84-85 Softail
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 2
From: NW Florida
RE: 84-85 Softail
If you find one go for the '85. The '84's still had a chain final drive. You had to adjust the shocks or replace because they caused the chain to stretch. Had one or 8 months and traded it for an '85 WG.
[IMG]local://upfiles/44747/5B205F693DD441968EC22E97397C5876.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/44747/5B205F693DD441968EC22E97397C5876.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
RE: 84-85 Softail
the softtail didnt come with belt drive till '86. the 84 still had the three finger clutch and the 85 had the diafram clutch, the 85 would be the better choice of the two, but im sure you could pick up a newer than that for decent money
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
RE: 84-85 Softail
You could always pic up a newer one , But then it would only be a newer one.....not a 85 fxst. Go for the 85 and enjoy, I've ridden a 85 since 84 and would feel slighted if i had to give it up for a newer one. 100,000 plus miles and it's never been apart. I realy don't know how hard they are to find, Mine is the only one i ever see around these parts. Good Luck [&:]
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 2
From: NW Florida
RE: 84-85 Softail
That's what makes my 85 WG such a pain to find parts for .1st with both Evo, belt drive and kicker. Only made for 85 & 86 with this set up. Have ridden quite a few miles on it. Still sitting in the garage. You guy's are right you don't see many around.
[IMG]local://upfiles/44747/8214AA36D369419CA4D95515923E31D7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/44747/8214AA36D369419CA4D95515923E31D7.jpg[/IMG]
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada home of the TAX YOU TO DEATH LIBERALS
RE: 84-85 Softail
Love my 84 to death. 50k on it and it has been faithful as a TIMEX watch. Sure it lacks all the newer 'TECHNOLOGY". Thing is that everybody else is starting to look the same. It's like pulling a 55 Chevy into a parking lot @ the mall surrounded by all the new iron. The other thing I love about it is that I can take it all apart and put it back together in MY garage and have to visit the Stealership very little. Old as it is, it is what riding a Hog is all about. OLD, Simple and Plain, just like the Rider........
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: Salem, Oregon
RE: 84-85 Softail
My $.02 worth....Find a 84 softail or 85-86 Wideglide. They all came with 4 speed tranny and kickers. The chain drive is no problem if you keep up maintenance on it.The wide glides came with belt drive but it's hard to find a good lookin seat. The softail came with a 4 speed and kicker but went to 5 speed in (I believe) 85. Any way for a cool ride that will get attention the early evo with 4 speed and kicker does it.Not to mention very reliable and will last forever if you take care of it. I have over 120,000 miles on my 85 wide glide.Lotta road trips!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/43978/8BAFAA2296AC43DB93695B8DC4E560DE.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/43978/8BAFAA2296AC43DB93695B8DC4E560DE.jpg[/IMG]
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27
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From:
RE: 84-85 Softail
I like the Monte in the background of your pic man.
ORIGINAL: msgtarmor
My $.02 worth....Find a 84 softail or 85-86 Wideglide. They all came with 4 speed tranny and kickers. The chain drive is no problem if you keep up maintenance on it.The wide glides came with belt drive but it's hard to find a good lookin seat. The softail came with a 4 speed and kicker but went to 5 speed in (I believe) 85. Any way for a cool ride that will get attention the early evo with 4 speed and kicker does it.Not to mention very reliable and will last forever if you take care of it. I have over 120,000 miles on my 85 wide glide.Lotta road trips!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/43978/8BAFAA2296AC43DB93695B8DC4E560DE.jpg[/IMG]
My $.02 worth....Find a 84 softail or 85-86 Wideglide. They all came with 4 speed tranny and kickers. The chain drive is no problem if you keep up maintenance on it.The wide glides came with belt drive but it's hard to find a good lookin seat. The softail came with a 4 speed and kicker but went to 5 speed in (I believe) 85. Any way for a cool ride that will get attention the early evo with 4 speed and kicker does it.Not to mention very reliable and will last forever if you take care of it. I have over 120,000 miles on my 85 wide glide.Lotta road trips!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/43978/8BAFAA2296AC43DB93695B8DC4E560DE.jpg[/IMG]
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
RE: 84-85 Softail
86 was the first year of the 5 spped and belt drive in the softail, I would go for one of those. I think the 5 speeds are a much better tranny and keep the engine more in the power band. As far as belt drive, personal preference, but I would take one over a chain anyday.