1981 FXB STURGIS
In 1981 Harley-Davidson were facing their dark-
est days as Willie G Davidson and the H-D board
spearheaded a buyback of Harley-Davidson from then
owners, AMF (American Machine Foundry).
This bike, envisioned by Willie G and released at the
Motor Co’s most citical hour, is now seen as the precur-
sor to a new dawn at Harley-Davidson. The subsequent
release of the Evo motor and Softail motorcycles in
1984 kickstarted the H-D revival. The rest is history.
What truly sets the FXB Sturgis apart is the all black
engine, gearbox, primary drive and air cleaner, plus the
Twin Belt Drive (as per the decal on the rear belt guard).
For the first time, toothed rubber belts were chosen
for both the primary and rear wheel drive. Toothed
belts are smoother, longer lasting, quieter – and when
compared to a chain drive – much cleaner and lower
in maintenance.
The all-black mechanicals and black tinware provide
a truly custom look with attitude, an attitude that has
endured by making its way into the Evo and Twin Cam
powered Night Trains and more recently, the ‘dark
custom’ models throughout the Harley-Davidson range.
Now, in 2019, Harley models have been rear belt
driven for so long that only old folks remember chain
drives. [Ed: I resemble that remark!]
The Sturgis has plenty of other factory black (Dark
Custom as it’s now officially called) items that contrib-
ute to its tough and unique look including the battery
housing, fork sliders, instrument console, alloy wheels
with distinctive red stripes, handlebar risers and clamp,
mirrors, headlight housing and hood, oil tank, coil cover,
horn cover, distributor, rear belt guard and rear pulley.
According to Jim, the owner of this magnificent
1981 FXB, “the Sturgis was revolutionary when first
released. Very rare and the pick of the Shovelheads
for that year.”
He devoted a lot of time and effort into locating
a clean original bike then substantial further effort
into restoring it back to factory spec.