Nice looking bike. Mine is also a 97. I ended up going through about everything on mine. Needed new intake gaskets and vacuum lines. Even ended up bypassing the vacuum petcock due to a leak in the line. But it was well worth it. Like everyone said. Go through the carb and clean it out. Clean out the tank. Change the plugs and all other fluids. Also check the tires and brakes of course.

 

Check and make sure the air filter is clean and it's getting full throttle too!!!
John

 

If it's been sitting for 8 years watch the rocker box gaskets. They will probably leak. Mine did when I brought my garage queen home.



Carl

 

Thanks Peeps

Noted on all those points.

Prob Gonna get new gaskets anyway, plus Roller Lifters n cam bearings etc while I am at it, in addition to new plugs and all.

I feel like a kid at Christmas

 

Nothing a little maintenance will fix. Throw in a cam and good ingnition and it'll go great. My Evo Road King with 87K miles and my mods Woods W6H cam Big Boyz heads Twin Tec ing and 42 Mikinui have embrassed many 96 and 103 inchers. Of course they are mostly stock but mine is 18 years old and will easily smoke the tire in first or second gear. Enjoy the ride Ride Safe but Ride like HELL

 

On the other hand, I bought my 99 Softail Custom 4 years ago with only 17,000 miles on it, and have not had to replace any of the rubber parts or gaskets. I did replace the cam bearing, but other than that it has run trouble free. I did not even clean the carb. I now have 39,000 on it and it just keeps running better all the time. Mine had been garaged all the time and that may make the difference as far as rubber deteriation.

 

So being a 1997 is it still necessary to chance cam bearings? I think I definitely will anyway for good measure......

Being garaged may have made a diff, as this bike I looked at has been in a friends living room for 8 years and rubber looked ok.

As far as ignitions go would people recommend the Dyna, Crane Hi-4 Single Fire, or Ultima Ignition

 

I suggest leaving the ignition alone. Yeah, that year needed the better cam bearings.

Nice looking bike. What country are you in?

 

Hey Dr Hess

Im in Malaysia (North Borneo) and just in the last few mins agreed on a price. So the deal is done verbally so if all goes well Ill be the proud new owner of an Evo Softail! I truly feel like a kid at Christmas again

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

The point with the original cam bearing is that it is a known weakness. WHEN it goes out, it can cause a lot of expensive damage. The Torrington bearing is a more reliable part.