifters and cam were potential wear issues.&nbsp\\; I had to replace mine.&nbsp\\; From what I hear, cam bearings were not for 86.&nbsp\\; Base gaskets will have been replaced by now or will be leaking.&nbsp\\;
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A bike that has been dropped is no big deal.&nbsp\\; If you're going to ride, you're going to slide, after all.&nbsp\\; A bike that has been crumpled into a ball is a big deal.&nbsp\\; Check that the motor number matches the frame number.&nbsp\\;

 

I have an 85 WG. Replaced the clutch hub and most of the electrical but I love the bike. I ride it to work since it gets around 50 MPG. Engine is solid mounted but it doesn't shake. It has good vibrations

&nbsp\\;I paid 7000 on ebay.

 

Rob85WG post reminded me. The only problem I had that was a pain was that my ride is an early 85 build. Clutch bearing broke and had to replace entire hub ( cracked also ).The clutch hub was redesigned after about 6 months and was a pain in the *** to get a replacement. Have about 90K on bike and it still runs great. Have owned it since 2/85.

 

My original hub had spun and seized on the main shaft. I was trying to replace the main seal and I broke the hub and the puller trying to remove it. I got a new HD hub and it has a steel center and fingers. Big improvement.

 

How many miles are too many miles?
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I think the bike I'm looking at has about 80K, but the speedo has been replaced so who knows.
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The top end is rebuilt.
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How long does the bottom end usually last?

 

No matter what anybody says there never to many miles. Harley's are madse to last forever. Maybe a top end will be needed in the future. maybe the cam berings go or even the bottom end of the engine could go bad. But things can be fixed. When the bike gets older you spend more on upkeep and replacing stuff but in general Harleys are very reliable-yes, even the older one's. the problem is people jack with them and they usually don't know what they are doing. That's why the closer to stock the better.......and if you fix something yourself stay sober and fix&nbsp\\;it right in clean environment and don't be a moron.

 

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The bottom end and tranny on my 1985 FXEF are still virgin.....with over 101,000 miles on them. I took my last cross-country ride on the bike when it had over 75,000 miles on it. Heck, the original clutch held up for over 97,000 miles. The only reason i changed it was because the plates were looking thin and I was already in there changing out the chain and sprockets.
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If you treat the bike well with plenty of preventative maintenance, it will last for many, many years.

 

My 84 evo bagger had 220k plus when I sold it , original bottom , top done once ..
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88 evo bagger turned 342k last month , 2 tops , one bottom ..
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NMDave makes a good point , for reliability keep her close to stock ..
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