I am thinking or pondering the idea of replacing the tanks and fenders on my 77 FX. Maybe bring back the way it looked when purchased. A while back I was able to obtain original sales information from HD. Not a lot of specifics but where it was delivered to and sold from and what the original color of the bike was...
The bike was sold out of Spitzies motorcycles in Schenectady NY. In a brilliant red paint . I can remember his place very well when I was a kid growing up. I'm not going to try and make it original at this point because there was just to many changes. One of which is a wide Glide front end.. it doesn't have the 35 mm xl front end and the kick only feature was upgraded to an electric start with the FXE primary and starter not to mention the wiring change and hand controls for electric start, etc. etc...... The bike replicates an FXE but the VIN says it's an FX. (2C) I know it will never be original but I would like to get it close...
So I started searching the web for pics of a 77 FX so I can get an idea on what tanks and fenders were original to the model. Now I know there have been posts that say that the FX came with a single 3.5 gl 61215-83 tank but every picture I find on Google shows a split 5 gallon setup... I couldn't even confirm the proper thanks with my parts manual... So if any one can help me out there I would appreciate it.. I believe it came with a single tank as the number I posted earlier but am not sure..
As for the fenders, the front one is not a problem but they did make 2 different rear fenders. I believe the one I need is the 53594-73A which is different than what I currently have, which is the 59904-84. My parts manual says it's for an 80-84 FXWG but that's the style I have...
I kinda have to rely on some of the seasoned guys here to set me straight.. so if you guys have info you or can post up some pics of a 77 FX in brilliant red... I would greatly appreciate it... Thanks Bob..
Last but not least the color, brilliant red.... Does any one have info on the color code and maybe a pic of what it looks like.... Thanks again ...
One more thing, if you want to pic my bike apart that's ok by me... Here's a pic... Thanks again.....
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; 01-08-2019 at 08:48 PM.
Believe that Brilliant Red was used 77-79. This is on a 1978 FXE. Not quite sure if it is original paint, but the bike presents very well and has only a couple of non OEM parts on it from what I can tell. So if that is the case, if it is a repaint, the owner most likely used a close variation of the correct color (if not the correct color).
Tank decals would have looked like this however for 1977 FX/E. Gas tanks for these models (#61215-83) were the same from 1973- E84 and are depicted in both pics
Believe that Brilliant Red was used 77-79. This is on a 1978 FXE. Not quite sure if it is original paint, but the bike presents very well and has only a couple of non OEM parts on it from what I can tell. So if that is the case, if it is a repaint, the owner most likely used a close variation of the correct color (if not the correct color).
Tank decals would have looked like this however for 1977 FX/E. Gas tanks for these models (#61215-83) were the same from 1973- E84 and are depicted in both pics
Those are beautiful Super Glides and should be able to help immensely. So the Tank is definitely the single 3.5 gallon? Also I noticed that both of those have mid controls, did they ever come with floor boards and heel/toe shifters? My 77 does have what appear to be original mounts for the front. I have heard that for a couple of years that the MOCO was cutting off these mounts? So would a 77 have the floor boards?
Originally Posted by hellonewman
Is your front wheel a 21"?
Yes it's a 21 and did come with a 19 originally. I found a supplier that claims NOS 7 spoke front 19"er but cannot locate the rear... So I might just keep it as is....
No floorboards, single tank, the red bike posted above looks really correct. I was going to buy a red FXE in Sept, 77 but took delivery on a 78 FXS in Oct, 77.
No floorboards, single tank, the red bike posted above looks really correct. I was going to buy a red FXE in Sept, 77 but took delivery on a 78 FXS in Oct, 77.
The '77 in red does look the Most Correct...
The SuperGlide Tank started in about '74... certainly the Only tank put onto a post '74 FX from the Factory...
FWIW the FXWG rear Fender started in 1980... and The FXS had 3 1/2 gal. Bobs with the FXS Dash...
Only the First couple years of the FX had Fat bobs [5 gal] and the FL Dash....as well as Dreadful foot controls early on...
No Boards except on an FL Shovelhead...
I too am contemplating putting a '74/74" back closer to stock as it has been many ... Many things
Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy
I found a supplier that claims NOS 7 spoke front 19"er but cannot locate the rear... So I might just keep it as is....
I believe the seven spoke wheels [Morris mags Not the "other" ones], were previous to '77 from the MoCo.. [1974] .. But, I do Not recall how long they lasted certainly Not '79 as those were 9 spokes.... And, come to think of it... 1977 [first FXS] was 9 spokes!!!
wow that's news to me I thought the first 19 in alum mags for Harleys came out on the 1977 low rider
with the drag bars and later put on the 1981 fxef which is my bike
Last edited by 1981 suprglide; 01-09-2019 at 09:16 AM.
Ok found out a couple more things about the wheels. The 21" chrome spoked did come on 77 FX. According to my parts book but they did not list a 7 spoke cast aluminum for early 77 and back. So I guess mine only came with the chrome spoked rims but does seem like the 21"er is stock..
01-08-2019, 08:42 PM
Original Tins.....
