I just bought a '98 King a few weeks ago with close to 22k on it, it just had the 20k service, so luckily the tires are brand new. I was torn: spend 3-5k more for a newer TC and pretty much leave it as I got it, or go thsi route and fix it up how I wanted. I was still torn until I rode it, within 3 minutes I knew to get this older one. Everyone on here has been really helpful on my recent upgrade quest and I have learned that most Evo's will easily go 100'000 miles and more. Right now I am dropping a couple grand into having a bunch of stuff done, focusing on the front end. Working my way to the back. I have a two year plan ya see, this winter I am having custom tins and paint done, then the following winter when it is a whopping 10 year old bike...bore the baby out! I paid 12k for this bike, by the time I am finished I will have easily 20k in it when it is at 10 years old. I could have 5 year newer ride, but by the time I'm finished I would have towards the upper 20's in it.
I say, if you like your bike, keep it, if you have to do the head work, spend the extra $ and get it it bored for sure. WHen I rode one done, I could not believe the difference. Now I am not one who does a lot of touring or riding much over 65, but man, just the power and torque blew me away!
I was confused too, seems like most RK parts are '99 up, but I quickly learned most of these can easily be modified or work. For the most part, I am finsihed with HD parts, going as much aftermarket as I can.
As for HD dealers, done there too. Seems like no matter where ya go (there are about 6 I frequent) they are kinda jerky, lots of gusy there, but more are asses. One recently even gave me a trade in quote for my old Sporty, then must have forgot that he even spoke with me (a day later) and quoted me $500 less! I replied, wow, I should have traded it in yesterday since it drops $500 on a daily basis.
Anyway, back on topic, I found a local independent mechanic, he builds some mean bikes from the ground up, less than half of what HD charges fro labor on an hourly basis, plus he gets the job done quicker. Almost any parts including HD 10% which is fair enough, and if I get the parts myself, no problem there, he won't gouge me (yet!). HD quoted me $400 more on some work I'm having done and would need my bike for around 2 weeks whiel they sized up parts, then ordered, etc. This guy, 3 days total tops. Next day if I wanna pay for overnight shipping.
So all in all, keep your bike, but I know how it is to be itching for soemthing newer, etc. as well. Seems like your at your crossroads and nows the time to decide.

 

"Not unusual for an evo to have these problems with that mileage."

What a load of frigging crap! Either the odometer is not correct or someone seriously abused that bike.
And you didn't mention if your "using" oil. It could just be valve guides/seats.

As has been said, find a reputable independent shop in your area for a second opinion/price.

EVO's are great engines...

 

Sounds like familar advice Crimson.

 

If you said that you bought this bike new and were having these problems I would say fix it. But you have a 10 year old bike with an unknown history. It is totally abnormal for a bike with 18,000 miles to have those problems. 1,800 miles a year is nothing so the bike should be perfect but it is not.

My advice: Spend your money on a new bike. Get rid of that bike, get the most you can for it while you can. Get yourself a nice new bagger like a street glide. I had a friend who got a good deal on a used 1999 road king that looked good. It was one issue after another. Thousands of dollars at a good independent shop. He finally sold it, took a loss and got a new bike.

There is nothing like a new Harley Davidson all your own. Break it in just right, take care of it and have a great time riding it.



[IMG]local://upfiles/6262/2811B228D8E84B5E92425F8EAA17A7DA.jpg[/IMG]

 

I think I'd fix it, do a 95 kit, port/polish, and cam, and see what I think of it when it's done. If your not happy with it, or just feel like upgrading, you should get most of your money back. If you sell it as is, your going to take somewhat of a beating due to it's unfixed problems, as well as limit the number of potential buyers. Just something to think about.

 

This is an EVO ... there are no easy 95" or 98" kits available. Not to be confused with a Twin Cam that you can just bolt those kits on.

I wouldn't do any more to it than what you need too to fix it. Get it running right and drive it .... once you are happy with it and you want more then worry about performance stuff.

 

I believe whatever you do you're going to pay for the repairs on this bike. If you trade it in the dealer will discount it enough to pay for all repairs needed. Therefore, I would lean towards taking it to an indy to check it out and then have it repaired. However, as you have read here, opinions are like navels.

 

I agree with Norskie! If you set a dollar limit on how much you're willing to spend, you will know when that scale will tip toward a new bike. Like what others have said, get a second (or third) opinion from an independent shop before making your decision. Of course, the dealer would want you to buy a new bike!

If all the repair estimaites totaled to..let's say less than $8,000, then get a small loan and repair it. If more, consider a new bike. You can set your own thresholds of course.

 

I disagree with this statement. The evo motor was very strong and dependable. I had over 60,000 miles on my 91 Ultra when I sold it and it didn't burn a drop of oil. I owned 5 pr 6 evo's with absolutely no oil consumption problems.

 

I faced the fix or buy new decision with a 1996 police bike. It was rode hard by the cops and put away wet. Still, I got tremendous joy out of riding it. It was running bad and the seals were seeping. I didn't mind the cosmetics because it looked fifty years old and was mistaken for a classic old bike. It was my first Harley and I loved it. I paid $9,000 in 2000 and sold it for $7,000 in 2005 (the local Harley dealer offered me $3,500). I found a buyer using Ebay.

New bike fever hit me. I bought another police bike with only 451 miles from Greeley Harley Davidson in Colorado for $14,000. I added an air cleaner and pipes for $1200 and a seat / passenger floor boards for $600.

There is something intoxicating about new chrome. The sound and power of a TC with pipes takes me back to happy childhood moments when I used clothes pins on the front forks of my bicycle to roar down the street.

Life is good.