To me the 79 FXE is the nicest looking bike of the bunch and is directly related to it predecessors with the unmistakable old school look. The soft tail looks modern Harley-wise regardless of the engine.

 

If you make an appt with them they should be able to arrange a test ride. You may find you don't like how softails ride, they are very rough with only about 2" of rear wheel travel.

As far as compression test, if that is what makes or breaks the sale, and you are willing to pay if you don't buy it, why not?

The 77 looks real nice to me, but know that the rear shocks are too short and it's not the original headlight bucket, right off the bat.

The 85 looks real nice too, if you can afford to buy it, it's the most original of the bunch.

 

I say Superglide but I a partial...

 

Oops, the silver one is the one I like, 79 not 77.

 

I'm starting to like the 79 FXE more and more. Does that tank look right for a 79 FXE?

 

I'd skip those shovel anyway, bud of mine has a factory bone stock 84 softail, even has the original pipes and air cleaner on it, he's second owner.

84 sloptail is my vote.

 

That is an FXS (Low Rider) tank setup. Even the color looks like one. FXS forks are +2" over what an FXE has.

How did it go?

 

I talked to the seller last night and he said he had two people coming to look at it today. 2 hour ride for me and I am working 12 nights this weekend. I messaged him when I woke up and he said it sold.
Went to see the 84 FXST today. Low mileage. Shop owner bought off the original owners son. Father died and son just wanted to get it running and sell it. Looked a lot like my 2009 softail Custonm lol. It looks all original except sissy bar and air cleaner cover. Paint is not so Vivid Black. Looks like there may have been some spray can touch ups or repainting. Lots of rusty nuts and bolts. Some aluminum parts are oxidized. New tires, wheels look pretty good. Spokes starting to show some rust. He had a hard time keeping it running and said ity was a manifold leak and was going to take care of it. Had what looked like heavy paint on the lower frame. Almost like undercoating, unless it was spray paint over rust or grease. I have to get a better look at that. I made him an offer, he countered, I told him I would get back to him monday.
Basically seems like it would be a good running bike but it will take a lot of work making it pretty.

 

Any update to this story @vicsponjr ?

 

I didn't like how neglected the "all original" 84 softail looked, especially for the price he was asking. There is another 84 softail that is priced much better and I am told it runs great, doesn't have all the original parts and has a few dings and scratches, but I haven't been able to sync up with his schedule to go see it. Being that I am always looking when I have this bug I found another 84 softail, in "mint, better than factory, museum quality with every available piece of add on chrome available". Talked to the guy and he sounds legit. Priced better that the neglected 84. Unfortunately it is a 13 hour ride to go get it. I have a friend that lives 10 minutes from the seller and if all goes well he is going to go look at it today. I am on vacation the week before Christmas and plan on grabbing a Uhaul trailer to go get it. I also know of a FXB-80 for sale, with all original parts, but not running and sounds like it will take a lot to make it right. May be priced too high for that. I was supposed to go see that one tonight after work but I didn't get a reply when I texted the seller. It may have sold or put on hold to make it more presentable. Either way a reply would be nice. All that said I am still trying to find a sweet, low mileage, local FXE someone wants me to love, preferably black, lol.