Some infor here that I disagree with.

FX refers to a sport front end which usually means a 19 or 21 inch narrow front tire. FL's have 16 inch wide tires. The FX springer has a narrow front tire, the FL springer has a 16" wide front tire.

FXLR Lowrider has a 19" tire, as does the FXD SuperGlide, and other Dynas with the exception of the WideGlide, which has a 21" tire. None of the FL models, be they Softails orDressers have a 19" front tire as factory equipment.

Regards,

Bill

 

Only one model Softail in '84, the FXST, just plain, no custom. Those came later.

 

Here's the skinny on the '84 FXST:

First year for the Softail frame, made to look like a rigid frame, but had shocks hidden under the tranny. Oil tank looks like an old horshoe type, but with provision for an electric start capable battery. Engine was rigid mounted Evo w/55 hp, tranny was 4 speed with both kick and electric start. Primary and final were both chain. 21 inch front, 16 inch rear wheels. MSRP was just under $8k.
Almost forgot, the front forks were "Wide Glide" style. The Sloptail has always had a Wide Glide front end, whether with a 21 inch (FX), or 16 inch (FL) front wheel. No 19 inch wheels were factoryfitted.

 

1984 softail
80 inch
ev 27
jims lifters
S&s carb
2 inch lowering in the rear
16 inch wheels
I still have every original part down to the pistons ,kicker ,exhaust ,seat b model carb and the original chain in a box

[IMG]local://upfiles/49848/A5AF8A96791D42889F3AD6AC802BEAA5.jpg[/IMG]

 

I have an 85 fxst. From what I heard Harley introduced the FXST in summer of 84
so depending on the state the bike was first registered they can be either 84 or
in my case an 85. They changed the frame, trans, fender struts and inner primary
in 86. Some are refered to as Shovolutions due to the fact that many of the parts
came from the shovelhead. Have fun finding parts. Lots of swap meets, and clearance
racks at old harley shops. Go to a new H-D bouteque and ask for an 84-85 FXST 4speed
trans main seal they will look at you like you took a dump in the middle of their floor.
Find an old skool chopper shop they can find parts and do repairs.
Had a Harley sales man at a bouteque argue with me that Harley never put a kicker
on an Evo??? It's a truly unique bike. People will B-line around the new Iron to look
and comment on my old softy. That's my old Softail experiance any way, Hope it's
helpful.

 

Oh Boy, the new site does NOT resize pictures properly. I just HATE it when Mozilla all blown out to the edges on a 22" monitor cannot see a thread

 

yep! Pretty cool.

 

Yep. I had had a couple crapped out Shovels from the Mid-70's and... a '65 Pan. By 83, I had sold ALL bikes and swore them off as evil (haha!)

When THIS Softail came out I was simply blown away by the frame and the engine.

I remembered buying oil bags that were horseshoe, etc. This bike WAS the sh+t incorporating all the stuff I liked then, like the kicker, etc. (used to transfer my kicker from bike to bike!)!

I really don't like skinny tired front tires, though. So, the Heritage sealed the deal for me.

I now have a NEW, yes ME with a NEW bike, 08 Heritage.

Couldn't be better

 

That was my first new Harley. I still have the origional owners manual and I think I may have the shop manual. I rebuilt it at less than 6 months old as a show bike. Llet me know if I can be any help. Where are you located.

 

Found this in HD Website under Hisory.

1984 Harley-Davidson unveils the 1340cc V²® Evolution® engine on five models including the all-new Softail®. The result of seven years of development, the Evolution engine produces more power at every speed, runs cooler, cleaner and is oil-tight. Also witnessed is the debut of the Softail design and its trend-setting method of "hiding" the motorcycle's rear shock absorbers.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...p?locale=en_US