Buying used: best engine
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys, I appreciate it. I'm aware of the history of what the Evolution and Twin Cam engines are in design, and that the Evo was the first all aluminum mill - I simply have no experience with them other than day rides. I have several friends with heritages, glides, fat boys, etc, but most of them have only had 1 or 2 harleys so can only comment on what THEY have owned of course. I've ridden a few old knuckle's, pans, modern twinkies, only one 80's evo, and even a couple AMF rattle traps! I'm just trying to harness the collective wisdom here to point me to the best ride for my money. Again, day rides are my only hands-on experience with Harleys. I'm no stranger to turning a wrench, as I have a couple hot rods that i've built, and a small collection of vintage ricers that I've rebuilt. I'm certainly not opposed to working on whatever Harley I pick up. I'd just rather enjoy the most smiles per mile as possible as I'll be keeping a Harley for the rest of my riding life.
My personal favorite would be a 2002 Twincam 'B' motor (Softail). I'm biased, because I had one, but a 2002 has the first year of decent fuel injection, and the last year of proper crankshafts. Once you upgrade the cam chain tensioners, you're set. I even upgraded the primary to automatic chain tensioners; one less thing to worry about. I felt it was balanced "enough" to be tolerable on the highway, but still rough enough to feel like a Harley. I had my 2002 Deuce lowered an inch in the rear, and while it wouldn't win any cornering competitions, it was very very "cool".
YMMV.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 15
From: Belgium, Brabant
In that case, you'll love an Evo.
You can wrench the **** out of it if you wish to do so. Engine has less moving parts. Parts may come a little cheaper too.
Seems to me you allready like your classics.
Evo's are the new classics (Here in Europe, their prices are allready going up)
Own a 97 Fatboy and wouldn't sell it for the life of me.
Ridden several twincams on 100+miles in the last 17 years and sure they are nice bikes, however wouldn't trade my Evo for one.
Try to get a later EVO, they have the newer electronics.
High mileage isn't really an issue since they are highly rebuildable.
A decent compressiontest, and a good cam and cam-bearing and you're good to go round the world.
What might influence your choice?
You can wrench the **** out of it if you wish to do so. Engine has less moving parts. Parts may come a little cheaper too.
Seems to me you allready like your classics.
Evo's are the new classics (Here in Europe, their prices are allready going up)
Own a 97 Fatboy and wouldn't sell it for the life of me.
Ridden several twincams on 100+miles in the last 17 years and sure they are nice bikes, however wouldn't trade my Evo for one.
Try to get a later EVO, they have the newer electronics.
High mileage isn't really an issue since they are highly rebuildable.
A decent compressiontest, and a good cam and cam-bearing and you're good to go round the world.
What might influence your choice?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
You find very little love for Twin Cams on here. Cam chain tensioners, dont sound real, prefer a carb.
I love my 2003 FLHTCUI. Bought it used in 11, 2k miles. At 32k miles I had a bottom gasket leak, so I had that fixed, SE Cam Chain Tensioner and Oil Pump upgrade, change the inner cam bearings. Bike runs great, never have any problems with the FI. My bike might not sound real, but it sounds damn good.
Lots of twin cams for sale have already been upgraded.
Find a bike that looks good, and buy it. Every year has issues, but youll find everyone likes their year.
I love my 2003 FLHTCUI. Bought it used in 11, 2k miles. At 32k miles I had a bottom gasket leak, so I had that fixed, SE Cam Chain Tensioner and Oil Pump upgrade, change the inner cam bearings. Bike runs great, never have any problems with the FI. My bike might not sound real, but it sounds damn good.
Find a bike that looks good, and buy it. Every year has issues, but youll find everyone likes their year.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 187
From: Florida
After the Evo had been out a few years, it was the reason I finally switched to riding Harleys, so I'm a bit partial to them. Some say it was a shaker, but it didn't seem so back then. Compared to today's M8, I suppose it is, but back then being vibration free wasn't a concern if you rode a Harley. Around here there isn't much difference in price between a nice low mileage Evo and a nice low mileage early Twin Cam. I agree with the comments that if you can find a "close to stock" Evo or Twin Cam, you'll probably get many miles out of either one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,230
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
What your price range probably will be, you'll find a lot of older twincams, and quite a few Evos.
Of the two, I much prefer an Evo. I prefer the simplicity of a carb, the response, the sound, how an Evo is a very cool running engine (doesn't get the oil tamp way up there or bake your legs and nuts sitting in traffic like a twinkie)
I've had a Twinkie 88, Shovelhead, Evolution Sporty, and Evo in my garage. While the Shovelhead was my favorite engine by far...the Evo is second place.
Just a note...if you're shopping in the lower price bracket, you may find some 2006 twinkie Dynas...I urge you to avoid those due to a widespread problem with the IPB (Inner Primary Bearing) for the first 1/2 of the production year. issue was fixed in the second half of the production year. If you're looking at an 06 Dyna...inquire if the IPB issue was fixed. You can search these forums and find quite a few posts on that topic, many of which I've typed up a bit in the posts, as I ran into that issue with my 06 FXDBI.
Of the two, I much prefer an Evo. I prefer the simplicity of a carb, the response, the sound, how an Evo is a very cool running engine (doesn't get the oil tamp way up there or bake your legs and nuts sitting in traffic like a twinkie)
I've had a Twinkie 88, Shovelhead, Evolution Sporty, and Evo in my garage. While the Shovelhead was my favorite engine by far...the Evo is second place.
Just a note...if you're shopping in the lower price bracket, you may find some 2006 twinkie Dynas...I urge you to avoid those due to a widespread problem with the IPB (Inner Primary Bearing) for the first 1/2 of the production year. issue was fixed in the second half of the production year. If you're looking at an 06 Dyna...inquire if the IPB issue was fixed. You can search these forums and find quite a few posts on that topic, many of which I've typed up a bit in the posts, as I ran into that issue with my 06 FXDBI.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,230
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Works for taller people too! I'm 6'5", 215 lbs. I've had a FXD (Dyna), FLHS ('lectra glide sport), XL (wifes Sporty), and my current Softy Springer in my garage. I got the Softail because a bud of mine has a standard model and it's the most "comfy for me" chassis out there...so I got one. I have a bad lower back...very bad shape. They work good for short people with short inseams...legs can touch the ground. But the laid back, more like a lazy boy recliner chair position...works great for us taller people too. Yes for those of us with longer legs, sitting at stoplights on hills or inclines is a bit more challenge, but..easy to overcome...and worth it because of the rest of the ride.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,384
Likes: 1,776
From: Central Texas
About the only thing that I can say, is all I have ever had was twin cams. I have had good luck with both. However the TC88 with the forged crank and gear to gear cams from S&S is the best bet for your money, and you can jack it up a little more with a hillside 98 inch kit.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
IMO as stated an Evo is a fine choice. Dont get me wrong, a TC 88 is also a fine motor BUT the cam tensioner issue would sooner or later be addressed. If your patient, you may find a 96er w/a 6 speed.. No real wrong choices.
I had an Evo WG but my baby was an 04 HSTC (I now have a 17 HSTC)..
Let us know how you make out.
I had an Evo WG but my baby was an 04 HSTC (I now have a 17 HSTC)..
Let us know how you make out.