Good video Man... This info is great for those interested in purchasing an Evo Harley. Buying a classic Harley in most cases, is a "roll of the dice". Live and learn, we all go through it...
WOW I tell EVERYONE It you have an EVO replace the cam bearing ASAP. Or be sure you're buying it from someone who you can trust who already has. Don't feel singled out about it. I've had two friends who had the very same thing happen. Mine has been replaced in my 97 Road King.
yup- as this guy was talking, my thoughts EXACTLY. 40K on an Evo motor... the cam bearing should NOT come apart. The problem more than likely, when the cam 'upgrade' was installed; the installer either didn't replace the inner bearing or damaged the new one going in. He probably hammered it in instead of pressing it in. Very common. Anyway, he needs to get used to getting his hands dirty or he'll go broke. At least he's got another ride while he's waiting. Ride safe everybody.
I 3rd that motion! I bought a ten year old evo 20 years ago that was said to be blown. It just needed a lifter. Over the years I've replaced 2 more lifters individually having only one non ajustible push rod left. It's become somewhat of an experiment in that I will only fix each individual part as it breaks to see just how many miles this engine will go before it needs to be totally rebuilt. I've replaced the base gaskets once, all the rocker box gasket s and a few other small repairs here & there. I change the engine oil every few thousand miles and the transmission and primary each year weather it needs it or not. The Evo filters the oil in a different order then a twin cam so it's able to catch metal better in the camchest, and filter before it goes back to the oil tank if you shut it down as soon as a lifter roller bearing goes. The bike has close 100,000 miles now and will need its 1st compensater sprocket soon Old bikes are better suited for those who do their own wrenching as said unless you have really deep pockets!
I have an '89 FXRS Low Rider I bought in 2003, with only 23K miles on it. It's had plenty of maintenance and a few repairs, but nothing really serious. It now has over 80K miles on it and I'm seriously considering an S&S motor. I'm 63, and I plan on keeping this bike for the rest of my life. Resale is not an issue, reliability is. You can't go wrong either replacing the motor in an EVO bike with either an S&S or a PROPERLY built H-D motor. These bikes can run literally forever just by replacing parts, and they are far superior to a Twin Cam or M8. They are simple, rugged motors, don't have cam chains or pressed together flywheels, they are carbureted, no computers, they sound and feel like what a Harley should. I would spend money replacing everything on an EVO Harley before buying a new one. IMO they just aren't really Harleys anymore.
Same here. I have a 93 Heritage and I’ve had no major problems and there is a good Harley mechanic not too far away that is known to be the best Evo mechanic around. The Harley Davidson shop sends customers to him.
Why would you take off that beautiful great big ‘fuck-off’ headlight nacelle off it ? That’s one of the old Road King’s best features. But I really admire people who buy a Harleys and just repeatedly rebuild it as necessary over decades. My tastes are not yours, but I still respect your right to be punished for them ! Cheers from Australia and a Heritage Softail Custom 103 owner.
You are right on about the CV40 carb. Especially the earlier ones. I have rebuilt several of them for myself and others too. Super simple to do with the CVP kit and a few other tricks I’ve learned over time. It will out perform even a Mikuni that’s well tuned. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
I went through a similar issue with my 97 RK, bought it last December, for a song, with 30k. I negotiated because the base gaskets and rocker box gaskets were leaking, I only planned on ripping it down and replacing all the gaskets but there was some moderate scoring in the cylinders, sent them out to get bored, basic vtwin man. pistons .005 over, and had them clean the heads and do a valve job/seals. I put her all together and ran her just about 10k this year. I got lucky in that the previous owner had replaced the cam pretty recently. I ripped the gearbox down a few weeks ago and put a new bearing in anyway and new lifters but they were in good shape. Just goes to show, basically same scenario, two totally different outcomes. Best of luck to you. Ps. That was also my fallback plan to get an S&S V80. I’m excited to see it in your bike.
I feel your pain, man. I bought a 98 police Roadking back '09. Ended up putting a factory rebuild motor in it due to the previous owner not maintaining it. 5k investment quickly became a 11k investment. Haven't had an engine problem since. It's not winning any races, but it's a reliable engine. Still riding it.
New used bikes are sometimes the crapshoot for sure, especially when they look clean but it's because they've been scrubbed clean ore test ride for slow leak telltale signs etc. I just bought a super clean '94 FXDWG that had just had a new Amazon soecial knockoff CV carburetor installed. It seemed to need mad choke to run fir longer than it should have and seemed to get hot quickly and had a lean spit sound to it. So, I just oulled the new carb and compared it to the old and the new one is missing certain vacuum inlets so I just decided to rebuild the old carburetor and reinstall it, I got the full rebuild kit and jets for it as I didn't know if it had been rejetted ti match the aftermarket high flowing Arlen Ness air cleaner, which I like for the simplicity and it deletes a silly, terribl looking factory hose. I got another V-Twin to ride that starts immediately and ran great, didn't even need the choke, but it's a liquid cooled Honda Shadow VT1100C '86 model that's a sweet ride with seemingly far more power than the Harley, at least 30 hp rated more from the factory than the Evo 80. It has a coolant leak from the upper radiator hose that's basically impossible to source as an OEM replacement. So, I will match it the best I can to either an automotive radiator hose or have a custome ine made to match. I'm going to change the oil and rear gear oil, check that the cooling system has no other leaks and goid pressure and the gauge shows correctly and ensure the fan comes on and runs well, olus check the water oump flow. After that, I may replace some upper valve train gaskets and call it goid and ride the wheels off it until I get the other bikes up and roadworthy. Good luck with your Road King project sorry you had to dump so much money immediately!
I know this video is 2 years old but people still read comments. I had 100 k on my 80Evo before I swapped to a S&S V111. It still ran good but I promised myself a new engine instead of a new bike. Evos are good engines. I don't know how many miles you had on it but it's common to get 100k on one if you care for it. The Harley carb do adjust for altitude but it is not a problem with a correctly tuned S&S carb.
Damn brother, you’re going to have to work a few EJs to pay for this adventure. Sounds like it’s going to be a sick bike once it’s out of the shop. Stay safe.
I just got my father’s 1996 Road King. It’s being shipped to Texas right now. It’s got 83,000 miles on it. He had it for 17 years and never had a problem. I hope his good luck streak continues with me!
I spent $6500 for a '13 Road King Police. It had a bunch of issues. However, I bought an aftermarket warranty with the bike. I used the warranty to repair all the issues and now it runs great and everything works as it should.
Did the same thing with my 09 street glide. The warranty paid for itself in the first 90 days of owning the bike. Now, it runs like a dream. Love it! However, I also own a goldwing ...just in case😂😅😂
New subscriber. Found your channel looking for information on a mid-90's RK as I found one with only 15k miles. Have yet to go see it and waiting after the holidays. Bummer for you on the unplanned expense but happy you are on your way. Now I'm wondering about what lurks beneath! Last thing I want is to go down your road.
Thanks Dean! You win some you lose some on used bikes, I guess. Good luck with your buy! I should have an update on mine very shortly, I was hoping it would be done today. No luck.
Sorry to hear about the rk brother but keep your head up time goes on and before you know it you'll be breaking in that s&s and we'll be here watching and enjoying more harley videos.
I bought a 97 Road King with 41k on it. I have had it for 3 yrs and it's been a blast. It has 50k now. I'm super close to the Dragon/Deals Gap 129. Great riding around here. I love the Evo but I worry about my engine. I was thinking I would put a ULTIMA EL BRUTO EVO 100 ci (115hp) motor if mine ends up going bad. Looking forward to seeing your RK on the street again.
pmaint1 told you that from just hearing the whine on the first video of the evo just a little way down on comments .... Could have saved you a lot of money. and got you a lifetime of videos off that 96 evo engine. You learn as you go 80 harley evo can last forever. Every Harley motor has its Quirks. pmaint1 on the next episode cam bearing broke apart and caused all Kinds of Crap ,,,, You called it!!! I just went out to my 95 electra glide with 100 plus thousand miles on it to make shure I did not hear that whining sound you heard on the video. I hear it also !! But no on mine right now so I would think it was taken care of in the past. maybe you should get a channel. Any advice appreciated ..... Runs 110 mph and up before sounding like not cruising and not close to red lining still!! Im still in to youre chanel but please do not dismiss the Harley Davidson 80 Evo as not being one of the best motors ever made after 1 letdown from the Lemon that you got sold on. Just check on common problems from all engine models from Harley and be a true Harley Biker ....or buy a Gold Wing. Good Luck on the S&S. Im looking foward to Keeping up with You and that. I may have to go that way some day Hopefully thousands of miles ahead.
Now near the original cost of the evo of $17000 in1996. My 97 fat boy with 7k miles runs seamlessly - one day the years catch up. At least you have a dealer that services the Evolution. The lack of service providers teach us novice mechanics how to care building confidence on the road. Love Harley!!
Honestly, I think your shop painted a worst case picture and knows you well enough to get your Benjamins. Evos are particular though not complicated, parts are easily available at fair values. The v111 Evo option would have been the better money spent. Learn about this platform and fully understand the cv carb, like I said , they’re particular.
I agree I think the shop is really putting the screws to you.you should have taken it little guy in Arlington. Where did you take it? Browns. They got dollar signs in their eyes. A good honest shop is hard to find. I should have gone to Harley mechanic school.
That's what happens when you ride an Evo without warming it up first. Of course it doesn't happen right away but it WILL happen sooner or later if you neglect to follow that routine.
Yep. Not too much of a choice, didn’t really expect it to need a motor when it went in! It makes me feel better that they guy doing the build rides an evo motor bike.
