Late 90's softail - buying advice pls
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
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From: The Netherlands
Late 90's softail - buying advice pls
I'm considering buying an 'older' model softail; there's 2 available here in The Netherlands which caught my attention: a '98 Fat Boy and a '95 Heritage; both low milage (according to paperwork). As I have no experience with HD's of that era, should I look for anything specific in order to avoid buying a lemon?
Any advice much appreciated.
Any advice much appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,190
Likes: 12,774
From: South Carolina
For one thing, you are not going to buy a lemon if you buy a bike that is already an antique...
An Evo era Softail is going to be a shaker, so be ready for that.
As far as the powertrain and chassis go, the bikes are the same.
The `98 will be a better stopper than the `95 because of the front master cylinder difference (the `98 has a 9/16" bore, the `95 has a 5/8" bore), the smaller bore in the master cylinder gives the rider much improved brake feedback, and does not require gorilla strength in a hard stop.
The `95 will also have the older style handlebar switches, which are only available through aftermarket (`98 switches are still available from HD).
`98 Has waterproof electrical connectors on the harness (to me this is not important, my `89 connectors are still fine).
You already appear to have a Softail with spoked wheels, bags, and a windshield, and the Fat Boy is newer.....
An Evo era Softail is going to be a shaker, so be ready for that.
As far as the powertrain and chassis go, the bikes are the same.
The `98 will be a better stopper than the `95 because of the front master cylinder difference (the `98 has a 9/16" bore, the `95 has a 5/8" bore), the smaller bore in the master cylinder gives the rider much improved brake feedback, and does not require gorilla strength in a hard stop.
The `95 will also have the older style handlebar switches, which are only available through aftermarket (`98 switches are still available from HD).
`98 Has waterproof electrical connectors on the harness (to me this is not important, my `89 connectors are still fine).
You already appear to have a Softail with spoked wheels, bags, and a windshield, and the Fat Boy is newer.....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 65
From: The Netherlands
Thanks guys; plan to go and have a look next week; if anything "good" comes from these visits I will let you know :-)
@Dan89FLSTC : me pref is for the Fat Boy anyhow but that's only based on the pic's I have seen so far... to be continued
@Dan89FLSTC : me pref is for the Fat Boy anyhow but that's only based on the pic's I have seen so far... to be continued
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