This 1981 FXS-80 Became Something Truly Unique in Japan
Asterisk out of Japan are making some really incredible stuff at their workshop. Some things just don't need any translation.
Plucky Panhead
This Panhead belongs to Asterisk workshop owner Hideki Hoshikawa and has been the winner of Best HD Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson's Pick, Yaniv Evan's Pick and Hot Bike Magazine Japan's Pick of the Show. Hideki grew up in Japan riding Kawasaki's before getting older and gaining an interest in Harleys. When he was twenty he became a Harley-Davidson mechanic and in a few short years, he knew HD was the brand he would stick with for the foreseeable future. His time as a mechanic lasted for nine years learning everything he could about the motorcycles and at the age of thirty, he opened Asterisk.
>>Join the conversation about this 81 Panhead FXS-80 right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
10 years strong
The bike is named Tenth in celebration of his workshop being open for ten years and really is the culmination of all those years of learning mixed with his own aesthetics. The bike began its life in the United States as an everyday 1981 FXS-80 before it was imported for a customer's build. Once there in Japan, Hideki and his team tore into the bike, stripping the bike down until not much remained but the frame. Then the entire rear section of the bike was chopped off and a new rear section was constructed in a Softail style swingman using hand bent pipe. The team then looked to the match the finish on the neck of the frame by HD and developed a new technique to create parts that appear as if they were dimpled cast steel.
>>Join the conversation about this 81 Panhead FXS-80 right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
Custom craftsmanship
The fuel tank done in a Mustang style was a three-piece custom part constructed from the sides being welded to a ribbed centerpiece. In the front of the bike is a 1930's style W&W VL Springer along with a pair of hand-polished, gold-anodized wheels that are laced with chrome spokes to Kustom Tech hubs. The team made more custom parts such as a set of backswept rabbit ear bars, a re-rolled rear fender with cantilever style stay, a milled hand polished finned spacer to set the position for the primary belt and a seat pan which was topped off with the cast steel effect.
>>Join the conversation about this 81 Panhead FXS-80 right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
Of course it got a new engine
The motor was replaced with a new S&S Panhead with classic finned rocker covers. The throwback theme continued with the cases getting the cast steel effect and the barrels being painted in a dark metallic gray. For engine dressings, the Asterisk team turned custom covers for the primary and air cleaner to match the style of the front hub and ribbed engine casings.
>>Join the conversation about this 81 Panhead FXS-80 right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
Carved up cowhide
With everything being fitted together and mocked up the tank and frame were sent off to be chrome plated. For the upholstery, Hideki made a call to colleagues leatherwork master craftsmen Jimmy Dope and Ben Kickin which were given the seat pan which they covered in carved brown leather. The frame and fuel tank were done up with black paneling and hand laid gold pinstripes performed by M & K Makato. With the final stage of the build coming up the Asterisk team crafted by hand brass hoses and custom control arms.
>>Join the conversation about this 81 Panhead FXS-80 right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
It took how long?!
Foot controls with brass "beehive" toe shifters, brass cable guides that were installed to route brake hoses along the internal lines of the frame, pulley style cable holders and Asterisk tank badges were all done in-house to make sure this bike really something unique.
It's crazy to look at Tenth and discover that this bike was completely built in the span of one month. This is a testament to what Asterisk is capable of, and, furthermore, the care and craftsmanship that come from Japan's best workshops. To see more of Hideki and co's work on their Instagram account, just click here.
>>Join the conversation about this 81 Panhead FXS-80 right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
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