More 1984 Harley Confusion
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
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From: Potter County, PA
More 1984 Harley Confusion
I called Harley-Davidson today to get some clarifications on my 1984 FXEF. They told me that my bike was built March 6, 1984 but did not ship until August 23, 1985. They weren't sure why it was kept at the factory that long. They thought it may have been a demonstrator or test bike or something. Then they told me it was a 1340cc Evolution! I told them no way it was an Evo as the serial prefix BBK2 designated wet clutch Shovelhead. They had no answer.
My engine case has the 4 stars on the serial block on the front of the right case. It should have the abbreviated serial number below the front cylinder on the left case. Mine has the typical Harley stars at the beginning and ending of my serial number but no prefix, and it is below my rear cylinder. The markings are all typical Harley font with no evidence of alteration.
I have heard that the 4 stars where the normal serial number would be designates Evo crank assembly. Service Bulletin 868 dated March 15, 1983 says what I quoted above about new serial number locations and makes no mention of the different crank assemblies, plus Evo's didn't exist in 1983. My 1984 FX parts book # 9945-83B has no Evo parts in it at all. I am guessing there is at least a #99455-83A and possibly a #99455-83 parts book. One may be FL's and one may be strictly for Softails or it just may be an oversight. 1984 is bad but they say 1985 is even worse as far as errors and inconsistencies?
So I guess I am asking what those 4 stars actually do represent?
My engine case has the 4 stars on the serial block on the front of the right case. It should have the abbreviated serial number below the front cylinder on the left case. Mine has the typical Harley stars at the beginning and ending of my serial number but no prefix, and it is below my rear cylinder. The markings are all typical Harley font with no evidence of alteration.
I have heard that the 4 stars where the normal serial number would be designates Evo crank assembly. Service Bulletin 868 dated March 15, 1983 says what I quoted above about new serial number locations and makes no mention of the different crank assemblies, plus Evo's didn't exist in 1983. My 1984 FX parts book # 9945-83B has no Evo parts in it at all. I am guessing there is at least a #99455-83A and possibly a #99455-83 parts book. One may be FL's and one may be strictly for Softails or it just may be an oversight. 1984 is bad but they say 1985 is even worse as far as errors and inconsistencies?
So I guess I am asking what those 4 stars actually do represent?
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
late 1983 the evo came to my local dealer in jersey as a FLT
the people at harley know nothing about the product from yesterday much less 1980s
it also could have been a hold over for police production as 1985 i seen police machines at the dealer - no one knows today for sure how many were built
your 1984 may have been a lemon that did not even run after it was built - and it was almost a year later before they fixed it and sent it to a dealer - and they told you it was an evo bike SEE
the people at harley know nothing about the product from yesterday much less 1980s
it also could have been a hold over for police production as 1985 i seen police machines at the dealer - no one knows today for sure how many were built
your 1984 may have been a lemon that did not even run after it was built - and it was almost a year later before they fixed it and sent it to a dealer - and they told you it was an evo bike SEE
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
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From: Potter County, PA
My official factory service manual # 99482-84 for 1978-1/2 to 1984 FL / FX has an Evo engine section in it. I think the only 1984's with Evo's were FXST Softails. I do not know if they made FXST's with Shovelhead motors??? Mine is a late 1984 FXEF Shovelhead. Half of the parts suppliers show Evo parts for my bike all the time. I have to order 1983 parts when that happens, such as push rod tubes, carburetor kits etc., to include S&S conversion kits. They all think early and late are Shovel vs Evo; this is not the case. I have been having these issues for years.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
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Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
I tried editing my original posting but missed the little SAVE tab. I wanted to edit that it has the abbreviated serial number with prefix but is below my rear cylinder.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
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From: Potter County, PA
I know that the last "production" Shovelhead was an FXWG with a serial (sequence) number lower than mine. I know there are lots of 1984 Shovels with serial numbers higher than mine to include some 1985's, but these were all not "production" motorcycles.
I want to say that 1984 FXWG came with both engines but do not claim that to be factual. I know there were 1984 EVO Softails FXST, but am not sure if any had Shovel motors or not.
But back to my original question: Do the 4 stars on the left front serial number block mean anything? I am thinking not, but have no idea really.
I want to say that 1984 FXWG came with both engines but do not claim that to be factual. I know there were 1984 EVO Softails FXST, but am not sure if any had Shovel motors or not.
But back to my original question: Do the 4 stars on the left front serial number block mean anything? I am thinking not, but have no idea really.
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I have a 1984 FLHS shovelhead, late production, only made 500 of them made red or black only, i recall mine has those stars
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