FLHR - suggestions?
FLHR - suggestions?
So here are pics of a bike I picked up on a trade-deal. Got this thing for $4K and an old truck. Put about $300 into it to fix an inner primary leak and brakes. It's got open Sampson fishtails, stretched bags,the motor was reman'd by HD a few thousand miles ago, again - it runs STRONG. I have a few doo-dads left to do in order to make it close to perfect. I have a 2010 Ultra and this FLHR fills the "second bike/project bike" slot in my world.
The FLHR here runs GREAT, but it's just not my style. I'm much more and old-school guy, would rather have something that looks like an old FLA or something. So, I'm thinking about my options and would like some feedback from you guys, maybe there is something here I haven't considered yet.
Here are some of the things I'm considering:
- keep it and learn to like it
- sell the rear fender and bags, replace with big leather bags and a fender, repaint
- sell/trade it for a 2002 (good crank) or 2009 (good frame) FLHRC
- 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
- sell/trade in on a 2011 FLHRC (big $$ involved there)
I'm leaning toward the fender/bags/paint route, but the Mrs says "it's so pretty, you'll ruin it - someone will love it as it is, don't do that!" I see her point - kinda, but the thing is mechanically strong and that may be one of the cheaper routes to get to where I want to go.
So..... what do y'all think? I could use some advise/options here.
The FLHR here runs GREAT, but it's just not my style. I'm much more and old-school guy, would rather have something that looks like an old FLA or something. So, I'm thinking about my options and would like some feedback from you guys, maybe there is something here I haven't considered yet.
Here are some of the things I'm considering:
- keep it and learn to like it
- sell the rear fender and bags, replace with big leather bags and a fender, repaint
- sell/trade it for a 2002 (good crank) or 2009 (good frame) FLHRC
- sell/trade it for another Evo, guess that would be a Road King Custom in that era, or another FLHR and do it up old school
- sell/trade in on a 2011 FLHRC (big $$ involved there)
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.
So..... what do y'all think? I could use some advise/options here.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
It looks like you did really well on this one. It's a good looking bike and I think you'll really make out ahead as long as you don't put too much money into it. If it doesn't suit you, then sell/trade it for something that does...chances are that if you don't like it now, it probably won't "grow on you".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
There is a lot going on with that bike. The fishtails and stretched bags just don't seem to go together and I am not too crazy about the paint myself. Just my opinion......I am sure others would love it.
I would print a pic or two of a look I liked and start calculating what it would cost to make it "my" look including some credit for selling parts. Maybe keep the fishy's but go to old school calvary hard bags with trim and paint. A two tone cream/turquoise or red/white would be my thoughts.
Trick is only do that if you want to keep it for awhile IMO......otherwise go for a trade for what you really want.
I would print a pic or two of a look I liked and start calculating what it would cost to make it "my" look including some credit for selling parts. Maybe keep the fishy's but go to old school calvary hard bags with trim and paint. A two tone cream/turquoise or red/white would be my thoughts.
Trick is only do that if you want to keep it for awhile IMO......otherwise go for a trade for what you really want.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
So here are pics of a bike I picked up on a trade-deal. Got this thing for $4K and an old truck. Put about $300 into it to fix an inner primary leak and brakes. It's got open Sampson fishtails, stretched bags,the motor was reman'd by HD a few thousand miles ago, again - it runs STRONG. I have a few doo-dads left to do in order to make it close to perfect. I have a 2010 Ultra and this FLHR fills the "second bike/project bike" slot in my world.
The FLHR here runs GREAT, but it's just not my style. I'm much more and old-school guy, would rather have something that looks like an old FLA or something. So, I'm thinking about my options and would like some feedback from you guys, maybe there is something here I haven't considered yet.
Here are some of the things I'm considering:
- keep it and learn to like it
- sell the rear fender and bags, replace with big leather bags and a fender, repaint
- sell/trade it for a 2002 (good crank) or 2009 (good frame) FLHRC
- 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
- sell/trade in on a 2011 FLHRC (big $$ involved there)
I'm leaning toward the fender/bags/paint route, but the Mrs says "it's so pretty, you'll ruin it - someone will love it as it is, don't do that!" I see her point - kinda, but the thing is mechanically strong and that may be one of the cheaper routes to get to where I want to go.
So..... what do y'all think? I could use some advise/options here.
The FLHR here runs GREAT, but it's just not my style. I'm much more and old-school guy, would rather have something that looks like an old FLA or something. So, I'm thinking about my options and would like some feedback from you guys, maybe there is something here I haven't considered yet.
Here are some of the things I'm considering:
- keep it and learn to like it
- sell the rear fender and bags, replace with big leather bags and a fender, repaint
- sell/trade it for a 2002 (good crank) or 2009 (good frame) FLHRC
- sell/trade it for another Evo, guess that would be a Road King Custom in that era, or another FLHR and do it up old school
- sell/trade in on a 2011 FLHRC (big $$ involved there)
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.
So..... what do y'all think? I could use some advise/options here.
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!
I have a Corbin solo seat that came with it too and I'm thinking if I keep it, it'll be a solo bike. I agree with everything you listed there, it'd look better IMO as well. But it still wouldn't be "old school" lookin', just better.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
No disrespect intended but the bike doesn't appeal to me as is. In addition to changing out the bags and rear, I would have to repaint the entire bike, get a different seat, change out the bars, etc. I think you will have some serious money in it before you are done.
If it was me, I would try to flip it, make some money in the process, and turn that money into something I would like better. Of course, if you are looking for a project to tinker with, this may be just what the doctor ordered. I don't want to tinker; I want to spend time riding and have a bike that makes me smile when I walk by and look at her.
Tastes being different it will appeal to someone. I would figure out how much I have in it, add about $1,000 to 1,500 to that, and list it for sale.
If it was me, I would try to flip it, make some money in the process, and turn that money into something I would like better. Of course, if you are looking for a project to tinker with, this may be just what the doctor ordered. I don't want to tinker; I want to spend time riding and have a bike that makes me smile when I walk by and look at her.
Tastes being different it will appeal to someone. I would figure out how much I have in it, add about $1,000 to 1,500 to that, and list it for sale.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
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.
Last edited by Texas Rapier; Jan 8, 2011 at 09:35 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
I'd either sell it complete, or change the air cleaner, sell the bags/rear fender, and flat black the rest. If it runs decent and you like it except for the look it would be hard for me to get rid of it.
