I sold a boat tail section to a guy a few weeks ago. A week later that buyer calls me to ask if I want a 71 Boat tail, duh let me think about that. I was given the contact info and here we are, I picked it up today. A 12hr round trip pretty close to Detroit on the Canadian side of the border. First owner was an American, 2nd owner bought it in 89. The tank was painted black by the first owner, boat tail was removed i exchange for a 72 FX fender and the tail was stored away which is why the seat was so nice I think. I can't use the seat, its too nice so it'll get swapped with a lesser example when I ride it. The 2nd owner repainted the bike and put the tail back on sometime in the early 90s and put it away and didn't use it. The tires are ancient so I never rode it. OEM exhaust rechromed (muffler poorly done but its OEM), original engine, calendar dates and casting dates all jive. I'll redo the decals and add the correct ones to my 72 so they both look right, find a pair of mirrors and minor sorting out. New tires of course. The seller is 73 and he said its time to pass it on to someone who will enjoy it, he found the right buyer
Few questions / comments. Flat rear pegs are correct for 71 (thanks Eric), nothing really looks like its been messed with.
Front brake lever has a brake switch and it works. Never seen that before but I was breast feeding when this bike was new so what do I know? The seller said it was on it when he bought the bike in 89.
Side stand looks like a panhead stand compared to my 72 that has a stud sticking out to make it easier to reach.
Miles I believe are correct. I have the **** for the trip meter, a spare NOS tank number 1, NOS FX points cover, NOS side decals, reflectors and a model of the bike thats metal, surprisingly heavy.
Head pipe is oem but it has the flat on the inside to clear the later 72 rear master cylinder. He said it was on the bike when he bought it. Did harley make two head pipes?
I wasn't in the market at all, in fact I was determined to not buy another bike but these bikes dont come up often, up here at the North Pole anyway and it was well below market value.
To make myself feel better about it I unloaded some car and bike parts on ebay to cover the purchase price so now I dont feel guilty
No plans to ride it this year, it'll go in the office so I can sit on it and make vroom vroom noises anytime I want.
07-19-2024, 08:22 PM
Found a 71 FX I couldn't say no to
