Originally Posted by
NORTY
I bought an FXD back in 1994. It was a '95 model. I rode that bike for 21 years. Put a fair amount of miles on that EVO too. Like any Harley, the EVO did have an Achille's heel. This being the ICB. The inner cam bearing (ICB.) from Harley just wasn't up to the stresses that camshafts put on them. They usually lasted about 10,000-20,000 miles before they literally beat the outside race into fragments. The oil would then carry these fragments thu-out the engine, causing all kinds of damage. Once the bearing was replaced with a better Torrington, it lasted forever. The bike sounded like a HD should. The EVO can withstand an ultra low RPM idle (650-700), and survive. The new twinkies and "8's" can't do this today. They need 1000 RPM to keep from punishing their "big ends." Too low an idle RPM shocks the big end/crank journals.
Figure a clutch cable lasts about 55,000-60,000 miles and/or about a half million actuations. I went thru 3 or 4 cables on my FXD. Never did need to replace the clutch itself. Never even had to adjust it in fact. Speaking of clutch cable effort, you may want to install a Burley EZ Boy clutch pull reduction device. They reduce clutch pull effort by 40%, and I believe it. Also makes the friction zone 40% wider too. Best $25 you'll ever spend.
Anyway, back to the Dyna. Mine weighed 598 (according to the firm that designed/built the bike.) Mine was modded to the "Stage II" level. When Harleys are modded, they get thirsty. I went thru 5 gallons of gas in 165 miles. All 1995 Dyna's are carbed, btw. Keep this in mind as fuels gain alcohol percentages...(It's why I got rid of my Dyna, for the most part.)
I got a 2016 Dyna to replace my old FXD with an FXDL (low.) It's a fuels and gets 200+ miles per 5 gallon tank. This is great when you run extended legs out in the desert where gas may not be for "another 120 miles..." (Remember Wild Hogs?) Well, there's a speck of truth to this.
Come to think of it, I have too many bikes in my garage, so I need to let one go, and it's my Harley Dyna Lowrider. 19,000 miles and it can be yours, if the price is right!