Getting ready to restore my '85FXEF - I;ve been told by some somewhat knowledgable people that it is, possibly, a fairly rare one. It is an FXEF with the 1340 blockhead and four speed trans. Supposedly, it is a one year only model. Can any one on here help my quest or at least point me int he right direction for an accurate answer? Thank you. Ride well.

 

Sounds like a fun project.

wiki:

Variations of the FX Super Glide[edit]

Customized Shovelhead FX variantIn 1974, the FX was joined by the FXE, a version of the Super Glide with an electric starter. Both versions also got an exclusive one-piece tank instead of the Fat Bob tank used by the FL.[3]

In 1977, the FXS Low Rider was introduced. The Low Rider had alloy wheels front and rear, two disc brakes on the front wheel, extended forks with a 32° rake, and a 26" seat height.[6] Unlike the Super Glide, the Low Rider was an instant hit; outselling all other Harley-Davidson models in its first full year of production.[7] All three FX models returned to using Fat Bob tanks, but with a special center divider that included a tachometer.[3]

A 1977 Harley-Davidson Confederate Edition of the Super Glide that had commemorative paint and tank and fender decals was produced but in such low volume numbers - only 228 units - as to make it one of the rarest of the company's motorcycles.[8][9]

The base, kickstart-only FX was discontinued in 1979. In that year, the FXEF Fat Bob was introduced.[10] The following year would bring the FXB Sturgis, an all-black Low Rider with primary and secondary belt drives, and the FXWG Wide Glide, a Low Rider with wide forks and a flame pattern painted on the tank.[10]

In 1983, the Low Rider was converted from chain drive to belt drive and given the designation FXSB, at which point the FXB was discontinued. In the same year, the FXDG Disc Glide was introduced. This model had a disc-type rear wheel instead of the wire-spoked wheel of the Super Glide or the solid-spoked wheel of the Low Rider.[10]

The FXE Super Glide was discontinued in 1985, with the FXEF Fat Bob becoming the base model.[10] The 1985 FXEF was the first and last FXEF to have the Evo motor along with being the last year for the 4sp and chain drive.

In 1986, all FX-based bikes except the Wide Glide were supplanted by FXR-based bikes. The Wide Glide was discontinued the following year.[10]

 

^^^This^^^

And a quick Google search showed there were 2324 produced.

 

Thank you for the responses. It looks like my FXEF was one of 2300+ and one of 600 in the color scheme on the bike. I'm leaning toward a full-blown factory original restoration rather than any modifications. Suggestions??

 

Thank you for the responses. It looks like my FXEF was one of 2300+ and one of 600 in the color scheme on the bike. I'm leaning toward a full-blown factory original restoration rather than any modifications. Suggestions??

 

Agree. If you are thinking about retaining its value to future collectors, keep as much original as you can, including not repainting it. If you just want to enjoy riding it, make the changes that make you happy, especially if they can be reversed in future!

 

Pics?

 

Agreed this thread is no good without pics LOL

 

You have a unique piece.
That 4 speed was designed in the thirties. So you know we had no super slabs back then. Easy to work on but don't expect trouble free iron butt performance.

 

Does any one know how to find out the original paint codes for 1985 FXEF - the factory guy told me blue, but that is not quite specific enough for a paint match. None of the VIN decoding sites are helpful...And, with fewer than 600 in this color, I'm going to go back to full factory restoration. ALB