I'm buying a '98 FLHR this weekend from a old man(older than me at least). It has 27,000 miles and is stone stock, carbureted. Can anyone tell me anything in peticular to look for on the bikes that might be a problem. I'm a life long shovelhead guy but don't know a lot about baggers and evos. Thanks

 

WELCOME. all scheduled maintenance done? records available? runs good and no repairs needed/pending? if YES, then go for it.

Personally, I 'd spend to have a PPI (PrePurchase Inspection) done to be on the safe side.
P.S. EVOs have a very solid reputation for reliability/durability

 

Thanks for the welcome...I'm a DIYer and have never had any of my bikes in a shop(only when I picked them up when I bought them). All the service records the seller has looks good. I've only owned shovelheads in the past and was wondering about any possible problems with the "new" Evo baggers of that vintage.

 

That should be a good one !

 

If he has all of the service records and it is a good deal in your eyes i'd say go for it. I've had mine since 92 and i've done all of the maintenance. Post up some pics of your new ride. I'd always choose an evo first if i was looking for a new ride. How about a pic of that shovel you have. I'm going to find a shovel to make mine in the short future. Welcome Kent.

 

The only thing about the Evo is possible cam bearing failure. Thats an easy fix.

 

Thanks Brettfullthrottle but I've heard both side of that criticism, kinda like "solid cast wheels blow you all over the road when you’re in a crosswind". I don't think that there's anything bad with the cam bearings and I don't believe the solid wheel thing either. Thanks for the comment though. It's a '97, the old man I bought it from got it in '98. Anybody know if a 150/80-16 Metzler 880 will fit on the back without any clearance problems. Metzler website recommends it as an "upgrade". 92Fatty....check my pictures for my Shovelhead and I just found a Panhead that I had for a short while back in the late 70s.....Thanks again for the all the info.

 

I don't believe the "solid wheels catch too much wind" thing either, but the problem with the INA inner cam bearing used in Evos from '92 on is very real, is very well known and accepted by all aftermarket cam manufacturers. I believe all of them state that the full complement Torrington bearing should be substituted and most include one with their cam. The earlier Twin Cams used the same style caged bearing for their cams and had the same very well known, very well documented problems with them.
You will have to do some modifications to get a 150 tire to fit. Even some 140's are awfully tight. The smaller 140's can be made to fit by trimming the belt guard.

 

Thanks mp....When I was checking out cams, I did notice that recomendation. Should I switch over to synthetic oil, might that lengthen that cams life? That's what I thought about the tire size too, the widest I could get on my '81 FXWG was a 140, but it had a chain and it was tight. You can teach an old dog new tricks I guess....LOL. This here shiny fandangled box is a good thing!

Thanks