Author Topic: 1978 Harley Davidson FXS Low Rider original (Read 6738 times)

leafman60 · « **on:** November 22, 2018, 06:32:00 AM »

Still cleaning house. Putting my H-D Shovel that I've owned since new for 40 years up for sale. See the Swap Meet section.

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=98807.0

lucian · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2018, 07:15:02 AM »

Rare to see one of these that hasn't been all butchered up. Very nice example. A bike that will always be worth as much if not more than the purchase price, what a concept.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2018, 07:35:24 AM »

Can't even imagine owning something 40 years. The only thing I still have from 30 years ago is a "made in Japan" aluminum tripod. LOL!

I sent a link to the ad to my BIL who loves and collects old Harleys with original paint. Hopefully a non member can view the photos but I did notice you didn't put contact information in the ad.

leafman60 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2018, 08:12:03 AM »

Quote from: twowheeladdict on November 22, 2018, 07:35:24 AM

Can't even imagine owning something 40 years. The only thing I still have from 30 years ago is a "made in Japan" aluminum tripod. LOL!

I sent a link to the ad to my BIL who loves and collects old Harleys with original paint. Hopefully a non member can view the photos but I did notice you didn't put contact information in the ad.

I added my email address. Thanks.

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2018, 08:31:48 AM »

I have a friend with an FXR he claims the frames were made by Buell.
Its a fun bike to ride lots of character like self canceling indicators/

Whats the difference between an FXR & FXS?

tazio · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2018, 08:32:59 AM »

So beautiful it hurts my eyes but in a good way.

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2018, 08:34:50 AM »

That's a classic

leafman60 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2018, 08:49:04 AM »

Quote from: Kiwi_Roy on November 22, 2018, 08:31:48 AM

I have a friend with an FXR he claims the frames were made by Buell.
Its a fun bike to ride lots of character like self canceling indicators/

Whats the difference between an FXR & FXS?

The FX series that included the FXE, FXB, FXS models were an early incarnation of Willie G. Davidson's stint as director of design at H-D. Based on what he saw in the field, at shows etc, he took a Big Twin engine and frame and mated it with a Sportster front end and rear wheel/fender. The FXS was the trimmed-out flagship of the series with traditional gauges on the Fat Bob tanks.

The FXR was a much later bike. It was designed when Eric Buell worked with H-D and features a new frame designed to accommodate the new rubber-mounting system to quell vibration. That frame also introduced frame flex into the frame geometry due to the rubber mounts. Buell supposedly worked on this as well as the front anti-dive system.

The early FXR frame carried a Shovelhead motor but that soon gave way to the Evolution engine. Eventually the FXR was phased out and replaced by the Dyna series that was designed to look much more like the original FX series than did the FXR.

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Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2018, 09:05:02 AM »

I had two FX Superglides, a 76 and 77 over the years from 1991-2002, but didn't own both at the same time...They were reasonably stock but I built the engines for more power..One was kick start only and was quite fast for a Shovelhead....Compa red to newer Harleys they didn't handle well and of course vibrated at higher speeds..I tried but just never adjusted to the Harley rider experience..

Motormike · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2018, 01:29:56 PM »

Man, that is a beauty! Un-molested Harleys are as rare as hen's teeth. It'll sell! Puts my one-owner 1990 Evo FXLR to shame.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2018, 05:35:05 PM »

For me it has to have buckhorn bars to feel right as a classic cruiser. Loved my '85 Honda Shadow 700 clone because it was the best I could afford back then. It was my first new bike and had the look and was fun to ride. Got to love Florida Safety gear.

john fish · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2018, 06:01:36 PM »

That's a damn good-looking machine. The Shovel was one of the best-looking engines of all time. Wish I could afford it.

JJ · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2018, 09:33:20 AM »

Your FXS is a beautiful bike...and it's nice to see an original example not all "tarted-up!!"

Lannis · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2018, 09:41:16 AM »

Quote from: Rough Edge racing on November 22, 2018, 09:05:02 AM

I had two FX Superglides, a 76 and 77 over the years from 1991-2002, but didn't own both at the same time...They were reasonably stock but I built the engines for more power..One was kick start only and was quite fast for a Shovelhead....Compa red to newer Harleys they didn't handle well and of course vibrated at higher speeds..I tried but just never adjusted to the Harley rider experience..

I had three Big Twins, two panheads and a shovel, and I must say I never noticed any annoying vibration from them. 'Course, they were stock engines, not high-compression, different cam timing, big carb, etc. The Big Twin "vibes" were always pleasant to me.

I hear that Sportsters are different, but I've never ridden one a long way.

This present FXS looks like a great example of the type. The forward controls would kill my back, though ....

Lannis

kingoffleece · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2018, 04:20:04 PM »

I had that EXACT bike. Rode the heck out of it. It was a good bike for sure.

radguzzi · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2018, 05:29:36 PM »

Man, that is just gorgeous. Brings back memories for sure.

Two riding friends that happened to own a bar together, a real biker bar where we all gathered to shoot pool and drink beers and carry on bought two new HDs, one bought the Low Rider, the other the Superglide. I want to say that Keith's Low Rider was a '78-1/2... does that make sense to you...?
Anyway, I always dug both of those Harleys, each stunning in their own way. Pete's Superglide tank was actually just a shade larger capacity than the tanks on the Low Rider.

Good luck with your sale, kinda glad the money tide is out far enough, tempting. Can't stop looking at it.

Best,
Rob

leafman60 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2018, 05:30:03 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on November 23, 2018, 09:41:16 AM

The forward controls would kill my back, though ....

No forward controls on this model, Lannis. I don't like them either. What you are seeing are the stock "highway pegs." The main pegs and controls are behind the motor. :)

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Lannis · « **Reply #17 on:** November 23, 2018, 05:32:22 PM »

Quote from: leafman60 on November 23, 2018, 05:30:03 PM

No forward controls on this model, Lannis. I don't like them either. What you are seeing are the stock "highway pegs." The main pegs and controls are under the rider. :)

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Yep, I see 'em now ... in the old SuperGlide position. Might be pretty comfy ... !

Lannis

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #18 on:** November 23, 2018, 06:48:39 PM »

Quote from: leafman60 on November 23, 2018, 05:30:03 PM

No forward controls on this model, Lannis. I don't like them either. What you are seeing are the stock "highway pegs." The main pegs and controls are behind the motor. :)

.

Why can't they do that today on a few models?

Kev m · « **Reply #19 on:** November 23, 2018, 07:07:34 PM »

Quote from: Joliet Jim on November 23, 2018, 06:48:39 PM

Why can't they do that today on a few models?

.
They do.

Street 500
Street 750
Street Rod
883L
883N
1200N
1200C
1200CX

Street Bob
Low Rider

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #20 on:** November 23, 2018, 08:19:06 PM »

Quote from: Kev m on November 23, 2018, 07:07:34 PM

.
They do.

Street 500
Street 750
Street Rod
883L
883N
1200N
1200C
1200CX

Street Bob
Low Rider

I'll ignore the first 5, but the last 5 make me feel stupid, thanks for the education Kev. Those Sportsters look nice

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Author Topic: 1978 Harley Davidson FXS Low Rider original (Read 6738 times)

Rough Edge racing