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.

 

What`s in a name? Ride it like you stole it.

 

Standards were also made for the Electra Glide line (eventually went away when replaced by the Street Glide). Had silver engines, less chrome and a smaller price tag. They were entry level and cheaper so you could customize it as you wanted it.

 

When I bought mine used the previous owner had damn near chromed every major component like a Custom had. The ad said it was a Standard but looked like a Custom to me. I always liked the silver engine and black oil tank. I had a 91 Custom and the black finish on the engine started to peel off over the years.

I'm not bitching I just figured where HD is coming up with all these names like "cross bones, night train, deuce, springer, custom, heritage, classic, fat boy" etc that they'd have the creativity to come up with something more appealing.

I do ride it like I stole it for sure. Been pulled three times in the last year by NC Highway Patrol and let go all three times (knock wood). They start admiring it and forget to write the ticket I guess.

 

I really don't know what to tell ya. Not sure what it could have been called other then Standard. Sounds better then Softail Base. I understand though what you are saying.

 

hey sarg. Congratulations on your twenty plus years of service and thanks a bunch!!!

By the way, there doesn't appear to be anything standard about your fxst. Damn nice ride. Most folks don't have a clue anyway. Looks very similar to mine. The nc hp wasn't as nice to me as they were to you. Lucky dog...

Thanks again !!

 

I actually knew one of the Troopers. Once I took off my helmet and glasses he recognized me and I knew I was good to go. The other two were strangers and had me well over the speed limit but for some reason let me off with just a verbal.
The only way I tell Standards in a crowd is the silver engine. As in the case of mine it's more like a Custom. I'm powdering some of the chrome gloss black to tone it down a bit. The black matches the tins, frame and oil tank so it balances nice. I'll post some updated pics as this unfolds.

Thanks for the compliments on the bike and my service, appreciate it

 

Sarg?? Nah brotha that's "top" to us jarheads.

I've wondered the same thing. And it's really irritating that 8th blacked out sister goes for 2-3k more...

 

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.

 

"... a rose by any other name would ride as sweet."

I apologize if I misquoted William Shakespeare.