​​​​​​​Thank you...another non-standard abbreviation that I'm not familiar with. ..

 

ok guys, I have found several mid to late 90's fat boys, wide glides, and superglides with low mileage close to my area. Many are surprisingly in the 4500-5500 range. That's cheaper than I expected. All of course are evo's. I'll be starting my in person search sooner than I thought! awesome!

Is there anything in particular I should be looking at on these bikes other than general stuff? I'm talking harley-specific, or evo-specific stuff. I've bought many bikes before, but this will be my first harley.

 

Maintenance records, and what modifications. I'd be looking for one with as few mods as possible, but that's just me.

 

Cam bearing replacement...

 

a more recent twin cam will start around this price point. folks love those evos but...

 

Good point on the cam bearing... That won't stop me if I find one I like though. Just gives me an excuse to upgrade the cam while I'm in there!

 

There are no doubt a lot more 88/5 TC's out there than Evo's just based on production numbers. The odds of finding a low mileage garage queen are much, much better with the TC's.

I'd be very careful with any bike that had been heavily modded, or been through many hands. Hard to find with a bike almost 10-30 years old, but as stated before, the closer to stock the better.

You need to ride at least one example from each engine type for yourself. Evaluations of ride quality are mostly subjective. Ride an Evo Softail at highway speeds, and then ride a TC. If you decide they're about the same that opens up a wider selection. If you decide they're not the same, you avoid an unhappy purchase.

Good luck.

 

[QUOTE=wztravis;16832405]ok guys, I have found several mid to late 90's fat boys, wide glides, and superglides with low mileage close to my area. Many are surprisingly in the 4500-5500 range. That's cheaper than I expected. All of course are evo's.....

I've been watching this thread with interest. Very similar to my situation 8 years ago. I waited for all the Evo lovers to pipe in before I commented about the twin cam (2007 and subsequent) that I prefer. I like Evo's also for all the positive reasons stated here. I've owned two before, love to work on them. Way long time ago I also was a trained rice mechanic and have owned quite a few of those. Folks that know me know I don't like comparing different manufacturers against each other (I like them all for different reasons). At the urging of my two hard over HD for life brothers I bought my current bike from one of them, swore it was the cat's meow over the EVO. They were right as usual. This is the most I've ever enjoyed a bike. I'm only commenting because it seemed you were looking to get in cheap, and I knew you were eventually going to see the low prices of used EVO's and Twin Cams. So I wanted to pipe in and state what a TC will get you for 6k that you may want over an EVO.
2007 Softail Standard
Red Fire Pearl
"96B" motor. 96 Cubes, better fuel injection.
Six Speed transmission.
9,000 miles.
forward foot controls, low slung seat.
lighter front end (21" wheel).
not legal loud exhaust that puts the biggest possible smile on my face.
And as far as the cam chain tensioner, this model has factory improved design over the original problem child you hear so much about. This motor is smooth, quiet, and tough as nails, and I wouldn't expect any trouble out of it. The motor inside is bone stock (intentionally), and aside from the glamor doodads the exhaust is the only "mod", but am going to install the stock system this winter. And if you are looking to customize intentionally this platform is a widely used starter for either going with less add ons to a chopper look or with more add ons up to the classic highway cruiser. Just my 3 cents.

 

I used to be in the camp that the Evolution was the best engine Harley ever made...over the Twinkie...however, I read Donny Peterson's book on the subject, and have changed my opinion.


That said, I would trust an Evo in good condition to carry me wherever I need to go, regardless of distance. Still an excellent engine, in my mind. The only caveat to that would be to replace the OE lifters with high quality units...but, that's kinda where all Harley lifters are, for me...don't trust 'em...

 

[QUOTE=Eagle Keeper;16832769]Hmmm, good points. I'm still very much in the looking phase of my search. I do enjoy the "B" twinkie motor that's in my uncle's Heritage. It's really smooth... I know it's a later model 0'something.. Maybe an 09? It's been a few years since I rode the only 1980's EVO that I've ever ridden, I know it vibrated more but I didn't really mind it at the time.

I'm real handy with a wrench - what would it cost me in parts to upgrade a TC to a hydraulic setup? I assume I'd have to install new cam bearings while I'm in there too??

I do want to get in relatively cheap. I don't mind putting some effort into necessary upgrades upon purchase since it is winter time. But I'd really like to NOT have to wrench on the bike after the initial upgrade phase after purchasing.



It looks like if I buy an Evo era bike, I'll be replacing cam bearings. I'll also probably have a bike that vibrates more as well since they're ridgid mounted.

If I get a TC I'll be upgrading the tensioners and possibly cam bearings? Here, i'll have rubber isolators and possibly a counterbalanced B motor such as on a Heritage.

- Does this sound about right?