$600 Harley spruce up - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - $600 Harley spruce up

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:09:32 PM EDT

My old 1988 FLHTC was looking tired, I've had it for 22 years and it has right at 70,000 miles. I was looking at it the other day and decided to finally do something about the cooked, worn off paint on the motor, when it was new it was wrinkle black and now there is none left. I tore the bike down and cleaned the engine with lacquer thinner and scotch brite pads and masked it off for paint. I made a small paint booth in my garage with plastic sheet and sprayed on the wrinkle black. The easy part was over because now I had to detail the edges of the fins. The problem is that the fins are not squared off, the edges are very uneven. I spent right at 8 hours detailing the fins but I think I got them fairly even. I replaced the 3 exhaust pipes with original Harley pipes and it cost $550 for all 3. The other $50 was spent on lacquer thinner and paint. The exhaust shields were very tired and stained and so were the mufflers. I polished out the shields and mufflers and they came out very nice, it's hard to tell they aren't new. It took about 20 hours total and if I didn't replace the pipes it would have only cost $50. I think the old girl looks ready for the prom again.

The mufflers polished out nicely.

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:11:03 PM EDT

[#1]

I like it...I rebuild some stuff on the side my self

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:11:41 PM EDT

[#2]

Looks great!

I really need to buy a lift...

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:13:51 PM EDT

[#3]

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:15:42 PM EDT

[#4]

Badass

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:16:47 PM EDT

[#5]

Pretty girl!

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:17:53 PM EDT

[#6]

Well done. Thanks for sharing.

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:19:23 PM EDT

[#7]

Nice TLC for the old girl, really looks fresh.

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:19:55 PM EDT

[#8]

Looks like a new bike!

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:27:55 PM EDT

[#9]

Looks great.

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:28:02 PM EDT

[#10]

Good job, OP -- looks great!

Want to do mine?

Posted: 1/21/2021 7:57:20 PM EDT

[#11]

That came out sweet. What did you use on the edge of the cooling fins ?

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:00:15 PM EDT

[#12]

She’s a beauty, Clark!

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:02:15 PM EDT

[#13]

Very nice! You should be proud of all of your effort.

Now go and put some miles on it, you're slacking on that part.

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:12:40 PM EDT

[#14]

Beautiful bike OP.
Those Evo electras will go and go with some TLC.
Looking great for 30+ years!

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:15:58 PM EDT

[#15]

Nice job op .

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:23:34 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
That came out sweet. What did you use on the edge of the cooling fins ?

View Quote

220 sandpaper and various files, it was grueling.

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:30:45 PM EDT

[#17]

Should have bought a T-shirt.

Everyone would be in awe of it and not notice your bike.

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:31:07 PM EDT

[#18]

Wow! Nice work.

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:31:37 PM EDT

[#19]

Looks awesome!!!

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:36:15 PM EDT

[#20]

Doing similar to my ‘86 Gl1200 this winter.
Did timing etc last year, this season it’s cosmetics.
Only 45k mi so she’s got a lot of life left in her yet.

Posted: 1/21/2021 8:40:39 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well done. Thanks for sharing.

View Quote

Posted: 1/21/2021 9:35:54 PM EDT

[#22]

OP you've got her looking good for riding this spring., Now take her out and show her off.

Posted: 1/21/2021 9:38:45 PM EDT

[#23]

Nice job.

Posted: 1/21/2021 9:39:56 PM EDT

[#24]

Looks good

Posted: 1/21/2021 9:42:08 PM EDT

[#25]

Beautiful work OP, she looks brand new!

Posted: 1/21/2021 9:45:47 PM EDT

[#26]

Posted: 1/22/2021 1:14:52 AM EDT

[#27]

Your bike looks great.

Posted: 1/22/2021 1:15:37 AM EDT

[#28]

Looks great, I need to give mine some TLC. Debating on just painting the damn thing, a few scuffs on the tank from the previous owners tank bra that drive me nuts.... Or maybe I will just ride the pig. Who knows.

Posted: 1/22/2021 7:52:12 AM EDT

[#29]

Looks good! How’d they do the fins?

ETA: read more—you did them! Just sanding and polishing?

Posted: 1/22/2021 10:49:09 AM EDT

[#30]

Much better

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - $600 Harley spruce up

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