Tried searching for general information but not much...

About to make an offer on 1986 FLHTC.

UNmolested & bone-stock.....except for breather upgrade......


Anyhting I should look for specific to this scoot?


Really diggin' this bike.....and I'll have all winter to get things ready.


-Thanks.....



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if the bike has some miles on it, it should be sorted out! i had a 1983 flhtc i bought from southside harley in indianapolis, indiana. the shovelhead was running hot, and i knew it! i had two different dealers look at the problem, and they said it was ok! sold the bike, and i said no more shovelheads! cheers from montana

 

It would be cool to have an old school second bike to put around on and hit bike nights, etc....but the new ones are hard to beat for over the road trips.
One thing to consider is at that age many items may need replacement just due to wearing out. If it sat without being ridden, thats almost harder on them for everything pliable tends to harden and crack, thus leaks......Good luck and keep the thread updated.....
I just bought an 89 chevy 1 ton dually, which is crazy clean for our area (WI) with 48K original. (http://s1364.photobucket.com) putting about 3 K into tires and necessities, a head gasket went. I am sure sitting long term multiple times did it in. The anti freeze had never been changed out, became acetic, and ate the landings between cylinders 4 and 6. I wasn't anticipating this, but it now made me commit to the thing and do a full restore on it.......Either way it could be a costly venture, so long as you are aware of it and willing, **** it up. Again, good luck and keep the thread up.

 

Rather have a shovel than an evo, but if you do your own work it should be a great bike

 

Tire dates, lot of low mileage tires on used bikes that look great, but they're old. 5-6 years and I replace them. Bought one this summer with a '93 tire on front, most extreme example I've seen. My 883 had just had new tires put on before I bought it, those rubber bits weren't even worn off yet. They were 10 years old, guy that bought them sure got ripped off. Rock hard Dunlops, back end would break loose so easy it was scary.

 

Thanks for the ideas......been a long time since I've been on a road
bike and this would be a belated birthday gift to me!...... ...

But ya know timing is everything.....just sort of tripped over this one
and of course.....it's Michigan......44* and raining!..... ...PLUS I just
remembered it stupid Sweetest Day!.......dammit....

Almost pulled the trigger on a '76 Shovelhead bagger and then ran
across this one......hhmmmmm....EVO or Shovel?......


Crappy weather combined with this hallmark "holiday" and NOBODY
is answering the phone.

So.......I guess I got some time to figure it out.


I'll keep ya posted!......




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What's not to love about an evo bagger?!

 

evo, nice- but be prepared for alot of chassis work.

just like any older bike.

hopefully it was put up with fresh clean oil or the bearings may go sometime soon

very useful upgrade is the 1990+ keihin CV carb swap easy and cheap and really pays off

 

There are a lot of super rare parts on the 86 baggers. Most notibly, the inner primary. Have an issue and crack it, and your all but screwed ever finding a cheap replacement. Stereo parts, switches and small accessories or one or two year only parts. If your a resto nut, its the wrong bike. If you want a cheap Evo bagger, its fine. 86 has the early carbs, but many have been upgraded already. And of course, its the rock solid Shovel bottom end. The transmissions are hit or mis, but can be upgraded when they blow. Lastly, make sure all the fairing parts are intact. You will never find replacements. People will disagree with me, but 5 grand should be top dollar for an 86 bagger. There is just way to small of a buyer pool for a bike that old with so many hard to get parts.

 

^^^ what he said too