EVO All Evo Model Discussion

A question...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 04:24 PM
  #1  
hdgzr's Avatar
hdgzr
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,184
From: Green Country
Default A question...

A buddy of mine is looking at a '98 Classic, FLHTCI (I believe this is right). From what he describes it's well taken care of, but has 35K miles...and the asking price is 8500. Is this reasonable? We've both been told this motor is basically a 50K motor, and some serious engine work will be required in in 5-10K miles. Is this correct? He's not a long range rider, just wants to putt around town with his wife. Maybe short day trips, but that's about it.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 04:52 PM
  #2  
BungoBill's Avatar
BungoBill
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Default

Originally Posted by hdgzr
A buddy of mine is looking at a '98 Classic, FLHTCI (I believe this is right). From what he describes it's well taken care of, but has 35K miles...and the asking price is 8500. Is this reasonable? We've both been told this motor is basically a 50K motor, and some serious engine work will be required in in 5-10K miles. Is this correct? He's not a long range rider, just wants to putt around town with his wife. Maybe short day trips, but that's about it.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
Hi, Its not just the mileage(35k) thats important,but the way the bike has been ridden,maintained/not maintained etc. during its lifespan which contributes to the purchase being a good deal or not.. There are many, many more guys on this forum who can probably give better advice than me but my own experience with a 3 owner "well maintained" 91 Ultra (50k mls)has been an expensive lesson.
In the 2 years since I bought my Ultra I have spent approx. Ł1,200.($1,800.US) on my bike and I havent touched the engine other than the Clutch. I have had to replace the Alternator (twice), the Rectifier, Clutch parts, inc.new Cable,Swinging Arm Bushes, Drive Belt, Primary Chain & Tensioner,Front Fender, Battery, Tyres (rear twice.) and probably more that I can remember offhand. I have also wrenched it all myself which saved A LOT OF MONEY. There you have it....my input for what it is worth. I hope it is of some use to you. Bungo
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 05:14 PM
  #3  
1skrewsloose's Avatar
1skrewsloose
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 20
From: Driftless Area
Default

Kelly's blue book has it at just over 9300. I try never to pay their asking price, these are tough times for most, maybe he'll come down in price and make the deal sweeter.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 05:22 PM
  #4  
Mike T's Avatar
Mike T
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
Default

He needs to know if the cam bearing has been replaced.If not,it will need to be upgraded to a new Torrington.The crankcase is pretty much bullet proof unless the original cam bearing falls apart and ruins it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 05:34 PM
  #5  
95 Ultra's Avatar
95 Ultra
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
Default

Basically a 50K mile engine?? Do a search in this forum under "high mileage hog", and look at some of the miles racked up on these bikes. Mine just turned over 123,000 yesterday and still purring like a kitten. Trust me, 35,000 miles is not worn out on an Evo.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 06:42 PM
  #6  
Dr.Hess's Avatar
Dr.Hess
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 3,086
From: NW AR
Default

A Question. Since before you sun burned hot in space, I have awaited a Question...

35K not broke in yet. New cam bearing and maybe some lifters while your in there and it's good for A Long Time.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 07:43 PM
  #7  
ethal68's Avatar
ethal68
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Glencoe, MN
Default

for what its worth.....I have 60,000 on my 96 heritage and have replaced the cam and bearing, not because it needed it, but because I wanted more power.

And I have drove it 80-90 mph from here to Sturgis (550 miles).

My opinion is the are awsome engines if you take care of them. Easily go 100,000 miles.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 10:00 PM
  #8  
RidemyEVO's Avatar
RidemyEVO
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Default

50 k is nothing for the evo engine as long as it was taken care of with regular lube changes. Check the oil dip stick if its clean its good someone would have to do a total flush on the motor , oil tank and all lines to try to hide a bikes black oil. Don't be surprised if the base gasket is leaking, this is no big deal if the wanna be evo owner is wrench comfortable. I think price is reasonable if it doean't need rubber and paint isn't all knicked up, a clean paint bike says alot about the bikes condition.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 13, 2010 | 11:04 PM
  #9  
BB4xl's Avatar
BB4xl
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: N.E. Ohio
Default

I would try to get him down, but doesn't sound like a BAD deal. I have a 1987 FLHTC. Just turned 84,000 I have replaced the Alt twice. First time was an upgrade. Second this summer over 18 years of service. Who told you its a 50k motor? You guys with twinkies need to look at some history. I would never give my EVO up.
 

Last edited by BB4xl; Nov 13, 2010 at 11:10 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2010 | 07:53 AM
  #10  
hdgzr's Avatar
hdgzr
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,184
From: Green Country
Default

New twinkie here (and proud of it) bud, I appreciate the info. The purchase isn't for me, but a buddy that wants a hog real bad, just can't afford a whole lot.

I haven't had that much experience with the Evo, other than keeping the fluids changed and riding the **** out of it, it just didn't have this much mileage. My other scoots have been twin cam bikes.

The bad advice...some was from a local indy that's a neighbor of his, the other from one of the local stealerships.

NADA books are one thing; I just wanted to hear from experienced riders. Thanks!
 

Last edited by hdgzr; Nov 14, 2010 at 08:10 AM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:36 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE