High mileage Hog
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 80
From: nj
I have a 98 super glide bought in oct 97 waited 16months for it as dealers were taking deposits for new bikes back then still have her and runs great 38,000 miles no leaks just let her warm up then ride then take off just put in a new battary in her last year and I dont use a battary tender The old battary sticker on the battary said 9/97 on it tell me that is damm good The only reason why I changed her is that I was going to Novia Scotia on a road trip and my time for a new one I reached my goal to get 10 yrs out of a battary Now you can walk int the shops now look at all the new bikes and get now satisfaction out of the new ones. Nothing like a Evo more respect
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
While they appear to be just the same as other Harley's they get used in a way most would never think . Mine has been down several time due to the road rash on her, but rides grate and goes down the road straight as an arrow. Lots of parts that have loosened up, but nothing has fallen off. Front brackets in the fairing were broke and the bike needed a complete service, but the Road Warrior rolls on.,,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,033
Likes: 12,561
From: South Carolina
`89 FLSTC, over 130,000 miles.
Replaced Pinion bearing, cylinders bored .005 over, new pistons, rings and valve stem seals at 80,000 miles.
The only reason I bored the cylinders and replaced pistons and rings is because it was apart for the pinion bearing.
Changed the lifters at 100,000 miles.
Replaced original drive belt at 115,000 miles (approx.).
Replaced Pinion bearing, cylinders bored .005 over, new pistons, rings and valve stem seals at 80,000 miles.
The only reason I bored the cylinders and replaced pistons and rings is because it was apart for the pinion bearing.
Changed the lifters at 100,000 miles.
Replaced original drive belt at 115,000 miles (approx.).
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I had a lifters wheel come apart and screw up my '93. I hope they have improved them since then. That was just under 50k, like at 49,925 miles. Made me a little gun shy having that happen. When I can afford it I;ll probably replace these.,,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
That's EXACTLY what happened to my '94, and ended up costing me the first motor. The newer lifters are supposedly improved, but I have since changed my lifters every 40,000 miles. Doesn't matter if they're OEM or expensive aftermarket lifters. I still won't trust them for more tham 40,000 miles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Met a guy today at Bikes, Blues and BBQ, our local rally. He had an 84 softtail with 600+K miles. He bought it new. He said he rebuilt the motor about every 120K miles, but it could go longer. First set of lifters went at about 50K. Quite a character, VERY old school, spent a lot of time on the Left Coast and around outlaws.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Twin Cities,Mn.
Met a guy today at Bikes, Blues and BBQ, our local rally. He had an 84 softtail with 600+K miles. He bought it new. He said he rebuilt the motor about every 120K miles, but it could go longer. First set of lifters went at about 50K. Quite a character, VERY old school, spent a lot of time on the Left Coast and around outlaws.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
I love these stories about the longevity of these Evos. I had a couple of shovelheads in the late 70's. My wife and I bought our first Evo in '89, a Custom Softail. Still got it. It's her bike actually. I also had a Heritage Softail that I bought new in '91 and kept for a couple of years. I've never really had any engine or tranny trouble with any of the Evos, but this is the first one I've owned with over 100,000 miles on it. I love these old Evos because they're dependable and easy to work on. I remember when they first came out in the 80's and I thought, hmmm, doesn't look like a shovel, I don't really like it. An old timer told me back then that people said the same thing when the shovelheads first came out, that it didn't look like a panhead and no one would like them. He said you'll grow to love 'em, and he was right.