How old is too old ????

[rad3766]

29,000 isnt even broken in. My 98 FL is just short of 70k, didnt hesitate to ride her from houston to nyc via flin flon, manitoba this past summer, 5400 miles in 10 days.
She stranded me once a few years back, cam position sensor went out, routine maint otherwise.

[BigE1340]

One nice thing about the older Evo's is they are for the most part user friendly.No scanners and limited special tools.80K on an 1995 FLHTC and still running strong.No computers to remap and timing is set by simply turning an ignition plate.Oh also endless selection of aftermarket motors and parts....

[fulldress79]

 Theres no such thing as too old,Harleys last FOREVER!.... When I first saw this post I thought you wondering how old is too old for someone to still ride!!!... WHEW!!!!

[coolingfin]

Don't kid yourself... that bike is too old to be worthwhile... sell it cheap... to me. 

[MaxxV4]

I have a 98 Dyna Wide Glide with 61,000 miles on it. Had the top end rebuilt at 27,000 miles since it burned oil from day one. Still runs great. Wouldn't hesitate to ride it across county. (With a little check over first.)
 
Mike

[tinkerman]

I am running an 88 Heritage. Had it across the country in 2005. In the process of a top end rebuild this winter. ( Had a look at the bottom end as well cause I F%$ked up)  When it is done I will take it anywhere my nose takes me. I am not a Harley guy but what the Harley's lack in any given year in technology they make up for in longevity. Not a lot of leading edge stuff going on (at least up to the year my bike was built) but they are fairly easy to work on and the bottom end of the evo is rock solid. As well and of lesser import are things like chrome and paint which are the best I have seen on production machines. If you do your own maintenance or get someone to do it for you you will be able to keep a HD moving for a lot of years.

Enjoy it,

Tinkerman

[FLHTCUSE3]

I have a 1998 Ultra.  I have owned it since 2001 with 5000 miles on it.  I bought it from a friend and know the bike was never rode hard.  I have done all the service over the years.  My question is how old is too old.  The bike is really 12 years old and has 29000 mile on it.  Never broke down on me and has no signs of trouble, however I have been told that most dealerships will not work on it,( too old) so riding it locally, not a problem, but if I take a long ride and have a problem........
Thanks in advance for any thoughts

Be Safe JIM

That was the last year for the EVO motors (maybe the best motors HD ever made)
1998 is certainly not old, dealers generally do not like working on early 80's bikes due to the inability to solve the issues that still persists today
Also do not like being held responsible for other things not working after service.[color]

[CraigArizona85248]

That was the last year for the EVO motors (maybe the best motors HD ever made)

1999 Softails still came with the Evo.  But 1998 was the last year for the Evo for other big twin models.

[zn14]

2000 was the last year of the evo.....it was in the 2000 FXR4....less than 900 made

[fxr4mikey]

I have a 1998 Ultra.  I have owned it since 2001 with 5000 miles on it.  I bought it from a friend and know the bike was never rode hard.  I have done all the service over the years.  My question is how old is too old.  The bike is really 12 years old and has 29000 mile on it.  Never broke down on me and has no signs of trouble, however I have been told that most dealerships will not work on it,( too old) so riding it locally, not a problem, but if I take a long ride and have a problem........
Thanks in advance for any thoughts

Be Safe JIM

That was the last year for the EVO motors (maybe the best motors HD ever made)
1998 wasn't the last year for the EVO's ..... in 1999 HD put out the FXR 2 and 3 which were EVO's
in 2000 HD put out the FXR4 which was in fact, the last production year of the EVO motor


1998 is certainly not old, dealers generally do not like working on early 80's bikes due to the inability to solve the issues that still persists today
Also do not like being held responsible for other things not working after service.[color]

[FLHTCUSE3]

That was the last year for the EVO motors (maybe the best motors HD ever made)

1999 Softails still came with the Evo.  But 1998 was the last year for the Evo for other big twin models.

I forgot us FD guys sometimes fail to acknowledge that there are other bikes out there.

[CraigArizona85248]

2000 was the last year of the evo.....it was in the 2000 FXR4....less than 900 made

Oh yeah!  I remember that now.  Nice little bit of trivia 

[Mark222]

I ride my 85 FXEF about 1,900 miles every year to Key West.  Don't tell anybody it is 25 years old!

Mark

[Dogbone45ACP]

I wish I still had my 1989 FLHTC, it ran great at 90,000 plus. but I needed a new bike, not.

[fxr4mikey]

I wish I still had my 1989 FLHTC, it ran great at 90,000 plus. but I needed a new bike, not.

eggzactly !!

I'm riding my 2000 FXR4 all the way to the end of the line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, that is ...... until I find a 1991 or 1992 FXRT ...... when I'll ride that for my LONG TRIPS, and the FXR for my SPORTING day rides .... or over nighters 

Man I love this bike !!!!

[elvislee]

I wish I still had my 1989 FLHTC, it ran great at 90,000 plus. but I needed a new bike, not.

eggzactly !!

I'm riding my 2000 FXR4 all the way to the end of the line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, that is ...... until I find a 1991 or 1992 FXRT ...... when I'll ride that for my LONG TRIPS, and the FXR for my SPORTING day rides .... or over nighters 

Man I love this bike !!!!

Hey man...That be a purrrrrrrrrty bike there; I wish I had one like it





















Oh Yea...............................................................................................I do; but it's yeller 

[elvislee]

Hey Mikey......Put new bars (Flanders Superglide Style) on mine this weekend, got the Simple green out and cleaned her up good, changed tranny fluid, primary fluid and polished her up a bit...She don't look to bad. If I can just find a new shock collar for my right rear shock; then I be in decent shape except to replace my front top rocker cover which is peeling some chrome....Maybe a pic or two tomorrow 

[fxr4mikey]

HAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Blaine yer a FUNNY GUY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You do have one ................. Just like that ......... don't ya ...............  OH YEAH,  but it's yellow !!!!!!!!!!!!!  and a SWEET looking ride it is too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[96dynabagger]

Not sure why that dealer policy, but lots of other shops will work on them, and I like the older bikes better.

Never been a fan of the work I've gotten out of my dealer.  If they don't want my business, that's fine with me.
Its not going to get me to trade-up to something that's overly complicated and horrible expensive to repair.

Frankly, except for the usual preventive stuff, I've never had to repair it, just add more stuff.   

[Buddy WMC]

Mikey,
What brand of rear shocks are you running? Can't tell for sure, but are they look like 440's and how long are they?
Thanks....