97 Fat Boy
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
97 Fat Boy
Hey,
First post and I have a couple of questions. Have a chance to pick up a 97 Fat Boy with 33k miles. Im not a gear head...I turn on and ride...not mechanical at all. So Im a bit concerned about a 21year old bike with 33k miles for a bike. Is that too old, too many miles? And are carb bikes harder, more expensive to maintain than fuel-injected. I hated dealing with chokes, etc. on a Sportster I had. Bike looks to be in good shape.
Thanks,
wcnackers
First post and I have a couple of questions. Have a chance to pick up a 97 Fat Boy with 33k miles. Im not a gear head...I turn on and ride...not mechanical at all. So Im a bit concerned about a 21year old bike with 33k miles for a bike. Is that too old, too many miles? And are carb bikes harder, more expensive to maintain than fuel-injected. I hated dealing with chokes, etc. on a Sportster I had. Bike looks to be in good shape.
Thanks,
wcnackers
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 41,407
From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla
Just sold my 96 Fatboy with 25k miles. That bike was really problem free. I did have a fuel leak in the carburetor but I was able to rebuild it myself in the garage. Evos are great motors I wish I could have transferred it to my 06 Electraglide I love the sound of that motor.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
I'm riding a 2002 FB that I bought brand new. About 37k on it now. Very few issues these last 16 years.
A voltage regulator when it had less than 1,000 miles on it and an intake leak in 2005. But I've had all services done at HD recommended intervals. Also put gear drive cams in it many years back. She's been basically bulletproof.
But this is a twin cam where you're looking at an Evo.
A voltage regulator when it had less than 1,000 miles on it and an intake leak in 2005. But I've had all services done at HD recommended intervals. Also put gear drive cams in it many years back. She's been basically bulletproof.
But this is a twin cam where you're looking at an Evo.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
Few things
* A carb'd EVO is a great bike, 33k is not much but..
* 33k on an unloved bike is worse than 66k on a loved maintained bike - IMO
* Things to look for - Service records - Being your not a do it youselfer, a full tune, fluids, and stuff is gonna run you about 500.00. Tires - Forget the tread, whats the age - could be another 400.00, Battery - how old? Thats a 100.00
My advice, buy a HARLEY service manual and I bet you can do most of this except the tires.
If the price was right, I'd buy that bike.. Keep us posted
* A carb'd EVO is a great bike, 33k is not much but..
* 33k on an unloved bike is worse than 66k on a loved maintained bike - IMO
* Things to look for - Service records - Being your not a do it youselfer, a full tune, fluids, and stuff is gonna run you about 500.00. Tires - Forget the tread, whats the age - could be another 400.00, Battery - how old? Thats a 100.00
My advice, buy a HARLEY service manual and I bet you can do most of this except the tires.
If the price was right, I'd buy that bike.. Keep us posted
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Thanks all, really appreciate everyones comments. The bike is listed for 6K. That is a couple hundred below KBB. And whoever had it put a lot of upgrades into it. I wouldnt think someone would do that if they didnt keep it up. But Im going to check on service records, tires and battery.
Ive gone through a few Harleys. I know that H D actually stands for hundred dollar. You never walk into a Harley dealership without spending at least $100. 😏
Anyway, going to look at it tomorrow. Ill let you all know.
Ive gone through a few Harleys. I know that H D actually stands for hundred dollar. You never walk into a Harley dealership without spending at least $100. 😏
Anyway, going to look at it tomorrow. Ill let you all know.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 804
Likes: 92
From: Texas
Hey,
First post and I have a couple of questions. Have a chance to pick up a 97 Fat Boy with 33k miles. Im not a gear head...I turn on and ride...not mechanical at all. So Im a bit concerned about a 21year old bike with 33k miles for a bike. Is that too old, too many miles? And are carb bikes harder, more expensive to maintain than fuel-injected. I hated dealing with chokes, etc. on a Sportster I had. Bike looks to be in good shape.
Thanks,
wcnackers
First post and I have a couple of questions. Have a chance to pick up a 97 Fat Boy with 33k miles. Im not a gear head...I turn on and ride...not mechanical at all. So Im a bit concerned about a 21year old bike with 33k miles for a bike. Is that too old, too many miles? And are carb bikes harder, more expensive to maintain than fuel-injected. I hated dealing with chokes, etc. on a Sportster I had. Bike looks to be in good shape.
Thanks,
wcnackers
Having said that, there must be something you like about the bike. Buy the bike, but beware, you might have to become a bit of a gear head. However, you might find that you like working on the bike.
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