I bought a low mileage 83 FLHT last summer...been working tons of OT and haven't had a chance to do much to it. Anyone familiar with these bikes knows they are the "red headed step child" of the Harley world...true shovel lovers will have nothing to do with them...and the bagger crowd doesn't care for them, because they have none of the goodies of a newer bagger. They are not really gaining collector status ...a 4 speed FL of the same year will always bring more money... the gas tank and gauge set-up are just butt ugly, no matter how you look at it. BUT go look at the newest 40k CVO Street Glide...they really haven't changed that much under the cosmetics...and ebay is full of cast off SG parts. So the plan is make this beast look like a 40k CVO from 10 feet away..and when they get close they will go "Oh chit...it's a shovel"....Oh and do it with a 10k budget. I have collected tons of ebay parts and diving in head first...this is what I plan.

1. Late model fairing with gauges
2. Newer style gas tank
3. New style bags
4. 6 speed trans with oil tank
5. Move battery under seat
6. 180 rear tire
7. 21" front wheel
8. Rear belt drive(current is enclosed chain)

This will be a very slow moving thread so be patient



























SG tank is almost a bolt-on...leather CVO seat will be easy to make work...should have it down to bare frame by the weekend.

 

Looks like a very cool project. Look forward to following your progress. I'm having a blast myself doing a semi- glide shovel.

 

looks fun.. i always thought about building one of them.. almost got a FLT once. would really look good if you could get a kickstart 4 speed in there.. looking forward to seeing your bike done..

 

Damn Tom ... Looks like you're all set for a "Wonderful Winter" playing with the scooter!

 

This is defintely one project I intend to follow. Please keep thye pics and progress coming.

 

Going to have to do a little cutting on the frame to get the 9" SG fender in there...fun fun

 

Awesome project ... dig it ... wish I had a shovel project going on ...

 

Very cool. Staying tuned to this project. Too soon for color choices?

 

Every bike I have ever built has been black...I do a lot of bike shows at rallies...never won 1st place. I was in a show and talking to a guy, and he told me...you will never win a bike show with a black bike...he said if you want to win...you have to paint your bike beer can colors...they do millions of dollars in research to find out what colors people like. After I picked up my second place trophy because he beat me with his "bud light" blue bike... that was not nearly as nice as mine...I have started paying attention. Paint jobs always win bike shows...so I am going all out on the paint on this one. They have some new "chrome" paint, that i am dying to try...and no I am not going to paint the bike chrome...but I bet you could do some wicked effects with it and some candy paint...haven't 100% decided what color candy paint I am going to use...but I plan to drink a lot of bud light building it...so that may affect my decision.

BTW I am looking for a wrecked 2009 up frame to cut some parts off of...if anyone knows of one let me know...the more wrecked ..the better...lol.

Anybody wanting a radio setup for an older bike...this one will be on ebay this weekend.

 

think how much fun it would be without all that winnabago stuff on it...