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The original handlebars were in decent shape, so I polished them on the wheel with stainless compound. Right side done, left side just cleaned with chrome polish.
This is how the bike looks now. The seat is in a bag on the shelf.
As far as the hinge and latch, I’m going to look at more internet pictures and maybe try to find a sales brochure to see if that sheds any light. I don’t recall any pictures where the latch handle stood out, nor the seat half of the hinge, so maybe they gave them a quick swipe of black paint to blend in.
Apparently there are at least three versions of this latch, and of the hinge. Here's a latch like mine on eBay, says it came off an 84. There is a possibility that the seat on my bike came off an FXRT, because the previous owner was using the gigantic passenger seat and sissy bar from the T for his wife's comfort. The bike also came with a one-piece seat from unknown sources.
Another guy on eBay is selling this one off his 82 FXR, the rubber extends further up the lever. I wonder if it's just the person doing the dipping, or was there a design change?
Then there is this style, which appears in many auctions, including a 1990. Harley must have realized paint is cheaper than rubber?
The hinges seem to match the latches, either painted black or natural. The pins on mine are shorter than all the ones I have seen on eBay, and doesn't have a place for the center part. The newer ones mount to studs with nuts, not bolts like other years.
What this all boils down to is I'm leaving my latch and hinge just the way they are.
Apparently there are at least three versions of this latch, and of the hinge. Here's a latch like mine on eBay, says it came off an 84. There is a possibility that the seat on my bike came off an FXRT, because the previous owner was using the gigantic passenger seat and sissy bar from the T for his wife's comfort. The bike also came with a one-piece seat from unknown sources.
Another guy on eBay is selling this one off his 82 FXR, the rubber extends further up the lever. I wonder if it's just the person doing the dipping, or was there a design change?
Then there is this style, which appears in many auctions, including a 1990. Harley must have realized paint is cheaper than rubber?
The hinges seem to match the latches, either painted black or natural. The pins on mine are shorter than all the ones I have seen on eBay, and doesn't have a place for the center part. The newer ones mount to studs with nuts, not bolts like other years.
What this all boils down to is I'm leaving my latch and hinge just the way they are.
Today was another big day, buffed and polished the fenders and side covers. Used Meguire's Mirror Glaze Fine-Cut Cleaner on a wool pad to polish out the 2000 grit sanding scratches.
Then their Swirl Remover on a foam pad to get rid of the slight haze from the compound. You can see the difference here:
Took a couple hours all together, but definitely worth it!
I still have to wait a couple more weeks before waxing, and then installation on the bike can begin!
The replacement decal came in, so that was today's task. First measure (thrice) and mark the spot. Then spray with water to give me time and prevent premature adhesion. Finally press in place and push bubbles to the edge with a plastic spreader.
It looks a lot better in the correct position
In all my seat research, I was reminded that the 82 and early 83 bikes had this plate spanning the hinge and latch:
The seat side was pretty rusty, so I wire wheeled and treated with Metal Prep.
I have been using VHT Epoxy spray can black for the few stamped steel parts, so it seemed right for the seat pan. It doesn't require primer, and is slightly less black than the Majic Tractor paint which makes for a little contrast.
Even though the parts book shows this being used on 82 and early 83 seats, my seat must have been from a later bike, because there were and are rubber bumpers pop riveted to the underside that interfere with this plate. Whoever installed it bent the plate to make it fit. I have two parts books, one for 82 only, and one for 82 and 83. The 82 book actually doesn't show the plate, and the seat part number ends in -82. The later book shows the plate and the seat part number ends in -82A, which is probably where the rubber bumpers were added. Looks like I'll keep the plate in the parts bin and lose the AMCA point, as I like the rubber bumpers to protect the frame.
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Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
