Hi folks, looking for some help. I looked at this bike this morning with a view to purchasing. The seller told me it was a 1985 Super Glide. It has 1340 cc engine and is chain driven. The thing that is confusing me is that it seems to have a Fat Boy rear wheel and fender. Also the horseshoe oil tank. I have some "google" searcing and cannot find anything exactly like it. By the way it starts and drives well for its age, I'm just confused as to exactly what model it is.

Thanks

 

go by the VIN
wide glide front end, rear fender, and that oil tank are not original. chain drive would be original. wheel is not.

 

Thanks for the info PJB. I was thinking along the same lines myself. I foresee some issues with my insurance company if I go for it.

Regards.

 

As long as you have a valid HD vin, I don't see what the issue would be. Finding a 1985 HD that has not been modified would be rare.

 

Yeah, some custom aftermarket stuff would be my guess as well. Horseshoe tanks were all the rage back in the 80's.

 

Can't get a good view of the front brake caliper, but the rear doesn't look familiar. Could either be a well developed custom or a bit of a bitsa - not clear from this side of the Atlantic!

 

can't see for sure, but looks like a stock caliper.
I've got the original glossy picture sales brochure from the 1985 FX's sitting here. For the Super glide it shows 2 nearly indentical right side pictures with a white jacketed "tech" removing the seat. the only other pics are a straight on front shot and a close up of the front fender tip/front tire tread (looking from above).

 

85 was the last year of the beloved swing arm frame. They had a 4 speed trans and shovelhead style frame so anything from the earlier years fits. Carried the older WG but this looks to be a newer unit. This s not orginal but has some orginal parts. Rear fender would be from FLH modified and the rear rim was an easy adaptation to the older frames. Nice bike and depending on price, would be a good builder.

 

First bike i bought new was a 85 superglide this one looks a lot different that was one tough good riding bike paid $6400 for it would love to have it now

 

I can't see it for some reason.
The VIN will tell you the 4th and 5th letters tell u the model the tenth digit gives u the year.
Google is your friend.