1986 Electra Glide Classic - Should I buy one?

KingLBC · #1 10-29-2009, 06:07 PM

I have been looking for a touring bike for awhile, but am not sure if that is the way to go for me. I cam across an 86 Electra Glide Classic in really good shape, 60K on the odometer and all of the maintenance and upgrades done either by the dealer or someone I trust.

Had new pistons, rings, valve job, and PM brake at 24K, At 48K trans rebuild, at 58k new cam, lifters. Asking 6500. Seems like a good way to see if the wife and I like touring for a cheaper price. Should I go for it? Pros, Cons? thanks for any input.

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Dr.Hess · #2 10-29-2009, 07:19 PM

An excellent bike. Very few problems. However, I think that today, $6500 is a bit high, I'm sad to say. It sounds like it's in good shape and you know the service history, so that's worth $ too. A bargain bike at 4K can quickly top that 6.5K.

jurob · #3 10-29-2009, 07:56 PM

i've had a lot of different bikes, wife pretty much hated them all till i got the electra glide. she would ride with me occasionally, but i could tell she was only being a good sport. she's actually planning trips for us now. no too far, but decent little rides.

i'll give you my opinion of a touring bike. it's big, bulky, slow and top heavy....newer bikes feel so much less top heavy. friends 08 egc feels so much better than mine, but still the same complaints as my bike. i've never felt uncomfortable on a bike before till i got this big beast. i've never dropped a bike, but i dread the day i have to pick it up.

that all being said.......i love my bike! its comfortable and the tunes put it over the edge. i look for reasons to jump on my bike to go anywhere. doesn't matter if it's for milk, smokes or anything.

mp · #4 10-29-2009, 08:19 PM

An engine rebuild at 24,000 miles? Tranny rebuilt at 48K? Sounds like this bike's been rode hard and put up wet many a time. Granted, it now has newer parts, but I'd be asking why that stuff had to be done, since most evos go over 100K without that kind of major work.

Dr.Hess · #5 10-29-2009, 09:31 PM

I did wonder about the repairs also, mp. I could sort of see the top end at 24, as by around then, the base gaskets were leaking and you could get sucked into a "while I'm in there." Tranny should last longer. Like a lot longer, but I had mine blueprinted around then because it would (and still does) sometimes not quite shift into 4th gear. Just one of those things. Might happen once every thousand miles these days.

mp · #6 10-29-2009, 11:14 PM

Yeah, base gasket replacement is virtually universal, but pistons? It could be a performance upgrade, but in any case, it needs to be checked out.

hatchetman · #7 10-30-2009, 12:41 AM

I've got an 88 Electra glide & I think its an awesome bike! The stock carb is coming off this winter & a CV-40 is going on to help it breath a lil better.
Im keeping the stock pipes but I did use a 1 inch hole saw & drilled them out. It's still quiet enough for my subdivision but when I get onto the highway & crank it up, she barks like a sloth! Mine has 75,000 km or 45,000 miles on it & I had to replace the drive belt, rear sprocket, rear brake rotor & clutch pack but it did alot of miles with a side car bolted to it before I got it.
I can lay it right down in the corners & it feels weightless to me.
I think they are a well built bike!

grbrown · #8 10-30-2009, 05:52 AM

I have owned my 1990 since new. Those early Evos suffered a few problems such as base gaskets. While I had mine down to do them I had it stroked and tuned, rebored +.010 with new pistons, at around 30k miles. The oil seal behind the gearbox pulley failed on mine, as also did the gear lever return spring, which involves stripping out the primary and gearbox to put them right. I had new pulleys and belt fitted at the same time. So that explains why they could have needed doing! Nothing unusual for a bike of that period and all done and dusted! I have had no repeat problems.

I can't comment on the price, but sounds like a good bike to me. If you buy it I would strongly recommend a True-Track Trackula handling kit to sharpen it up and new shocks to improve ride and comfort. I have Ohlins from Motorcycle Metal on my shopping list. TT and MM are both sponsors of HDF and offer discounts!

Dr.Hess · #9 10-30-2009, 09:56 AM

Also remember that "back then," most people and wrench's experience was on shovels. A shovel with 25K on it was due or past due for a total top end job. People didn't know that an evo could go 100K on a top end, so if you have it all apart for base gaskets and your experience with HD's is that at 25K a top end is about time, it's pretty easy to talk yourself into new pistons.

The only recurring problem I've had is the speedo cable/sender. I've got a Genuine HD pair on there now and they are holding up (knock on wood). Also check the Y pipe for cracks and inspect the belt for loose teeth. When I stopped doing wheelies, I stopped ruining belts.

BB4xl · #10 10-30-2009, 12:30 PM

I have a 87 FLHTC. I bought it new. 78,000 on it. The price on the 86 seems alittle high, but you say you know who did what to it. I have done a lot of updates to mine. Swing arm pivot shafts are the two piece on that year. Iwould look into changing that to a one piece. I also updated my stator to a 32 amp, I think stock was a 28. I did my pistons around 40-50 thousand. Took them off to do the base gaskets. The cyls look so so. I went .010 over. This has been a great bike for me. I am running a SE slip in cam SE carb and module. ( I used to do a lot of side work for a local HD dealer) Thats why so many SE parts. You may have to put a little money into it, but what don't you have to do that to? Good luck