1986 FXRS New to me
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,601
Likes: 9,915
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
Welcome to the world of 80's vintage FXR riders..!!!
Mine is a 1985 FXRS I purchased new in '85. 34 years and 295,000 mi. later...I have yet to identify a bike I would rather own.
She's not bone stock, but not radically altered. There's a number of things you'll want to look at and know more about after you get that bike home. Some of it depends upon how many miles are on the bike, some are merely age related. Looking forward to hearing back from you here after you get her home.
Mine is a 1985 FXRS I purchased new in '85. 34 years and 295,000 mi. later...I have yet to identify a bike I would rather own.
She's not bone stock, but not radically altered. There's a number of things you'll want to look at and know more about after you get that bike home. Some of it depends upon how many miles are on the bike, some are merely age related. Looking forward to hearing back from you here after you get her home.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
From: Royal Oak, MI
Welcome to the world of 80's vintage FXR riders..!!!
Mine is a 1985 FXRS I purchased new in '85. 34 years and 295,000 mi. later...I have yet to identify a bike I would rather own.
She's not bone stock, but not radically altered. There's a number of things you'll want to look at and know more about after you get that bike home. Some of it depends upon how many miles are on the bike, some are merely age related. Looking forward to hearing back from you here after you get her home.
Mine is a 1985 FXRS I purchased new in '85. 34 years and 295,000 mi. later...I have yet to identify a bike I would rather own.
She's not bone stock, but not radically altered. There's a number of things you'll want to look at and know more about after you get that bike home. Some of it depends upon how many miles are on the bike, some are merely age related. Looking forward to hearing back from you here after you get her home.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
For starters,
All fluids and greaseables
Oil lines
fuel lines
Vacuum lines
tires
brake lines
cables
Others may have different priorities.
All fluids and greaseables
Oil lines
fuel lines
Vacuum lines
tires
brake lines
cables
Others may have different priorities.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,601
Likes: 9,915
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
Beemervet summed it up pretty well. You never got back with how many miles are on the bike. If the previous owner has been riding it regularly and keeping up with normal periodic maintenance it's a different situation than if this bike has been parked for the last 10 yrs.
In any event..in addition to what Beemervet posted, I'll add/expand on his list:
If the cables look good, at least lube them.
Replace the rubber hose on the VOES switch.
Ask the previous owner when/if he ever changed out the brake fluid. Make sure the pads are good, check the caliper pins for free movement, lube as required.
Front fork oil is probably ready to change.
Rubber handlebar isolators are probably ready to replaced.
Front motor mount. Easy to get to just to take a look at it. I've gone through a couple over the years. I recently replaced mine with one from Kinetic Structures. Different concept from the lump-o-rubber we've been running. I like to so far.
https://dirtycustomz.com/products/fr...-flhx-fltr-flt
Swingarm isolators
Engine stabilizer links. ( I like Velva-ride).
I'll repeat Beemervet's suggestion re: Tires. Some folks don't realize that tires can look good but be dangerous to ride due to age. Unless the tires on that bike have been recently replaced, I'd at least examine them CLOSELY with a bright light for cracks and splits.
In any event..in addition to what Beemervet posted, I'll add/expand on his list:
If the cables look good, at least lube them.
Replace the rubber hose on the VOES switch.
Ask the previous owner when/if he ever changed out the brake fluid. Make sure the pads are good, check the caliper pins for free movement, lube as required.
Front fork oil is probably ready to change.
Rubber handlebar isolators are probably ready to replaced.
Front motor mount. Easy to get to just to take a look at it. I've gone through a couple over the years. I recently replaced mine with one from Kinetic Structures. Different concept from the lump-o-rubber we've been running. I like to so far.
https://dirtycustomz.com/products/fr...-flhx-fltr-flt
Swingarm isolators
Engine stabilizer links. ( I like Velva-ride).
I'll repeat Beemervet's suggestion re: Tires. Some folks don't realize that tires can look good but be dangerous to ride due to age. Unless the tires on that bike have been recently replaced, I'd at least examine them CLOSELY with a bright light for cracks and splits.