Not sure if Classic Evo is the right place for this, but here goes. I'm looking at two FXRs.

This 1990 FXR looks really nice. One-family, two owners (father/son). 19K miles. They want $6K but it's been for sale a month+. It has lowered rear shocks and an FXRS tank, but the owner swears it's stock other than that.

The other is this bone stock 1986 FXR. Looks like a real gem. 18K miles, one owner, $4500 asking. Been for sale for almost a month.

So here's what I know and have been told:

The 1990 is a superior bike. It has 39mm forks, a better clutch, transmission, and I believe better gearing for modern highway speeds. It's also got better gaskets as HD corrected the paper gasket issue from the earlier Evo models. However, this bike is $1500 more and has been modified (however slightly). I'd want to unlower it and get mid controls on it. The front end looks like it might have been lowered, as well, but the owner swears it's stock. I'm probably mistaken on that, as I know some FXRs were made with longer/shorter forks.

The 1986 is also clean as hell with low miles. I love the mag wheels and the lower price point. I also love that it's a completely unmolested blank canvas. Ooh, and it's chain drive. However, the 35mm forks and paper gasket issue sort of bug me. More importantly, I've heard several stories of the pre-90 clutches going out due to the clutch release finger and roller bearing.

What do you folks think? And FXR experts wanna chime in? Are the bigger forks, clutch, and trans on the '90 worth the additional cost? Is the '90 as stock as the guy says it is? Am I too scared of the "issues" with the '86? Am I completely neurotic?

 

Picts of the bikes in question would help.

 

The 1990 has a better starter, better forks, & a belt drive. That is my choice between the two.

 

^^^^^click on the blue text for pics

 

Something doesn't add up there.

I'm about 99 44/100% sure that FXR's went to belt drive in 1984. The one you're looking at either isn't a 1986, or it's not as unmolested as you think.

 

I linked them in the original post, but here they are. The 1986 has the fairing.

 

Confusing for me too. I did read here that some of the 84-85 FXRs could have chain drive. Particularly the 1985s, which makes me wonder if the seller is wrong about the year.

 

I'd work the owner of the 90.. damn nice looking Scoot there........

 

My buddy has an 85 Fxr that was belt drive but he converted it to chain. The 90 has been on ct craigslist for a while now , I remember seeing it last winter.

 

Some of the FXR models held out and used up the last of the enclosed chain drives...and people would toss the enclosure and make it just chain drive. As with most mid eighty's stuff, no real documentation...just what ever they had laying around to put on it that day.


Lot of improvements from 86 to 90...the 90 would be my first choice.