Ya know it is funny how things work out in time.
You are right on the money with AMF and the EVO.
The Shovel or anything prior would not have allowed the masses to live out their dream of owning a Harley. They needed an engine that did not drip or need tinkering with that would not sling chain oil and would start with the push of a button...you know, a bike that would not do all the things we have grown to love. They needed a bike that never had to be pushed. Towed in a trailer? That was ok.
A "polite" Harley if you will. And it worked. Then came "polite" dealerships. As much room in the showroom for MotorClothes as motorcycles and a waiting line in front of the try-on mirror on any given Saturday.
Yep, more of these EVO garage queens out there sitting with low mileage than you can shake a stick at. People bought them as a fashion accessory I guess. They are dirt cheap now. I would not take 3 brand new 2009 Harleys for my "old" EVO. I think it is the best the MOCO ever built and I got AMF to thank for it.
You are correct!! I am currently on the search for an Evo Heritage! The longer I wait the better the deal.
__________________ "A truth's initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn't the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn't flat. When a well packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and it's speaker a raving lunatic." Dresden James
The inner cam bearing is usually only a problem if an aftermarket cam is installed without upgrading to the Torrington bearing,although I have seen ONE failure on a 96 FLHR that still had the stock cam.The real Evo issue is the lifters,the average service life on stockers seems to be in the 30-40k range.I know there are probably many exceptions to this rule running around out there so dont go diving for your keyboards,but I have seen too many lifters that have disintegrated at 35,000 miles to consider this a minor issue.Of course at 35-40k you probably need base gaskets anyway,so why not upgrade your cam,bearing & lifters all at the same time?
I adamantly agree with both of you surrounding fashion-boutique Harleys and such. This was the basis of my “See no Evo, Hear no Evo, Speak no Evo” mind set for so long. That is, Evos were the fashion-boutique bikes of the 1990s. Those days are now history and I own an Evo (something I swore at the time I’d never do). Oh well………
Aceharleywrench,
Lifter problems? What problem with the lifters have you experienced? Is there a lifter replacement that you recommend that will last at least 100k miles? I ride a lot……………..
Everyone,
I have another post concerning the charging system on my Evo that maybe y’all could shed some light on.
Oh yea, something must be terminally wrong with my Evo. It doesn’t leak oil! That’s not right, is it? Strange……….
The problem with the lifters is the needle bearings between the roller & the axle,they wear to the point where they disintegrate and enter the engine,usually destroying the oil pump,which in turn causes catastrophic failure.Grasp lifter in one hand & try to move roller up & down,any play signals the lifter is on its way out & needs to be replaced.As far as replacements go,I have had good results using either Jims or S&S although I'm sure there are other quality units available.Hope this helps.
I am new here and to H. D. but I did want to chime in on the subject. I recently purchased a 1995 Lowrider W/ an EV27 cam, replaced with new torrington bearing, S&S carb and Python Exaust system, and I think this bike is awesome. I took a ride with a friend yesterday who has a 2005 Lowrider. We switched bikes on the way home and what a difference, Like night and day. My '95 feels like this hog hot rod while the '05 (completely stock) has no exhaust noise at all feels much lighter weight and I'll have to say a little tinney and vibratey. I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open but I'm thinking my next bike, maybe a FatBoy or R.K. will be a low mileage EVO. (allot of good deals out there). I also like the idea that if I set my mind to it I could probably do a top end rebuild or what ever else will be needed. Just my take today.
I had a 1997 FLSTS for a while. Damn fine motorcycle. I added a Balance Masters kit to the primary along with a Haden M-6. This took probably 50% of the vibration of the rigid mounted EVO away.
Good luck on your search.
Hey,Steel..
I've been considering the Balance Master stuff. Because although my '98 FLSTS does'nt vibe all that much...other guys have claimed the same as you..and,that can't be bad. Did you apply both the crank & clutch units or just one of them ??
__________________ "If at first you don't succeed, try again...then swear"
Mark Twain
Hey Steel
I just went to their website...and it just looks too simple to not do.
But,instead of doing both, I think I'll just try the crank stuff first..figuring that's where most of the vibes are generated..and see how that works. I've got to do some upper-end work,ETC, over the winter too ($$$=BUDGET) and "hey" this would be as good a time as any to do the "frisco-timing-marks-thing" (visible thru primary inspection hole) as well...
__________________ "If at first you don't succeed, try again...then swear"
Mark Twain
I've been riding a 1990 FLHS for 18+ years now. Except for a few simple bolt on/in performance things (cam, carb, pushrods, and exhaust) it's still stock. I'm about to roll over 177,000miles on it, and outside of normal wear and tear items I haven't had any problems. 149,000 miles was the first time I had to open it up. Had to replace the valve guides and seals. But again, that's normal wear and tear. When it was apart I could see there was still evidence of the original cross hatch in the cylinders. All I've done as far as "preventive" maintainence is engine oil changes at 2,500 mile intervals (or as close as possible), and the tranny and primary lube at 5,000. The old thing isn't nearly new but it fires right up, runs great, doesn't smoke, it's oil tight, and it's still a comfortable ride.
At 49K miles my 97 FLP had the flywheel bearing pushed into the cam cavity and the result was a wrecked oil pump (gears, keyway, pump housing) breather gear and a fused pump shaft. I just re-did the top end with a Stage2, fortunately the new cam was ok! At first it sounded like an adjustable pushrod needed to be adjusted, nope they're ok. Maybe one of the new HD lifters wasn't right, nope, they're ok too....wait, whats that piece of metal down there....?
Ok, off comes the cam cover & holy $pit. Took the top end off, pulled the block & took it down to the Dealer & had them split the cases. HD dealer here said that they could send off the flywheels to their home origin & they woiuld make the right side 1 piece instead of a press in. Too bad it wasn't in the first place, would've saved me $1300 in parts & labor (the rod arms showed bearing surface wear, replaced'em). Too bad that didn't happen before the top end & stage2, would've changed to a carb...but that's another story.
Linear Mode
