1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom Specifications

Name: 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom
Brand: Harley-Davidson

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom Overview

The 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom is a custom / cruiser motorcycle built around 1338 cc of displacement. Under the tank sits a V2 engine. 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom delivers 97 of torque. From a practical standpoint, the 1996 Softail Custom tips the scales at 276 kg and offers a seat height of 737 mm. That's roughly 24.6 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. Scroll down for the complete 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom spec sheet covering every technical detail from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

1996 Softail Custom - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Accessible seat height: At 737 mm, the seat height is approachable for a wide range of rider heights and builds confidence in low-speed manoeuvring.
Low-maintenance final drive: Belt final drive means no chain to clean, lube or adjust - meaningfully less routine maintenance than a chain-driven equivalent.

Considerations

Age-related wear: As with any used Softail Custom, a thorough pre-purchase inspection covering consumables, service history and tyres is always recommended.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Brake disc and pad wear

The Dual disc front brake gives strong, progressive stopping power. Disc thickness and pad depth are worth checking at every tyre change, since worn pads can score the disc surface.

Final drive maintenance

Final drive is by belt - lower maintenance than chain with no lubrication needed, but tension and tooth wear should still be checked at service intervals.

Handling the weight at a standstill

At 276 kg, the Softail Custom is a substantial machine - low-speed manoeuvring in car parks takes more physical effort than on a lighter bike, though the weight disappears once rolling.

Softail Custom - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

When inspecting a used 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom, start with the basics: check the service book for oil change frequency, inspect the chain and sprockets for wear, and look for oil seepage around the engine casings and rocker covers. A cold start test is invaluable - a well-maintained Softail Custom should fire up cleanly and settle to a smooth idle within a few seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Regular oil changes are the single most important maintenance task on any Softail Custom. Stick to the manufacturer's interval - typically every 6,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. Always use the correct viscosity grade as specified in the owner's manual.

1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom have?

The 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom uses a V2 engine with 1338 cc of displacement.

How much does the 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom weigh?

The 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom weighs 276 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much power does the 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom make?

The 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom produces 97 of torque.

Is the 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom suitable for shorter riders?

The 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom has a seat height of 737 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom have?

The 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom uses Dual disc at the front and Single disc at the rear.

Harley-Davidson Softail Custom Spec Evolution

The Harley-Davidson Softail Custom was produced across 3 model years (1996-1998). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	1996	1997	1998
Dry Weight	276 kg / 608.5 lbs	276 kg / 608.5 lbs	278 kg / 612.9 lbs
Seat Height	737 mm / 29.0 in.	676 mm / 26.6 in.	676 mm / 26.6 in.
Brakes - Front	Dual disc	Single disc	Single disc
Max Torque	97.00	97.00	99.00
Power-to-Weight Ratio	0.2065 HP/kg	0.1993 HP/kg	0.2014 HP/kg

Key Specifications

Engine

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

97.00

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

276 kg / 608.5 lbs

Fuel Capacity

Not published by manufacturer

Full 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom Specifications

Seat Height 737 mm / 29.0 in.

Dry Weight 276 kg / 608.5 lbs

Max Torque 97.00

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.2065 HP/kg

Displacement (cc) 1338.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 81.64 cubic inches

Engine Type V2

Stroke 4

Starter Electric

Valve System 2

Final Drive Belt

Gearbox 5-speed

Brakes - Front Dual disc

Brakes - Rear Single disc

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.

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