I am looking at 1980 FXE sitting on the showroom floor of a local dealer. He is a good dealer. I have know this place for many years.
I am planning to test ride tomorrow if another customer does not buy it tomorrow.
I can get it for $4900. It runs and has 39K miles on it and had some piston/cylinder work done recently at another dealer. I want to see the paperwork on that.
Yeah, looks like a 1980 bike. It is the original owner bike.
In my case, I would want to install forward controls on it. The mid controls won't cut it.

Looking for advice on this bike. I have had later model big twins and V-Rods.

ETA: There is no oil under the bike? WTF?

 

It's easy enough to change the controls. You can use stock FLH parts or custom. It may reverse the shift pattern but you get used to it in about 5 minutes.

 

I like the Checkered Demon avatar. He is my hero. LOL.

 

Old S. Clay Wilson had some talent. I loved how accurately he drew the Pan Heads his characters rode. Years ago my riding buddy and I would basically have conversations using lines from his stories. People thought we were out of our minds, and ""the checkered demon just smiled"

 

The 80 FXE was a good bike. It may be a 74 ci. Or it may be a 80 ci. Check the vin number. The 80 model we had was a 74 ci and was tight, leaked little or no oil. That being said, it still suffered from all the other problems shovels have. Electric starter sticking, oil puking from the breather after sitting for a week, **** poor stock carburetor. Look it over real good. See if the wiring is butchered up. Everybody says they just rebuilt the motor when they are selling them, but really didn't. The ideal situation would be to run a compression check and leakdown test on the motor per the factory manual. Assume the wheel bearings, neck and swingarm bearings need service. The bike pictured is the 1980 FXE 74 cid we had. It's your call and your money. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the good info and warning. I did not get to ride it yet.

 

Hey, gang. Don't forget your free tumblers.