Longevity
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,673
Likes: 7,271
From: OH
Ed Ramberger ( who wrote the book on FI) has a limited supply of tested / good units
Used on eBay is a crap shoot
they are fast becoming Unicorns / Dragons Teeth
Last edited by eighteight; Jan 31, 2021 at 02:39 PM.
Most people replace things as they wear. Nothing will last indefinitely as it currently is. Nothing has, nothing will. I'm building a 69 Ford. What I couldn't get from donors or aftermarket, I either made or modified to work with something different.
For fun let's say a 2001 Ultra, has a tape deck or whatever. It stops working. Hypothetically, you could replace the entire fairing with a modern one. Say in 15 years from now you need an ECM for a 2012 and can't get it OEM, you'd find it aftermarket or from scrap or you'd modify what was there to make something else work.
It all comes down to what you're willing to do and how much time and money you're willing to sacrifice to keep it going.
Like you, I enjoy keeping things going, not for the cost savings, but to preserve a little slice of my own personal history.
For fun let's say a 2001 Ultra, has a tape deck or whatever. It stops working. Hypothetically, you could replace the entire fairing with a modern one. Say in 15 years from now you need an ECM for a 2012 and can't get it OEM, you'd find it aftermarket or from scrap or you'd modify what was there to make something else work.
It all comes down to what you're willing to do and how much time and money you're willing to sacrifice to keep it going.
Like you, I enjoy keeping things going, not for the cost savings, but to preserve a little slice of my own personal history.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
I recently spent a few thou on my 75,000 Dyna. It was running fine. I wanted to replace parts as a precaution. I did have a cam installed while they were in there. Indy said that was the cleanest high mileage bike they've seen in a while. They see a lot of bikes that have barely had the oil changes much less anything else. The owners can't understand why they're having issues. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Oh, I still have the original clutch.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I thought S&S made an ECM for FI EVOs and the only impossible to find part is the TPS?
carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
I have a Pan my Dads that he bought in 62, a shovel i bought new in 83, an 05 tc and an m8 114.. if you think the new bikes dont hold up, you never owned an old bike.. turn the key and go.
honestly, ive never had an issue getting parts for anything Evo or newer
honestly, ive never had an issue getting parts for anything Evo or newer
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,879
Likes: 1,894
From: East Coast, USA
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 915
From: Madisonville, La
I wouldn't get to worked up about parts availability with the greenies in charge gas will be your problem in 20 years not parts. If you can find gas will you legally be able to run a planet killing internal combustion engine without facing prison.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
This is exactly why I keep my 05 Road King carbed version.
As far as I know, the only real electronic part is the ignition control module, and I carry a spare for that.
I have no desire to own a bike full of electronics.
As far as I know, the only real electronic part is the ignition control module, and I carry a spare for that.
I have no desire to own a bike full of electronics.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Some of those same types of problems asked by the OP appply to old iron as well. Term it "planned obselescence" because MoCo found a cheaper way to get it done.
Example...shocks on 1965 Pans are a sealed unit and cannot be repaired (ask me how I know). It is why you see a lot of the older swing arm Pans using later style Shovel shocks. During the rebuild of my 65 I was able to locate a used set that do not leak (so far anyway).
Example...Speedo on my 84 FLH took a dump on me at around 65K. Went thru 2 aftermarket speedos before finding one used for Canadian models (km vs mph). Somewhere around 1980 HD went cheap and traded out the Stewart Warner units for Nippon Sekei units. Suppossedly there is a place in the UK that rebuilds the NS units (also used for Japanese bikes). I haven't been able to hook up with them yet so that I can have my original rebuilt.
Still running the original V1 electronic ignition in my78-!/2 FXE. They either work or they don't (which is why when they were introduced so many of us switched back to points and condenser). Good thing is that DYNA makes a very capable relacement. Still running the V2 electronics in my 84 FLH and have a replacement if it takes a dump on me.
Have to say I am a bit suprised that no one has come up with a good replacemet/rebuild on the early EFI systems. Seems like there is still a lot of Road Kings and Electra Glides running them. I am in the market for a low milage mid to late 90s RK/EG but passing on those with EFI strictly because of the issue/potential issue with the system failing and no reasonable cost alternative.
Example...shocks on 1965 Pans are a sealed unit and cannot be repaired (ask me how I know). It is why you see a lot of the older swing arm Pans using later style Shovel shocks. During the rebuild of my 65 I was able to locate a used set that do not leak (so far anyway).
Example...Speedo on my 84 FLH took a dump on me at around 65K. Went thru 2 aftermarket speedos before finding one used for Canadian models (km vs mph). Somewhere around 1980 HD went cheap and traded out the Stewart Warner units for Nippon Sekei units. Suppossedly there is a place in the UK that rebuilds the NS units (also used for Japanese bikes). I haven't been able to hook up with them yet so that I can have my original rebuilt.
Still running the original V1 electronic ignition in my78-!/2 FXE. They either work or they don't (which is why when they were introduced so many of us switched back to points and condenser). Good thing is that DYNA makes a very capable relacement. Still running the V2 electronics in my 84 FLH and have a replacement if it takes a dump on me.
Have to say I am a bit suprised that no one has come up with a good replacemet/rebuild on the early EFI systems. Seems like there is still a lot of Road Kings and Electra Glides running them. I am in the market for a low milage mid to late 90s RK/EG but passing on those with EFI strictly because of the issue/potential issue with the system failing and no reasonable cost alternative.
Last edited by panz4ever; Feb 1, 2021 at 12:35 AM.