The Grey Ghost Restoration Thread
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
From: nyc usa
Do you have the rocker boxes with the original yellow color, or any other part with good yellow paint? If so you can get an excellent match at an automotive paint shop or even a good body shop.
I have a large 1990 HD brochure that features a good picture, but it is about 1600 miles away at a relative's house right now. I have never heard the 'Grey Ghost' nickname nor have I seen it in any HD literature so I find it misleading. The first FatBoy had some unique features, most of which I'm sure you're aware of. It had a color matched frame but so did the Softail Custom around 1987 give or take a couple of years. It was the first time I know of since the 20's or 30's that a model had just one color available, except for the 1990 belt drive Sturgis. Regardless, it's rare. In 1991 Fatboys could be had in any of that year's colors, making the 1990 a bit more special. The bike introduced the solid wheels and staggered dual pipes with one up high, making it difficult to fit saddlebags of any decent size. Some guys no doubt fitted Heritage pipes to allow good saddlebags so the exhaust headers and muffler mounting hardware might be tough to come by. Hopefully you've got those parts. The seat was model-unique and like many HD's the stock seats got chucked so ideally you've got the correct seat also.
It's good to see an effort to bring an interesting model back to stock condition. Good luck in your efforts!
I have a large 1990 HD brochure that features a good picture, but it is about 1600 miles away at a relative's house right now. I have never heard the 'Grey Ghost' nickname nor have I seen it in any HD literature so I find it misleading. The first FatBoy had some unique features, most of which I'm sure you're aware of. It had a color matched frame but so did the Softail Custom around 1987 give or take a couple of years. It was the first time I know of since the 20's or 30's that a model had just one color available, except for the 1990 belt drive Sturgis. Regardless, it's rare. In 1991 Fatboys could be had in any of that year's colors, making the 1990 a bit more special. The bike introduced the solid wheels and staggered dual pipes with one up high, making it difficult to fit saddlebags of any decent size. Some guys no doubt fitted Heritage pipes to allow good saddlebags so the exhaust headers and muffler mounting hardware might be tough to come by. Hopefully you've got those parts. The seat was model-unique and like many HD's the stock seats got chucked so ideally you've got the correct seat also.
It's good to see an effort to bring an interesting model back to stock condition. Good luck in your efforts!
2 Rocker Boxes are in decent condition. A small touch up here and there wouldnt hurt
2 Rings on Tanks are good
Derby Cover, paint is good but aluminum is in a sorry state. I'll post a picture to demonstrate
Points cover, paint is good but aluminum is also in a sorry state
Ignition decal, PO had painted over the yellow ring and its taking off the yellow whenever I try to remove. I did source a NOS one of these that I hope to reproduce for others who may need one but that's a while away.
Exhaust pipes are aftermarket but the search is on for an original set ( One year only) or a close aftermarket set.
Seat I believe to be original. I'll see if I can get a pic.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
From: nyc usa
Here's a nice 1990 on Ebay currently. The price may be ambitious but hey that's up to the buyer right? How do you guys like it ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153688667723?ul_noapp=true
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153688667723?ul_noapp=true
Stage IV
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Do you have the rocker boxes with the original yellow color, or any other part with good yellow paint? If so you can get an excellent match at an automotive paint shop or even a good body shop.
I have a large 1990 HD brochure that features a good picture, but it is about 1600 miles away at a relative's house right now. I have never heard the 'Grey Ghost' nickname nor have I seen it in any HD literature so I find it misleading. The first FatBoy had some unique features, most of which I'm sure you're aware of. It had a color matched frame but so did the Softail Custom around 1987 give or take a couple of years. It was the first time I know of since the 20's or 30's that a model had just one color available, except for the 1990 belt drive Sturgis. Regardless, it's rare. In 1991 Fatboys could be had in any of that year's colors, making the 1990 a bit more special. The bike introduced the solid wheels and staggered dual pipes with one up high, making it difficult to fit saddlebags of any decent size. Some guys no doubt fitted Heritage pipes to allow good saddlebags so the exhaust headers and muffler mounting hardware might be tough to come by. Hopefully you've got those parts. The seat was model-unique and like many HD's the stock seats got chucked so ideally you've got the correct seat also.
It's good to see an effort to bring an interesting model back to stock condition. Good luck in your efforts!
I have a large 1990 HD brochure that features a good picture, but it is about 1600 miles away at a relative's house right now. I have never heard the 'Grey Ghost' nickname nor have I seen it in any HD literature so I find it misleading. The first FatBoy had some unique features, most of which I'm sure you're aware of. It had a color matched frame but so did the Softail Custom around 1987 give or take a couple of years. It was the first time I know of since the 20's or 30's that a model had just one color available, except for the 1990 belt drive Sturgis. Regardless, it's rare. In 1991 Fatboys could be had in any of that year's colors, making the 1990 a bit more special. The bike introduced the solid wheels and staggered dual pipes with one up high, making it difficult to fit saddlebags of any decent size. Some guys no doubt fitted Heritage pipes to allow good saddlebags so the exhaust headers and muffler mounting hardware might be tough to come by. Hopefully you've got those parts. The seat was model-unique and like many HD's the stock seats got chucked so ideally you've got the correct seat also.
It's good to see an effort to bring an interesting model back to stock condition. Good luck in your efforts!
My 1990 Gray Ghost
I just bought her & was th a thinking of doing the same resto you should see the shaving work on this frame, bought it off a nice guy on CapeCod he had her for 31 years, he bought it in Aug of 1989. Rebuilt the motor 1,500 miles ago It was toppled over in a row of bikes I was told so there are a few dings or ""Character flaws" as I call them. I'm going to bring her into the Harley dealer and have them check her over.
It's been years since I've been riding daily This bike sat in his garage for years
Last edited by Jumpa67; May 18, 2021 at 09:05 PM. Reason: Typo
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