1985 FXSB Low Rider Sturgis
 

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some serious knowledge of bikes. I inherited this bike, and trying to find the correct model, engine etc. on this bike. I am not a bike person at all and looking to sell the bike, but looking for some honest opinions and honest people to tell me what this bike is worth. It hasn’t been riding since around 2004-2005 but was in running condition, he just stopped riding it and let it set in the garage. It has VERY low miles at only 1,437K. It has was kept in a garage, but has some rust issues that I tried to clean up. Battery is dead, needs new tires, clean rims, and some tune up of course.

We have been told this is a Vintage bike, and not many made.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...20b76631c.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...7cfeb929f.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...51be7ab68.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...c1c14f97d.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...766fa89a3.jpeg


Anyone can give me some honest feed back here would be greatly appreciated. I want to sell it, but also asking should I fix it up before selling it or just sell as is?

Thanks for your help

I could be wrong , but pretty sure the "Sturgis" models where blacked out, narrow front end and belt drive, black mag wheels....

Not a Sturgis
Not a low rider
It is a Softail though. 85 was last year for kickstart Softail.

Maybe FXST

Where's the bike located?

I'm 99% certain they did not make a Sturgis edition in 85. And even if they did, that ain't it.
If that bike started it's life as a Sturgis it has been so chopped from original that you can't call it that anymore.

What does the title say? What does the VIN tell you. To me that is a 85 softail. Nothing special about that bike other than obvious neglect.

Put $3500 on it and walk away. Or put some money into it and freshen it up and enjoy.

I don't understand why anybody would leave a motorcycle to someone who doesn't ride.

I think $3500 is really generous.

Its a Softail, looks like a pieced together or repaired from a accident , the forks are chrome, the handlebars and riser is not stock, the carburetor is aftermarket, the bike has been repainted at some point, and don’t believe the odometer reading it’s also been replaced and is not factory unit.

its not rare, but is unique in that it’s one of the last kickers made, with the amount of work and parts it needs 2500 to 3500, is what it’s worth, and the 3500 is a stretch, a HD dealer would probably not be interested in it at all, and independent shop may consignment for you, fluids change, battery and two tires is well over a grand to start before anyone should ride it any distance.

I would charge the battery and see if it starts, but only if there is oil in that tank under the seat.

i am looking at it again, it’s really rough, it think it went down on the left side due to all the rust on swing arm $1500 to 2500, is probably more accurate, the dash is broke, and it’s actually been converted to chain drive, the rear wheel should have been solid not spokes, that’s not the original seat and you should have the rest of a sissy bar somewhere.

Definitely not a Sturgis model....

Without a VIN I can't say for sure, but it looks like it started life as a 1985 FXWG Wide Glide.

https://bikez.com/motorcycles/harley...glide_1985.php


That bike is sought after by some, because it has the EVO engine, yet still has the 4-speed transmission with a kick start like the older shovel heads... They only made a couple years of EVO Wide Glides w/4-speeds.

It's appeal to some is the nostalgic kick start 4-speed but with the better EVO engine.

I have a friend who bought one new back in the 80's, had to sell it in the early 90's because of a divorce, and always wished he could find another one to replace it...

That one looks to be in poor shape, but to the right guy, who is knowledgeable, does his own work, and has a soft spot for those bikes like my friend, it could bring a better than average value.

Per Black Book Powersports, it's average retail in the market place is $4,770. That is in lower than average condition...

Under JD Power Vintage motorcycle pricing, it shows; Poor = $5,665 / Fair = $7,145 / Good = $8,275 / Very Good = $12.510 / Excellent = $22,250

You bike would be rated "Poor", because of it's condition, and the bars have been changed, plus a bunch of other small stuff too. But hey, it looks to have the OEM mirrors... :D

Just based on your pics, it would take some time & money to get it to "Fair" or "Good" condition and a lot of time and money to get it to "Very Good".... I don't see it ever reaching "Excellent" condition without a complete strip to the frame, complete restoration, and reassembled to exact OEM specs. It would need to look like a bike in the HD museum to fetch anywhere near that "Excellent" price.

Before you would see anywhere near even the "Poor" price, you would need to find "that guy" who really loves and wants that specific model... Most people will not pay the Black Book Powersports average condition price of $4,700.

In your shoes, I would list it for $5,600 with a reference to JD Power valuation and jump at any offer $4k or more... That one guy could be out there looking for that specific project, but that's a needle in a haystack...

Good luck with your sale..