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I was recently passed down this bike from my father, as I grew up day-dreaming about the day I would get to ride it. Now, at the age of 25, I get to call this bike my own. Long ago he had lost interest in the bike (which is so hard to understand) and it sat in a shed, uncovered, for 11 years. Completely untouched aside from it being transported to a mechanics house a couple years back. After realizing my father didn't actually sell the bike, I was wondering why he never brought up the idea of passing it down to me.. and of course come to find out, the mechanic was trying to pull one over on him. He stated all of these "problems" the bike had and how it would take countless hours of labor to get it back up and running. Well luckily, I called bullshit and had the bike transported to my garage.
Before Before I go into detail about the work Ive done thus far I want to add that this bike only has 3000 miles on it. 3000. Unbelievable.
So, the first thing I did was a DEEP cleaning of the bike. The mechanic said most of the chrome would need to be replaced due to rust first sign of the mechanics BS. After hours of detailing the bike, using multiple cleaning agents and creams as well as some fine 0000 steel wool.. I was able to successfully remove around 90% of the surface rust (some small areas like part of the sprocket cover were too far gone and penetrated through chrome).
Next, I replaced all oil and fuel lines, spark plugs, oil filter, battery, new trans and primary fluid. I then took apart the carb and did a complete rebuild (stock CV carb) and put it back on the bike along with a new air cleaner. I also did a gas tank cleaning.
After a bit of more minor work.. i decided to try and start her up. To my amazement, she started up immediately.
I've been riding her around the neighborhood lately. No backfiring, no bogging down.... it's truly a special feeling to ride that bike around, knowing what its been through and where it is at today.
So, to my questions...
Aside from tires and brake lines, are there any other things you can thinks of off the top of your head that I need to do immediately?
The bike has a very minor oil leak on the underside of the engine. I'm talking a few drops per few days. Any way to fix this issue without completely tearing down the engine?
The bike smoothly transitions through gears, and I can get up to 60mph(given the speedometer is accurate), but after that.. it starts to struggle to go any faster and seems like it needs a 6th gear. Why is this?
Do i have to stick with a 130 tire or can I go wider?
I replaced the mini ape hangers with drag style bars.. where can I find a shorter clutch cable so that it does not stick out like it does now?
The turn signal buttons do not work, what is first thing I should look at to fix this?
More questions, but that is good to start.
I appreciate you all reading this thread, as I am elated to have the bike and anxious to hear back.
Aside from tires and brake lines, are there any other things you can thinks of off the top of your head that I need to do immediately? Not off the top of my head but your bike will let you know.
You do have a Factory Service Manual for your bike don't you?
The bike has a very minor oil leak on the underside of the engine. I'm talking a few drops per few days. Any way to fix this issue without completely tearing down the engine? You have to find the source before we can tell you what to do to fix it.
Clean everything well then shoot all suspect places with a spray powder, that will help you locate the leak.
The bike smoothly transitions through gears, and I can get up to 60mph(given the speedometer is accurate), but after that.. it starts to struggle to go any faster and seems like it needs a 6th gear. Why is this? Possibly you need a bigger main jet or the one you have is clogged.
You did clean the carb right?
Do i have to stick with a 130 tire or can I go wider? You can stick a 140 under there but you will have to cut a bit off your belt guard.
I tried the 140 but it made the rear tire harder to reassemble so I went back to the 130.
I replaced the mini ape hangers with drag style bars.. where can I find a shorter clutch cable so that it does not stick out like it does now? Your local indy or the dealership can order you one.
I like Barnett cables.
The turn signal buttons do not work, what is first thing I should look at to fix this? At a guess I'd say your turn signal module but get a volt meter and test the one you have to be sure.
More questions, but that is good to start.
I appreciate you all reading this thread, as I am elated to have the bike and anxious to hear back.
As far as it maxing out at WOT, could be the jets or A/F relative to the altitude. As far as the signals I would open up the housing and clean up the contacts. As far as the tire, I have a 03 softail with a 150, but not sure, I have a friend with a 90's EVO, I'll ask him.
Welcome to EVOland.
THC has you mostly covered. Stick with the 130 rear, they are cheaper and there is really no gain with the 140.
Did your directionals work before you changed the bars & signals? The bars are grounded by a spring in the left riser so check for a ground.
You might want to check and regrease the wheel bearings.
.........and here's my '98 FXSTS:
Last edited by Beemervet; Dec 12, 2017 at 09:27 PM.
Run a few tanks of gas though it and see how the bogging down goes from there.
Sounds like you're set on the immediate stuff. The only thing I'd add is that if you're doing the brake lines, go ahead and give the calipers a good cleaning. And as long as you're in there, rebuild kits are cheap. Same thing with the master cylinders.
Sounds like you did good so far. When changing out the tires, make sure you repack the wheel bearings. I would ride it for a couple of hundred miles and see if the bogging down and oil leak persist. You might just have some dry seals that need a couple of heat cycles to get back to doing their job. Same with the carb, running a couple of tanks of gas maybe all she needs. But rebuild kits with slightly larger jets are readily available, easy to install and do make a difference on performance. Good luck.
Is that a bottom breather? I tried to tell by the one pic but it was hard to see when I enlarged it. If it is, you might just be getting oil out of there which is normal here and there....
Very nice ride and sounds like that shop was trying to steal it.....
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1992 HD Softail Springer FXSTS - sat 11 years
