When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm looking at buying a 1993 FXSTC with 47,000 miles on it. It looks like it's in good condition, but you never know how it was treated before you got it. My general question is how many miles should a well maintained EVO go without major maintenance and what should I be looking at possibly having to replace at 50,000 miles?
Read about that family and their bike - there are all descriptions including repairs and mileage (kilometrage - they are australians). 610 000 km - it's impressive
Change the lifters, the originals in `93 were of an older design that was upgraded mid-`90s. OEM Harley lifters are fine.
Try to find out if the front belt drive pulley has been upgraded to the latest (`94 and later) configuration.
The pulley setup was upgraded in `94 to address a problem with the front pulley retaining nut coming loose, which can cause substantial damage.
All that, and I'd be looking at replacing the stock cam AND the stock cam bearing. I've had the drive pulley upgrade (long story), but if I ever need to go in there a third time, I'll pay the big $$$ and get the JIMS kit. Better design, IMHO.
BTW, by 93 (owned since new), has 53K on it, still has the OEM lifters (replacing this winter). If you are new to HD, and the bike is stock, the first thing you will want to do is swap out the air cleaner, add a performance exhaust, and change to an aftermarket cam. Toss in a new ignition and a good tune on the stock CV carb, and you'll have a really nice ride.
It's like and old happy farm tractor and will run forever..
Funny you said that, as I was riding into work today, and going up the six floor of the parking structure to get to the employee area, I was thinking how my EVO sounded (and pulled) like a John Deere Model A. Two big pistons thumping along, and that sweet sound.
That's one of the things I like about them. I pulled plows,disks, cultivators, and swathers for my granddad on a John Deere 60 and a John Deere 70. Slow puttin' on a Harley brings me back to those peaceful days on the North Dakota prairie.
Read about that family and their bike - there are all descriptions including repairs and mileage (kilometrage - they are australians). 610 000 km - it's impressive
That's a great article. Their experience shows the strengths and the weaknesses of Harleys. They really have the bike loaded down with stuff, and they seem to put it through hell. Looks like the main weak point is the drive belt.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
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.