Although the Harley-Davidson reputation under ownership of AMF got tarnished during the period 1969-1981 (bikes were of so low quality that Harleys were mocked as “Hardly Ableson”, “Hardly Driveable,” and “Hogly Ferguson”), all models of this era are good donors for custom projects. It’s what Freddie Arnold did, using a 1978 FXS Lowrider to turn it in a cool rigid Hot Rod mixing 60’s HD parts. Chevy accessories and some of today’s most reliable after-market parts.
Mods include shaving and cutting 3″ off the 35 mm front end, installing a modified 1962 Harley Hummer gas tank to which a top ridge was added to match the one of the rear fender, massaging a Panhead oil tank to fit correctly in the FX frame just under the seat. Freddy kept the factory engine, but added some special effects: grooves on rocker boxes, powder coating and “tumbling” of components. Tranny is also the original 78 piece but behind the Panhead tin now resides a BDL primary. Custom exhaust and fender support was fabricated by Georgia fellow builder Hank Young. To complete the Hot Rod look, all wiring is done using 30’s style cloth insulation. Freddie Arnold Designs. (photography copyright Onno Wieringaby for AMD World Championship, courtesy Cyril Huze )
Very nice.
Both my HDs are AMF. Long live the Shovelhead!
Like!
’78 FX ratchet top tranny! – means your shift pattern is forward for first and back for all the rest. If so, then when your in the apex of a curve and shift to 4th (or 5th) and release the clutch, the un-weighting you feel in the seat, followed by the “dig” produced by heavy flywheels that propel you forward – is what ocean surfing is all about. 🙂
Looking at the shotgun vented end-caps, Is any research being done on long, interior baffles? The up-swept exhaust is popular. My knuckle-glide has stacked-shotguns with 2-1/4″ diameter KH mufflers, and extra interior “stamped-up “paddles” in staggered alignment as “noise suppressant-ators”. A Corso® custom at no extra cost.
So, with a motorcycle like Hickory Flat, how about 1-3/4″ diameter barrel mufflers, but with leading and trailing tapers as the pipe changes to muffler and then back to tailpiece?
Call Dennis Corso, Ohio. He’ll work with you. http://www.denniscorso.com/
Back then we called them ” Hardly Doesits ” and ” Woely Davis’s ” . Sad what AMF did to the Shovelhead era Harleys!
Very nice. Looks good
Thanks for the press Cyril. Good seeing you in Strugis.
cute scooter!