Nice looking bike!

I have a Springer. First up, I'm only an amateur when it comes to motorcycle maintenance, but for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents worth....

Replaced my steering head bearings not so long ago, I understand they wear faster due to the harsher response of the springer front end, but I don't really know. I like the handling, I think the front end feels less 'mushy' than a stock hydraulic front end.

The service manual says the front rockers ( the lever assembly that the front axle fits into) should be checked and or adjusted every 10,000 k's. When I changed my head stem bearings, I checked the rockers and one was particularly bad. After the adjustment it felt much better on the road. So, the kicker is you have to disassemble and remove the front fork spring legs to do the adjustment! Bit of a bummer, but it's an opportunity to get at and clean the inside of the springs and bits!!

You might get a bit of an insight in this thread http://www.hdforums.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=71&forumid=24&tpage=1&view=Topic&postid=465635

Having said all that, I still wouldn't trade my springer for a hydraulic front end......

That seems a steep price for an old bike...with bugger all done to it - reletivly speaking.

Far too expensive. I would spend an extra 15 hungy, and get a brand new FXST. And yes you can cause my mate got one from trivetts in Sydney. With se Cans thrown in.

gday scooby..mate it is def overpriced especially with the price of second hand bikes now, a few years ago you payed a premium for a harley now with grey bikes and the amount of seconds the market has def turned around for the buyer.. but you have to remember bikes are only worth what people are willing to pay..i love springers, always have... now the answer is ......how much are you willing to pay.....

Best way to get a Springer is to Change the Front end of your 88.
Would be a lot cheaper and while your doing it get the motor and tranny serviced and updated as well.
Maybe even a new paint job. How come you don't want to use that for traveling?

86 I think was the last four speed.
Theres a 2011 Dyna Wide Glide on Ebay with 240ks for $21,600.
Might be worth looking at.

If you do Scooby keep away from QLD Bike Sales.
They just ignore you and treat you like shit.
Bought a Newly Rebuilt bike off them and spent over $3000 trying to fix it.