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I've been looking for another Evo. Specifically a Heritage. I came across a 1996 FLSTN Nostalgia/Special in Mystique Green/Platinum Silver with only 1,515 miles on it. Pictures were taken in what looks like a crowded garage getting ready for a yard sale. Maybe the clutter was made trying to get the bike out for pictures, but the pictures aren't very good. Ad mentions two owners which I thought was weird for a bike with only 1515 miles. The ad says it had spring service done in 2024 but I can not confirm that as of yet. Last night we went back and forth for a while, my last question was if it was indeed serviced last year but did not get a reply yet. It was a busy Friday night and I was slow with the messages so I plan to pick up the conversation today and try to get him on the phone.
There doesn't seem to be an scratches or dents in the tins which would be a deal breaker for me. My biggest fear is rust in the fuel tanks.
Most of the 96 Specials I see on youtube and in pictures have the auxiliary light bar, this one does not. I looked at the Harley Parts online and it wasn't a stock item.
Any suggestions if what I should ask this guy besides when serviced, when the last time it was out, how old the tires and battery are...?
great choice! This is my 96 FLSTN. There's really only one Evo cam that is widely used, Andrews EV27 so you'll want to know if the cam has been done. If not and it's 100% stock, no big deal but you'll want to inspect the cylinder base gaskets because a bike that old is likely to have sprung a leak in that location if it's not been ridden consistently. As far as the remainder, you'cve got the standard questions and hopefully he'll be honest with you. You can look up the date codes on the tires but if there's any doubt on them, replace. Same goes for the battery. For the nostalgia specifically, they had special seats and bags that match. The seat is a two piece seat with black on the outside and a gray stripe down the middle of both the rider seat and the passenger pillion. The bags that came on them were black with a gray inset and they had two buckles on them, like a belt, not a snappy-clicky thing. I didn't keep those on mine but I kept all my original parts in case someone wanted to return it to stock.
There were 2,103 of these 96 FLSTNs built with 1000 of them going into Canada. It's a great bike, unique paint and probably stands as good a chance as any to be worth something in 20 years if it's well kept. I don't know the price tag on that but I have to think you'll be able to get that bike for 7k, even if the current owner is aware of it's rarity. Mine also didn't come with the spots but I liked the look so I added them. If you have any other questions, let me know. I loved mine until I moved it on down the road.
Well with only 1500 miles it was never out on the road much. Could be a good bike but you need realize and be prepared for some issues.
1. Original tires? If so you are gonna need new ones to be roadworthy.
2. Receipt for 2024 service? What the "service" consisted of (should be both oil and brakes)
3. Sitting so long means the lines for the gas and oil need to be inspected for cracks and dry rot. They are gonna be hard after all these years.
4. Motor base gaskets as well as head gaskets have a tendency to dry out and are eventually gonna start seeping.
4. If the gas tanks were not drained you are going to have to do so and have the tanks flushed.
5. Carb will probably need a rebuild.
I ran into an issue with my OP 67 FLH that had sat for over 42 years that might be a concern for you as well. (I believe HD was still parkerizing gas tanks in the 90s.) My parkerizing gave up the ghost with the new type of gas being sold in today's markets. It just disintegrated into small flecks which clogged the fuel filter. Had to pull the tanks, have them flushed and sealed by a company down in SoCal. Not cheap, but the sealant they use is bulletproof (used on fuel tanks after US Navy jets).
Ask for detailed pictures, multiple owners there are things to find, expect it, you want all the paint in the usual wear or get chipped spots like the seat mounts, leading edge of the tanks & fenders, type places, rims & spokes, chrome for rust, PA is leans to wet and high humidity, any bare aluminum discoloring or gone, good indication of how much the machine has really been used, stuff like that. Expect you'll have to go over some, tires, an in depth service, maybe oil lines, as Dave said just do the fuel lines, lube the cables, flush the brake fluids they won't have been done at any point, and any rubber mounting items, age hardens that sitting. Figure on dealing the rocker covers eventually, again the age thing will bite you again. You'll find other stuff but shouldn't be a show stopper if the machines clean and the paint nice
Another good stop for you might be the EVO section on this forum. Nice and knowledgable people over there, they may have some additional things that you should be considering.
great choice! This is my 96 FLSTN. There's really only one Evo cam that is widely used, Andrews EV27 so you'll want to know if the cam has been done. If not and it's 100% stock, no big deal but you'll want to inspect the cylinder base gaskets because a bike that old is likely to have sprung a leak in that location if it's not been ridden consistently. As far as the remainder, you'cve got the standard questions and hopefully he'll be honest with you. You can look up the date codes on the tires but if there's any doubt on them, replace. Same goes for the battery. For the nostalgia specifically, they had special seats and bags that match. The seat is a two piece seat with black on the outside and a gray stripe down the middle of both the rider seat and the passenger pillion. The bags that came on them were black with a gray inset and they had two buckles on them, like a belt, not a snappy-clicky thing. I didn't keep those on mine but I kept all my original parts in case someone wanted to return it to stock.
There were 2,103 of these 96 FLSTNs built with 1000 of them going into Canada. It's a great bike, unique paint and probably stands as good a chance as any to be worth something in 20 years if it's well kept. I don't know the price tag on that but I have to think you'll be able to get that bike for 7k, even if the current owner is aware of it's rarity. Mine also didn't come with the spots but I liked the look so I added them. If you have any other questions, let me know. I loved mine until I moved it on down the road.
Thanks. That is a beautiful bike. Is that a 21 wheel? Was is a straight bolt up or did it require any other mods?
Another good stop for you might be the EVO section on this forum. Nice and knowledgable people over there, they may have some additional things that you should be considering.
Thanks. I don't know why i put it here in shovelheads. Probably had too many windows open.
Bolt on, no modification needed although I added a chrome rail that went around the front fender shortly after the 21 went on and that tire was VERY close to the front mount of that rail but it never touched it, even on very hot days of running hundreds of miles down the road at highway speeds. I was nervous to begin with but after checking it multiple times it became clear that the tire wasn't going to make any contact.
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1996 Softail Nostalgia/Special
