Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

FX - FL Frame Difference

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2014 | 07:42 PM
  #1  
Night_Train's Avatar
Night_Train
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: SE Michigan
Default FX - FL Frame Difference

Hey all, new to the shovels.
Just picked up a 1983 FXS. Looking thru pics I don't seem to see a major difference in the FX frame vs the FL frame, if there are, what are they?
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2014 | 06:28 AM
  #2  
AJSHOVEL's Avatar
AJSHOVEL
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,510
Likes: 13,738
From: Pa.
Default

Basically the same. Your FX won't have the brake side footboard rear mount tab (althought some early FX's did).
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2014 | 05:02 PM
  #3  
Night_Train's Avatar
Night_Train
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: SE Michigan
Default

Thanks AJ
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2014 | 02:19 AM
  #4  
fergerburger's Avatar
fergerburger
Road Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 206
From: Minneapolis
Default

that tab was there at least until 81...I am also new to shovels but I have looked at about 20 different frames over the last 3 months....I also found a good number of older FX frames with no forward control mount on the brake side....I thought maybe the owner had cut the tab but after careful inspection it is not cut off...it looks like the tab was not cast into the motor mount
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2014 | 10:58 PM
  #5  
FilthyLucre's Avatar
FilthyLucre
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Default

Originally Posted by fergerburger
that tab was there at least until 81...I am also new to shovels but I have looked at about 20 different frames over the last 3 months....I also found a good number of older FX frames with no forward control mount on the brake side....I thought maybe the owner had cut the tab but after careful inspection it is not cut off...it looks like the tab was not cast into the motor mount
In 1977 they stopped putting the tab for the forward control mount on FX models. They had it for the FXS models and FLH frames. My 78 FXS frame was missing the left floorboard mount.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2014 | 12:40 AM
  #6  
fergerburger's Avatar
fergerburger
Road Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 206
From: Minneapolis
Default

It is there on my 77 FX and did look at an 81 FX frame that had the tab but it could have been added as it did not look the same as the tab on my 77....I'll go down and get a pic in the shop and post tonight
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2014 | 12:56 AM
  #7  
fergerburger's Avatar
fergerburger
Road Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 206
From: Minneapolis
Default


 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
traveler
Custom Models
2
Sep 15, 2019 06:51 PM
Rebelsonsmc
Classic
4
Feb 18, 2011 05:46 AM
cbydve
General Harley Davidson Chat
1
Oct 21, 2010 05:11 PM
HogBack
Touring Models
2
Oct 16, 2007 08:50 PM
shovel pat
Shovelhead
11
Jun 27, 2007 01:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:51 PM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE