Why "Standard" ?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 7, 2014 | 06:39 PM

#11

Blk and Chrome

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 4,109

Likes: 9

From: Connecticut

Quote:

Originally Posted by E8USMCRET

I know nobody on here had anything to do with the naming of the Softail Standard but it seems like an odd name for it. To my knowledge there's not another bike in HD's line that was designated as "Standard" (correct me if I'm wrong on this). I realize that the Standard came though rather plain and stripped a bit with less chrome than it's sister Custom. Even the Super Glide didn't get the blah ho hum lackluster name of "Standard". When people ask me what I ride I say "Softail" I purposely leave out the Standard part because I don't feel it does the bike justice. Just a small rant flame me if you feel the need.

Not to worry your's is not so standard....Nice bike !!!

Apr 7, 2014 | 06:58 PM

#12

klf33

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,796

Likes: 36

From: Toronto, Ontario

I am an Egnineer , You are measured by 'Standards' dude

.. and we do have 'high' standards

Apr 7, 2014 | 07:28 PM

#13

tmitchellof PG

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 3,718

Likes: 11

From: Punta Gorda,FL

They could call it a Harley SS, for softail standard.
Tom

Apr 7, 2014 | 07:29 PM

#14

Carolina Joe

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 212

Likes: 4

From: South Carolina

With a bike that looks that great, you shouldn't care what it is called. That picture is worth a thousand words.

CJ

Apr 7, 2014 | 08:01 PM

#15

E8USMCRET

Thread Starter

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 15,363

Likes: 24,235

From: NC, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina Joe

With a bike that looks that great, you shouldn't care what it is called. That picture is worth a thousand words.

CJ

Thanks Joe, that pic is a year old. I think it looks way better now. I'll post up some more pics soon. When I bought it in 2011 the previous owner poured a pile into it (drag bars, chrome legs, outer primary, heads, chrome wheels, lowered, cams, carb, headlight, custom tail light) etc. Since then, I've eclipsed that 4 times over with no end in sight

I like the "SS" name better than Standard. I didn't know that in 86 it was the only Softail out there. When I bought my "Custom" brand new in 91 I recall a Heritage, Springer and a Fat Boy at the Dealer but there's so many bikes out there today in the Softail line it's mind boggling.

Apr 7, 2014 | 08:10 PM

#16

Knuckles73

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 358

Likes: 0

From: Florida

Anything but standard...

It was the first and the standard set back in the day. Its is/was a great platform to get on a HD then make it yours... or mine...lol.

Attached Thumbnails

Last edited by Knuckles73; Apr 7, 2014 at 08:12 PM.

Apr 7, 2014 | 09:54 PM

#17

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 100,455

Likes: 19,811

From: Centennial, CO

Mine was a Standard.

Apr 7, 2014 | 10:11 PM

#18

soft 02

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 66,948

Likes: 4,573

From: TOAK western branch

Yup. I got one of those boaring, standard, plain harleys. When people ask I just tell em its a standard Harley. I do like the idea of calling it an SS though.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Verdad Gallardo

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Apr 8, 2014 | 01:11 AM

#19

Kowan

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 7,882

Likes: 5

From: So California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom84FXST

Think of it this way...when the first the FXST in 84..there was no other Softail...it was the "standard" from which all other Softails were built.

Exactly. It was to differentiate the plain Softail from the blinged FXSTC one.
Black and chromed engine vs. aluminum.
Spun aluminum wheel on the first FXSTC vs. spoke rear. Fancier paint jobs.

First year of the Heritage was a plain aluminum engine and what got nicknamed the Honda Shadow reject seat. Second year became the Heritage Classic blinged like a FXSTC.