I'm sorry you feel that way!

I'll take that money pit of a bike off your hands for $100.......hell, I'll even come and pick it up.

seriously though, think about what your doing...you may regret it later.

 

How much for that bike Mabe I can help Ya!

 

My bike is sittin at 5,600 miles and it hasn't seen an oil change since the 1,000 mile service. will I kill it? naw...it's overdue by 600 miles according to my manual, but my oil looks clean, so I don't sweat it. This thing is for riding not gettin stressed over. My grandpa bought an 06 FXDI, it's got 2500 miles on it, and it never saw the 1000 mile service. my family used to own a harley dealership back in the 30's. These bikes are made to ride, not sit in a museum or a shop.

 

96 Heritage.....check out this post :

https://www.hdforums.com/m_550333/tm.htm

 

I have a 96 FXSTC with 40000 miles and no problems. Bought it new and take it to the dealer every 10000 miles for service and new tires. I change the oil and oil filter myself every 5000 miles. That's it. I do keep it clean, check fluids and fittings, etc regularly.

 

That dealer saw you coming...[:@] The only time the dealer sees my bike is every 10,000 or so. That's because the springer front end needs to be fully checked and adjusted. The shop takes the front end completely off, checks bearings, alignments, and adjusts plus I have the fluids done, etc. etc. and I still come out of the shop for under $450. They have the bike for two days and a kid there makes $20 off me for putting extra time on the chrome polishing for me while it's there.

 

Those service prices are pretty darn expensive.
I do my own service except for things I can't borrow special tools for.. One thing I'll have the dealer (or a reputable mechanic in my town I know of) do is the cam chain tensioners.. (don't have to worry about those on an Evolution engine.. lucky you.

I say, if you enjoy the bike, and it "holds it's mud" (doesn't leak) hang onto it.. Your 96 was a good year for Evo's. Can't kill 'em. My first bike was an old '90 and it had issues because of mis-use by previous owners, but still ran like a top. Just liked to mark it's territory when I parked it.

I actually enjoy the solitude in my basement/garage with the bike on the lift doing my own service. I picked up an aluminum Craftsman lift good for 1500 lbs for $145 or so. I buy most of my fluids online [mobil-1 V-Twin (engine), Redline Shockproof Heavy (transmission), std H-D formula+ (primary)].

I also recommend the "fix my hog" mail order DVD video. Covers about all you need to know to do up to a 10k, including brakes and bleeding forks. Once you see it being done.. makes it look easy.. It ain't rocket science, thought it seems like we pay for NASA engineers to work on our scoots.

Service on these bikes is really not that bad, in comparison to a car even.. It's just that we're more willing to fork over some cash for our big cars and H-D dealer service prices are outrageous. That's why I recommend if you really want someone else to do the work, find a reputable independent bike wrench in town.. Key word, reputable.. In my town, a guy with a small engine shop in his house is actually my area's finest harley mechanic. They're out there.. talk to bikers around and get some names. You don't have to pay your dealer's premium service prices.