FLHR - suggestions?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
"- keep it and learn to like it"
It wouldn't work for me, I've never kept a bike the way I bought it, never...
"- sell the rear fender and bags, replace with big leather bags and a fender, repaint"
This is the way I'd go, old school repro fender and leather bags, not too big or you'll look just like every softail classic on the road, solo seat and back to bagger bars
"- sell/trade it for a 2002 (good crank) or 2009 (good frame) FLHRC"
No flies on the one you've got, why not keep it?
"- sell/trade it for another Evo, guess that would be a Road King Custom in that era, or another FLHR and do it up old school"
the least expensive bike you've got is the one you've got right there... IMO if you spent a couple saturdays stripping off the bags, fender, fishtails, flyscreen, horn, apes, lindy bar and all the other gaudy crap and putting it on Ebay you'd have most of the money you'd need to make this bike shine. Somebody will buy that stuff.
"- sell/trade in on a 2011 FLHRC (big $$ involved there)"
See above...
"I'm leaning toward the fender/bags/paint route, but the Mrs says "it's so pretty, you'll ruin it - someone will love it as it is, don't do that!" I see her point - kinda, but the thing is mechanically strong and that may be one of the cheaper routes to get to where I want to go."
It's not THAT pretty, you did get a hell of a bike for not much money, if it's as strong as you say why not take a little time, make it yours, and then you can love it too!
It wouldn't work for me, I've never kept a bike the way I bought it, never...
"- sell the rear fender and bags, replace with big leather bags and a fender, repaint"
This is the way I'd go, old school repro fender and leather bags, not too big or you'll look just like every softail classic on the road, solo seat and back to bagger bars
"- sell/trade it for a 2002 (good crank) or 2009 (good frame) FLHRC"
No flies on the one you've got, why not keep it?
"- sell/trade it for another Evo, guess that would be a Road King Custom in that era, or another FLHR and do it up old school"
the least expensive bike you've got is the one you've got right there... IMO if you spent a couple saturdays stripping off the bags, fender, fishtails, flyscreen, horn, apes, lindy bar and all the other gaudy crap and putting it on Ebay you'd have most of the money you'd need to make this bike shine. Somebody will buy that stuff.
"- sell/trade in on a 2011 FLHRC (big $$ involved there)"
See above...
"I'm leaning toward the fender/bags/paint route, but the Mrs says "it's so pretty, you'll ruin it - someone will love it as it is, don't do that!" I see her point - kinda, but the thing is mechanically strong and that may be one of the cheaper routes to get to where I want to go."
It's not THAT pretty, you did get a hell of a bike for not much money, if it's as strong as you say why not take a little time, make it yours, and then you can love it too!
I love the Old School look, but the paint on this one is a distraction. Looks like someone tried to imitate an old Buck Rogers spaceship from the 1950's and didn't get it right. Two tone would be fine, but lose the stripes on the tank and bags.
Then, someone suggested swaping out the mags for laced wheels, I agree with that, and the white walls look fine to me. But, I'd consider a solo seat.
Hope this helps.
Mike
Then, someone suggested swaping out the mags for laced wheels, I agree with that, and the white walls look fine to me. But, I'd consider a solo seat.
Hope this helps.
Mike
Last edited by mike5380; Jan 8, 2011 at 10:42 AM. Reason: misspell
The bike looks nice for how old it is, someone fixed it up and took care of that bike. This spring start riding it to evaluate if you even like the bike, and go from there. Ride it or sell it, after a few thousand miles. The bike still looks good, and well taken care of, you will do alright eather way,
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
Keep it and loose the big chrome goldwing style front rotor covers, loose the whitewall tires, loose the fishtails and get a set of pipes that fit the bag cuts, and i'm sure that seat is comfortable but a solo seat would look better. Just my opinion....................you asked. Other than that...nice bike. I'd buy it!
You want old School!!!!
Keep the pipes. Sell the rear fender and the extended bag. Put the stock fender back on it and get the tag and lights back where there suppose to be.
Get rid of the mags and put lace wheels on it. Keep the white walls.
Take off anything that doesn't look like it should be there, brake cover, caliper cover, spike axle cover. Not sure about that head light air deflector. The hand horn has got to go!
Change the air cleaner to a plan round one.
Paint job, The problem with the paint job is it's the same pattern stamped on 4 areas of the bike. fender, tank sides of bags and back of bags and fender. Plus the tag being on one side and sideway throughs off the whole back of the bike.
With a plan black rear fender and a set of leather bags or black hard bags the paint job might look great.
And put the corbin solo back where it is suppose to be.
Keep the pipes. Sell the rear fender and the extended bag. Put the stock fender back on it and get the tag and lights back where there suppose to be.
Get rid of the mags and put lace wheels on it. Keep the white walls.
Take off anything that doesn't look like it should be there, brake cover, caliper cover, spike axle cover. Not sure about that head light air deflector. The hand horn has got to go!
Change the air cleaner to a plan round one.
Paint job, The problem with the paint job is it's the same pattern stamped on 4 areas of the bike. fender, tank sides of bags and back of bags and fender. Plus the tag being on one side and sideway throughs off the whole back of the bike.
With a plan black rear fender and a set of leather bags or black hard bags the paint job might look great.
And put the corbin solo back where it is suppose to be.
Thanks folks for all the replies, opinions, suggestions, observations, etc.
There was a ton of good ideas there. I agree 100% that the bike is struggling for an identity. It's a shame too, because mechanically, it is perfect and has been really well maintained.
So, I guess my choices are kinda getting more focused now:
- sell/trade it
- finish the "modern theme" that the previous owner was doing
- swap the tins and paint
There is a 1996 rear fender and light setup on eBay right now. I guess I better make my decision soon if I want to jump on that.
Thanks again for all the ideas guys!
There was a ton of good ideas there. I agree 100% that the bike is struggling for an identity. It's a shame too, because mechanically, it is perfect and has been really well maintained.
So, I guess my choices are kinda getting more focused now:
- sell/trade it
- finish the "modern theme" that the previous owner was doing
- swap the tins and paint
There is a 1996 rear fender and light setup on eBay right now. I guess I better make my decision soon if I want to jump on that.
Thanks again for all the ideas guys!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
Good luck with your discission. With the bike that you have in your signiture an old style bike would look good setting next to it in the garrage.
One for long haul and one to scoot around town.
Happy you liked my suggestions.
I call mine Super King.
One for long haul and one to scoot around town.
Happy you liked my suggestions.
I call mine Super King.
