I'm guessing along the lines of what you said about what a person feels comfortable with. That the choice is based on individual experience and abilities. However with the new technology I'm not sure its not a matter of experience be damned. I understand many of the sensors and relays can be purchased at most automotive stores if you know what you're looking for. What if you need a computerized resynching as part of the repair on the side of the road for it to run smooth?

I don't consider anything after electronic ignition to be considered "old"(although thats probably pushing that given electronic ignition started in 1965). Again, just my opinion not gospel. There were a number of models between now and the advent of electronic ignition that were chocked up to trial and error. For example the 1999 first year run of the twin cam and the tolerance issue. In 1979 the Sportster was known to pop out of either 1st or 2nd gear. It was chronic. There were pending lawsuits against the defects in the early CVO models. In 2011 there was a brake tail switch recall. The shovel models were known to need constant maintenance. And the list goes on and on.

Its amazing when you think about how advanced HD was. 1946..hydrolic lifters and hydrolic forks. 1958 shock supported swing arm. 1972 front disk brakes.

With the modern technology convenience comes inconvenience in the form of a dependence and unless you're really mechanically adept. I'm not. I'm pretty sure I was done after my 1983 FL.

Again, my opinion is not gospel. We're having a conversation and I encourage all who beg to differ with mine to speak up and share their experience based opinion.

what had a hydraulic front end in '46? I thought the first hydraulic front end was on the '49 pan. The first rear shocks I know of were on the '52 K-model. there is a lot of strage stuff out there, like a '85 shovelhead, never knew they made one till I saw one, it was in a dealer museum set up.

More likely a Evo-shovel...evo top end, shovel bottom? Similar to the pan/shovel years. Using left over parts?

You may be right. I was going by when they first showed up on FL's. On that '85 big twin I believe it was a 4 speed kick/electronic ignition both. Very cool. My father had one and let it go.

the '85 shovel was a '85 shovel head, just like the '84 shovel, nothing evo. They had a bunch of shovelhead engines left over so they threw them in, now I might be wrong, but I think it was police bikes, a little time on the computer would get that correct I think.

I'd have to see that. To my knowledge and every picture and actual bike I'd ever seen the '84 and '85 were shovel/evo combo's. Top ends being the evo. Who knows there may be some rare factory made 1985 shovel, top and bottom end. I sure haven't seen everything.

Just seen one and it is a 1985 Police bike. There can't be many of those made.

I checked that out - pretty cool.
According to the ad he's looking to get 50K for that bike - wonder what he's smokin?
Bike was clean - but for 50,000 bucks... I'd be driving a used Vette and a new RK with money left over to get you all lunch when we ride together.

I have a low mileage Road King - first year they came out... ONLY $50K...

I'm getting ready to check out the new models - the Sports Illustrated Ones