81 FLT questions?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Elysian Fields Texas
I have a 80 flt and love it, it was a first for harley -5 speed, rubber mount engine and the "sport touring frame" that just got updated. If it is in any kind of shape it is certainly worth 1K. Down side is it was made only for 3 years so not much still out there for the model specfic parts but engine,tranny your fine. Shovels are also becoming fairly hard to find but doubt they will ever be worth a whole lot. New price for the 80 FLT TourGlide aka "King of the Highway" was about 6,500.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
I have some more advice for you.......Get a Teds V-Twin book or CD as they usually have the older harder to find parts if they are obsolete from HD. Also James Gaskets sometimes work better on the older bikes than the HD ones on various engine parts. Other than that, I still say buy it
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
Offer him $800.00 cash and see what his reaction is. With the age of the bike and dubious history it comes with, it could be a fun bike build for a while, but I seriously doubt that it will eve become a long distance touring bike, more of a day to day rider or weekends.
Shovels are not hard to work on, but finding a good source of parts is the key. Teds Cycle, (V-Twin) can be located on the web at: http://www.vtwinmfg.com/NewVtwinWeb/index.html and their most current catalog can be seen on-line. The catalog for some reason only seems to work with I-Explorer, not Firefox.
Good luck with whatever your final decision is, but keep in mind you could easily get into way more than the bike is worth and still have something that you won't want to ride too far.
Shovels are not hard to work on, but finding a good source of parts is the key. Teds Cycle, (V-Twin) can be located on the web at: http://www.vtwinmfg.com/NewVtwinWeb/index.html and their most current catalog can be seen on-line. The catalog for some reason only seems to work with I-Explorer, not Firefox.
Good luck with whatever your final decision is, but keep in mind you could easily get into way more than the bike is worth and still have something that you won't want to ride too far.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
That's a steal. You could sell the motor and trans and double your money, but it would be a shame to lose another older Harley. Even if you park it in the garage for a while you won't lose a dime. Some of us feel like we are stewards of the older iron and try to preserve them so others may appreciate them years from now. Harleys are not disposable like jap bikes.
And, don't insult him by offering him $800.
And, don't insult him by offering him $800.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,215
Likes: 6,121
From: Black Hills
Huh? It's a fine long distance touring bike that was the reason the tour glide was introduced. I could ride it 400-500 miles a day without monkey butt. Shovelheads require a little more attention then a newer bike but I would still ride one any where any time. I'd be all over it at that price. I striped mine down to look like a road king but rode it years as a dresser.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 188
Likes: 9
From: Northern Virginia
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/proje...e-project.html
Here is another great post on a project touring bike, it might give you some idea what you may be up against.
Please post some pics when you get it.
It looks like the 80's FLT has the same beautiful wheels as the 09 touring bikes.
Here is another great post on a project touring bike, it might give you some idea what you may be up against.
Please post some pics when you get it.
It looks like the 80's FLT has the same beautiful wheels as the 09 touring bikes.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 33
I hope this is a for real post and some lurker....The old FLTs are fine machines. Some of them had enclosed drive chains that were kind of a challenge. The volt meter never worked right and caused a lot of anxiety about the condition of the charging system. A shovelhead is a great motor. I have two old shovels and an '08 Roadie and would add another FLT to the group for $1000 without even considering what anyone would say. Ken
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
From: Boston, Ma Living at Fort Hood, TX
i must say this is a for real post since i am moving here in a few months if i don't keep it myself my father will he used to have a 78 flh he said he would most deff hold onto it for me unitl further notice.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
Huh? It's a fine long distance touring bike that was the reason the tour glide was introduced. I could ride it 400-500 miles a day without monkey butt. Shovelheads require a little more attention then a newer bike but I would still ride one any where any time. I'd be all over it at that price. I striped mine down to look like a road king but rode it years as a dresser.