Custom 1985 Harley-Davdison FXR; Goblin1
This Harley-Davidson FXR’s transformation into a drag race powerhouse wasn’t exactly a straight shot down a desert highway. The path was more of a steep climb on a mountain grade. That’s because owner Joe Glaze bought this 1985 FXR a few years ago as a theft/recovery vehicle with no title. Old neglected iron like that usually isn’t kept in the best of shape. Since he snatched it up for the sole purpose of building a bike to drag race, that wasn’t a problem. Joe planned on upgrading the bike’s performance across the board; the fact that it wasn’t ready to go wasn’t an issue.
Obviously, if drag racing was the FXR’s next life, running a bone stock 80-inch Evo motor in it would resulte in Joe getting more rubber and exhaust fumes in his diet as he was smoked by the competition. Hence why Joe Glaze and Nate Cleaver, owner of Front Range Cycle, tore this motorcycle apart after hours, shoehorning a 107-inch motor that they built into it. You’d think that was the end of the power equation but the mill had issues on multiple occasions; it’s hard to win a race with a bike that doesn’t run. Eventually the troublesome V-twin mill lost its job to a 124-inch S&S engine.
All throughout the rest of this project Joe Glaze drew on his love of drag racing for inspiration. He started attending the All Harley Drag Races back in 1985, picked up a 1988 FXR almost three decades ago, and loves to work on that model of Harley-Davidson more than any other.
Aside from the monster mill in this motorcycle, Joe’s proudest of the customized tank and the extended swing arm. Having said that, if he had to do it over, he’d run an open primary and carbon fiber tanks and fenders, as well as a lock-up clutch. Still, he can’t be too bummed; the bike runs low to mid 11 second runs at 118 mph in the quarter mile. “The bike makes over 125 horsepower and 135 lbs-ft of torque,” he says, “and will stand straight up on the line if I drop the clutch and hammer that gas.” I’d bet it didn’t do that under a tarp in its old life. HB
Specifications | |
---|---|
General | |
Owner | Joe Glaze |
Year/Make/Model | 1985/Harley-Davidson/FXR |
Fabrication | Joe Glaze |
Build Time | 6 months |
Engine | |
Year/Type/Size | 2014/H-D/107ci |
Builder | Nate Cleaver |
Balancing | Acme Machine |
Cases | S&S |
Cylinders | S&S |
Heads | S&S |
Rocker Boxes | S&S |
Cams | Crane .600 |
Carb | S&S Super G |
Air Cleaner | S&S Slotted |
Exhaust | RB Racing |
Transmission | |
Year/Type | 2014/Baker |
Gears | 6 |
Modifications | Ignition Kill Drum |
Frame | |
Year/Type | 1985/H-D |
Rake/Stretch | Stock |
Suspension | |
Front End | Narrow Glide |
Length | Stock |
Triple Trees | H-D |
Swingarm | Trac Dynamics 6-in. extended |
Rear Shocks | Works Performance |
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
Front | |
Builder/Size | H-D/19 |
Tire/Size | 19 in. |
Calipers | H-D |
Rotors | H-D |
Rear | |
Builder/Size | H-D/16 in. |
Tire/Size | 16 in. |
Calipers | PM |
Rotors | H-D |
Finish/Paint | |
Colors | Silver/Green |
Paint/Graphics | Josh Hodge |
Accessories | |
Front Fender | H-D |
Rear Fender | Stretched |
Gas Tank | H-D |
Handlebars | Straight Drag |
Hand Controls | ISR |
Foot Controls | H-D |
Kill Switch | Pingel |
Headlight | Drag Specialties |
Taillight | Drag Specialties |