FX Rocket

It took him three attempts to finally achieve his dream. Wayne’s FXR is a modern take on a Harley-Davidson classic.

- David Cohen

The FXR was a very important motorcycle in the history of Harley-Davidson. Today, it’s still considered by many to be one of the best handling Harleys out there.

As enthusiasts know, AMF operated the company from 1969 to 1981. Then Vaughn Beals, Willie G Davidson and a group of investors purchased the company back for $80 million. The first of the FXRs were released in ’81 and were called ’82 models. Significant as the start of the post-AMF machines. Two variants were released: The FXR Super Glide II with laced wheels; and the FXRS with two-tone paint and cast wheels.

It was also important for the new owners of the business to get it right. “And that’s why I wanted this one,” Wayne began when we started talking about his stunning machine.

“I rode an FXR when they first came out back in ’82 and fell in love with it, so I bought this one a year ago.

“It’s a 1991 model that I bought off an older gentleman. At first, I wanted to keep it all original. But then I rode it and well … it wasn’t what I wanted. It was bone stock OEM with 58,000km on the clock and it went straight into the shed to begin what we’ll call stage one of its upgrades,” he continued.

STAGE ONE

It began with the handlebars being upgraded to Pro-Tapers. It took “a couple of sets” to get the feel and ergos Wayne wanted. In the end he settled on a set of 7/8in Adventure bike bars sitting on 7-1/2in risers. A Joker Machine quarter turn throttle and a set of Performance Machine 7/8in controls and grips were then installed. All the cables and brake lines were replaced with black braided parts.