The overhaul was done by the dealer and Im sure he mentioned something about a cam bearing being replaced. The guy spend somewhere in the neighbourhood of $5000 on the engine and other stuff when he got it done.

 

Personaly, I would go newer, unless the older one was maybe soething from the sixties. "shake it up"

 

something! typing aint my thing hahahaha

 

Motor size, parts, fixes, all aside. Sit on it... there is a real no sht difference in the ride comfort of the pre97 and afters in respect to leg length. You can always find 'reach seats for the newer ones as well, but remember, what you want is rideability, not newability.

jm ns (not so) ho .

My 2000RK bud got on mine a couple of years ago. We swapped off for a Block Tour, had him riding mine mostly. His was lowered in the back, he stands at 5' -8" and he had to tip toe on a stop. The seat is wider, higher, and leggier. At 6' 0" i see just over top my 15 inch windscreen on the 96 and just over the top on the 12 inch windscreen on my Wife's 01 EGC trike. I know they are not Road Kings, but both your choices are. Sit....

 

My 97 RK has 68K on it and runs like a top. No base gasket leaks, either! I love my evo.

 

It's your toy, buy the one you really like. The 96 is a great bike. It will always be worth nearly as much as you paid for it if you keep it looking great. If I were looking at a twin cam 88 with EFI I would consider going newer. The older ones (99 - 01)had issues, althouth the trouble usually started at about 4,000 miles already. And they all have the cam chain tensioner problem at about 40,000 mi and up.

 

I had an EVO based 88 FXRS for about 8 years before I bought my 06 FLHXI. Personally, I would not let the EVO scare you at all. About the only thing you really have to worry about on those engines are the lifters. If you change them out about every 35-40k miles, you'll be set for life.

Oh, I put over 50k miles on the FXRS and sold it to my Brother-In-Law. He's put about 15k miles on since last September. The only engine work I ever did to it was by choice (Mikuni carb, Keith Black 9.5:1 Pistons, V&H Short Shots, etc...) and I never had issues, no leaks, nothing. I even completely rewired the bike myself just to switch from Molex electrical connectors to Deutsch style connectors and get the wiring out of the headlight. I miss my FXRS , but I love my FLHXI as well. At least it's still in the family!

Oh, my point is that the 96 spoke to you. Go with your gut and buy the 96.