Not sure how many V-twin fans we got in here, but the FXR line from Harley is my personal favorite bike of all time and most people seem to enjoy a dose of retro/vintage so I'll share my recent pickup.

Quick history lesson if for those interested in why FXR models are special: History of the Harley Davidson FXR

Unfortunately, this didn't come with the factory quick-detach windscreen and saddle bags so it's *only* an FXRS Sport. Also, don't understand what happened with the seating situation - stock seat, aftermarket pillion, aftermarket sissy bar, stock pillion pad?? - but all the other good stuff is here: dual discs up front, air ride front suspension (handlebars are the air reservoir! Thanks Erik Buell), 13" rear suspension, and of course the handmade stiffened frame with 45 degrees of lean.

Zero leaks, electronics work as they should, runs well all things considered. Original owner chopped off the cross pipe on the OE headers (why?) and welded the holes, I have an OEM system ordered to remedy that. Will probably take it to a local shop to have a performance cam dropped in, you can get these engines to 75-80hp without sacrificing any reliability.

I used to have a 1985 FXRS that I restored and sold, it was a huge PITA to source parts. But since then apparently the FXR scene has exploded, especially on the West Coast. There are many business now that make replica parts, replacement parts, or even just have an online shop dedicated to finding scrapped FXRs and stripping them to sell the parts. The frames alone are sought after as you can make a nice hotrod from scratch.

The popularity resurgence is enough that Erik Buell is making a modern version based on the same frame: https://www.buellmotorcycle.com/super-cruiser

I have a lot of parts and accessories on order, I'll post final pics when I have it in what I consider a finished state.

Thanks for reading 😎

I like and have much respect for HD, that particular model isn't my cup of tea, but can see the merit and reasons as to why you like it. My buddy is sure loving his new Pan America "Dirt glide" as he calls it, definitely quite a machine and very well designed and reputable.

11 hours ago, Ride365 said:

I like and have much respect for HD, that particular model isn't my cup of tea, but can see the merit and reasons as to why you like it. My buddy is sure loving his new Pan America "Dirt glide" as he calls it, definitely quite a machine and very well designed and reputable.

Motorcycling is a top-tier hobby because there's a bike for everyone; and in some cases many bikes for one😁

I hope "Dirt glide" sticks, it's a great nickname, and one seemingly given out of affection.

It's a shame Harley stopped making the FXR, they clearly knew how important the model was, as it was brought back in 1999 to launch their CVO program. Also, I don't understand cutting the highly anticipated Bronx we were supposed to have by now. I don't see the long-term vision of their latest leadership, but I am watching with great interest.

I have a 00 Sportster XL1200S 

Check one out.

Mag wheels dual dics up front a with single rear, fully adjustable front forks, a rebound, compression and ppreload.same with piggyback rear shocks.

Dual plug heads with HT twin fire hot coils.

Hotter cams and closer ratio trany.

Only stock fauxpau is the tiny peanut gas tank and hevy clutch pull, both however the can be relatively easily and inexpensively rectified.

Not a long haul steed but on shorter hops with appropriate pitstops it's a bit of a hoot and makes soothing patato-patato sounds along the way 

Getting close to finishing the bike:



Since my last post:

New jets and needle in the carb to remove factory lean condition.
New air filter and housing
Bassani 2-into-1 exhaust
Progressive rear shocks
Saddlemen Seat
New front motor mount
Baker 6-speed OD transmission
Andrews EV27 cam
Front fork brace (not pictured, installed when it arrived later)
Replaced a lot of old worn rubber all-over the bike - OEM foot pegs reinstalled since they vibrate way less than the chrome the previous owner put on.

Tried the tall sissy bar for a bit in the picture but eventually went back to a shorter one; will probably buy a quick-detach system in the future along with Leatherpro's luggage system.

Put about 4,000mi on it towards the end of last season into this winter. Then popped a front fork seal 2 weeks ago so I took it to the shop since I wanted the top end redone anyway.

On the docket:
New swing-arm bushings & pivot blocks
New base gasket kit
Bore and refinish heads
New higher compression pistons 10:1

With the new pistons and my current cam it should be another ~10hp bump, another client has the exact setup that they put on the dyno and that's what they saw. Not that I need to bike to be faster but it's a $100 difference for stock replacements vs the performance part and $100 for 10hp is some crazy dollar to hp. Shop is super reasonable with their prices, no up-selling at all, actually recommended to go refurb heads + pistons instead of completely new heads which would be almost 2x the cost.

In a weird stroke of luck the mechanic who worked on this bike for the previous owner moved and now works in the shop my bike is at. Also, while they don't claim to specialize in FXRs, there were two others on the lifts when I dropped my bike off. One had a ZX10R front end on it and an S&S 111 that looked pretty wicked, good to know that they build these out as regular business.

Edited April 18Apr 18 by jthayer09

With HDs, you can farkle till the cows come home. I just have to restore mine so it runs great, carbs, brakes, fluids, fork rebuild, shocks also redone. With HD almost every part is available no matter how small or obscure at a reasonable price. As they made so many and spares for at least 7 years after a model is OOP. But with the parts bin engineering parts mfgrd in 2000 were still in production until 2021!

Patato Patato Patato

They tried to Copyright the sound but it never happened. The new Sportster are like Japanese clones... Maybe more sophisticated but lost the soul of the original Sportster, which came out the same year I was born...