Hey guys, my old man is looking to get back into the harley scene... he had harleys back in the 70s and is afraid of the "older" bikes cause of "problems"

so the question is how old of a bike can he look at with confidence? I have a '99 FXDX that i love and for some reason i would feel comfortable going as old as '98 but i dont know why lol.... of course i understand milage will also be a factor but im more looking at quality assurances

thx

 

Try to get him in a twin cam as there is always parts on the shelf if something did go wrong.

 

Thats what I was thinking too get a twin cam. Evos base gaskets leak too easy. Been there done that.

 

I'd say a TC that is before 07 but has had the Cam Chain issue taken care of.

 

The early TCs had cam chain tensioner issues
The later years of the Evo were almost trouble free
Id suggest a rubber mount motor & a carb.

Sell him your 99 and you go buy a new one...!

 

How old is too old? ... Geez, I thought you were talking about something totally different!

 

I'd say any Evo is pretty bullet-proof, the twin cams are excellent reliable engines but the late models are victims of increased emission standards (heat). Dad is probaly right to steer clear of the shovels... These days if you don't love them and know how to work on them they might break your heart. I say if he wants old skool get an Evo pound for pound it's probaly the best motor Harley ever made

 

Thanks everyone... ill pass this on to him

 

Me too! And maybe different from you!

 

EVO and up, nothing wrong with them. Get what you like and can afford.
I have a 1986 FXRC that is a hoot to ride.