1973 FX Shovelhead Harley Bobber
T-Bone from Costa Mesa, California, United States made available these photographs of his 1973 FX Shovelhead Harley Bobber which is of a real cool narrow "Lane Splitter" design and which for sure is a real head turner.
T-Bone: "1973 HD fx shovelhead short narrow chopper. The bike was bought in stock form. This bike was featured in the Horse BackStreet Chopper magazine issue #78. Also featured in the Dice magazine issue #20."
T-Bone: "Panhead round swingarm with original FLH 12-1/2" shocks wth cover. Mullins chaindrive.
Stock 16" chrome wheel with dunlop tire on rear.
Rear fender mounted to the frame.
Tailight with old guide glass lense. Banjo bolt brake switch wiring.
Custom made rigid style seat."
T-Bone: "Frisco high foot pegs.
Stock FX brake set-up with a bit of modifications for the high pegs.
Rear brake is a Tokico front 4 piston radial mount caliper with a stainless custom made carrier and a floating rotor
with a Brembo style master cylinder pumping the fluid to it."
Bobber, Chopper or Short Chop???
Of course, everybody is free to call his or her bike whatever he or she wants. Respect.
While initially we thought this bike was a Short Chop, after further examination of the photographs we feel that the rake of this motorcycle has not been increased, and definitely not increased considerably. To us, that would mean she's not a Chopper.
With her very nice paint job, custom made fuel tank, high handlebars and modified rear swing arm and suspension we would call this motorcycle a Custom Bobber.
If you want to read more on Short Chops and Bobbers, check out the Bobber Republic Info Pages!
1973 FX Shovelhead Harley Lane Splitter
T-Bone: "Super narrow polished aluminium 41mm frontend with early style legs shaved and polished. 21" chrome front wheel with rare spool hub and stainless spokes. Neat front tire similar to a speed master but with a little more flavor on the side walls. (((Noise))) chrome t-bars with Oury grips, early original polished clutch lever. Original stock panhead spotlight."
T-Bone: "Semi fresh top end few 100 miles ago.
Dyna-S ignition with new advance unit. Original 4 speed transmission with Mullins chaindrive kicker pedal.
Kick shifter. (if you have not ridden a bike with a kick shift, your missing out on a fun and fast ride)
Brand new BDL 1-1/2" primary with new clutch basket and clutches. Fabricated steel adjustable inner primary.
S&S E carb with small custom velocity stack.
Repop early stock knucklehead horseshoe oil tank.
Custom made pipes with stainless tips."
T-Bone: "(((Noise))) custom made gas tank, with early style Triumph gas cap, 1-1/2 gallon capacity with cream liner. Custom painted. Purple, white endless lines, underside of tank fan-style flake paneled. Top panel flaked with pink candy."
February 2009
