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FXR - what to look for.

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Old Sep 23, 2017 | 03:36 PM
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Default FXR - what to look for.

I'm playing with the idea of picking up a FXR. Don't want a P or a T - just a standard bike. Any years to avoid, or prefer Is the obvious "get the newest one you can find" the simple answer? Anything in particular to pay attention to?

I saw a 99 with 0 miles on eBay - supposedly some obscure dealer leftover that just came out of the crate. It's at 10.2 already and the reserve hasn't been met yet. More then I want to pay. But a beautiful bike.

Anyway, thanks.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2017 | 03:52 PM
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The 99's go for a pretty penny. That's the one on eBay, the Fxr2 and fxr3 were the first cvo -screaming Eagles . They were like 20k in 99. My favorite is the Fxr 3 green with candy green flames. The blue is sweet also.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2017 | 03:59 PM
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For me I think the stocker the better.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2017 | 04:03 PM
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'91 or newer is the best bet, they have the longer splined mainshaft and the better starters.
'89 and 90 are good as well but the '89 has a tapered mainshaft and the older style clutch.
If you get an '89 just remember that if you ever go through the transmission, to upgrade the gear set to the later model stuff.
Any FXR chassis from '82 to 2000 will take any year FXR engine/transmission unit and will also accept Twin Cam bagger engine transmission units with a little work.

Tons more I could add here.....But I don't want to write a book.
P/M me if you find one you're interested in and I can tell you what you're looking at.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2017 | 04:43 PM
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Thanks gentlemen. I'll looking at a couple. Mostly on CL. I'll reach out when I get close. I want to keep it at or under 5k as I expect I'll need to put some into it. Definitely looking at >90. I'll follow up.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 06:31 AM
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The frames on the earliest FXR models, had the rear shock mounted in more of a vertical position than the later frames where the shock tops were moved forward.

The biggest weakness in the FXR set-up (as with the later Dyna) was the rubber mount drive train. If you configured the bikes as a curvy road performance machine, you were always having to deal with those rubber mounts that allowed the drive train to move side to side and produce a unsettled wobble when leaned hard.

In the day, several aftermarket suppliers offered extra hard rubber mounts (cleveblocks). One supplier made a set of stainless auxiliary struts that attached at the swing arm pivot and the axel to form huge splints to hold the swing arm steady in the side to side plane. (These didn't work well for me.)

Nowadays the FXR is granted some admiration but, in the day, they received criticism from the cruiser crowd. Many of them though the triangular frame tubing design of the rear frame section looked too "Japanese."

One of the motivations behind the Dyna was to eliminate this feature and make the frame appear more like the earlier Shovelhead frames.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 06:39 AM
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I did a lot of work hopping up FXR's.

Frankly, I think a later model Dyna with good suspension,front and rear, jacked up high and with Sputhe Stabilizers, handles better than an FXR on curvy roads at speed doing deep lean angles.

However, that's not the riding configuration that most H-D riders desire.

.
 

Last edited by leafman60; Sep 27, 2017 at 06:40 AM.
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 11:29 AM
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I'm planning on starting a TC powered FXR build next year sometime. The FXRP models are popular. The 1994 model year is also highly desired. There are lots of options out there to dial these bikes in to where they really rip on the twisties.

This is a pic from this past weekend. My LRS, then a buddies white 1994 FXR built by San Diego Customs with paint by Hot Dog Kustoms. The blue bike is my brothers 1988 FXRP with paint by Scott Takes at Underground Art Studio. The red bike is a 1994 that belongs to a friends father. All three of them have 111" S&S motors. They are cool bikes and are noticeably lighter and smaller than the Dyna. The frame geometry really works well and they are easy to flick through the corners. As far as the motor mount issue, Alloy Art currently offers good solutions.

 

Last edited by rbdub474; Sep 27, 2017 at 11:32 AM.
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 12:23 PM
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Thanks for the info guys. There's a dealer somewhat near me that has a 94 low rider in stock that I'm going to go check out and sit on. I wasn't aware that the frame was dimensionally smaller then the Dyna's, which may be an issue for my 6'2" oversized ***... But that's easily determined in person. Probably wont get a dealer bike, as they'll likely want to bend you over on the price, but its worth taking a look. Not a lot of options up north...
 
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Old Sep 27, 2017 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Mchad
Thanks for the info guys. There's a dealer somewhat near me that has a 94 low rider in stock that I'm going to go check out and sit on. I wasn't aware that the frame was dimensionally smaller then the Dyna's, which may be an issue for my 6'2" oversized ***... But that's easily determined in person. Probably wont get a dealer bike, as they'll likely want to bend you over on the price, but its worth taking a look. Not a lot of options up north...
You might be surprised. My brother is 6'6" and his FXR has the police floorboards on it, and he loves the way it fits him.
 
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