Bought my first Evo
#1
05-08-2013, 08:33 PM
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Western NY
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Bought my first Evo
I posted in the new members section but realize that a fair number of you may not venture to that area.
I've been riding Harleys since 1994. Started out on a '74 Ironhead. Rode that one for two years. My 6'4" frame was never really comfortable on the XLCH, so when I blew the motor I sold it and bought a '70 FLH that I still have. After a whole lot of miles, the Shovel is ready for some TLC. Being in need of a bike to ride so that I could tear the Shovelhead down, I decided to pick up something that would be capable of some serious miles without the need for an overabundance of wrench time. Having no interest in owning a Twin Cam, the choice was clear... get a low mileage late Evo.
Bought this one on April 26th. It's a '97 Softail Custom.
I've already put about 500 miles on it. It has a few minor issues that I'll be taking care of and I have a few small changes planned for it. I am loving this bike so far. It's a real rocketship compared to the old Shovel that I've been riding for the past 17 years.
I've been riding Harleys since 1994. Started out on a '74 Ironhead. Rode that one for two years. My 6'4" frame was never really comfortable on the XLCH, so when I blew the motor I sold it and bought a '70 FLH that I still have. After a whole lot of miles, the Shovel is ready for some TLC. Being in need of a bike to ride so that I could tear the Shovelhead down, I decided to pick up something that would be capable of some serious miles without the need for an overabundance of wrench time. Having no interest in owning a Twin Cam, the choice was clear... get a low mileage late Evo.
Bought this one on April 26th. It's a '97 Softail Custom.
I've already put about 500 miles on it. It has a few minor issues that I'll be taking care of and I have a few small changes planned for it. I am loving this bike so far. It's a real rocketship compared to the old Shovel that I've been riding for the past 17 years.
#3
05-08-2013, 08:54 PM
Join Date: Jan 2011
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#4
05-09-2013, 06:41 AM
Anyway welcome, lot's of good folks here willing and able to share what they know. Sharp looking bike, it looks clean. How many miles on it?
#5
05-09-2013, 07:29 AM
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Western NY
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Thanks for the welcome. It's good to be here.
That's a good question. It has had a lot of little custom touches, one of them being an Autometer speedo/tach. The odometer was showing less than 2800 miles when I got it. As for total miles on the bike, at this point I really can't say.
The guy I bought it from had only owned it for 3 months, but needed to sell it to maintain "domestic tranquility". He had never even registered it and couldn't provide me with much history on the bike other than he says the motor internals are stock with the exception of having been cammed. Several things lead me to believe this may be true.
I have the name of the owner previous to the guy I got it from and I am going to attempt to track him down and find out what I can about the prior life of this bike.
Looking the bike over closely, I would be very surprised if it has ever seen more than 10 or 20 thousand total miles.
That's a good question. It has had a lot of little custom touches, one of them being an Autometer speedo/tach. The odometer was showing less than 2800 miles when I got it. As for total miles on the bike, at this point I really can't say.
The guy I bought it from had only owned it for 3 months, but needed to sell it to maintain "domestic tranquility". He had never even registered it and couldn't provide me with much history on the bike other than he says the motor internals are stock with the exception of having been cammed. Several things lead me to believe this may be true.
I have the name of the owner previous to the guy I got it from and I am going to attempt to track him down and find out what I can about the prior life of this bike.
Looking the bike over closely, I would be very surprised if it has ever seen more than 10 or 20 thousand total miles.
#7
05-09-2013, 07:44 AM
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05-09-2013, 08:38 AM
#10
05-09-2013, 09:08 AM
Join Date: Jul 2011
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EVO's have been my favorite Harleys since they came out. Picked up an 89 Tour Glide Ultra this winter, still working on it (Minnysota, no garage heat, just getting started!). High mileage, but not on the S&S 96" and transmission, so I think it's worth putting Traxxion springs and Intiminators in the forks (and forget the front air), good aftermarket swing arm attach hardware, and fix the usual little nit picks. And take off several pounds of stuff I won't use. An EVO frame with an S&S engine is awesome. Like you, I have no interest in Twinkies, understand carbs pretty well and prefer stuff I'm experienced on. Like having no Chinese bearings, too...