Tech
Reference data for the FXR family. Numbers come from period magazine tests and other named sources, and each one is labelled.
Reference pages
Road Tests and Reviews
Period magazine tests from 1982 to 2000 (quarter mile, top speed, fuel, braking, weight and price, model by model), plus modern reviews in print and on YouTube.
Known Issues
Common problems by model year: symptoms, causes and fixes, with the sources linked.
Specs & Dimensions
Wheelbase, rake, seat height, weights, capacities and tires from period Cycle World road tests.
Engines: Shovelhead & Evolution
The 80 ci Shovelhead of 1982 to 1983 and the 1340cc Evolution that followed, with claimed outputs.
Dyno & Performance
Factory claims versus measured rear-wheel numbers, and period road-test performance.
Phone Dyno (Beta)
The free Phone Dyno beta: estimated rear-wheel HP and torque from phone GPS, how it works, and how to request access.
Frame & Chassis
The stiff welded frame, the three-point rubber-mount system, suspension, wheels and brakes.
Identification (VIN & date codes)
How to read a 1982 to 2000 Harley VIN, with FXR model codes and a made-up worked example.
Sources
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson FXRS" road test, December 1981. Link
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson FXRT" road test, August 1983. Link
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson Low Rider Custom FXLR" road test, January 1987. Link
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson FXRS-SP" road test, July 1990. Link
- Kip Woodring, "Motorhead Memo: The Gentleman's Express", Rider Magazine, September 20, 2017 (year-by-year FXR history and VIN model codes). Link
- Lowbrow Customs, "Harley-Davidson Motorcycle VIN Lookup and Decoder Chart". Link
Full bibliography and image credits: Sources & Credits. Magazine pages are linked, never copied or hosted here. Spot an error? Tell us.