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Actually thanks to everybody for their feedback! Sorry I didnt know how this messaging process was going to work here .thought I needed to respond to each of you all separately.
Someone asked about the leaking. Actually the leaking was more from the primary now that Im remembering.
She looked like this ..
Just recently sold my 78-1/2 FXE
Came out of the Central Valley California. Didn't look close to this when I bought her. She'd been sitting in a pole barn (think four posts and a tarp) for well over 20 years. I had most of the OEM parts (sans exhaust and mag wheels) to get her back together and running properly. Didn't leak, didn't puke oil on cold starts. Think a lot of the issues with old iron (EVOs and earlier) are the folks doing the work on them.
I do not think you can go wrong on either bike you choose. Bothe are simple in design. The Shovel will just take a bit more "routine" maintenance to keep on the road is all. And EVO parts are more easily sourced.
Good luck with whatever direction you go. And congratulations on your retirement. Now everyday is Saturday!
Get them both! Oh man! Thats always been my mantra, the more bikes, the better! Dont think it hasnt crossed my mind! But Ive had nearly as many wives as Ive had bikes .yeah, whats one more(?) Bikes, that is!
Get them both! Oh man! Thats always been my mantra, the more bikes, the better! Dont think it hasnt crossed my mind! But Ive had nearly as many wives as Ive had bikes .yeah, whats one more(?) Bikes, that is!
I stopped after # 2 on the wives thing, still have the bike one them to me either it goes or I do.
Evos are plentiful and very affordable. $5.000 gets a very solid bike.
I'll be picking up my 1997 FLSTC hopefully this coming Monday ($6K with only 18K miles on it!)...if I can ever get my buddy to give me the ride I need to get it in North Carolina! Shipping was way too costly and the time I'd have to wait for the bike to get delivered ranged from 3 weeks to a month and a half. Since being disabled with a severe back injury the past 23 years has made sitting in a car or p/u almost unbearable unless I have my pain meds with me (and yes, I would have had to put up with a 10 hour ride in his car, but I was willing to put up with that amount of pain to get the bike), I need this sled as soon as possible as me and the OL have nothing but an old '87 Dodge p/u with the useless 22 slant six in it - it's killing my back and my wallet as no matter what one does to that motor or how one drives it, one will get no more than 16 mpg.
Anyway, yes, the old EVO's are out there and at damned good prices. AFAIC, it's an EVO bike or nothing. I had my travails with the TC's...never again. The 'water cooled' bikes...that's when they aren't a 'Harley', they don't even sound close to what a Harley sounds like...some dipturd on a Yamadog putting open headers on the thing and telling people it now sounds like a Harley because he didn't want to wait a little longer saving up to get a real Harley is closer to sounding like a Harley than the M8's.
- S&S Shovelhead motor with Evolution internals would be my choice although those are ex$pen$ive. Had '75 FLH1200 eons ago. They're emotive, visceral and feel like a real motorcycle. My FLHRSI might not have as much soul but it's a great minimalist bagger on all the road trips, overnighters and day rides. Had to do all the upgrades and it's a keeper. I sometimes wear my Shovelhead tee while riding it.
I never thought I'd EVER say it. Man, this hurts to admit it but EVO is the way to go. When I had my Panhead 35/40 years ago I never thought I'd ever own a Shovelhead let alone any Blockhead. My Panhead had it all over any Shovel I've owned since. It was cold 3 kick start reliable and dependable.
If you'd like to totally experience the joys of Motorcycling the way it was meant to be, (Big Twin or Sportster) EVO is the way to go. I mean totally experience motorcycling without the hype. Without going to the dealer for maintenance, $95.00 Chinese t-shirts and $1,000 Pakistan leather jackets. If you want to push the button get on it and ride EVO is the way to GO. If you don't mind or perhaps enjoy cursing at your bike once in awhile, changing your oil, owning a small tool box, turning a wrench when needed once in a while, fixing a flat yourself on the side of the road get an EVO. I have a Shovel that's a GARAGE QUEEN. I bought an EVO to because I want to RIDE... I've owned a few Twinkies and hated them. SoulIess pieces of ****, you might as well buy a Hyundai. I was ready to give up riding if that is what riding was or had become. I thought maybe I'll give an EVO a try. There you go EVO, problem solved for me.
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