FXR Buyer's Guide

1. Paperwork and numbers

• Find the full VIN on the frame at the steering head. It is the bike's legal identity and should match the title (Lowbrow Customs VIN guide).
• Find the abbreviated VIN on the left crankcase at the base of the front cylinder and check that it matches the frame (Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual; Lowbrow Customs VIN guide).
• Decode the model and year with our FXR VIN Decoder; positions 5 and 6 give the model code (Rider, Sep 2017).
• Run the VIN through NICB VINCheck for theft and total-loss records (NICB VINCheck) and NHTSA's recall lookup (NHTSA recall lookup). Background: Historical Recalls.

2. Shovelhead or Evolution

• 1982 and 1983 FXRs use the 80 ci Shovelhead; the 1340cc Evolution arrived for 1984 (Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys"; Rider, Sep 2017). VIN position 7 reads K for Shovelhead, L for Evolution (Lowbrow Customs VIN guide).
• On a Shovelhead, look over the external oil lines: Known Issues #5.
• Engine background: Engines: Shovelhead & Evolution.

3. Transmission mainshaft: tapered or splined

• Harley changed the 1340 mainshaft from a taper to a straight spline for 1990 (H-D Tech Tips #17, Aug 1989). Tapered shafts need correct clutch hub fit and torque: Known Issues #2.

4. Charging system and stator plug

• Check charging voltage and look at the stator plug under the engine for heat damage: Known Issues #3 and Known Issues #4.

5. Primary leaks

• Late 1984 bikes have a known inner primary bearing leak, covered in Service Letter ML-271 (H-D Service Letter ML-271, 1985): Known Issues #1. Also check for a walking inner primary race: Known Issues #8.

6. Rubber mounts and swingarm

• A wobble or weave points to worn swingarm bushings, rubber isolators or stabilizer links: Known Issues #7.
• 1986 FXRs were recalled to torque the swingarm pivot shaft bolts (NHTSA recall 86V087000).

7. Wet sumping, top end and cases

• A puff of smoke and oil in the crankcase after the bike sits: Known Issues #13.
• Top end weeps, weaker 1989 to 1993 cases and the 1994 cylinder stud change: #6, #14 and #15.

8. Starting and the stand

• Starter that spins without cranking, or keeps running: #11 and #17. A bike that leans too far on its stand: #16.

9. CVO FXR2, FXR3, FXR4

• Check the VIN model code: ES for the 1999 FXR2, ET for the 1999 FXR3 and EV for the 2000 FXR4, per the factory parts catalogs (H-D Parts Catalog, 1999 FXR2; H-D Parts Catalog, 1999 FXR3; H-D Parts Catalog, 2000 FXR4).
• 1999 FXR2 and FXR3 models were in the fuel tank vent recall 99V200000 (NHTSA recall 99V200000).
• Paint, wheels and production details: CVO 1999 to 2000.

Related