1971 Harley FX Super Glide Shovelhead Restored Custom

A few befores and afters of my 1971 FX Super Glide. Months of hard, patient work by Shovelhead Sid in Nashville, and boom, a new-old Harley. The 1971 FX was the brainchild of Willie G., and was the first "factory custom": big frame and 74ci/1,210cc motor from the FL, and front end from the XL. It is the genesis of a list of FX progeny to include: Low Rider, Wide Glide, Sturgis, Softail, Dyna and Deuce. This bike is also the first Harley to be refered to as "The Night Train", a jazz reference, nothing to do with color. I rescued this fellow right at a year ago. It had sat idle for 15 years plus, and came to the PO via an estate sale as a "gimme" in another motorcycle transaction. It could have best been (generously) described as a rolling basket case. Sid stripped it to its least components, powdercoated where appropriate, and then most everything except the frame, case, flywheels, struts, and rear brake housing was upgraded and replaced as necessary. Having sat that long, and having been through a flood at some point in life, there wasn't a whole lot salvageable, even though the "befores" don't look that bad in the pics. SHORT SPECS: 5g flat-side tanks replaced the 3.5gs, slightly over-bored motor, stock trans, suspension & carb, ignition upgrade with electric start, custom harness for the new electrics, 19"/16" Dunlops and Mustang touring seat. The rest is pretty much self explanatory in the vid.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1971
• Harley
• FX
• Super
• Glide
• Superglide
• Shovelhead
• Night
• Train

[rikflyz]

The first Super Glides came with drums front and back. The first to have a front disc (single, the dual came in '78 I believe) was the 1974, so the front end I have now came from a '74-'77 Super Glide. The Sportster front end is quite similar, no cast stops, however. The front end that was on the bike when I got it (and can be seen in the slideshow) was from a newer bike. I went for authenticity and put a Super Glide front end back on.

[fender6strat]

could you give me a little insight as to how you put disc brakes on there, and also what you did about the ignition?

[rikflyz]

@fender6strat

The ignition is a Crane electronic kit. Easy to install, just follow instructions. It has a built in advance, and rock simple adjustments. I think they recommend a coil upgrade with installation, not included.

[Spivitz]

Nice bike