The Harley Davidson Evolution Engine 1984-1999
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- A look at the Harley Davidson Evolution Engine that lasted from 1984-1999.
Email: csa1nt@outlook.com
#harleylifestyle #biker #harleybikers #bikelife #harleylife #harleydavidsonlifestyle #harley #motorcycle #harleydavidson #harleydavidsonmotorcycle #harleydavidsonmotorcycles #engine #motor #evolution #motorcycles #motorcycleengine
I am 83 years old, and started riding on a 1942 "45" flat head when I was 14, in 1955. My current ride is a 99 Softail Custom. The EVO has the simplicity of a none electronic fuel injection and water cooled engine. Air cooling and carburetors are simple and easy to work on. The EVO is something of a mystery. It gives a feeling that no other motor has ever done. It is basically a 2 cylinder radial engine which have their roots in radial aircraft like the Steerman biplane.
Those of us who love the EVO know why but we cannot explain it very well. All I know is when riding the back roads around where I live, and am listening to the music of the drag pipes, (who needs a radio anyway,) and watching the sun reflect off the head light, the cadence of the EVO as I begin to pull a hill is unforgettable. Thats my story and I am sticking to it. LOL.
That’s a pretty good story 👍
@@jimkraft9445 I bought a 99 softail that was in an accident last year for very cheap, and decided to fix it up and sell it. Well I did fix it up, but now I don't want to sell it. After riding it a little, I understand your comment
@@therecanbeonlyonechris5019 They do have that effect.
I have a 1989 FHLS Electra Guide with 87 Thousand miles and still kicking strong.❤
That's amazing!!😮
The evolution era 1984-1999 was Harleys golden era. Every single year during this time frame introduced something fun and exciting. It was either a new model, paint scheme, anniversary, or limited edition, etc. There was something to look forward to or get excited about at the end of every summer. It was fun going to the dealership. Harley’s production numbers climbed every year. Their stock value climbed every year too. Think of all the models that came out during this legendary time. The Softail, Heritage, Springer, Heritage Springer, RoadKing, Fatboy, Dyna, Sturgis, Daytona, Badboy, FXRD, Sportster line, FXR line, Candyglide, Liberty Editions, Mooglide on and on. And all built on a similar platform that was simple, effective, reliable and fun. Get your hands on an evo Harley if you can.
I would agree. The company had some good years in the eighties through the nineties. Like you said, lot of iconic bikes came out of that era.
@BachelorHarley, you are spot on. You know your Harley history !
Hear no evo, see no evo, speak no evo....you don't want them...dude you're letting the cat out of the bag.
Enjoyed this. EVO's forever!
Thanks for watching 👍
I have a 97 Fatboy with 36k miles- Still runs great, very reliable and doesn’t leak a drop of oil. I still Love to ride it after 27 years of life flying by…
Love those evo Fatboys 👍
I love my 1340 evo with edelbrock heads, andrews 52 cam, s&s SuperG and straight pipes 💪🏻
My 1995 FXSTSB Springer softail turns 30 next year and it still runs great and looks pretty good. It’s been a great bike.
I owned an 1987 FXRS-SP with the big EVO. Was an awesome workhorse of a motor.
I still have the same since new.
I will also have to nominate myself as a fan of the Evo as first-choice pick; yeah, as stated, it ain't gonna even get out the starting gate by the time other bikes have hit the finish line, but the question arises as to whether being "first" is actually a priority. My question: Does it have real durability/reliability to it, and will it hit the speed limit? If yes, the rest is irrelevancy. Thank you very much, CS, for having gone into the mechanical details/differences on this, and every good wish going forward.
Thanks. It’s definitely a reliable engine when looked after. And it may not be the most powerful, but it’s got plenty of power to get you into trouble.
@canadiansa1nt3yeah these young kids want to go 100mph plus, done that on my kz1000, I'm 66 yrs young and doing 75 on my 94 dyna is fine with me. See ya at the next stop light.
For my taste, Evo is peak Harley -- lots of old timey character, runs cool, can take high miles and go coast to coast without drama.
Agreed 👍
Excellent presentation! You can sure tell an evo, coming and going!
Thanks boss 👍
My first Harley that I ever bought was a 1994 Electra Glide Classic. I am the second owner. She came with a carbureted Evo engine. The bike is all original with 124,647 miles. I have 126,687 miles on her. She has really good compression. She makes good power. She does not leak nor consume oil. I shall ride her until I die.
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I ordered and had to wait almost a year to get my 1998 FXSTC, Softail Custom. Got a plaque from Harley and was treated pretty good. I still have the bike, but I noticed through the years how poorly Harley treats its customers. Still love my bike. Excellent video.
I have to admit service has gone downhill in most dealerships.
Love my 98 883 with 1200 top end.
Rock solid , I was at ami when they came out and we were doubtful😂
I 100% agree that the evo is Harley’s best engine. My first bike was a 1989 FXSTC which I still have and ride. Just can’t beat that sound and feel of the evo. Also have the ‘21 RKS,sure it has more power but just doesn’t have the same sound. Great vid few things on the history I didn’t know.
I wish I still had my evo Fatboy.
The 4 individual cams design of the Sportster goes way back to the 1950s and the flathead K/KH models. It it works, don't F with it. 😃
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Best motor ever !
Agreed 👍
Great Vid... With regular maintenance, oil changes, and minimal down-time (sitting, gathering dust/rust) a big-twin Evo can easily go 100K miles, and then probably just need a top-end... currently ride a TC softail, nice bike, but the Evo is where its at, and I may trade back... my Evo went 110K miles when medical issues sidelined me for a few years, but I remember it fondly...
You’re right. Those evo’s could be almost bulletproof if they’re looked after.
I've had Sportster, A Knucklehead,,a 77 AMF. Shovelhead . I bought it in 1993. In 94, we rode to Sturgis and back to Georgia. No problems. I did service it before we left. 🤞
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I love my 1995 FLSTN EVO. I am also proud to have bought my 77 AMF XLH Ironhead Sportster I bought new and still have and use it. Nice video. Cheers. 🇮🇲🇮🇲
Thanks boss 👍
Enjoyed it . I had an evo plus a few others , I think the Evo is the smoothest and most relaxed ride I have .
Thanks 👍
Wow! What cutting edge technology!
I have a couple Harleys but, to me in my vision, I'm in love with the look of the old 60s triumph 650 motors. Something about that vertical twin motor that I just love. Classic sound too. "But I still love my hogs too". 😂
I have three engines, Shovel, Evo, and Twin Cam. Each one has its own peculiarities and very different starting techniques. I understand Porsche helped in the design of the combustion chamber on the Evolution engine with a flat top piston compared to the dome pistons in the Shovelhead. Cheers from down under 🇦🇺 Stan.
You’re one of very few who I ever heard mention the Porsche connection. 👍
@@canadiansa1nt309 A really good book to read is "Well made in America" by Peter C Reid. There is still the od copy floating around on ebay. Some fascinating information in that book.
For those that hated the AMF days at Harley, just remember, AMF was responsible for bringing the EVO engine design to reality.
Exactly! if it hadn't been for AMF the Evo may never have been developed
And, we probably would have Lost HARLEYS for good! Those were bad times for The Motorcycle world unless you were all about Japanese bikes; which have a place too.
Just saying
@@neiluscook2283 it's much worse now
Excellent and informative video! The foliage is looking beautiful up there bro!
Thanks boss. It may look nice here but I have to say I hate this time of year.
RIP HD Inc, 1903-1999.
I bought my first HD in 1984 which was a soft tail it came with the evolution heads and jugs the bottom is all shovel head I still have the bike this bike has the old 4 speed transmission with kick star chain drive this marks the 40th anniversary of the evolution engine.
Sounds nice 👍
1990 FLHS since new not fast but pulls and jugs like a steam locomotive
Still wish I had my ‘95 Fatty.
Nice video. I will never sell my 99 Fat Boy, it always puts a smile on my face when I am out on the road. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
No problem. Love those evo Fatboys
Hi Canadian Saint, I forgot to ask how do you like the M8 Fat Boy and have you had any problems ? Ride safe and take care. Cheers
EVO’s are very buildable. The after market has made sure of this. I think 100-120” engine is all a guy needs on the road. Using a good street-able cam.
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Love the evo. Have 2 of them....a '93 FXSTS and a '93 FLHTCU. Basically, they are what I call a rock solid, low tech, "tractor" engine with loads of torque. Wouldn't trade either one for anything.
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I love mine. It just goes and goes. 1998.
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Yes people hated AMF. But where do you think Harley got the money to develop the Evolution?
Interesting point
Evo 100,000 miles plus engines
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My 2008 Buell Ulysess has a 1203 CC Thunderstorm motor based on the EVO. It has better heads. Downdraft fuel injection. An Oil Cooler with an air scoop. Air Scoops to cool the rear Cylinder, Piston Oilers , A Lighter Flywheel .. A hotter Cam .. higher compression ration . Dual rail shift rails for much better shifting than HD's gave , A thermostatically controlled cooling fan . It makes 103 HP .. Harley sold Boat Anchors compared to the Buell versions.
Sounds like a pretty hot bike
@@canadiansa1nt309 ua-cam.com/video/Q3BcMKN-2Nk/v-deo.html
@@canadiansa1nt309 Back when HD sold a whole line of Motorcycles 1974
ua-cam.com/video/Ob0_niPRmRQ/v-deo.html
Cp3Cp and cp4, out the box they work
I have a 1999 night train Evo love it
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Love my 94 FXDWG, EVO. I have 28k on the bike, with a Andrews ev27 cam python slip ons and air cleaner. Perfect set up for cruisin.Ride safe, Nice video.
Thanks boss 👍
It's already been mentioned but AMF developed the Evo. I have a magazine from the day talking about all the modernization they were doing. AMF built the Pennsylvania plant.
Yes it was AMF Money and Development under AMF that upgraded to the Evolution engines. The York plant buildings are old and already existed for other purposes.
I own a 1989 police Electra glide with the evo engine. Wouldn’t trade it for anything else 👍
Eric Buell made many improvements to the Evo Platform. My 2008 Buell Ulysess has: A better flowing head, down draft fuel injection, Piston Oilers, Air Scoops for the rear cylinder. An Oil Cooler with an air scoop, Dual Rail Shift rails, Lighter crankshaft, Higher compression ration 10.5 to 1 103 Horsepower stock though I think in race Trim Buell was getting up to 150 HP for 1203's or 1250's .
Also a thermostatically ECU controlled cooling fan.
Sounds pretty nice 👍
i love my 98 sporty 883 ,good vid mate...
Thanks boss
AWESOME ... THIS WAS EPIC THANK YOU ❤
No problem 👍
had 06 twin cam blow up at 60 thousand miles. inner cam bearing failure. bought 92 glide overhauled it, andrews 27 cam , run like a bandit.
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You reckon it was the cam chain tensioners that caused that issue? I have an 07 Twin Cam with the hydraulic tensioners & it is about to hit 120,000 miles. I changed the cam shoe tensioners with Cyco Gasket shoes for $12 & installed new HD lifters. Only did that, because I had a rocker box leak. The shoes might of gone another 10 k. I also have a 93 evo & it runs alot cooler.
With a little compression and headwork or screamin eagle or s&s heads.. a mild cam they can easily hit close to 100 horsepower. And be very reliable still. Will never get rid of my 98 heritage
Agreed 👍
I love the twin cam. I own one. The EVO. Was a great motor too.
I wouldn’t give up a well built 80” for nada …FXR 4 EVER…🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Some interesting info that I didn't know.
I have a 1998 Fatboy but it looks a lot like a Heritage with a nacelle headlight. I bought it with about 8650 miles and it had spoked wheels. Now it has almost 60,000 miles on it. it was supposed to be my last bike but life is funny. I hit a deer, lived and bought an Ultra Classic. Took two years to get the Boy back on the road and I could hear that beautiful sound. Two years later (last year) I hit a deer with the Ultra, and lived. Bought a Electra Glide Classic last fall and came to close to hitting a deer yesterday with it. The baggers are just bikes but the Fatboy isn't going any were. 98-99 was the best years for the EVO, it was as good as it was going to get before they ceased production. It had little things like the clutch that were up graded along the way but they all sound sweet. Sometimes I swear they sound like two separate engines running at the same time. Like one thumping and another running erratically, don't have to understand it to love it.
Love the evo Fatboys. But watch out for those deer 🦌
@@canadiansa1nt309 Thanks, as far as deer I am always looking but it is hard to out maneuver a speeding bullet. I talk to people all the time that have had near misses, hit one, two and three deer so I know I'm not being singled out. If nine lives was the cut off I wouldn't be hear tapping on the keyboard. All bikers have stories, some funny and some extremely sad ones. The lucky ones can still tell their stories. Ride safe, but sometimes that's not enough.
Awesome review as always 💯 🤘🏻!! My girlfriend 1994 FXLR has the EVO and it's a workhorse!! I have wanted a Harley since I was 6 years old, and when I saw Terminator 2 , and saw the Fat Boy for the first time..I knew that was the bike I wanted to get. It does not matter to me if it's an EVO, Twin Cam, or M8..it's the best!! In my own opinion. Keep up the great work 👊🏻💯🤘🏻
Thanks boss 👍
I have a 1988 Softail and I'll always have this bike.
I wish I kept my ‘95
If not mistaken the evo development had an engine designer who came from Norton. Anyway I have a 96 evo, 06 TC 88 and a 15 with 103 TC. That 103 can sure lay down the torque! Looking forward to doing some Evo work.
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I have a 1987 sportster 883 but with the 1200 big bore kit, S&S carb and S&S intake with drag pipes! Holy loud Batman!
That would sound nice 👍
The Evo was in development in the 1970's with a lot of imput from Porsche. AMF funded that. I have two Shovels and two Evo's. I love them all, but if I gotta ride 1,000 miles tomorrow it's on a Evo.
Edit: P.S. another thing that REALLY helped in 84 was the adoption of the 5-speed transmission. If HD had adopted the 5-speed 5/10 years sooner, behind the Shovel, it would have made a real difference in peoples preception of HD bikes. The 5th gear helps to gear a bike taller and slow the RPM's down on the highway and helps with engine vibration and longevity. That and a belt primary really helps to keep down vibration. There were things that HD should have done in the 60's or 70's that could have made the Shovel a more reliable bike.
Very interesting. I thought the Porsche connection was the V-Rod? I guess you learn something new everyday 👍
One of the very few people who ever mention the Porsche connection 👍
@@therecanbeonlyonechris5019 Porsche was involved in the V-Rod too. Being a air cooled car engine company gave them a real advantage in helping HD.
@@seththomas9105 yes, that definitely makes sense
I have a 1998 FLHR Road king, the last year of the EVO Road Kings. Just a great bike to take out for a ride. No powerhouse but it gets the job done. I also had a 2003 XL1200S Sportster. That bike had amazing power. My younger son has it now. I have ridden the M8 equipped Road King and I really like the way it pulled up through the RPM range. Now I have my eye on the new Nightster Special 975 Revmax engine. I would not be surprised if the larger 1250 size used in the Pan America starts finding its way into the touring models.
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My black mistress is a
98 super glide ❤
My current Harley is a 1999 Evolution Night train, i had a twin cam when they first came out and wished i had bought an Evo instead.
Nothing like an evo 👍
I've got a 2014 XL1200X forty-eight and the EVO engine is awsome and is nearly bomb proof.
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I had an Evo engine Sportster. My first Harley, and absolutely loved the thing. Traded it for an 88TC Road king, because reasons. Swapped that for a TCB FatBoy, which works for me, and I'll probably ride the thing until I'm too old to ride anything anymore. But like you, if I had that cash, and the space to park it, I'd have another Evo Sporty in a minute.
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The last good engine...
Very interesting video.
Thanks boss 👍
Great summary!
Thanks boss 👍
@canadiansa1nt309 hope you're enjoying the Fatty again....I'm out for a nice ride today in Niagara.
Harley-Davidson Evolution V-Twin Motorcycles - HISTORY OF THE BIG TWIN by Kevin Cameron (August 21, 2016)
I have an 85 EVO dyna and an 06 88” twin cam softail. Both are mildly modded, that Evo will outrun that TC
I like the m8 it hits 4 valves per cylinder..i have 65,000 miles on my lowrider 107 no issues.😊
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The era after 2017 is worse than AMF.
AMF part 2. Harley-Davidson needs to remember who they are.
Yes and no the m8 is a great engine but the overall bike design these days suck
Jochen Zeitz appears to be trying to run Harley into the ground.
Just got into the evo I just got a 94 Electra glide that’s all original paint pin striping, still has the original am/fm cassette
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Wow I want it.😂
5:45 they came out with the 1100 before the 1200
So the Sportster had a 4 Cam configuration in both the 883 and 1200? How can you visually tell the difference?
All sportsters are 4 cam
Unless you pull the cam chest you won’t see it. But yes, all the Sportsters are 4 cam.
@@canadiansa1nt309 Thanks for the reply!
@@microbus99 you can tell by the way the tappet blocks are spread out in a straight line
@@damonpulliam6211 I did notice that. They don't have the "overlapping" appearance that a single cam or twin cam has. Thank you!
Really should be called the Norton Evo as it was designed by the Norton Commando engine designer. It got put into the Softail which had Yamaha rear suspension.
Didn’t have Yamaha suspension it was a design that a custom chopper builder was king and Harley bought the rights and redesign it
@@Dynachop420 True. Bill Davis 'designed' his system in '74, a year after the identical Yamaha monocross system was introduced. HD adopted it in early 80's, and modified the design probably enough to keep the Yamaha lawyers from knocking. But credit where due, it is still a Yamaha system at its roots.
@@lenphil9875 softails didn’t have a mono shock until 2018 dude they ran duel shock underneath the frame fuck Yamaha
Love my Sporty.
Blockheads were a good engine
Agreed 👍
I love my Evo's I own a 91 heritage with a cam and board out going to put some Vance and hance pipes on it and a 99 ,883 Sporter, don't know what I'm going to do with that, looking at making it a hard tail or a 1200 or both, or nothing at all , but 1 is for sure never go to get rid of them I love them
I have a o3 Indian with a s&s motor in it was told it's the Evo clone 😮
The Gilmore Indians were the best ever.
What bike are you riding in this video?
2024 Fatboy
most hated time ? bit like now.................
You’ve got a point there..
The evo was still produced until 2020?
2022 actually. But only in the Sportsters.
At 4:14 Tatro Machine?
You don,t buy a harley for speed you buy it because it has american soul and that is everything a mechanical version of a human
Agreed 👍
the evo did not end in 99 it carried on in the sportster till these demise of the sportster
I just love the evil
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Shovelhead!! 8:49
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22 sportster still used the evos
Indeed
Evo in a Buell . .
Cylinders are and were steel liners.
GREAT MOTOR BUT LACKS POWER.
Agreed. It’s pretty underpowered by today’s standards.
Harleys are not about power. If you want power, get a crotch rocket.
HD is the only company that’s damned if they do any damned if they don’t as far as innovation. The Challenger is all liquid cooled, gets praised even so because it performs, even though it’s ugly as hell with thst bloated fairing. I’m getting my popcorn ready for then HD pops a bigger RevMax in touring bikes. Which will happen, the M8 will be the last HD motor with any air cooling. Like the Sportster. They missed with the looks on the new Sportys, but they f-ing perform. And everyone hates them. The RevMax is 50X the motor the Evo was. That said, a lot of where HD is has been brought on by no one but HD.
Sooner or later liquid cooling and electric will take over.
The name Blockhead" came from egotistical editors at American Iron Magazine. It wasn't accepted by riders that preferred to call it the EVO
Glad you’ve contacted every rider to confirm that 👍
@@canadiansa1nt309😂🤭😝🤘
Evolution? Really?
Really
AMF continued making the Shovels using HD's antiquated machinery. While they continued that, they brought in modern CNC equipment and started development of the EVO. Had not the family bought HD back from AMF we still would have gotten the EVO. So I wish these people that get their information from drunken riders at the local pub and then spread it as fact would get their facts straight.
Thanks professor 🙄.
Shovelhead!!!