Hey guys, I'm very much considering picking up a 1980 FXB - my HD bucket list bike - but want to know what I'm getting into before I commit.
Definitive info on historical accuracy is difficult to find online. So I'm hoping some of you have either great recollections of the '80s showroom or some supporting documentation that can guide me as I rehab this bike to showroom condition (as it is currently, it's a solid rider and will be ridden, but with the goal of bringing it back to factory spec).

To start, how do I tell what position in the build sequence it is? The serial # portion of the VIN is 57802 (assuming I'm decoding the VIN correctly). Surely that isn't sequential, since only 1400 or so were made in 1980? Does anyone know the serial number range?

If this bike isn't super-early, that makes the next questions more easily answered (appropriate trim)

 

On to trim stuff - did every 1980 FXB come with 2-1 exhaust? This one is missing the sissy bar/tool bag, stock seat/strap, highway pegs, passenger pegs, and has a chrome dash and retainer, battery box, and chrome eyebrow. Assuming this wasn't some weird early production number, all of that is incorrect, right?

I'm assuming the primary cover is aftermarket (likely period-correct?) and that the front turn signals have been relocated.

I also suspect the rear fender supports are incorrect?

 

and lastly, for now, this bike is supposed to be original paint, but the tank decals have exposed edges - were they not cleared-over from the factory? These feel like stickers.

 

oh yeah, S&S carb/air cleaner are incorrect (did not think to list that)

 

the site is not taking the upload I tried a PM

 

Gorgeous example of a 1st year Sturgis!

They appear to have come with a 2 into collector pipe system. The seat looks like an aftermarket addition.

I would Love to have this in my garage!

 

Cracking bike, love the slash cut exhaust.

 

Here is one for sale down here.
https://hddev.com.au/product/1981-ha...urgis-cruiser/

 

Got it, @Paintslinger16, thank you. That's helpful - do you know what year it is?

There are quite a few details that differ on the left-hand side from the one I'm looking at, including the primary cover, which I think was an aftermarket solution to an overheating belt issue, if I'm not mistaken?

 

Thanks for the link - I grabbed all the detail photos for reference. That's $23K USD, I think??

It looks like (at least in 1981) the decal had clearcoat sprayed over it: