what will it need?

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Jul 23, 2009 | 10:06 AM

RidemyEVO

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Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Northern Ontario

what will it need?

I'm looking at a 89 Classic, bike has about 90,000 miles on the motor. I'd like to know what kind of work the bike is going to need in the motor etc?

Jul 24, 2009 | 05:37 AM

btroy

Cruiser

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From:

it is hard to say without knowing how it runs now.

Does it run?
Does it clatter?
Does it smoke?
What work was done in the past?

Check the compression in each cylinder, give us something to go on.

Depending on the answers to the above questions it could need a:
top end rebuild.
a bottom eng job.

Hows the gears engage?
could need a clutch, could need an adjustment.

Does it leak?
could need gaskets

It really hard to say until we know alittle more info.

Last edited by btroy; Jul 24, 2009 at 05:40 AM.

Jul 24, 2009 | 07:57 AM

RidemyEVO

Thread Starter

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From: Northern Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by btroy

Bike is 700 miles away but suppose to run well, its at a car dealer so I'm assuming the guy has no idea about bikes. Wish I could give more info.
It sounds like worst case scenerio it could need bottom end job which would then warrant piston rings valve train while I was at it.
Is there a major differnce between the 89 and say 95 compared to the twin cam models 02 to 06 as far as ride goes and motor/tranny?

Jul 24, 2009 | 08:00 AM

hotrod351

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Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Arizona

if the seller will let you, id do a compression test, then listen for any clicking sounds. after that, well its used, maybe be able to run it forever or might be doing a complete rebuild in the next couple thousand miles. i bought mine about 4 years ago, i was told it was rebuilt, after couple thousand miles i got a head gasket leak, turned out to be a stripped head bolt, pulled the front barrel and heli-coiled it, also gave me a chance to check the bore and piston to bore clearance, which was tight, then put it back together, that was 7,000 miles ago and all has been good.

Jul 24, 2009 | 08:03 AM

Jim Kraft

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Joined: May 2009

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From: Middle of Kansas

Since it has that many miles on it, it most likely has been pretty well taken care of. From what I have heard and seen, if it drives out good, it may go another 50,000 miles before you have to do anything to it. If it has no major noises, and doesn't smoke, Its probably good.

Jul 24, 2009 | 02:56 PM

t150vej

HDF Community Team

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 5,375

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From: NC USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridemywg

Is there a major differnce between the 89 and say 95 compared to the twin cam models 02 to 06 as far as ride goes and motor/tranny?

The only major differences from the 89 vs 95 concerning the powerplant/drivetrain is the crankcase breathing arrangement changed from breathing thru the crankcase to breathing thru the intake requiring different heads, rocker boxes and valve covers. The oil pump cover and bolt pattern is different. The starter is a totally different animal. And of course the inner and outer primarys are different. Otherwise, everything else about the engine will interchange internally. Heads will interchange, but the pre 93 heads would have to be drilled for breathers if used on post 92 model. Going the other way, you'd need appropriate rocker boxes etc. The carburetor and intake is totally different but will interchange with minor modification to the controls and different air cleaner.

Clutch assembly is totally different inside the primary, including the input shaft for the transmission. There are some other differences inside the trans, but I don't have enough hands-on to list them all. Front drive pulley lock is different. That's about it for the engine/trans worth mentioning.

As far as an 02-06 (no I won't say that word) the rocker arms and lifters are the same, and the carburetors (when equipped) are the same, otherwise a totally different animal..

Hard enough to fix one over the net or the phone, but as previously mentioned, impossible to do so when it ain't even "here." And I agree, it could be totally "good to go" for a long time if it's been maintained in any reasonable fashion.

When you do get it remember, we're all here to help