All through the summer every few weeks there was an ad in the paper for a 1980 FLT with 61K on the odo for $4,500. I have a 58 FLH with the pan and a 97 Heritage with the evo so a 1980 bike with the shovel would fit right in.

However I have heard all the horror stories of all the shovel issues and that most were heavily molested through many owners.

When the ad reappeared I thought that I should at least look at it. Called the guy and made an appointment to see it last Sunday. When I got there I was blown away. The owner was retired and bought it new. The dealer did all the services on the bike and as time went on the valves and valve guides and the various bushings, seals and gaskets that a shovel needs. Everything was original. He had replaced the seat with a mustang seat and passenger backrest when new. The H-D seat and backrest was in the Mustang seat box. He put on passenger floor boards and had the take offs.

The dealer installed an oil cooler for him when new and rejetted the carb as they were lean burn even back then. The original tool kit was with the bike and it was very comprehensive. There was a service manual, owner's manual and a log of every service and repairs like tires, brake pads etc.

There was also a tank bag, wool sheepskin covers for the pass. backrest and mustang seat, a box of oil, various gaskets and a jug of cleaner for the foam air breather filter.

He had only ridden it once earlier this year. He got a BMW last year and the FLT sit in the back of the garage.

I asked him if it would start. He walked over to it and opened the pet ****, pulled the choke out, turned the ignition to run and pushed the start button. It fired right up. When it ran awhile he pushed in the choke and that shovel settled into a wonderful patato patato lope.

One thing surprised me was the frame mounted twin headlight fairing. I thought it was years latter on the Road Glide. But there it was on the FLT Tour Glide.

Oh! There was no oil spot under the bike!

We agreed on a price and today we loaded everything into the van. I cannot wait to get it out of the van tomorrow detail it and get to the DMV for the lic and title. No pictures as it was dark when I got home.
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Looks like a great find!

 

Pictures when you get it unloaded from the van would be greatly appreciated.
Great Find.

 

an original FLT is an odd bike in that the original exhaust on the left side runs all the way along the primary to the muffler no other bike did that

its a 5 speed with the panhead type clutch and rear chain drive, with the mileage it has it might have had valve guides installed already, as they were also odd and did not work out like expected you always see this cam fits everything except 1980 and 1981

I have an 81 some of the guys own them and enjoy them as it rides and drives different then anything else in the Harley line

the factory books parts and service is the first buy you will need them

 

I don't know. I'd be suspicious if it didn't have at least a small puddle of oil underneath it.

carl

 

My 83 FXR never leaked oil... it was super tight and I was also "worried"... turns out that a shovel assembled right and taken care of, wont leak

 

What John said the 80-81 FLT's were odd ducks, had an 80 for about 3 months just couldn't connect with it.

 

It rained today so I left it in the Van. The aluminum ramp gets very slippery. I was surprised by the unusual exhaust system also. The front goes back on the left side and the right goes forward and around the points case then back. No balance tube. The flat car like dash pod is strange also as is the Road Glide like frame mounted fairing.

The quick disconnect(from the luggage rack) trunk is huge.

I was able to read through the owner's manual and the 80/81 service manual since it rained all day. The FLT 80/81 are strange ducks. Hope to get a pic tomorrow and ride.

I did get to DMV and got the title transfer done. In Illinois they hand you a new plate and there is no need to wait for the mail.

 

Congrats on the machine,
Not many left alive in the condition as you describe,

 

always thought they were kinda ugly , but finding one in near mint condition at a decent price is pretty cool .
looking forward to pics . congratz !