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85 FXRC - Do I customize

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Old Sep 26, 2021 | 11:52 AM
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Default 85 FXRC - Do I customize

Father in law gave me his 1985 FXRC that he bought new in 1985. It needs things fixed to get it running but I'm thinking of painting the engine, transmission and inner primary in the HD matte black and polishing the head fins to give it a more modern style. What's ya'lls opinion on that. I'm new to HD motorcycles my background has been sportbikes. I know it's a limited edition bike and I'm not sure if doing that would look like I'm molesting the purity of the bike in the HD community.

Thanks for any feedback you could provide

 

Last edited by capartee; Sep 26, 2021 at 12:04 PM.
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Sep 26, 2021, 12:17 PM
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I generally avoid opinion threads but can tell you - an older, maintained, all original bike (of any make) will always get more attention and appreciation from serious bike people, as well as have a much greater re-sale value over a heavily customized bike.

But it's yours now, and "to each ones own."
 
Old Sep 26, 2021 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by capartee
Father in law gave me his 1985 FXRC that he bought new in 1985. It needs things fixed to get it running but I'm thinking of painting the engine, transmission and inner primary in the HD matte black and polishing the head fins to give it a more modern style. What's ya'lls opinion on that. I'm new to HD motorcycles my background has been sportbikes. I know it's a limited edition bike and I'm not sure if doing that would look like I'm molesting the purity of the bike in the HD community.

Thanks for any feedback you could provide
Very nice. I have an 87 FXRC that I've made changes too, but, I haven't done ANYTHING that I can't return the bike to original.

Greg
 
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Old Sep 26, 2021 | 12:16 PM
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They're only original once.
 
Old Sep 26, 2021 | 12:17 PM
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I generally avoid opinion threads but can tell you - an older, maintained, all original bike (of any make) will always get more attention and appreciation from serious bike people, as well as have a much greater re-sale value over a heavily customized bike.

But it's yours now, and "to each ones own."
 
Old Sep 26, 2021 | 12:55 PM
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That bike is gorgeous as is. It’s yours, do what you want. If it were mine I wouldn’t touch a thing.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2021 | 11:52 PM
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Thanks everyone your opinions help. I think I'll just replace all the primary parts since the clutch bearing fell apart. Not confident in the integrity of the other primary parts. Do a full service, then polish her up and get to riding.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2021 | 07:28 AM
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Hi Capartee, I have that same year / model bike (#734 out of 1075 produced - what # is your if you don't mind me asking)? in the same finish and have gone through the same thought process about modifications. Mine is in similarly nice original condition which led me to the decision to just leave it stock. When I bought it, I thought I would "Club Style" the bike... and, I still may but any mods would need to be an easy conversion back to original.

Like everyone has said - it's your bike now so do what you want to it - especially if it makes you want to ride it!

And, btw, the P.O. had the inner/outer primary removed and resealed before selling it to me. With the age of these bikes, it's never a bad idea to go through the systems.

1985 FXRC
 
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Old Sep 27, 2021 | 07:35 AM
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Leave it stock.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2021 | 07:36 AM
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I wouldn't mess with it, but that's me, I have bike #706 that I've been putting back to original that the previous owner changed about everything and didn't keep much of the original parts
 
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Old Sep 27, 2021 | 08:01 AM
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I've got #748. Good for me my Father in law didn't get rid of anything he upgraded. He put in a bigger cam, changed to a S&S carb, replaced the rear shocks and put a larger sissy bar on but kept all the old parts.
 
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