Is there any truth to HD service only working on bikes back to a certain model year? Still kick'n around buying a certain evo, but snowing too hard here to go look at it today. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I'm pretty much at the mercy of the dealer (or indy). Are parts still readily available and, if so, will they be for awhile? I checked on detach hardware and I know they have that, but didn't check motor parts, etc. Just thought I should ask since there's a good chance I'd be keeping this next bike for a long time. I'm assuming HD would stock fewer evo parts as the years go on and I might have to wait longer for repairs? Thanks

 

I don't know about all dealer ships nation wide but I can tell you that my local one won't work on them anymore.

If you find a good indy they are worth their weight in gold.

As for not being very mechanically inclined the EVO is very easy to repair.
(Not that it needs it often).

 

If you are not mechanically inclinded or lack the place to perform work then I'm not sure I'd recomend one or any motorcycle that is 15+ years old.

Ture, an EVO is a great engine but there is more to a bike than the power plant and it all needs maintenance. I just got mine out after sitting all winter and it started like it was Summer, ran/road perfectly and everything worked. I then started tearing into it, Installed windshield, needs new cables, primary chain and a few other maintenance items like wheel bearings, tires, maybe a wheel for cosmetics. If I were to pay an indy for all I have planned it would be 1500+ and that's just for preventitive maintenance let alone things that do break.

If I would have paid someone to do all the work i have done to it over the years, I would no longer own it.

Ds

 

What he said^

Great motors

 

You will want to find a good indy...except for a few transition years, all parts are readily available and will be for years to come. Evos are simple machines....if they had a mower deck,they would be as complicated as your riding lawnmower.

 

They are faster than a riding mower.
At least in most cases. LOL

 

Best Engine and Easiest to work on HD ever Made ..

 

I'm not sure I should stay away from it, 15k miles on a mint one lady owner evo? How much, if anything, could be wrong with it? It's a 99 FLSTC and I know I can get it for around $8,200 at worst.

 

Time marches on for everything, including the bikes we're all riding now. Don't let the idea of having to do something for yourself or the possibility of finding parts make you get rid of a perfectly good machine. As the owner of a modern Harley and two vintage bikes I can tell you it has NEVER been easier to find parts and information on bikes that are no longer produced. The internet is that powerful.

Aside from that, when you roll down the street and that one person out of the thousands you passed nearly breaks his neck looking at your bike because he KNOWS what it is; that makes it all worthwhile.

 

Learn & do the simple stuff : remove tires, change oil & filters, light bulbs. Normal maintenance. Get a service manual & READ it! Most dealerships will NOT work on evo's. Not enough money for their time. There are a few. Run into that problem, few years back. Find a indy that is pretty much self contained : meaning they have machine shop equipment to do any kind of modification you could wan't. Lot of work done to a V-Twin requires specialized tool's & fixtures & really not cost effective to buy a tool that you may not use but every couple of years. One of the first things I look for when I go into a shop. Ask for the nickel & dime tour. Word of mouth advertising, is the best, in imo. Rather do my own work, but I have to look at it, realistically. Been buying parts for the last few month's to redo top-end & some driveline upgrades. Now work schedule has changed, & don't get any time off to do my own work, so my indy will get in on the action. Main thing, learn what makes your bike tick & become as one!!
Ride safe,
Harold