The Truth About The Evo Engine 

My 1985 Softail (carbeurated Evo) had 134,000 miles before I "retired" it in 1994. Most of them were with my "ol lady" sitting right behind me. We were both in the USAF stationed at Guam when we ordered it to be picked up in Fortt Worth, Texas at the Harley dealer there. She made every one of the payments from her own paycheck. I stopped riding it when the Stator in the alternator quit and her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) only a few days apart from each other. The "fun" of riding that particular bike just didn't seem to be there anymore. Even as her disease progressed, she still swore that she would get to ride again. In early 2015 I found and bought a 1986 police bike. I had the intention of building a sidecar that she would be able to roll up on in her wheelchair. She was watching from the front door with a grin bigger than Texas as I rode up to the house. Life kinda got in the way of actually getting on the sidecar that summer and sadly, on December 15th, 2015, she lost her battle with MS. I suddenly had another bike that to me at least, just wouldn't be much fun to ride. Her life insurance was enough to pay off the house and still enough left to pay cash for a 2016 HD FLRT, the trike called the Freewheeler. So yes, in essence she bought my first new Harley and my last new Harley. I carry a small urn (only a couple inches tall) with some of her ashes in it, everywhere I ride. She finally is getting the ride she so desperately wanted, even though she is riding her own, ultimate tricked out bike, with her grandmother behind her and they're seeing things up there we can't even imagine.

I shouldn’t have watched this video.. I’m 64 and now the fever is back.. I’m headed to craigslist from here.. great vid bro. Thanks.

My 90 FXR with it's 80" Evo and 5 speed now has 156,783 original miles. S&S Super E carb and EV3 cam and thunder header are the only mods and bike still runs great and is ridden year round unless being serviced or having new tires installed etc. Never have had a single breakdown. Still running the original starter , ignition etc

The EVO, 1340cc, was the best, single cam engine, Harley ever made....metal gear drive for the cam, and good old carb power, and a bolted together, crankshaft.....they don't make 'em like they used too.....

Arguably, the best engine Harley ever made, here's why, metal gears for the single cam opertation, and a bolted together crankshaft, and a separate oil pump not running on the pinion shaft. Forget the Twinkies with their chain drives and PLASTIC cam tensioners and a pressed together crankshaft that can twist out of true, thus ruining the oil pump and cratering the engine.....EVOS RULE!

Really nice bike. I have a 95 flstn. Only choke carbureted bikes long enough to get them started say 20 30 seconds. Any longer will fouled plugs and you will get that splattering that you were starting to hear when you first took off. Also they should be warmed up properly depending upon ambient temperature 3 to 5 minutes. Saddle Tramp traded his twin cam for an EVO title for title about 6 months ago. A lot of people are doing that. I would rather have the Evo. Sounds better than the twin cam as well. The only thing that sounds better than an EVO is a shovel.

Got a 98 fatboy. Love it. It's definitely not fast but it sounds and feels like a timeless motorcycle. That reflection of sun and clouds off the headlight is bliss.

I still tour on a 98 softail. Evolutions are the greatest engineering achievement by harley.

my 92 dyna daytona. number 422 outa 1700. never had a single problem. completly stock. still fires up perfectly in 2018.

My 1996 Electra glide evo still kicking ass..can ride her hard all day everyday and do it again tomorrow...evo engine is simply put...awesome.

I've got the 93 Softail. And it is my second Evo motorcycle I prefer it over the twin-cam any day! The Rocker Box and the entire top end could be taken apart disassemble and reassemble in a matter of just no time at all.

I love my 1999 Softail Heritage Classic because it is the best incarnation of everything Harley Davidson represents. I'm 45 and love the nostalgic sound & vibes from carbed & solid mounted Evo. I even like the old-school finger wheel throttle lock (when I'm on a level road, lol). As far as the carb, I can pull it, rebuild it & have it running in 2hrs while slamming a 6 pack and she just runs & runs 🏃‍♂️ 😀

I ride a 1983 FXWG Shovelhead! It survived Pinatubo in the Philippines. I have had it new since 83. My reliable steed.

I have the 98 FXDL. Last year of a 15 year EVO production run. Bulletproof little engine. Engine saved Harley Davidson. They had to go back to the single cam after so many issues with the dual cams. Especially in the early models.

My '89 Softail purrs. I remember when I was a kid my old man and his mates all had Shovels and were always talking shit about "these new Evo's" haha. Well 30 years later there are plenty of Evo's still going strong (so is his '76 Shovel).

A carburetored EVO is about the easiest later day HD for riders with average mechanical skills to work on. I'm a survivor of the AMF/Voit days so I had to learn how to wrench my own bikes. The only thing I'll say good about AMF/Voit is that they built a 'Confederate' version of the Super Glide in 1977. My '97 FLHR will run all day at 80mph with my wife on the back and gear in the saddle bags and always get us back home.

you know. I really love my '91 FXRS, the motor takes a while to warm up, you get rolling and so much stuff starts happening, the sound of the motor is right, the wind in the hair is right, you get busy really quick, and then when you look down at the speedo you're doing 40. it takes a while to get up to speed but once there everything somehow meshes. The suspension feels great, the purr of the motor doesn't vibrate you into tomorrow, it's a really really nice cruiser. Unfortunately in the mountains the Carb does have issues but that's OK, it reminds me of driving my Mom's 1973 VW Super Bug in that in order to make it to the top of the next hill at speed you've got to come down the last one as fast as you dare so the momentum carries you through. Does it compare to my 103" or 114" Road Glide? For touring no but for that visceral affect riding there's no comparison

I've had them all... Knuck pan shovel twin cam my x even had a flathead but in 15 I bought 2 evo's 99 and 97, love them both

Thank you. The gas cap was rattling around from the jump. Was killing me. "Hey man ya gas cap loose!" Lol

Just got my first evo and it’s the coolest, I have a new 107 m8 and it’s my traveling bike but I’m building up a street bike with the evo, it’s super easy to wrench and just plain runs, old school rocks!

still waiting to here all about the evo. good vid but the title is a bit misleading. i was expecting more info on this engine

I had a '93 Springer Softail Evo with a hot cam, S&S carb and Vance and Hines pipes. Probably added 10 hp. Loved that bike. Never a problem...unlike my 2000 Twin Cam.

I swapped my 1980 shovel head FLH with a 80” s&s evo, not one regret. One of my favorite custom builds that I decided to keep.

Not letting a Evo warm up is a great way to blow base gaskets and cause other things like a broken ring etc

You should hear my '88 FXSTC out in the desert running about 75mph. It's kinda like Pink Floyd cranked up to 11 on the stereo!! It just makes sense....

When tuned properly the CV carbs are great carbs too. My 94 fires off perfectly no crazy rain dancing or standing on your head to get em to start. But s&s are great carbs too. You just don't have to spend $600 on a carb for these bikes to run perfect.

I ride a 1989 Texas police evo, it rides like a dream. Cheers from the Netherlands.

I never had a fuel pump problem on my carbureted Harley.

Change out the stock leaky paper gaskets with the newer style and replace the cam bearing while doing a hotter cam replacement and you have a bullet proof screaming little engine.

Need to warm up the evo before getting on it. Other than that the engine is foolproof.

My first Harley was a evolution. It's still in my heart today .

the evolution motor still to this day i believe is the best it may not be the fastest etc but a stock 80 ci evo is a reliable motor that will run forever if taken care of.

I havr the same bike 92 softail 16 apes and 79000 and still runs like a champ!!!!! Evo never dies!!!!!

I have never turned my fuel off on any of my HDs. Never had an issue. Sold my old one with 42k miles and it ran perfect. My current '04 has 44k miles and runs like a top.

I have the identical bike, 92 FXSTC. I love it, wouldn't trade it for any of the newer ones. One of the most dependable scooters I've had. Cool video !

I know this is a old video but i got a chuckle when you made the comment about Fuel Injection failing. I no a fellow who bought a used bike years ago that came out with fuel injection when Harley 1st put it on their bikes. He didn't have it 1 day before it took out on him long story short the dealership had to buy the bike back because they couldn't get the parts needed to fix it. They wound up giving him a different bike. I do like the old carb bikes but i wouldn't give up fuel injection after having it all these years.

Just purchased my first Harley. 98 heritage softtail. Always been into the older stuff. Should be my forever bike. I’ve had many bikes over the years, but this one is just different. The sound, the vibration, the not being able to turn the thing. It’s perfect.

why I am glad Sportsters stayed with the EVO.

My 91' Electra Glide runs like a friggin' top. Has never left me stranded.

I've got a 99 Fatboy Evo/Carb that I bought back in 2001. Love it! Never a problem. I'm 66 years old now and have had a stoke and some other issues and don't have the balance to ride it anymore. Only 20K on it. I miss riding it, but it still sits in my garage and I fire it up now and then.

I love the old harleys, Im a mechanic and built several from basket cases, mostly shovelheads witch I love. I recently built a 1985 FXRC evo and I love that bike and I have a 1978 FXS shovelhead. I still like the sound of the shovel better!! lol

I have a 1999 FXR3 CVO, and love it! Couldn’t ask for a better Harley!

I have a 1984 EVO FXR and it is almost 200,000 miles. Engine was done one time....even then it was only top end rebuild. Had it for over 20 years and would never sell it.

The gas cap rattle is the locking mechanism getting tired. If you turn iff the enrichner earlier it would be good for it. First thing harley teaches is warm it up first.

Rode my 97 Heritage softail to work tonight. Never fails me, and turns heads with that magical EVO Sound.

It takes few minutes to get warmed up and fun smooth with the carb and all. I have an 88 FXSTC and just got a new belt, shifter lever, and rocker boxes. It's a lot of fun and I love it.

Sounds like the Choke was on the whole ride.

I have 114,678 original miles on my 1992. Changed lifters, added adjustable pushrods and new valve springs @ 108k and it runs better than it did new.

My primary ride is a 1985 FLHTC, first full year of the evo. 65k and still going strong!

I personally have a 96’ tourglide ultra classic with the evo and fuel injection. 78k miles and it runs like the day it rolled off the floor. Trust this bike to take me all over and it’s got plenty of life left in it.

'88 EVO Softtail, 2nd new HD, lasted the longest @ literally no mechanic issues ! Sold to someone I knew @ 125K, they're still riding it. It went through a handful of ign switches, and the typical tires, batteries. A low RPM sensor went off when it was new, replaced & no more issues ! Wish I had another.....driving a '06 Police RK now that needs the cams adjusted every 10mns @ BIG BUCKS !

I would definitely have purchased this Mad Max machine if I didn't own the 2001 Dyna Wide Glide I bought from Srkcycles last year. And Sean there are test ride videos that YOU get EVO transformed and the machine speaks through you! This is one of those videos and it's impressive from an old school " pscho " ( as you say ) perspective. It was the same way when I watched the 2001 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide test ride ( about 20 times in a row through my 1,000 watt sound system ) last year and BOOM, the Cro Magnon instinct to pursue and conquer kicked in and the rest is history .... kind of like the Cro Magnon LOL . I wanted that Dyna as bad as the kid back in the day standing outside a department store looking and staring in awe at a Schwinn Stingray on display in the store window ! You tha man brother.

I like the hand grips on my Sportster 1989 883cc, it has huge hand grips (diameter). The new hand grips all seem to be sized for children, very narrow tubing. I don't understand that at all. I don't have big hands, not a big guy (which is why I like the "low" Sportster), but I like the size of these handgrips.

I ride an 03 sportster almost every day. I installed a hammer 1275 kit in it. It bought an 883 with plans of doing the big bore kit. I think it sounds better than most Harleys I encounter. It's fun to ride with the extra power. Evo was what saved Harley Davidson

I have a fuel injected ( magnetti marelli) 1998 Road King Classic with the Evo motor. The bike has 121,000 miles on it and still runs strong and looks great.

As an owner of a 99'. The last year o f the Evo. I just wanted to say "grreat reliable Mill" . However when riding, give it a couple minutes to warm up. (no matter how easy it starts) And don't ride around with it 1/4 choked or whatever. Ok, you just stated you had it on. I guess that is just inexperience. A seasoned wrench knows when something doesn't SOUND right. Anyway, I hope it stays in the States as well. And just a Tip. Use fuel stabilizer if it's going to sit for a couple weeks.. The ethanol fuel crap loves to block up carbs

Evo must not idle like a Twinkie! Turn that thing down man! Nice ride, looks sweet.

I've got a 95 Heritage Softail has about 50,000 miles on it tires brakes voltage regulator and a switch all I've ever done to it and the battery or 2 of course great bike like other people said wouldn't take a new one for it! And good video by the way thanks for sharing

I sold my 01 Road King and my 02 FLSTC and bought a 98 Evo. Wouldn't trade this Evo or my 72 FLH for another twin cam or Milwaukee 8. This Evo I got from the original owner with 28676 miles on it it is as factory as the day it rolled off the showroom floor for thirty one hundred bucks. I am a happy camper.

I just picked up a 1994 FXRP and the tank was shotgunned with moisture holes… looked like termites had a field day. But I couldn’t stand it and grabbed a plastic 1/2 gallon lawn mower tank and after 30 minutes of wiring and tank removal…. Walla bang it LIVES!!!

Riding 1991 EVO Softail fxstc custom and I love it!!! Blue beast will never retire… fix and upgrade till I can’t !!!

I just sold both my Twin Cams and bought a 1998 FLSTF a one owner low mileage well cared for bike that is factory original except for an upgraded exhaust and a mustang seat. I am glad to have it i can work on it like my 72 FLH with out a bank of computers and the cam problems in the twin can motor.

I have a 90 FXRS-SP that had 1407 original miles when I bought it for $3500 last year. It now has 11,××× original miles . Ive added a S&S super E carb , a Thunder header , Johnson High lift Lifters , S&S adjustable pushrods and EV3 cam. Being a Calif bike it was really lacking performance in original form. The mods made have been night and day as far as performance . It moves very well

She sure did purr nicely after you stopped choking her!

my brother that bike has a S&S e carb, and the reason it was breaking up so bad was you had the choke on for ten min's, , with these bikes you pull up the choke lever just to start the bike, then you close the choke , then you use the thumb screw under the throttle till the motor warms up about 5or6 min's, then you go , if you ride with the choke up your running to rich and your going to kill your spark plugs. and if you don't warm up an evo till the rear rocker box feels warm you can blow a base gasket under the jug's and it can happen the first time you do it. $15 gasket , $600 labor so you don't want that, one more thing i'm glad your a brother in Christ , BE BLESSED

This engine and the shovel head engine were the best sounding engines of all. You have to keep it stock. None of this custom stuff

Those Z bars look great & are bent to a comfortable angle as well as being wide enough. Though regular Z bars look awesome I always found them uncomfortable on longer trips & too narrow , the ones on that bike look like they finally adressed my compaints. Looks like I finally have a reason to change out the stock bars on my bike. TY & keep up the good work .

''when is the last time an efi let you down?'' im a mechanic, i see those people all the time

I traded an 04 Fatboy for a 1998 Road King Classic, and absolutely love everything about it. I hope to buy a shovelhead one day, and as some have said, it's not fast, but, if I wanted to race, I'd buy a sport bike.

Biggest mistake that evo owners made was taking off before the engine was properly warmed up. You find an evo with leaky base gaskets, that is the problem, getting on it before the engine is warm.

I have a carbureted 1994 Electra Glide Classic with an Evo motor. It has 125K miles on it, and it is all original. It doesn’t leak oil. It has good compression and makes good power.

I think the reason people say evo rule is because they were made with care and pride and thats the last motor that was made buy a generation that cared about what they were making , now its all computers and not guys in a shop discussing design , instead there in a board meating in front of a computer , technology is not always a good thing , look at a glass compared to a Styrofoam cup what last longer . And look at a model A there are tons around go find a ford tempo ........ there is a reason old thing are still here and new things get tossed , things used to be made with pride now there only made with profit in mind , as long as it sells who cares if it breaks down we got thier money thats all that matters .

I ride an Ironhead. That's classic Harley Davidson

My Evo just crossed 80,000 miles this afternoon. Still amazing

I have a 92 softail custom with 6600 original miles and I love that bike

heres my thought for the day.."if you cant fix it with a hammer,youve got electrical problems".

Just had a nice romp on Highway 1 with my 97 Bad Boy. Gots a few scratches and scrapes but get that puppy ripping at 90+ mph and you can hear it half way down the coast. God bless those beer drinking dope smoking lads on the old Milwaukee line that made it from American iron.A bike you can hit shit with. It is the last of the Mohicans with it's Vance n Hines pipes and old time carburetor technology. And yes, the Frau wouldn't give up on that kinda vibration no way no how. gosh darn, gonna just go out n fire it up so the neighbors know Im still alive.

2 Shovels, 2 Evo's. I gotta say if I really had to get down on a 700 mile day tomorrow the Evo would be my pick.

Glad to hear "words of wisdom" from a fellow rider!

I've had an 84 & 86 FXR, 86 & 2000 Sportster, and now ride a 96 Sportster. All Evo. All easy to diagnose any trouble. If I have to plug it into a computer to figure out what's wrong with it, I don't want it.

First off, I don't believe and I have a lot of reasons not to. In saying that, I still sit and suffer listening to your words of wisdom. Other then that, I think you have a great channel and your an interesting listen. I feel like your ( at the very least ) trustworthy , you've been great source for me in deciding what kind of bike might be right for me. I haven't been on a bike in 20 years and I've just recently gotten my motorcycle licence again, much to the dismay of my amazing , beautiful loving wife. Im writing to you because I appreciate you. And as much as anyone can know anybody watching one of these channels , I like you and I respect your words. So thank you buddy. Joel

I have a 93 softail Springer I love it

I have a '92 FXDB Dyna Glide Daytona, absolutely love it! Go the EVO

I have a 1994 Harley sportster 883 with 1200 jugs 24k miles and counting it’s my first bike and I can’t get enough of it

I've got a 97 Dyna and a 2000 Sportster sport. Something to be said for the simplicity and feel of these machines. I've tried the modern Harleys and they are good bikes but the soul is not the same. Now there's the "street cred" that comes with the EVOS, kind of like the shovel and iron head cred without the puddles of oil and no starts.

My 05 1200 evo engine roadster sportster comes with 70 hp from the factory. I love the fire and the bucking.

1989 Evo Electra Glide 92,000+ miles going strong.....

He keeps talking about that 20 year Harley running so good, he should see all the 60 and 70 year old Harleys still running the highways.

My 98 FLSTF is a carburetor bike it runs great.

I've got a 1993 Harley Davidson Low Rider 1340 EVO screaming eagle...Love it bro. The Lord said "Low" I am with you alway....

lol @ 11:30. I rode my '93 Evo home in 39 degree weather :) Great videos, I enjoy watching them.

It needs more back pressure too. Evo's work better with mufflers. I had a set of Paucho mufflers on my 1990 ultra. They were quiet and my bike ran well, I thought. Then I happened on some stock mufflers that must have been "Take-Offs". I installed those and WOW, my engine ran better than ever. My RPM's went down in every gear and I could feel the increase in power.

They should bring the shovel head back

Have '94 82" evo. Runs like champ. Evo should idle just under 1,000 rpms

Run 89 Evo Springer with 43 K on it 30 K are mine in the last couple a years. Great running and starting bike

Love my 96 140000 and still running great

I have 780,000 on my FXEF,bought new. Kicker only now. Been rebuilt 5 times, and I'll ride it till I die. Been everywhere. Nothin like the feel of a vibratin' 4 speed evo. and I do everything but the bottom end at my garage.

The exhaust note suggests it has a hotter then stock cam. Since it has an S&S carb, it bet the owner went with a pretty warm cam while he was at it.

Save all EVO's from the salesmen, before it's too late. My 97 Dyna has never been a whore. Had it for 21 years and it just gets better. The Harley dealers fucking hate me.

A lot of the evos went overseas. I will never let go of my 1988 electra glide custom sport.