Hello all. I'm proud to say I found what I've been searching for. I purchased a 1997 Fatboy yesterday. I am absolutely in love with the sound of the EVO motor and the classic look of the bike. Having owned 2011 and newer Harley's I have a few questions about this particular bike. The gas tank is 2 pieces? So do I need to put gas in both sides or will that hose allow them to equalize quick enough while filling up? How low of an idle is safe with the EVO? Also there's a screaming eagle box mounted under the seat. I don't see a part number on it. Any idea what it could be? Is there anything to look out for with these motors? It has about 65000 miles on it and runs great. Rode about 200 miles yesterday. Engine barely got hot enough to where I could actually still set my hand on the valve cover for a few seconds. My 103 with cams and dunk tune gets waaaay hotter. (Different motor I know). Anywho just wanted to share the news and ask a few questions. Thanks in advance.

 

I think you have to fill both sides remember there's a right and left hand thread or rthere used to be , the black box is an aftermarket ignition , usually an Evo will let you know what's going on , lifters might need a look at if they get a little tackity tack tack.
Well done man. Pictures ?

 

Congrats....yeah nothing quite like an Evo. Honestly for me it's the perfect balance between reliability, feel, and sound of any generation motor. My FXR has a single fill tank so no advice there. Aside from lifters, keep your oil fresh and check to add a few ounces between changes. I usually add a few drops every 1500 miles or so if I've been running it freeway hard a lot. Enjoy the ride.

 

After her first chrome bath (foil and dish soap water)

 

On these older bikes do you check fluids on the stand or straight up?

 

Nice find you got there good job. Yes you need to fill both tanks and the left hand cap is reverse thread right hand cap is normal. Should change the oil no more than 3000 miles, primary and transmission is good for 10,000b and yes you should check them standing upright not on the stand.... I have a 98 so I'm pretty familiar with everything you're going through it in fact our two bikes are almost identical. The Screamin Eagle ignition box under the seat is possibly a tunable one if it has the dip switches on it. its part of your ignition curve aftermarket from stock but still screaming eagle so you probably still have the OEM pickup plate down in cam chest. And you should definitely not idle it less than 900 RPM. You really should put a post over in the Evo classic section that's where a lot of us hang when it comes to Evo's.. again congratulations and good luck....

 

Nice! Congrats and welcome to softail family

 

Congrats, looking good!!!

 

good lookin bike, esp for that mileage....my buddy's early 90's fxr has 146K on it an climbing...I ran conventional oil in my evo's...syn would seep...I used 2 qts walmart 20w50 an one VR1 conv 20w50 for the hi zinc an changed it half way thru the riding season, prob less than 1000 miles. enjoy it

 

I read 1997 and thought this thing is going to be junk...

I was wrong, that bike is beautiful! Well cared for.