Many will argue it’s the best damn bike Harley-Davidson ever made. It’s the FXR’s ability to be flogged like Secretariat down the straight that makes it such a prized possession. It’s also what makes it hard to find for the everyman. But we found them. They dwell in Southern California, and they showed up en masse at Born-Free 10.

Launched not long after Harley-Davidson reclaimed ownership of the company from AMF, the FXR added fuel to the fire of the company’s resurrection. With fewer castings, less vibrations, a stiffer frame, and greater clearance than its predecessors, the FXR added more sport to the Harley equation and helped The Motor Company close the gap with its performance-oriented competitors from Japan.

Somehow San Diego Customs rallied the troops to host the FXR & Open Bike Show at Born-Free 10 after hosting the Hot Bike Issue Release Party the weekend before. Don’t know how they do it, but props to our friends at SDC. The grounds were packed for Saturday’s FXR show, which featured stiff competition. While many of the bikes were worthy of top honors, it was teamdyna_bradley and his 1982 Shovelhead that rode away with the win, and deservedly so. His build was not only ultra clean, but he built it in memory of his dad, making the victory that much sweeter.

If you’d like to learn more about FXRs, be sure to check out this great article by Charles Plueddeman from the Hot Bike archives: Separating The Men From the Boys—History of the FXR.

Custom Design Studios always brings its A game.

Bryan Harley

Custom Design Studios’ head honcho, Kirk Taylor, sure knows how to make a grand appearance.

Bryan Harley

Unknown Industries’ Kade Gates (left) talks shop about his ’91 FXR.

Bryan Harley

Gates’ 1991 FXR gets its wheelie-popping power from a Jims 120 V-twin fed by a Mikuni 48mm carb.

Bryan Harley

FXR Division was representing at the 10th annual Born-Free show.

Bryan Harley

Powerplant Motorcycles and its tire-shreddin’ P/16.

Bryan Harley

Won’t you be my neighbor? Found this bad boy parked next to me.

Bryan Harley

San Diego Customs takes a ride on the wild side!

Bryan Harley

FXRPs were in abundance at Born-Free.

Bryan Harley

Check out this super-clean stock FXR4.

Bryan Harley

Congrats @teamdyna_bradley for winning San Diego Customs’ FXR Show.

Bryan Harley

A view of the Born-Free world through Thrashin Supply’s eyes.

Bryan Harley

Rad artwork on the Lords fairing.

Bryan Harley