1984 softail
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 444
From: South Florida
Oil tight until they outlawed asbestos gaskets in 86. Then the rocker boxes and base gaskets started to **** out oil.
I used to have a poster on the wall in 1984 when I was overseas. I came home with 1500 dollars in my pocket to buy a new 85 FXST, only to find out that Ford Motor Company wouldn't finance a returning GI without a credit rating in the states. I could have bought it from Aafes, but I figured that the local dealer would have one no problems.
Took another 13 years to get on a bike. Now, almost 10 years and 6 Harleys later, I finally have a softail.
In 84, there were a lot of bikes with Evo top and shovel bottoms. There are other 4 speeds out there with kick starts, but I think the only 5 speed with one was the softail. I could be mistaken. Selective memory and crs creeps in in your 40s.
I used to have a poster on the wall in 1984 when I was overseas. I came home with 1500 dollars in my pocket to buy a new 85 FXST, only to find out that Ford Motor Company wouldn't finance a returning GI without a credit rating in the states. I could have bought it from Aafes, but I figured that the local dealer would have one no problems.
Took another 13 years to get on a bike. Now, almost 10 years and 6 Harleys later, I finally have a softail.
In 84, there were a lot of bikes with Evo top and shovel bottoms. There are other 4 speeds out there with kick starts, but I think the only 5 speed with one was the softail. I could be mistaken. Selective memory and crs creeps in in your 40s.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Here's my 1984 FXST. It is on it's third speedometer, but still has the original unrebuilt "Evo". Everything in the drivetrain is shovel except jugs and heads. According to all aftermarket catalogs absolutely nothing fits it. I have been ridin' this baby for 15 years. Changed the 4 speed out for a Baker 6 in a 4 speed case. Catalog said it would not fit, but with a couple of minor tweaks it fell right in. Best thing I ever did to it...I can see out of the mirrors @ 80. Got the the fever to revive it again...it's getting a 200 rear tire this winter.
Ride Safe
Ride Safe
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Nov 3, 2009 at 09:51 PM. Reason: messed up
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I remember reading in the motorcycle magazines, that Harley was concerned that the Harley faithful might not take to the new "Block Head" motor back then. The Shovel had been around for awhile, and this was a new deal. I think that is why they left it with a 4 speed, kick start, and rear chain. I also remember when the local dealer got the first one in, all black. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I still do.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
some of the previous posters had it right.
here's the story:
1984 - first softail, FXST. natural motor, polished parts, black/chrome motor not introduced yet. 4 speed kickstart w/ elec start also, rear chain drive.
1985 - pretty much no change.
1986 - switched to 5 speed, no more kicker, switched to rear belt drive. Introduced FXSTC, Softail Custom, w/ black/chrome engine and solid rear wheel (spun wheel as opposed to the cast wheel introduced in 1987). Heritage was also introduced this year.
I bought my new 1985 FXWG Wide Glide (almost identical to the Softail except rear swingarm/suspension) soley because the FXWG had rear belt drive and the FXST still had a chain. The FXWG wide glide was pretty much unchanged for 1986 and then discontinued completely. I still have the 85 FXWG. Happy with the choice I made because softails are a dime a dozen, but the evo 4 speed kickstart FXWG's are rare. (evo 4 speed kickstart Softails are rare also).
here's the story:
1984 - first softail, FXST. natural motor, polished parts, black/chrome motor not introduced yet. 4 speed kickstart w/ elec start also, rear chain drive.
1985 - pretty much no change.
1986 - switched to 5 speed, no more kicker, switched to rear belt drive. Introduced FXSTC, Softail Custom, w/ black/chrome engine and solid rear wheel (spun wheel as opposed to the cast wheel introduced in 1987). Heritage was also introduced this year.
I bought my new 1985 FXWG Wide Glide (almost identical to the Softail except rear swingarm/suspension) soley because the FXWG had rear belt drive and the FXST still had a chain. The FXWG wide glide was pretty much unchanged for 1986 and then discontinued completely. I still have the 85 FXWG. Happy with the choice I made because softails are a dime a dozen, but the evo 4 speed kickstart FXWG's are rare. (evo 4 speed kickstart Softails are rare also).
Last edited by pjb; Nov 6, 2009 at 10:02 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
Oil tight until they outlawed asbestos gaskets in 86. Then the rocker boxes and base gaskets started to **** out oil.
I used to have a poster on the wall in 1984 when I was overseas. I came home with 1500 dollars in my pocket to buy a new 85 FXST, only to find out that Ford Motor Company wouldn't finance a returning GI without a credit rating in the states. I could have bought it from Aafes, but I figured that the local dealer would have one no problems.
Took another 13 years to get on a bike. Now, almost 10 years and 6 Harleys later, I finally have a softail.
In 84, there were a lot of bikes with Evo top and shovel bottoms. There are other 4 speeds out there with kick starts, but I think the only 5 speed with one was the softail. I could be mistaken. Selective memory and crs creeps in in your 40s.
I used to have a poster on the wall in 1984 when I was overseas. I came home with 1500 dollars in my pocket to buy a new 85 FXST, only to find out that Ford Motor Company wouldn't finance a returning GI without a credit rating in the states. I could have bought it from Aafes, but I figured that the local dealer would have one no problems.
Took another 13 years to get on a bike. Now, almost 10 years and 6 Harleys later, I finally have a softail.
In 84, there were a lot of bikes with Evo top and shovel bottoms. There are other 4 speeds out there with kick starts, but I think the only 5 speed with one was the softail. I could be mistaken. Selective memory and crs creeps in in your 40s.
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