UTS&BOLTS
GENERAL
MAKE/MODEL FXB Sturgis
OWNER Jim
YEAR 1981
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
TYPE 80ci Shovelhead
TRANSMISSION 4-speed belt
MODIFICATIONS
All black factory paint and finish
FRAME
MODEL FX
RAKE 30 ̊
WHEELBASE 63.5in
SUSPENSION
FRONT FX
TREES Narrow
REAR Twin hydraulic
SEAT FXB
WHEELS & TYRES
F RIM Cast 2.15 –19
R RIM Cast 3.00 –16
F BRAKE Hydraulic twin disc
R BRAKE Hydraulic single disc
CONTROLS
BARS Drag
RISERS 3in
GUARDS & FINISH
GUARDS FX
FUEL TANK 3.5 gallon
COLOUR Black
ARTWORK Sturgis styleWhen purchased this bike had forward controls,
Live to Ride badges and custom handlebars and pipes,
but otherwise maintained its integrity – particularly
the paint and wheels.
Colt at H-D Development in Melbourne had lots
of original parts to help restore the bike so Jim
bought it sight unseen.
H-D Development replaced most of the modified
stuff with OEM parts including the ‘bars, air cleaner,
timing cover, footpegs, highway bars, mirrors and
other original parts. Eventually, Jim found an original
seat, sissy-bar bag and oil cooler cover (at consider-
able cost) and had them refurbished with Johnny
Gee at Antique Motorcycles in Cheltenham, Vic.
To be really picky (but totally correct) the only
items missing are the original Goodyear white letter
tyres which are no longer in production and weren’t
always fitted from the factory anyway.
Jim’s Sturgis is always popular at shows and events
and effortlessly draws a crowd.
In a world where fashions can change in a few
months Harley-Davidson are still successfully
incorporating ideas that first appeared on the FXB
Sturgis 38 years ago; lots of black combined with
a little orange here and there. Check out the new
FXDR to see what I mean. HD