Retro Harley Davidson
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 26
From: Florida
Honestly, I don't think it would take very much for Harley to produce some bikes that have more of a retro look then they currently do. As stated, they haven't changed much so it wouldn't take much. Some details have crept in lately like cat eye consoles and half moon floor boards. I think more 2:1 exhausts from the factory would be cool. Little things like fork mounted metal tool boxes and even just the scripts or tank emblems that they use could help the look a lot. In some cases, they even make certain parts that if brought together one single Softail they would make a really cool old style bike. But instead they spread out those certain parts over several different bikes, trying to give them all that "old school" look but never really hitting the mark with any of them.
Anyway...I bought my Crossbones because I thought it had more of a classic style and even then, I have done a lot of work to make it more so. In my opinion, I have done a far better job than Harley ever could today... And honestly I think many riders out there have as well.
Anyway...I bought my Crossbones because I thought it had more of a classic style and even then, I have done a lot of work to make it more so. In my opinion, I have done a far better job than Harley ever could today... And honestly I think many riders out there have as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Sportster engine in a moped 
I love the look of the pictures posted in another thread. Unfortunately not sure I'd want to ride one very often.
Would be nice garage art though.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: St Louis Mo
I was at Bruce Rossmeyers in Ft Lauderdale. They have a bike on display. The tank and frame look to be from the teens, but the motor is a sporty, brakes and everything are modern. One of the coolest customs I've seen. Sorry I didn't get a picture
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Honestly, I don't think it would take very much for Harley to produce some bikes that have more of a retro look then they currently do. As stated, they haven't changed much so it wouldn't take much. Some details have crept in lately like cat eye consoles and half moon floor boards. I think more 2:1 exhausts from the factory would be cool. Little things like fork mounted metal tool boxes and even just the scripts or tank emblems that they use could help the look a lot. In some cases, they even make certain parts that if brought together one single Softail they would make a really cool old style bike. But instead they spread out those certain parts over several different bikes, trying to give them all that "old school" look but never really hitting the mark with any of them.
Anyway...I bought my Crossbones because I thought it had more of a classic style and even then, I have done a lot of work to make it more so. In my opinion, I have done a far better job than Harley ever could today... And honestly I think many riders out there have as well.
Anyway...I bought my Crossbones because I thought it had more of a classic style and even then, I have done a lot of work to make it more so. In my opinion, I have done a far better job than Harley ever could today... And honestly I think many riders out there have as well.
Always thought the Crossbones was a bit more of a bobber style classic rather than a retro style classic. Still has a very nice look to it though. Think the Springer Heritage Classic (probably have the name wrong) is a bit more styled after the earlier designs.
Neighbor of mine has a step son with a Road King with the heard bags, parked next to my pan, it is easy to see the similarity between the two.
Was at the dealership picking up an OEM armature for the shovel and saw the new Dyna model with the hard bags. Looks about the same size as my shovel. Think with a fairing on it, wire wheels and full fenders it would be interesting to see it next to my 84 FLH
Guest
Posts: n/a
I agree, the 05-07 Springer classic was a great bike.... and they hold their value quite well compared to other HDs of the same years. I know the 07 Springer classic models sell very well, because that was the only year could could get a softail springer with a 6-speed transmission.. but even the 05-06 models command excellent resale.
As far as "collectibility" is concerned though, they don't hold the same "flare" as the 97-03 Heritage Springers, nor the later year crossbones models. Those bikes were made with very specific "special" parts, only available on a few select models, for a few select years.
Unfortunately, those "special" parts are astronomically expensive and hard to come by. Consequently, the collectors who maintain these bikes generally dont ride them much, stockpile parts, or sell them at rediculous prices.
I feel the same thing will happen with the crossbones. Give it 5-8 years, and you will see people paying more for them used (in mint condition of course) than they cost new. Just a speculation.
As far as "collectibility" is concerned though, they don't hold the same "flare" as the 97-03 Heritage Springers, nor the later year crossbones models. Those bikes were made with very specific "special" parts, only available on a few select models, for a few select years.
Unfortunately, those "special" parts are astronomically expensive and hard to come by. Consequently, the collectors who maintain these bikes generally dont ride them much, stockpile parts, or sell them at rediculous prices.
I feel the same thing will happen with the crossbones. Give it 5-8 years, and you will see people paying more for them used (in mint condition of course) than they cost new. Just a speculation.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Now you just need to add a full front fender, dump the bobtail rear for a hinged rear, add a tank shift, foot clutch, and add a kicker!
Always thought the Crossbones was a bit more of a bobber style classic rather than a retro style classic. Still has a very nice look to it though. Think the Springer Heritage Classic (probably have the name wrong) is a bit more styled after the earlier designs.
Neighbor of mine has a step son with a Road King with the heard bags, parked next to my pan, it is easy to see the similarity between the two.
Was at the dealership picking up an OEM armature for the shovel and saw the new Dyna model with the hard bags. Looks about the same size as my shovel. Think with a fairing on it, wire wheels and full fenders it would be interesting to see it next to my 84 FLH
Always thought the Crossbones was a bit more of a bobber style classic rather than a retro style classic. Still has a very nice look to it though. Think the Springer Heritage Classic (probably have the name wrong) is a bit more styled after the earlier designs.
Neighbor of mine has a step son with a Road King with the heard bags, parked next to my pan, it is easy to see the similarity between the two.
Was at the dealership picking up an OEM armature for the shovel and saw the new Dyna model with the hard bags. Looks about the same size as my shovel. Think with a fairing on it, wire wheels and full fenders it would be interesting to see it next to my 84 FLH
The new Dyna model looks real close to the old iron doesn't it ? MoCo was trying to get away from that look for a long time funny how it's come full circle back . Still Believe that old FX style was a trend setter .
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
The American auto makers have done all produced their sports cars as a retro model (Mustang, Camero, and Challenger) and they have sold great.
Do yall think if Harley Davidson produced a retro model that looked like '10s-30s model at a price of the Sportsters how many would sell?
Do yall think if Harley Davidson produced a retro model that looked like '10s-30s model at a price of the Sportsters how many would sell?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
I think the 30-40 type designs would do better than the 10-20 ones. I may get what amounts to a motorized bicycle for the curiosity sake (same as I bought one of the repro Harley bicycles) but I'm not going to ride it much and would probably pass it on after a few years.
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