Ocean’s Divide | Custom 1985 Harley-Davidson FXRT
Lars Rydstrom (bike owner from Ocean Village, Gibraltar) and builder Mark Shadley have been friends for several years. Each summer the guys ride from California to Sturgis and have had several discussions on building an FXRT. Lars had a clear idea for a custom FXRT that he would be able to run hard across country, while Mark had dreams of shoving a FLHT Twin Cam fuel-injected drive train into a FXR platform. Lars was receptive and trusted his friend with the creative freedom to build him an FXRT as he saw fit.
They began work on the 1985 FXRT eBay gem Lars had sent to the shop. Unfortunately, there weren’t a whole lot of usable parts off the bike. The fairing was literally crumbling in their hands as they took the bike apart. Only after about 500 hours of labor the bike came out to be something both parties were proud of.
Hot Bike: What kind of modifications did you make to the frame?
Dean Shadley: We had to make major alterations, including two lower center brace reconfigurations to fit the Twin Cam setup into the Evolution chassis. Additionally, the backbone of the frame was redesigned to hold and hide a late-model fuel-injection wiring harness. To accomplish this we cut out the lower half of the backbone and fabricated a rigid half moon that was welded in to help save room and the sight of the large harness. Lars is a tall guy, well over 6 feet, so a set of forward controls were a must. Finally we added extended forward control mounts to the frame as well for comfort.
HB: What sort of work went into the tins? **
**DS: To make the fuel injection idea a reality, we decided to use a late-model H-D Switchback tank as a template. With the sending unit and fuel pump already configured we cut out the bottom of the tank to fit to the FXR backbone. Then widened the tunnel and remounted the front and rear of the tank.
HB: What about the fairing?
DS: The fairing was in need of some serious love and alterations to make it acceptable for the caliber of bike that was being built. Late-model gauges were installed along with a new Bluetooth stereo system. For added strength, the gauges, indicator lights, and stereo components were mounted and secured with metal face and backing plates rather than fiberglass and plastic. The fairing was also structurally stiffened, remolded, and reinforced to give the fairing a road-worthy grade after some 30 years of abuse.
RELATED | MORE CUSTOM FXRs
Specifications | |
---|---|
General | |
Owner | Lars Rydstrom, Ocean Village, Gibraltar |
Shop | Shadley Bros. |
Shop Phone | (781) 447-4454 |
Website | shadleybros.com |
Year/Make/Model | 1985/H-D/FXRT |
Fabrication | Mark Shadley| |
Build Time | 8 months |
Engine | |
Year/Type/Size | 2007/Twin Cam/113ci |
Builder | Mark Shadley |
Cases | H-D bored out to accept 113 cylinder |
Cylinders | Screamin’ Eagle Big Bore| |
Heads | Screamin’ Eagle |
Rocker Boxes | Twin Cam |
Cams | Screamin’ Eagle |
Throttle Body | Screamin’ Eagle 58mm Billet| |
Air Cleaner | Performance Machine| |
EFI Controller | ThunderMax |
Exhaust | Vance & Hines |
Transmission | |
Year/Type | 2007/H-D/FLHT| |
Gears | SAA |
Clutch | Screamin’ Eagle Clutch Spring |
Primary Drive | 2007/FLH |
Frame | |
Year/Type | H-D/Shadley Bros. modified to accept T/C motor and trans| |
Rake/Stretch | Stock| |
Suspension | 2015/39mm |
Front End | | |
Length | 2 under |
Triple Trees | 39mm| |
Swingarm | 2007/FLH/1 in. longer than stock| |
Rear Shocks | Progressive Suspension| |
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
Front | |
Builder/Size | Roland Sands Design/19 x 2.15 |
Tire/Size | 110-90-19 | |
Calipers | Performance Machine | |
Rotors | Roland Sands Design |
Rear | |
Builder/Size | Roland Sands Design/18 x 4.125 |
Tire/Size | 160-60-18| |
Caliper | Performance Machine |
Rotor | Roland Sands Design |
Pulley | Roland Sands Design |
Finish/Paint | |
Manufacturer | P.P.G. |
Color | Black and yellow |
Paint/Graphics | John Hartnett | |
Plating/Polishing | Metlec| |
Powdercoating | Daytec |
Accessories | |
Front Fender | RWD/Shadley Bros. |
Rear Fender | RWD/Shadley Bros. |
Gas Tank | 2014/FXD Switchback |
Dash | Mark Shadley |
Gauges | Dakota Digital |
Handlebars | Biltwell risers/Flanders bars |
Grips | Performance Machine |
Mirrors | Arlen Ness |
Hand Controls | H-D |
Foot Controls | Shadley Bros. mounts| |
Floorboards | Drag Specialties |
Headlight | H-D |
Taillight | Cycle Vision |
Turn Signals | Cycle Vision |
License Mount | Cycle Vision |
Seat | Corbin |
Stereo | Jenson |
Speakers | Focal |
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