Most of the Bike of the Month articles highlight the total restoration of a desirable brand or model of machine that was either instrumental in one’s adolescent development or is now very desirable among collectors and friends. This is not such a story…

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I have been shifting my choice of rides over the last year to be better suited to my needs or tastes for the next decade. Methodically, I have sifted through my thoughts of what would make a nice ride in my later years and what would not. A kicker that was cold blooded and impossible to start - gone. A touring bike that was ready to ride from Reno, Nevada to Jacksonville, Florida. Well, that’s not going to happen again - gone. A 150 mph streamliner, full fairing and 600+ pounds? Gone.

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What is in vogue for a gent with a fake knee and an age beyond the typical life expectancy of a U.S. citizen you might ask? 

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How about shedding two to three hundred pounds? Fairings that tuck your legs into a jacked-up jockey style seating position? Not too interesting anymore. Kicking over a high compression fussy single that kicks back like a mule? Think I’ll pass. I’ll opt for the E-kicker going forward, thank you. 

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It is not too difficult to round up those attributes into a short list. Lighter weight - Check; electric starter - Check; traditional naked bike looks with fewer parts to replace or paint after you turtle it in a wet parking lot - Check. And so, the list goes on…

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That whole A Team, “I love it when a plan comes together.” thing was looking pretty good until the itch that could not be scratched became a spreading rash. Everything was rational and could be justified with just a touch of logic. It all seemed to be making sense, until then.

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Logic is not how vintage motorcycling works though, right? You know, like, why do dogs dig under the fence? Why do you go to coffee with a fanboy of some obscure, long forgotten brand of motorcycle? Why do you do what you just said would never happen? Why does stuff just show up in driveways? All illogical. Nobody knows.

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My hard left turn onto motorcycle acquisition mystery lane just happened again. Number Two Son, the family authority from Planet V-Twin, got me in touch with Ryan at Vanilla Cycle in Carrington, Nor Dak. In addition to building choppers, they buy/sell early V Twins.

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What started as a casual search for a clean FX Shovel turned into its own cul de sac adventure. After evaluating a couple of nice Shovels, Ryan located a 1985 Harley Davidson FXSB Low Rider. Granted, not a Shovel but a very early Evolution powered machine. Early enough to still have the Shovel four speed with the kicker. Rare? Kinda. What made it the real unicorn bike was the condition and its back story. 15,500 miles, two owners, documentation of HD dealer service dating back to 1996. Mods? S&S Super E, different handlebars, all installed at the dealership in the back when. Rocker covers and primary were plated or polished too. And it was cleaner than the buffet line at your local casino.

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Initially, I had big plans for the bike. You know, that “A stock Harley is your blank canvas. Make it your artwork!” Luckily, I quickly realized that instead of my usual months of transformation into something like everyone else has built, it would be better to ride the stock, time capsule unicorn, as is. Original. That alone made it unique. 

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Some quick points I have picked up:

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The classic H D 4 speed swing arm frame was first modified to fit the electric starter, then later was modified to fit the 80 cu.in. Evo engine for 1984 and 1985. It is a two year frame. After that it was gone. It was FXRs and Dynas going forward.

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The 1985 Low Rider was a last year four speed with kicker and first year belt secondary drive with a chain primary. One year? I think that is about right.

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Original blemish and fade-free paint, graphics and stickers.

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In the first month, I have put over 1,200 trouble free miles on the FXSB, something that would have taken the previous owner three years to accomplish. He doesn’t know what he is missing. 

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Granted, the Low Rider is no lithe Tinker Belle ride compared to a Bonneville or even an R65 but the low saddle height and the ease of navigating crowded garage storage areas makes daily life much easier than something like a BMW k1.

 

In conclusion, there are grandpa bikes and hanger queens out there that still have a lot to give without asking a lot. Like me, you might be surprised to see how much fun you can have on one of these young-timer classics.