'81 FLH Conversion- remake- thoughts? Pitfalls?
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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'81 FLH Conversion- remake- thoughts? Pitfalls?
Ok, I love shovels, but this one I'm getting in a trade, and it needs a makeover. I want to yank the windshield and crash bar, and put some 10-12" apes on it (helps my hands not to fall asleep) and black it all out.
Is it hard to take off the windshield? The gauges are all incorporated, and I'd want to keep at least a speedo. Are their gaps involved with removing it or parts I have to add to make it look complete?
Any info on these models would be appreciated, what to look for, etc!
thanks,
stevo
Is it hard to take off the windshield? The gauges are all incorporated, and I'd want to keep at least a speedo. Are their gaps involved with removing it or parts I have to add to make it look complete?
Any info on these models would be appreciated, what to look for, etc!
thanks,
stevo
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Welcome to the forums and that's a clean ride you picked up . Those where a boat but hell of a nice ride .
First off that's and FLT model not the FLH difference being FLT was rubber mounted with a 5 speed trans , FLH was the old style with a 4 still .
Those are kind of a weird duck best left alone unless you or somebody you know is fairly knowledgeable about parts interchangeability or lack of in the FLT's case because their are BIG wiring bundles under that dash to rework and lot of ugly when that fairing comes off .
First off that's and FLT model not the FLH difference being FLT was rubber mounted with a 5 speed trans , FLH was the old style with a 4 still .
Those are kind of a weird duck best left alone unless you or somebody you know is fairly knowledgeable about parts interchangeability or lack of in the FLT's case because their are BIG wiring bundles under that dash to rework and lot of ugly when that fairing comes off .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Apr 24, 2012 at 07:04 PM.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21
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From: Michigan's West Coast
Twizted is correct - there are some anomalies with starting with an FLT. I have been working on one for a number of years. You have to shop carefully, fabricate and modify parts to fit, but it will all be worth it in the end. What started as an '81 FLT in my garage will end up looking like a wide, thick, FXR bagger. If the picture attaches, it's the latest of my basket-case rebuild...
Basically, I'm saying go after what you want it to be. It won't be easy, but it won't be impossible either...
Basically, I'm saying go after what you want it to be. It won't be easy, but it won't be impossible either...
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
great find. That looks awesome. Looks like it's real complete, enclosed chain still intact. I'd ride it like it is for a few miles and see what you think. I'll bet it's more comfortable than you think it is.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Honestly as clean and stock as the bike looks it would be almost crime to hack it up . If your set on a custom maybe you should do some research and see about flipping that for a profit and finding something closer to what you want . Not a whole lot of the old shovels around intact anymore
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Apr 26, 2012 at 11:38 AM.
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2009
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Shovel
After the feedback here, I'm not going to hack it up. I'm going to have it painted matte black and take off the crash bar, but that's about it!
Would that be hacking it up too much?
Anything I should take a hard look at?
It apparently has a "rebuilt top end ,new tires,new S&S carb,new battery,new true dual exhaust plus more"
What does a 'new top end' mean, as far as rebuild?
Thanks,
stevo
Would that be hacking it up too much?
Anything I should take a hard look at?
It apparently has a "rebuilt top end ,new tires,new S&S carb,new battery,new true dual exhaust plus more"
What does a 'new top end' mean, as far as rebuild?
Thanks,
stevo
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 826
From: Toronto Canada
just my opinion , but that bike should be restored to near showroom condition rather than changed in any way . it looks like it has a ton of original parts that would be very hard to find in such good condition .
if you want to do a blacked out shovelhead bagger/cruiser (and hey , that's a cool idea) start with something that's already been stripped down
again , that's just my opinion , and we want to see whatever you do with it
if you want to do a blacked out shovelhead bagger/cruiser (and hey , that's a cool idea) start with something that's already been stripped down
again , that's just my opinion , and we want to see whatever you do with it
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