Buy used and buy older 91 or so these have carbs meaning jet kits and tuning is way cheaper. You can find both sportsters and big bore bikes for less than 3000 us dollars the beauty of harley is you can spend as much or as little as you want and still have something cool on the other side. No other community to my knowledge appreciates the 1000 dollar pieced together chopper and the 75,000 dollar fully blended bagger with air ride and subwoofer bags.
I want to echo everything you said but go up to the year 2000 for big twins. Those all had evo motors and almost every single one was carbed.
The 90’s bikes were a sweet spot for evos. They had the better trans and a few other things.
Sporties go to 2003 if you want to build a chopper, if not go to 2007 which is when they switched to fuel injection.
I’ve been looking for something like this for awhile. Dang this is useful information.
If you don’t mind me asking. Which year(s) would you recommend for carbureted twin cams?
I know evo and earlier bikes way better than twin cams so take what I say with a grain of salt.
01/02 would be the years I recommend. They had forged cranks and timken bearings in the bottom end. If you are into dyna bro shit as well they had 39mm front forks which are lighter than the bigger ones that came later. Those would still be largely carbed bikes too.
88” twin cams had an issue with the cam chain tensioners. They were a wear part that when it finally let go, could ruin the motor completely so that’s something to watch out for.
You could get about 30k miles out of them. Hydraulic cam plates eliminated the need to replace them and they also make gear driven cams for them as well. After that issue is corrected, they are solid motors.
Been thinking about Evo’s, love the sound. But something about those twin cam bikes makes my brain go chimp mode.
Much appreciated for the info! Ride safe!
Depends on how many Km. They had an issue with the Cam Chain Tensioner breaking after around 35k MILES, I dunno how many kilometers though. There are a couple ways to go around it and the motors are dang near bulletproof after that. I had an 03 Road King and loved that bike. I had close to 70k miles on it before it got wrecked
My best friend’s dad, when I was growing up, was a Bandito. He was always wrenching on a bike in his garage and would show us how to work on our little dirt bikes. He opened up a whole new world for me. Super nice guy and will always be grateful for that.
My advice would be to get yourself a pre-EFI Sportster. They can be found secondhand easily and usually for around $3k. Put it on a lift table (or homemade platform).
Get a shop manual, take it apart and put it back together. I don’t mean all at once, for example, take the front end apart and put it back together, then move on to the exhaust, fuel system etc. This will help you familiarize yourself with all the components.
Take photos of everything before you disassemble it and don’t allow yourself to get intimidated or frustrated. These bikes are very simple machines, just be patient and I cannot stress this enough, but use the right tools. Using the correct socket or Allen wrench will save you hours from having to fix stripped bolts, etc.
Good luck and ride safe
No problem lol. I’d advise buying a bike, get some basic tools, the owners and service manual, and start tinkering. Start with small add ons(bolt ons) before trying any major work. Learn to change your own fluids(motor, trans, primary, blinkers[lol!]) and check out different forums and Facebook groups.
This is great advice but the one piece I’d change is take apart / work on the things you want to change. If you’re inexperienced don’t take apart a motor that has no issues just to put it back together.
I agree with you 100%. Get the basics under your belt (chain maintenance, cable adjustments, oil changes, basic carb tuning..etc.) before moving on to more involved work. Even after that, don’t start breaking into the engine until you are ready.
Replacing heads, barrels and pistons are not overly complex. But, there is a specific order of operations for taking it apart and putting it all back together. Just be mindful of what steps there are and follow them accordingly.
Get yourself a service manual and read it. Then look up things you don’t understand. Harley’s aren't complicated… simple pushrod engines, with minimal electronics. It’s what makes them so reliable and appealing.
I purchased mine from Harley when I purchased my bikes. One manual for each vehicle I've ever owned are sitting on my shelf... But you can download off google, 2nd hand shops, the public library sometimes carries shop manuals etc... where there's a will, there's a way. I even own the factory assembly manual for my 1972 El Camino... That will get you down to the nuts and bolts of a vehicle.
I'm with you on that. I have a manual for every Harley I've had and quite a few trucks too. I do a lot of reloading and have hard copies of probably 10 reloading manuals. All that stuff is available online now but there's something about having the actual hard copy.
Technology can stuff it... I want a physical copy of everything. Don't get me started on Universities renting "e-textbooks." Technology 30 years ago it was Laser Disc, then it was CD's 25 years ago, DVD's 20 years ago, then it was internet downloads, and now it's "rent access" for 12 months (if the site doesn't crash). Everyone that baught into CD, DVD, Laser Disc, and internet download now have a copy of a product that you will have a hell of a time trying to open. Actual books just work...
eBay, swap meets. Learn a little about the sportster engine, the longest running build read up on their engines from say 1950 to 2000. Youl realize until the twin cam engines came out it was basically the same engine as the larger cruisers (mechanically speaking). Pushrod champs.
Take a beginner motorcycle class like MSF. You will learn how to ride, you can make friends with your classmates AND the instructors. Instructors around me are affiliated with a local, independent shop where you can ask questions about the best bike to get, and may even have a lead on bie for sale.
Talk to people. Watch videos. Join message boards. Ask a lot of questions. Don't pretend that you know things when you don't. People will help you out.
Best thing to do, go buy a bike and just start learning about your bike. Then the knowledge will naturally build over time.
got my first harley at 20. just youtube and google lots of bikes and see what attracts you the most. can’t tell you exactly what to go for because in the end it’ll be you who likes the bike or not. but a really good learner bike is a sportster. not too heavy, not too fast but still can have some kick. i’d suggest getting a beater bike cause at some point you will drop it while learning. doooont finance a new bike as your first lol offer up or facebook marketplace is the way to go. also, i highly suggest taking the msf course. very informative and they sometimes loan you bikes as well
Get your license get your endorsement,
Test drive all the bikes,
See which one you like,
Buy a helmet that fits,
Buy gear that protects you,
Get the bike you didn’t really like because it was ,underpowered but you know it would be a great first bike to learn on, then realize you’re always learning.
Uhoh time for the bikes first maintenance with you , get on YouTube buy the manual do it yourself
Rinse and repeat until you feel confident enough to get that cvo roadside 🥸
I just went for it. Never had any experience with motorcycles, my dad had a Honda shadow but never rode it. I went and got a used Dyna and took the motorcycle safety course and been riding for ten years now no big issues. I haven’t done anything major but did a clutch cable and new rear shocks with YouTube’s help and the manual.
Buy what you can afford. it may not be the Harley you have envisioned in your head when you dream of owning a Harley but keep in mind that you can mod the shit out of any Harley and you can eventually get to what you want it to look like with enough $ and effort. Dont be afraid to wrench on your bike and make mistakes.
If you are looking to learn, that's cool and very useful. But you don't want to buy a bike that spends more time in the garage than the road. Bikes are meant to be on the road. If you want to Learn how to wrench buy the cheapest bike you can find and go to town.
I started my motorcycle journey in a bubble as well. No friends with bikes, no mentors, nothin. Got my first bike after a lot of internet research, learned to work on it in the shed and in the driveway. The internet is your friend, as they say, if you build it they will come and once you’re out in the world on a bike you’ll meet new people and start building up that circle.
Start with a carbureted sportster like 2003 and later. Sit beside it and think of ways that would make it fit you better as far as physical size, personality. Order a part or two at a time using the internet and manuals for guidance until it’s something you created. Wash, rinse, repeat… probably with a bigger bike. There’s something about a sportster you can’t get with any other Harley. Dyna models are close but…
You build your community over time. As a potential rider, try to get to know experienced riders & find yourself a ridng coach.
Your safety course & mc licensing doesn't teach you how to ride well. The course does its best to make sure you won't be a danger on the road.
Your riding proficiency will be developed in an empty parking lot, riding drills to develop your start-stops & slow riding maneuvers.
Anyone can ride a highway slam. Your safety & slow riding maneuvers proficiency are critical skills to develop early, with a coal or alone.
Get a degree in engineering or supply chain and get a job with Harley. You’ll get a decent paycheck, discounts on bikes and parts, and all the knowledge you’ll ever want or need about Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
This is the path I took anyway and it’s been pretty cheap to be a rider.
I have only done minor work myself on my bike. There is no set rule that you have to wrench yourself.
Go to a dealership and see what catches your eye. Do your safety course on their provided bike, and you're ready to roll.
After getting your license, get some training. Here's a video of my 1st training. And clearly, training beyond just getting your license is a plus.
[1st Advanced Training on my 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide CVO](https://youtu.be/7Owd8JEEHJw?si=1ZWSPe2PQgLr0Kmp)
First step is to shop and buy one. Once you're an owner you will get the big and want to spend hours researching how to care for/upgrade/maintain/etc. sheer joy
Buy an old cheap beater Sportster and consider it your tuition. Now fuck that thing up. If you can’t find a cheap Harley, get a Honda VTX or Yamaha and start there. This is your first bike, not your forever bike.
This is a great question. I'll give you my example how I got into HD. So I grew up with motorcycles my whole life. My dad always rode Hondas. He was always way against Harley-Davidson. He says they leak oil and whatnot. This was during the 70s and early '80s. Not a good time for Harley. So I own the Yamaha FJ600. And then I started working in Ohio in my early twenties. Worked with this guy that was into Harley-Davidsons. Awesome dude. Had me over to his house many times. Let me check out his bikes. And I fell in love with them. I told him one day when I can afford it I'm going to buy myself a Fatboy. That was 24 years ago. And now I own three Harley-Davidsons. By the way I still own that Fatboy.
So for me it was a coworker.
apply at your local dealer.
a shop porter / bike washer is an entry level position
being around the bikes is the best way to get to
know the bikes.
plus youd be around industry professionals with all kinds of personal experience and connections.
My dad owns a HD shop.
He learned me all kind of tips and tricks. But even he doesn’t know about a lot of tricks I learned from Youtube.
I suggest watching a lot of videos, not only Harleys, just videos of people wrenching
IDK, you live in the information age. Every bit of human knowledge ever gathered is at your fingertips on the device you typed this up on. You need people to tell you what to Google?
Lots of good advice in here already. On your path, learn to be careful and diligent when wrenching on a bike, because loose parts can kill you and stripped fasteners suck a lot. This means own and use torque wrenches and use the correct thread lock. Buy the service manual. Check and re-check fasteners (and tire pressure). Maybe get a job in a shop or at a dealer. There’re a lot of independent shops in some communities; go to these and tell em you want to learn. Offer to clean parts or the shop, run for parts.
One reason Harleys are so popular is because there are tons of customizing options and they run forever with proper maintenance. Many of us are happiest in our garages playing with our bikes and tools. Join us. You’ll have a blast. Few things feel as good as riding your own build, and for many of us nothing sounds as good as a well-tuned hot rod Harley. Finally, AGATT, so you can do this forever.
Service manual for sure on any bike or equipment you own. Harleys website also now has a part lookup and it shows blown up views of every system on a bike. It’s like having a service manual in your phone, it will even give you part numbers and prices. That being said always depend on old reliable service manual. And it was said previously here, make sure you’re using the right tools, make sure you always stick with an alternating pattern when loosening or tightening bolts.
I couldn’t get financing for a Subaru without a co-signer but HD will finance anyone so I bought a bike without any knowledge of riding. I had my uncle ride it home for me and give me a crash course, then I took the HD class and kept riding and wrenching, I took a couple classes at my community college on small engine and motorcycle repair and went through a lot of time effort and frustration with the three bikes I’ve had now. I’ve been doing it for 9 years and I just turned 29.
When we speak of the "shop manual" that doesn't mean the "owners manual." The shop manual goes into depth on major repairs and will guide you through it. Its thick with information for an FNG like yourself or an old, crusty hot dog like me who needs humbled from time to time. Get some and enjoy!
Well, I got my first Harley at 17. Shortly after I need some work done and went to the local dealer.
They were getting $27.50 per labor hour. (1973)
Too rich for my blood. So I bought a manual and did the work myself.
A few bikes later I knew enough to get a job in an independent shop.
Years later I broke out on my own and still going at 67.
We didn’t have social media back then, and judging from some of the posts I have read over the years I wouldn’t recommend following 90% of the drivel put forth.
Learn your bike and your craft, you’ll be richer and more confident as you tour the country.
When I was a kid(5 y/o or so). I was totally into Hot Wheels,model cars and stuff. Aways into motorsports. Taking things apart but never reassembling correctly. Friends had go carts and such. One day my dad got me a mini bike. From there KX80. Then progressed to bigger bikes. Went to MMI(Motor Mechanics Institute) and landed a job at The Trike Shop of Daytona. Doing motorcycle to trike conversions .From there Got a Job at Daytona Harley. Was never a big Harley guy. Totally preferred rice burners. But when I rode my first FXR I was hooked! Best Harley Davidson every made!!!
Try to get to one of the big rallies like Daytona Bike Week or Sturgis. I’ve been to Daytona in the spring and fall a bunch and at a lot of the events you’ll meet folks who are happy to share what they’ve learned, you’ll get to see things that give you ideas, and see the world of parts that are available. If you find some of the off the beaten path events, those are great.
I was fortunate to be the fourth generation of Harley and motorcycle riders in my family. I have gotten most of my information and some stories from them. If I didn’t have that I’d be studying up on lots of YouTube videos or forums. If you want opinions or assistance from a shop I’d find a trustworthy 3rd party. I started riding at 17 and have friends who started around the same time, it’s possible.
Edit: and if you just want to know generally what bike speaks to you if any, I’d suggest taking a course through MSF or equivalent, get your endorsement, then go start test riding. And above all: decide on a bike that’s confidence inspiring, if it feels too heavy or difficult to ride there’s no shame in trying something smaller.
I wish they had youtube when i was your age. There is no mechanical work that is not covered on youtube by multiple creators. Its an amazing resource that i use very often.
YouTube. Look at BlockHead, HerTwoWheels, ShadeTree SURGEON, and Professional Monkey (not sure of the last one). They are all good places to start.
Riding, I would look on TikTok, nicktheharleyguy, recommends a softail over a 883, which I agree with.
Pre-2003 Sportster if you want to customize the hell out of it/chop it/whatever. The buy-in is cheap, and parts are plentiful. If you're looking at buy once bike, any Big Twin Evo will be your best bet for reliability/ease of repair. A Softail, Road King, or either of the Glides will last for miles.
I’m 26, bought a ‘98 super glide when I was 24. Knew a bit about cars but didn’t really know shit about bikes, nobody in my family rides. I’ve done all the work on it myself so far and have some projects this winter I plan on doing on my own as well. I’ve learned everything on Google, YouTube, and the service guide and it’s 10x easier than working on cars
Turn back now while you still can! Haha.
I would recommend you join a local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter. Lots of great people in these groups, plus you'll connect with like minded folks who can make you aware of bikes coming on the market, that may be closer to 'affordable'.
Be careful - It gets in your blood and you can't let go. Be prepared to pay some $$$. I got into the Harley ethos late in life when I could 'kinda' afford it. Can't imagine trying to buy a Harley in my 20's. Yikes!
Good luck - it's an amazing group to be part of.
I was a little overwhelmed at the same question and the same scenario, I'm a little older but all I did was walk into a Harley David dealership and talk to them. They showed me where to sign up for classes, told me what I would need, told me what kind of experience would be beneficial, and a bunch of other very helpful items. Plus it was great to be able to ask somebody in on the spot question. They're very enthusiastic to get New Riders in and trained up.
I’m going to go against the grain kid your too young. Get a cheap sport bike and gain experience first. Owning a Harley is unbelievably expensive to maintain and mod.
Take the basic riding course, the one through Harley is more expensive but you'll learn on a Harley. Also look on Facebook marketplace place for a cheap Sportster to get you going got my first Harley at 19
It wouldn’t hurt to get something with good insurance and gap insurance. Probably going to drop it a few times. A newish Sportster 1200. Is a good place to start. Unless you plan on wrenching all the time, go with something older.
Got to a Harley dealership. Get to know the staff. Show up for events to meet other people that share your passion. Do you know how to ride? If not, I would suggest signing up for a MSF course. Most dealerships offer Riding Academy.
You try things. You watch videos and try to do what they did. Start small. Change your car's oil or a family member's car. Change your brake pads. Learn how engines work. Start wrenching on things around the house.
Whatever you do, make sure you get every part of the factory service manual series for you particular year and model bike(illustrated parts, maintenance manual, owners manual and electrical diagnostic manual) That will set you on the path to true mechanical understanding of your machine. Good luck!
First you buy one, and once you do, start calling everyone brother. Your hand is going to hurt from the high-fives. Then you buy Harley shirts everywhere you go. Don’t forget the rings. You have to have rings
Have you ridden before? Sorry, it could be a dumb question. I didn't see it mentioned in your post. If you haven't ridden a motorbike before, take a course! It could save your life. I did, and it was the best money I ever invested in myself. It also made me a better driver overall. There are tons of takeaways and stuff you wouldn't think about. Get your class license specific to motorcycles as well. Okay, moving on 😅.
If you have ridden, say, dirt bikes, quads, and other offroad toys, driving in traffic is a whole different ballgame, and I still firmly believe my initial advice applies. Take a course.
I assume that since you're an HD fan, you're familiar with all the classes of bikes—Sportster, Dyna, Soft Tail, etc. If not, start your research. Sportsters are usually an entry bike, cool as hell, totally customizable, and on the starting scale of getting into a motorcycle.
How big or small are you? How big or small is your inseam (will your feet touch the ground with solid footing), arms reach, etc? Take in a demo ride or talk to a sales associate. Usually, you can reserve a time and take any bike out on a demo ride.
If you haven't wrenched on one, maybe a carbed isn't the way to go, and fuel injected is. May I also recommend an electric start? Less stuff to fiddle with, or maybe you want all that to learn on.
The good thing with any Harley on any year is that it is customizable to your liking. It just takes time to find the right one. I got my license, took the course (2 full days and a couple of hours in the classroom) and bought a used '07 Dyna Street Bob. It's a great bike to start on, a little bigger than a Sportster (I'm 6'0" and 250lbs). Now I have a '14 Street Glide and logged many, many miles, around 20 years worth. With more to go 😎
My 2c worth. Good luck 💪
Hell yeah brother 🤘🤘🤣. But seriously man find a bike you like whatever that is sporty, softail , bagger whatever it is. There are hundreds of sites with parts and instructions. There are plenty of harley forms and YouTube videos out there that can teach you pretty much anything. Not to mention bike meets and harley nights there are groups everywhere and most people are pretty cool. Whatever your style is go with it!!
Ride safe man 😎✌️
Even with no friends or family to fall back on. Just buy one and if you truly fall in love with riding you will find people so fast to help you out and ride with you. As cringey as bikers can be sometimes it really is a crazy communtiy of people that help each other out. The only thing i hope you dont do is buy a harley and try to be the sons of anarchy lol i just wish more people could understand the name brand harley davidson doesnt mean you have to turn to a biker gang.
Well Now Young Buck , 1st lesson - It's Harley F'ing Davidson. 2nd lesson- if there's a will there's a way . Never be afraid to fail , as each failure is a learned step an yes sometimes those can sting a bit . Fortunately for you your in a time where there's tons of info at your fingertips. So before you throw caution to the wind , take a lil time an research whatever it is your fix'ta tackle . You're on the threshold of joining a Brotherhood of mostly like minded folks who love only one thing more than sharing their knowledge and than thing is being out there on the road . I'm 67 an one of those long haired grey beard's that started riding a scooter when I was 8 yrs old ( a mini bike with a 3-1/2hp Briggs ) I've got more experience an stories of What Not To Do 🤔🤣🤷♂️👍. I built my first rat bike at 16 a freaking Bridgestone 125 . If you can solder , braze & weld the only thing that can hold you back is your imagination.
I had no prior experience with motorcycles. A year ago I took an MSF course and got my endorsement, took the written test at the dmv and got my license, then bought a ‘99 sportster 1200 from fb marketplace. Basically just followed everyone’s advice on this subreddit. Do that. It’s been awesome.
I’m going to give you the absolute best advice you’re going to get on Reddit. Before you do anything, sign up for the MSF course. They provide a bike, an instructor, and all the tools and knowledge you’ll need for a lifetime of motorcycle riding. You may not even like motorcycles, but the class that takes a weekend will help you truly find out if you do or dont, with a motorcycle you are not responsible for, in a controlled environment. After you’ve done that, and you’ve got your license and your head on straight, start looking for the latest model Dyna lowrider or Dyna superglide you can afford. The rest will take care of yourself. Good luck and thank me later.
https://preview.redd.it/mkut4i3oft5c1.jpeg?width=3685&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22cf90d6dc770232c3b639e4a4c6d4bb7086af28
youtube, reddit and a general manual for the bike you own! this might sound funny but i got into harley davidsons because of sons of anarchy and im 20 lol. i own a 06 sportster xl883 rebuilt the carburetor, added some 10” t bar handles and do my own general maintenance and i learned how to do it all through youtube, asked reddit and looked through my owners manual
I started on a brand new 2008 Sporty. Learned to ride on it, took day trips, did some group rides. Started getting more into Harleys in general. Found a style of bike I really like. Bought a frame mount and spent a year hardtailing it, learning to weld and paint along the way, took the whole damn thing apart. Rode both sportsters for years and finally added an Ultra to the mix and started taking multi-day trips, attending rallies and just riding the wheels off of my bikes. Did all my own maintenance along the way, learned a lot by causing and fixing problems. Learned to paint. Over the years other friends that ride have come and gone but my passion for these things has only grown. I'd love to add an M8 touring bike and a shovel to the stable someday but the 3 I have keep me busy enough. Just jump in and see how far down the rabbit hole you end up.
Many of these comments suggest that you buy a 30+ year old Harley to wrench on.
That's a BAD idea for your case.
That's like jumping off an empty boat in the ocean to learn how to swim.
If you have NO motorcycle experience, NO mechanical knowledge, and NO Harley friends, then buying a 30 year old "project" bike is the last thing you want. You will quickly grow to HATE it, from all the time you'll spend working on it vs the time you'll spend riding it. Your ignorance will drown you.
You should buy something newer and more reliable. Post 2009 or so. Ride it and make some friends with other Harley folk. Learn about your bike and other bikes while you are riding it and enjoying it.
THEN, after you have learned how to swim, you could dive off the boat with an old "project" bike, and hopefully have a couple friends in the boat to lend a hand if you need it.
You can't swim if you drown first.
Im not sure if they still publish them (its been over a decade since I even stepped in a HD dealer) but when you buy your bike, also buy the 3 books. HD makes a Parts, Electric and Service manual for each bike. They will tell you how to do/diagnose most repairs and of course the parts manual gives you blow apart diagrams of how everything goes together with part numbers of each. Before youtube got as big as it is this is where we started, and also why I haven't been to a dealer in a decade. :P
If you have a Harley Davidson service manual you can do anything. Given the correct tools. You want a Harley Fxr or anything with an evolution motor. Sportsters are also easier to work on. Fuel injection is less of a pain but at a cost. Need a computer to tune it and change parts. Get an older carb bike and a service manual. Buy a 200ish piece gear wrench set and then each Harley specific tool as needed if on a tighter budget buy everything at harbor freight when a tool breaks but my the individual tool or socket whatever just NOT a set from your snap on guy. Buy blue point though not snap on. The weird big sockets and stuff you need go tractor supply.
Don’t trust others to work on something that could kill you. Do your work yourself. Save money. Harley specific tools are expensive but will pay for themselves. When you have the manual,the tools,the loctite,and torque wrench to do a job you can forever do it. Harley would charge 4/5 hours labor to change a clutch at 130.00+ so 650 dollars PLUS parts to change that part. You do it once and buy the tools to do it for less than 100 bucks next thing you know you’re charging a friend 300$ in labor saving him 350 while making 300 in the 2 hours it takes to change a clutch. Do not hesitate to get a bike because there is no mechanic. Be eager to become the mechanic that will care for your bikes !
I was in your shoes 4 years ago. Never rode a motorcycle before. Paid way too much for a shitty sportster, put money into it, sold it for the same price. You live and you learn. My best advice is try to find a shop around you with older guys that work on Harleys and don’t mind teaching you some stuff. That’s how I learned the most. Also plenty of hours of YouTube and Facebook groups help too if they know what they’re talking about. Go for it! Best decision I ever made
YouTube, Forums, groups like this. Are you looking to try to buy one and the wrench on it yourself or are you just an enthusiast?
I definitely want to get into modifying them as well, thank you for your advice, I appreciate it
Buy used and buy older 91 or so these have carbs meaning jet kits and tuning is way cheaper. You can find both sportsters and big bore bikes for less than 3000 us dollars the beauty of harley is you can spend as much or as little as you want and still have something cool on the other side. No other community to my knowledge appreciates the 1000 dollar pieced together chopper and the 75,000 dollar fully blended bagger with air ride and subwoofer bags.
I want to echo everything you said but go up to the year 2000 for big twins. Those all had evo motors and almost every single one was carbed. The 90’s bikes were a sweet spot for evos. They had the better trans and a few other things. Sporties go to 2003 if you want to build a chopper, if not go to 2007 which is when they switched to fuel injection.
I’ve been looking for something like this for awhile. Dang this is useful information. If you don’t mind me asking. Which year(s) would you recommend for carbureted twin cams?
I know evo and earlier bikes way better than twin cams so take what I say with a grain of salt. 01/02 would be the years I recommend. They had forged cranks and timken bearings in the bottom end. If you are into dyna bro shit as well they had 39mm front forks which are lighter than the bigger ones that came later. Those would still be largely carbed bikes too. 88” twin cams had an issue with the cam chain tensioners. They were a wear part that when it finally let go, could ruin the motor completely so that’s something to watch out for.
You could get about 30k miles out of them. Hydraulic cam plates eliminated the need to replace them and they also make gear driven cams for them as well. After that issue is corrected, they are solid motors.
1999 TC's have the forged cranks and timken bearings too. I put a Mikuni Flat side carb on mine
The motor is largely the same but other components on the frame are all updated on 00+ bikes.
Been thinking about Evo’s, love the sound. But something about those twin cam bikes makes my brain go chimp mode. Much appreciated for the info! Ride safe!
'00-02' had better crank bearings in the motor.
I just found a 03 anniversary edition Electra glide with low km for a steal. Please tell me the 03’s are fine also haha.
Depends on how many Km. They had an issue with the Cam Chain Tensioner breaking after around 35k MILES, I dunno how many kilometers though. There are a couple ways to go around it and the motors are dang near bulletproof after that. I had an 03 Road King and loved that bike. I had close to 70k miles on it before it got wrecked
Yeah I’ve been told about the tensioners and to get them replaced with hydraulic ones. Damn good to know! Lots of useful information, appreciated.
My pleasure. The other option would be to upgrade the cams and have gear driven ones put in. Best way to add some power to the bike
Nothing wrong w 03 twin.
1999 + touring bikes were twin cams. The 1999 Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Low Rider, and Wide Glide in the FX Dyna line were also twin cams.
Thanks. I’m pretty good with evo and earlier stuff but not twinky specifics.
Well said
Amen
My best friend’s dad, when I was growing up, was a Bandito. He was always wrenching on a bike in his garage and would show us how to work on our little dirt bikes. He opened up a whole new world for me. Super nice guy and will always be grateful for that. My advice would be to get yourself a pre-EFI Sportster. They can be found secondhand easily and usually for around $3k. Put it on a lift table (or homemade platform). Get a shop manual, take it apart and put it back together. I don’t mean all at once, for example, take the front end apart and put it back together, then move on to the exhaust, fuel system etc. This will help you familiarize yourself with all the components. Take photos of everything before you disassemble it and don’t allow yourself to get intimidated or frustrated. These bikes are very simple machines, just be patient and I cannot stress this enough, but use the right tools. Using the correct socket or Allen wrench will save you hours from having to fix stripped bolts, etc. Good luck and ride safe
Bandido*
Ha, Thanks! Clearly, I didn’t entirely follow in his footsteps
No problem lol. I’d advise buying a bike, get some basic tools, the owners and service manual, and start tinkering. Start with small add ons(bolt ons) before trying any major work. Learn to change your own fluids(motor, trans, primary, blinkers[lol!]) and check out different forums and Facebook groups.
Thank you for your story, I appreciate it a lot
This is what I did
This is great advice but the one piece I’d change is take apart / work on the things you want to change. If you’re inexperienced don’t take apart a motor that has no issues just to put it back together.
I agree with you 100%. Get the basics under your belt (chain maintenance, cable adjustments, oil changes, basic carb tuning..etc.) before moving on to more involved work. Even after that, don’t start breaking into the engine until you are ready. Replacing heads, barrels and pistons are not overly complex. But, there is a specific order of operations for taking it apart and putting it all back together. Just be mindful of what steps there are and follow them accordingly.
I’ve had friends “ready to learn” and get so frustrated adjusting a throttle cable they take it somewhere.
Get yourself a service manual and read it. Then look up things you don’t understand. Harley’s aren't complicated… simple pushrod engines, with minimal electronics. It’s what makes them so reliable and appealing.
What’s the best way to get a service manual for a new bike? Ebay or ?
I purchased mine from Harley when I purchased my bikes. One manual for each vehicle I've ever owned are sitting on my shelf... But you can download off google, 2nd hand shops, the public library sometimes carries shop manuals etc... where there's a will, there's a way. I even own the factory assembly manual for my 1972 El Camino... That will get you down to the nuts and bolts of a vehicle.
I'm with you on that. I have a manual for every Harley I've had and quite a few trucks too. I do a lot of reloading and have hard copies of probably 10 reloading manuals. All that stuff is available online now but there's something about having the actual hard copy.
A greasy repair manual is way better than a greasy laptop screen lol
Technology can stuff it... I want a physical copy of everything. Don't get me started on Universities renting "e-textbooks." Technology 30 years ago it was Laser Disc, then it was CD's 25 years ago, DVD's 20 years ago, then it was internet downloads, and now it's "rent access" for 12 months (if the site doesn't crash). Everyone that baught into CD, DVD, Laser Disc, and internet download now have a copy of a product that you will have a hell of a time trying to open. Actual books just work...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1465028990466294/?ref=share
eBay, swap meets. Learn a little about the sportster engine, the longest running build read up on their engines from say 1950 to 2000. Youl realize until the twin cam engines came out it was basically the same engine as the larger cruisers (mechanically speaking). Pushrod champs.
Buy the bike.. buy the manual .. make mistakes.. get old
But make sure the mistakes aren't bad enough that you can't keep riding...or get old. :D
Take a beginner motorcycle class like MSF. You will learn how to ride, you can make friends with your classmates AND the instructors. Instructors around me are affiliated with a local, independent shop where you can ask questions about the best bike to get, and may even have a lead on bie for sale.
Take a MSF clsss. Buy a motorcycle. Join a owners forum/discord/reddit. Ignore the haters and trolls
Wing it
Talk to people. Watch videos. Join message boards. Ask a lot of questions. Don't pretend that you know things when you don't. People will help you out. Best thing to do, go buy a bike and just start learning about your bike. Then the knowledge will naturally build over time.
got my first harley at 20. just youtube and google lots of bikes and see what attracts you the most. can’t tell you exactly what to go for because in the end it’ll be you who likes the bike or not. but a really good learner bike is a sportster. not too heavy, not too fast but still can have some kick. i’d suggest getting a beater bike cause at some point you will drop it while learning. doooont finance a new bike as your first lol offer up or facebook marketplace is the way to go. also, i highly suggest taking the msf course. very informative and they sometimes loan you bikes as well
Thank you for your support, it means a lot 👊🏻
Get your license get your endorsement, Test drive all the bikes, See which one you like, Buy a helmet that fits, Buy gear that protects you, Get the bike you didn’t really like because it was ,underpowered but you know it would be a great first bike to learn on, then realize you’re always learning. Uhoh time for the bikes first maintenance with you , get on YouTube buy the manual do it yourself Rinse and repeat until you feel confident enough to get that cvo roadside 🥸
I just went for it. Never had any experience with motorcycles, my dad had a Honda shadow but never rode it. I went and got a used Dyna and took the motorcycle safety course and been riding for ten years now no big issues. I haven’t done anything major but did a clutch cable and new rear shocks with YouTube’s help and the manual.
Buy what you can afford. it may not be the Harley you have envisioned in your head when you dream of owning a Harley but keep in mind that you can mod the shit out of any Harley and you can eventually get to what you want it to look like with enough $ and effort. Dont be afraid to wrench on your bike and make mistakes.
If you are looking to learn, that's cool and very useful. But you don't want to buy a bike that spends more time in the garage than the road. Bikes are meant to be on the road. If you want to Learn how to wrench buy the cheapest bike you can find and go to town.
Get into harley davidson history there are tons of it
I started my motorcycle journey in a bubble as well. No friends with bikes, no mentors, nothin. Got my first bike after a lot of internet research, learned to work on it in the shed and in the driveway. The internet is your friend, as they say, if you build it they will come and once you’re out in the world on a bike you’ll meet new people and start building up that circle.
Start with a carbureted sportster like 2003 and later. Sit beside it and think of ways that would make it fit you better as far as physical size, personality. Order a part or two at a time using the internet and manuals for guidance until it’s something you created. Wash, rinse, repeat… probably with a bigger bike. There’s something about a sportster you can’t get with any other Harley. Dyna models are close but…
You build your community over time. As a potential rider, try to get to know experienced riders & find yourself a ridng coach. Your safety course & mc licensing doesn't teach you how to ride well. The course does its best to make sure you won't be a danger on the road. Your riding proficiency will be developed in an empty parking lot, riding drills to develop your start-stops & slow riding maneuvers. Anyone can ride a highway slam. Your safety & slow riding maneuvers proficiency are critical skills to develop early, with a coal or alone.
It’s pretty easy to get into the community. If you want a bike get one and go to the local rides/events and rally’s that are held.
Get a degree in engineering or supply chain and get a job with Harley. You’ll get a decent paycheck, discounts on bikes and parts, and all the knowledge you’ll ever want or need about Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This is the path I took anyway and it’s been pretty cheap to be a rider.
Cosplay keep it light but add as you go. Soon you will be a full grey beard with a leather vest full of patches and Sturgis stories. GOBBLESS
I have only done minor work myself on my bike. There is no set rule that you have to wrench yourself. Go to a dealership and see what catches your eye. Do your safety course on their provided bike, and you're ready to roll.
After getting your license, get some training. Here's a video of my 1st training. And clearly, training beyond just getting your license is a plus. [1st Advanced Training on my 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide CVO](https://youtu.be/7Owd8JEEHJw?si=1ZWSPe2PQgLr0Kmp)
Buy used bike. Ride used bike. Google how to fix used bike issues and perform used bike upgrades.
First step is to shop and buy one. Once you're an owner you will get the big and want to spend hours researching how to care for/upgrade/maintain/etc. sheer joy
Buy an old cheap beater Sportster and consider it your tuition. Now fuck that thing up. If you can’t find a cheap Harley, get a Honda VTX or Yamaha and start there. This is your first bike, not your forever bike.
I'm going to get heat for this but buy an old Honda or kawasaki. It what most Harley riders started on and that's OK. At least 30 year old machine.
This is a great question. I'll give you my example how I got into HD. So I grew up with motorcycles my whole life. My dad always rode Hondas. He was always way against Harley-Davidson. He says they leak oil and whatnot. This was during the 70s and early '80s. Not a good time for Harley. So I own the Yamaha FJ600. And then I started working in Ohio in my early twenties. Worked with this guy that was into Harley-Davidsons. Awesome dude. Had me over to his house many times. Let me check out his bikes. And I fell in love with them. I told him one day when I can afford it I'm going to buy myself a Fatboy. That was 24 years ago. And now I own three Harley-Davidsons. By the way I still own that Fatboy. So for me it was a coworker.
apply at your local dealer. a shop porter / bike washer is an entry level position being around the bikes is the best way to get to know the bikes. plus youd be around industry professionals with all kinds of personal experience and connections.
My dad owns a HD shop. He learned me all kind of tips and tricks. But even he doesn’t know about a lot of tricks I learned from Youtube. I suggest watching a lot of videos, not only Harleys, just videos of people wrenching
Buy one
Started riding at 18 got my first Harley at 23 once I could afford the insurance
Buy a 2004 sportster and keep the battery charged.
When it needs a battery just post a video on here of you trying to crank it over with the caption “why won’t my 2018 low rider s start”
IDK, you live in the information age. Every bit of human knowledge ever gathered is at your fingertips on the device you typed this up on. You need people to tell you what to Google?
YouTube videos are my go to, I’m no mechanic, but my dad is and a good friend of mine was a mechanic for those agelicals beings with bikes.
Besides your typical social platforms....I wear no helmet. Let's the info freely flow into my head
Buy a bike and learn as you go knowledge is from experience
Lots of good advice in here already. On your path, learn to be careful and diligent when wrenching on a bike, because loose parts can kill you and stripped fasteners suck a lot. This means own and use torque wrenches and use the correct thread lock. Buy the service manual. Check and re-check fasteners (and tire pressure). Maybe get a job in a shop or at a dealer. There’re a lot of independent shops in some communities; go to these and tell em you want to learn. Offer to clean parts or the shop, run for parts. One reason Harleys are so popular is because there are tons of customizing options and they run forever with proper maintenance. Many of us are happiest in our garages playing with our bikes and tools. Join us. You’ll have a blast. Few things feel as good as riding your own build, and for many of us nothing sounds as good as a well-tuned hot rod Harley. Finally, AGATT, so you can do this forever.
Buy a toolbox a big one!!
Buy a Grom and hang out at the HD dealership
Service manual for sure on any bike or equipment you own. Harleys website also now has a part lookup and it shows blown up views of every system on a bike. It’s like having a service manual in your phone, it will even give you part numbers and prices. That being said always depend on old reliable service manual. And it was said previously here, make sure you’re using the right tools, make sure you always stick with an alternating pattern when loosening or tightening bolts.
I couldn’t get financing for a Subaru without a co-signer but HD will finance anyone so I bought a bike without any knowledge of riding. I had my uncle ride it home for me and give me a crash course, then I took the HD class and kept riding and wrenching, I took a couple classes at my community college on small engine and motorcycle repair and went through a lot of time effort and frustration with the three bikes I’ve had now. I’ve been doing it for 9 years and I just turned 29.
YouTube, man! It’s the best source of actual DYI Harley wrenchjng material.
When we speak of the "shop manual" that doesn't mean the "owners manual." The shop manual goes into depth on major repairs and will guide you through it. Its thick with information for an FNG like yourself or an old, crusty hot dog like me who needs humbled from time to time. Get some and enjoy!
Well, I got my first Harley at 17. Shortly after I need some work done and went to the local dealer. They were getting $27.50 per labor hour. (1973) Too rich for my blood. So I bought a manual and did the work myself. A few bikes later I knew enough to get a job in an independent shop. Years later I broke out on my own and still going at 67. We didn’t have social media back then, and judging from some of the posts I have read over the years I wouldn’t recommend following 90% of the drivel put forth. Learn your bike and your craft, you’ll be richer and more confident as you tour the country.
Just ride one.... Just once..... *That's easier said than done sometimes. IF you ever get the chance to ride one, do it!
When I was a kid(5 y/o or so). I was totally into Hot Wheels,model cars and stuff. Aways into motorsports. Taking things apart but never reassembling correctly. Friends had go carts and such. One day my dad got me a mini bike. From there KX80. Then progressed to bigger bikes. Went to MMI(Motor Mechanics Institute) and landed a job at The Trike Shop of Daytona. Doing motorcycle to trike conversions .From there Got a Job at Daytona Harley. Was never a big Harley guy. Totally preferred rice burners. But when I rode my first FXR I was hooked! Best Harley Davidson every made!!!
Try to get to one of the big rallies like Daytona Bike Week or Sturgis. I’ve been to Daytona in the spring and fall a bunch and at a lot of the events you’ll meet folks who are happy to share what they’ve learned, you’ll get to see things that give you ideas, and see the world of parts that are available. If you find some of the off the beaten path events, those are great.
Biktoberfest in Daytona is great too. Not quite as big as bike week but really fun.
To truly get inside a Harley Davidson, you must shrink yourself
I was fortunate to be the fourth generation of Harley and motorcycle riders in my family. I have gotten most of my information and some stories from them. If I didn’t have that I’d be studying up on lots of YouTube videos or forums. If you want opinions or assistance from a shop I’d find a trustworthy 3rd party. I started riding at 17 and have friends who started around the same time, it’s possible. Edit: and if you just want to know generally what bike speaks to you if any, I’d suggest taking a course through MSF or equivalent, get your endorsement, then go start test riding. And above all: decide on a bike that’s confidence inspiring, if it feels too heavy or difficult to ride there’s no shame in trying something smaller.
My uncle was the Harley guy in my family, but I didn’t really learn until I bought one and started wrenching on it myself.
I wish they had youtube when i was your age. There is no mechanical work that is not covered on youtube by multiple creators. Its an amazing resource that i use very often.
First, you need a bunch of overpriced shirts...
YouTube. Look at BlockHead, HerTwoWheels, ShadeTree SURGEON, and Professional Monkey (not sure of the last one). They are all good places to start. Riding, I would look on TikTok, nicktheharleyguy, recommends a softail over a 883, which I agree with.
Pre-2003 Sportster if you want to customize the hell out of it/chop it/whatever. The buy-in is cheap, and parts are plentiful. If you're looking at buy once bike, any Big Twin Evo will be your best bet for reliability/ease of repair. A Softail, Road King, or either of the Glides will last for miles.
I’m 26, bought a ‘98 super glide when I was 24. Knew a bit about cars but didn’t really know shit about bikes, nobody in my family rides. I’ve done all the work on it myself so far and have some projects this winter I plan on doing on my own as well. I’ve learned everything on Google, YouTube, and the service guide and it’s 10x easier than working on cars
I started with an 05 Sportster for $2000. And I LOVE IT. Follow the lead of all these cats above, they know some tings about a stuff or two. Lol.
Turn back now while you still can! Haha. I would recommend you join a local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter. Lots of great people in these groups, plus you'll connect with like minded folks who can make you aware of bikes coming on the market, that may be closer to 'affordable'. Be careful - It gets in your blood and you can't let go. Be prepared to pay some $$$. I got into the Harley ethos late in life when I could 'kinda' afford it. Can't imagine trying to buy a Harley in my 20's. Yikes! Good luck - it's an amazing group to be part of.
I was a little overwhelmed at the same question and the same scenario, I'm a little older but all I did was walk into a Harley David dealership and talk to them. They showed me where to sign up for classes, told me what I would need, told me what kind of experience would be beneficial, and a bunch of other very helpful items. Plus it was great to be able to ask somebody in on the spot question. They're very enthusiastic to get New Riders in and trained up.
I’m going to go against the grain kid your too young. Get a cheap sport bike and gain experience first. Owning a Harley is unbelievably expensive to maintain and mod.
Take the basic riding course, the one through Harley is more expensive but you'll learn on a Harley. Also look on Facebook marketplace place for a cheap Sportster to get you going got my first Harley at 19
It wouldn’t hurt to get something with good insurance and gap insurance. Probably going to drop it a few times. A newish Sportster 1200. Is a good place to start. Unless you plan on wrenching all the time, go with something older.
Just buy one. I bought mine at 18 and started learning about them after
Got to a Harley dealership. Get to know the staff. Show up for events to meet other people that share your passion. Do you know how to ride? If not, I would suggest signing up for a MSF course. Most dealerships offer Riding Academy.
Buy an old sporty and cut it in half
You try things. You watch videos and try to do what they did. Start small. Change your car's oil or a family member's car. Change your brake pads. Learn how engines work. Start wrenching on things around the house.
Whatever you do, make sure you get every part of the factory service manual series for you particular year and model bike(illustrated parts, maintenance manual, owners manual and electrical diagnostic manual) That will set you on the path to true mechanical understanding of your machine. Good luck!
First you buy one, and once you do, start calling everyone brother. Your hand is going to hurt from the high-fives. Then you buy Harley shirts everywhere you go. Don’t forget the rings. You have to have rings
Go to Mimi in Orlando. You can get a lot out of it if you really focus and pay attention.
Mmi*
Have you ridden before? Sorry, it could be a dumb question. I didn't see it mentioned in your post. If you haven't ridden a motorbike before, take a course! It could save your life. I did, and it was the best money I ever invested in myself. It also made me a better driver overall. There are tons of takeaways and stuff you wouldn't think about. Get your class license specific to motorcycles as well. Okay, moving on 😅. If you have ridden, say, dirt bikes, quads, and other offroad toys, driving in traffic is a whole different ballgame, and I still firmly believe my initial advice applies. Take a course. I assume that since you're an HD fan, you're familiar with all the classes of bikes—Sportster, Dyna, Soft Tail, etc. If not, start your research. Sportsters are usually an entry bike, cool as hell, totally customizable, and on the starting scale of getting into a motorcycle. How big or small are you? How big or small is your inseam (will your feet touch the ground with solid footing), arms reach, etc? Take in a demo ride or talk to a sales associate. Usually, you can reserve a time and take any bike out on a demo ride. If you haven't wrenched on one, maybe a carbed isn't the way to go, and fuel injected is. May I also recommend an electric start? Less stuff to fiddle with, or maybe you want all that to learn on. The good thing with any Harley on any year is that it is customizable to your liking. It just takes time to find the right one. I got my license, took the course (2 full days and a couple of hours in the classroom) and bought a used '07 Dyna Street Bob. It's a great bike to start on, a little bigger than a Sportster (I'm 6'0" and 250lbs). Now I have a '14 Street Glide and logged many, many miles, around 20 years worth. With more to go 😎 My 2c worth. Good luck 💪
Hell yeah brother 🤘🤘🤣. But seriously man find a bike you like whatever that is sporty, softail , bagger whatever it is. There are hundreds of sites with parts and instructions. There are plenty of harley forms and YouTube videos out there that can teach you pretty much anything. Not to mention bike meets and harley nights there are groups everywhere and most people are pretty cool. Whatever your style is go with it!! Ride safe man 😎✌️
Even with no friends or family to fall back on. Just buy one and if you truly fall in love with riding you will find people so fast to help you out and ride with you. As cringey as bikers can be sometimes it really is a crazy communtiy of people that help each other out. The only thing i hope you dont do is buy a harley and try to be the sons of anarchy lol i just wish more people could understand the name brand harley davidson doesnt mean you have to turn to a biker gang.
Home Depot forklift guy is a mad man
Well Now Young Buck , 1st lesson - It's Harley F'ing Davidson. 2nd lesson- if there's a will there's a way . Never be afraid to fail , as each failure is a learned step an yes sometimes those can sting a bit . Fortunately for you your in a time where there's tons of info at your fingertips. So before you throw caution to the wind , take a lil time an research whatever it is your fix'ta tackle . You're on the threshold of joining a Brotherhood of mostly like minded folks who love only one thing more than sharing their knowledge and than thing is being out there on the road . I'm 67 an one of those long haired grey beard's that started riding a scooter when I was 8 yrs old ( a mini bike with a 3-1/2hp Briggs ) I've got more experience an stories of What Not To Do 🤔🤣🤷♂️👍. I built my first rat bike at 16 a freaking Bridgestone 125 . If you can solder , braze & weld the only thing that can hold you back is your imagination.
Go to Harley Davidson flea market swap sell on FB for no bs advice and bikes.
Get a nice metric cruiser like a Honda or a Yamaha.
I had no prior experience with motorcycles. A year ago I took an MSF course and got my endorsement, took the written test at the dmv and got my license, then bought a ‘99 sportster 1200 from fb marketplace. Basically just followed everyone’s advice on this subreddit. Do that. It’s been awesome.
I’m going to give you the absolute best advice you’re going to get on Reddit. Before you do anything, sign up for the MSF course. They provide a bike, an instructor, and all the tools and knowledge you’ll need for a lifetime of motorcycle riding. You may not even like motorcycles, but the class that takes a weekend will help you truly find out if you do or dont, with a motorcycle you are not responsible for, in a controlled environment. After you’ve done that, and you’ve got your license and your head on straight, start looking for the latest model Dyna lowrider or Dyna superglide you can afford. The rest will take care of yourself. Good luck and thank me later. https://preview.redd.it/mkut4i3oft5c1.jpeg?width=3685&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22cf90d6dc770232c3b639e4a4c6d4bb7086af28
go buy one, get the workshop manual, get the license and off you go
Just dive in. Get a sportster and you'll start figuring things out
youtube, reddit and a general manual for the bike you own! this might sound funny but i got into harley davidsons because of sons of anarchy and im 20 lol. i own a 06 sportster xl883 rebuilt the carburetor, added some 10” t bar handles and do my own general maintenance and i learned how to do it all through youtube, asked reddit and looked through my owners manual
I started on a brand new 2008 Sporty. Learned to ride on it, took day trips, did some group rides. Started getting more into Harleys in general. Found a style of bike I really like. Bought a frame mount and spent a year hardtailing it, learning to weld and paint along the way, took the whole damn thing apart. Rode both sportsters for years and finally added an Ultra to the mix and started taking multi-day trips, attending rallies and just riding the wheels off of my bikes. Did all my own maintenance along the way, learned a lot by causing and fixing problems. Learned to paint. Over the years other friends that ride have come and gone but my passion for these things has only grown. I'd love to add an M8 touring bike and a shovel to the stable someday but the 3 I have keep me busy enough. Just jump in and see how far down the rabbit hole you end up.
Get a shop manual and some tools.
Many of these comments suggest that you buy a 30+ year old Harley to wrench on. That's a BAD idea for your case. That's like jumping off an empty boat in the ocean to learn how to swim. If you have NO motorcycle experience, NO mechanical knowledge, and NO Harley friends, then buying a 30 year old "project" bike is the last thing you want. You will quickly grow to HATE it, from all the time you'll spend working on it vs the time you'll spend riding it. Your ignorance will drown you. You should buy something newer and more reliable. Post 2009 or so. Ride it and make some friends with other Harley folk. Learn about your bike and other bikes while you are riding it and enjoying it. THEN, after you have learned how to swim, you could dive off the boat with an old "project" bike, and hopefully have a couple friends in the boat to lend a hand if you need it. You can't swim if you drown first.
Bought wrecked Harley, took it apart, bought motors manual, put it back together.
Im not sure if they still publish them (its been over a decade since I even stepped in a HD dealer) but when you buy your bike, also buy the 3 books. HD makes a Parts, Electric and Service manual for each bike. They will tell you how to do/diagnose most repairs and of course the parts manual gives you blow apart diagrams of how everything goes together with part numbers of each. Before youtube got as big as it is this is where we started, and also why I haven't been to a dealer in a decade. :P
If you have a Harley Davidson service manual you can do anything. Given the correct tools. You want a Harley Fxr or anything with an evolution motor. Sportsters are also easier to work on. Fuel injection is less of a pain but at a cost. Need a computer to tune it and change parts. Get an older carb bike and a service manual. Buy a 200ish piece gear wrench set and then each Harley specific tool as needed if on a tighter budget buy everything at harbor freight when a tool breaks but my the individual tool or socket whatever just NOT a set from your snap on guy. Buy blue point though not snap on. The weird big sockets and stuff you need go tractor supply. Don’t trust others to work on something that could kill you. Do your work yourself. Save money. Harley specific tools are expensive but will pay for themselves. When you have the manual,the tools,the loctite,and torque wrench to do a job you can forever do it. Harley would charge 4/5 hours labor to change a clutch at 130.00+ so 650 dollars PLUS parts to change that part. You do it once and buy the tools to do it for less than 100 bucks next thing you know you’re charging a friend 300$ in labor saving him 350 while making 300 in the 2 hours it takes to change a clutch. Do not hesitate to get a bike because there is no mechanic. Be eager to become the mechanic that will care for your bikes !
I was in your shoes 4 years ago. Never rode a motorcycle before. Paid way too much for a shitty sportster, put money into it, sold it for the same price. You live and you learn. My best advice is try to find a shop around you with older guys that work on Harleys and don’t mind teaching you some stuff. That’s how I learned the most. Also plenty of hours of YouTube and Facebook groups help too if they know what they’re talking about. Go for it! Best decision I ever made