Ok, This is not my first Harley but the one I have wanted for a long time.
It is a 96 FLSTN with 20k miles and is in great shape with no mods.
Should I keep it stock or start changing things?

 

Do what you like. I own 96 fxdl with 80 th miles,and I try to keep it original,all
Harley parts,don't try to make it look "new'.Now even original Evos are turning heads.

 

Hi Dale,

Welcome to HDF!

There are two basic things we can do to a bike. One is to change its appearance and the other is to tune it for better performance. Changing the way your bike looks can take a lot of time and money, tuning it can involve changing the engine and transmission and even more money....

I suggest you don't start changing things just yet, but ride it and enjoy it. Read what others here on HDF do with their bikes and see what riders in your area are doing to their bikes. Talk to them!

A lot of bike owners use and enjoy their bikes without making any changes, while some of us spend a fortune! You need to take time out to find where you fit in. There is no need to rush at it, just take your time. But keep us posted!

 

+1 on what grbrown said, it is your bike ride it, enjoy it, then think about it. The best bikes are well thought out. Don't rush down to the dealer and buy one of those and two of that. Make a plan that you can do in stages and te results will be better. Hope this helps.

 

I like the look of the nostalgia with the white walls and spoke wheels. However, the color green was not my first preference, but that is the 96 color. After having a Sportster and a ridgin frame custom, that was only comfortable for short rides. I fell in love with the ride of a Heritage that my buddy had. We traded bikes quite frequently bar hopping and ridding on day trips. He hated ridding the ridgid frame. I admitted I only liked the looks and attention.
The main deciding factor on a EVO bike was the sound and reliability. I just don't like the way the twin cam bikes sound and FI makes it sound even different to me. (that is just my opionion) The old man at my local HD dealer that has been working on bikes now for over 30 years said, "The EVO bikes are the best that HD ever built." I trust his wisdom. I am sure i want to change the tins at some point in time but, keep the OE ones of course. I am not a go fast guy; I like to cruise, enjoy the breeze, and the scenery.
I would like to change the cam and put on something different than straight pipes.

 

upgrade the pipes, air cleaner and jets..won't drastically alter the look of your bike, won't drain your wallet and will make that grin on your face go wider

Later on...sky is the limit!

 

If it has drag pipes that would be the first change. Pick up a set that suits you and enjoy it. I put longshots on mine when i bought it and didn't do anything else but ride it for the first couple of years. I have always wanted to put a hotter cam in it but i can't bring myself to tearing into it when it just runs so damn good. That was 35k ago and still runs great.

 

YOU bought it IT'S YOURS,do what ever YOU want or like.it's always nice to keep your original parts if you do make changes,just in case.