Retrospective: Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom: 1987-1994

Low Rider. Catchy name. Some readers might remember the chopped and channeled craze in automobile styling back in the ’50s and ’60s. Willie G. took that to heart when he developed the very first Low Rider, the FXS, back in 1977. It was all about the look, as if one of Harley’s own Super Glides had been worked over by a good chopper stylist—which, in effect, it had. And 10 years later the greatly improved second version, the FXLR, came along.

Year/Model: 1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom; Owner: Terry Bowen, Atascadero, California.
Year/Model: 1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom; Owner: Terry Bowen, Atascadero, California.

To better understand the second incarnation of this model, we should take a brief look at the original. The intent was to build something that the Japanese had not, a torquey V-twin with American styling. Or, as the Harley ads said, “One mean machine”—in any color you wanted as long as it was gunmetal gray. The FXS Low Rider’s 27-inch seat height put the rider’s nose at about the same level as an 18-wheeler’s license plate. And thank the Lord and President Nixon for that 55 mph national speed limit, otherwise the rigid-mounted 74-inch V-twin would make your chiropractor a wealthy person. The speedometer actually had the gall to go to 150 mph, though the bike was hard-pressed to reach 100, at which point the rider’s fillings would start to fall out. Cornering ability? At 20 degrees of lean it was scraping on both sides.

1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom

The Low Rider had little to do with function; it was all about image. Manly men—this being long before Harley thought of catering to women riders—understood that the primary purpose of riding a motorcycle was to roll down Main Street on Saturday evening, preferably with a pack of Camels rolled up in the T-shirt sleeve. The Low Rider soon became the best-selling Big Twin in the Harley line, and the name was used all the way to 2009. And now it’s back again for 2014 (read review).

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Move forward a decade to 1987 and the FXS became the FXLR Low Rider Custom. Same styling, with new engineering creating a radically different ride. The old 74-incher had given way to the Evolution engine in 1984. While the Evo’s rear-wheel torque was an impressive 68 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm, horsepower barely broke 50 at the 5,200-rpm redline. But on Main Street, who cared about pony power; what you wanted to do was twist the throttle at low rpm and feel the bike leap forward.

1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom

A big change was in the chassis, with the engine now being rubber-mounted in the full-cradle frame, giving it a much more comfortable ride. Good thing, too, as the national speed limit was upped to 65 mph that year, which the Low Rider achieved at a modest 3,000 rpm in top gear. Comfort was a relative word, meaning it depended on the smoothness of the road. The lowness of the Low Rider was helped by short shocks, which promised at least three inches of travel—not much when it comes to rough pavement.

An “aramid-fiber-composition” toothed belt now ran the power from the 5-speed gearbox to the rear axle, and Harley put a lot of advertising into the worthiness of this final drive—not the least being that it could “go up to 8,000 miles before it needs adjustment.” A cast, 16-inch wheel with a disc brake and a 3.00 tire put the ponies to the pavement.

1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom

The skinny front end was a different story, with 39mm tubes offering almost seven inches of travel. Rake was a mildly cruiserish 29 degrees, with trail a shade over four inches. At the top was a new aluminum triple clamp that was slightly wider, at the bottom a 21-inch, wire-spoked front wheel with a single disc. You needed a manly grip on those handlebars to get that tall front wheel to turn, which helped show off those T-shirted biceps. Put a leg over the saddle, settle into the 27-inch seat, grab the handlebars and hoist the 600 pounds upright.

1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom

Don’t like the angle of the bars? Too bad, as there was no adjustment. For some peculiar reason (styling?) these were actually two separate bars, each one fitting into a rubber-lined mount on the triple tree, but held together by two crosspieces welded on…with a speedometer fitted to the upper one. You couldn’t just spin them around like you could a regular one-piece handlebar, nor could you quickly replace the originals with a new bar.

Turn the key, push the button and the big 19-amp/hour battery rolled the crankshaft around, fired, caught and a pleasant noise came out of the dual exhausts. Pull in the clutch, step on the gearshifter, clutch out, feet up and you’re away—quite aware of your splayed-leg seated position, as the wide motor put the footpegs almost two feet apart. The skinny passenger pad meant you were probably riding solo.

Good sales kept the FXLR on the market through 1994, with few changes—like adding a tach alongside the speedo. Then the Low Rider morphed into the Dyna version, the FXDL, and was on the model list for 15 more years.

Note: This owner mounted an H-D backrest, luggage rack and windshield, and installed a Python exhaust. Saddlebags are of unknown origin.

(This Retrospective article was published in the June 2014 issue of Rider magazine.)

1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom
1994 Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom

26 COMMENTS

  1. I have an 87 FXLRC I’ve been riding since 1998. It takes a little time to learn how to ride it properly espically if you up the HP from 50hp to 72 HP via cam, lifters, and adjustable rods. Once you learn the new power curve and how to use it, this becomes truly a wild ride. Love it. P.W.

  2. I still have my FLXR custom from 1992. Been thru lots of other models since but only ever kept this one. Love it to death and still think its one of the best Harley’s ever.

  3. My ’87 FXLR has 180,000 documented miles on it. I still ride it almost every week. It looks almost stock, but it isn’t. Ask Mad Man Cycles in Worcester Massachusetts.

    • Wow, 180,000 miles! The tires must never cool off! LOL! I have an 87 FXLRC and it is completely stock with only 17,000 miles. Have you had any electrical problems with yours, such as the engine sputtering, cutting out, running on one cylinder, and dying? It happens with mine occasionally and HD dealership can’t find the problem. Very frustrating! Would like to get it fixed to keep these old vintage models on the road. If you have any suggestions, please email me.

      • Do you still have the sputtering problem? I have a 1987 FXLR that gave me a hard way to go. Found out that it was all my electronic ignition , and an exhaust leak that gave me the majority of my head aches. After replacing my ignition and fixing the minor leaks, I stopped having the sputtering , back firing and surging issues with it. I changed the carburetor to a Mikuni 42mm HSR and new Thunderheaders exhaust and I can’t ask for a better ride, and it’s 35 years old. He’s my beast and I’ll never give him up.

  4. I have a 1992 that is on it’s second engine. The first Evo I took out to 95″ and must say found it to be very impressive and gave me over 100K miles. Now on it’s second engine that is an S&S 113″ . I love the power and the way the bike rides and will never give it up.

    • I have had my 1990 FXLR now for 22years it has Screaming Eagle stage 3 kit and puts out 80 hp, have had a great time on this bike and have to say it is the most comfortable Harley I have ever owned…

  5. I have a 1993 FXLR Custom. Baker DD6 cam bored ported decked Screaming Eagle Jugs S&S crank SS and oil pump. Bassani 2 into 1 road rage. All stainless fasteners alligator seat that I legally hunted. Mustache bar with pegs kuryakin all. 3000.00 paint red ghost flames on black all tins. I can touch my ears in the twistes Lots of wows. I have my bike for life. I am in Love with Susette and ride every day all year SW FL nothing close to her ride yet best bike in the world

  6. I have recently purchased a 1992 Dyna lowrider with a silver frame. What does this special color frame mean. Anybody know? I’m trying to find documentation to or off of why these very few frames were ever sold?

    • Gudday James. It will be a DYNA Custom. Silver with black sides on the tank.
      The first Dyna was a Sturgis in 91, the second was the custom which I think you have, and they released the Dyna Lowrider in 93 I think. All these bikes were pretty much the same, just paint and trim details were different.
      There was also a Dyna Daytona amongst that lot as well. Numbered bikes with the first factory pearl paint job.

  7. You didn’t buy a ” DYNA” low rider if its a 92 because a dyna didn’t come out until I believe after 94. I think it might even have been 96. Dyna is the engine style. It has a oil pan instead of a oil tank like the Evos and Shovel heads.you might have an after market frame or maybe a previous owner had painted it.
    I has a 1992 FXLR ( Super Glide Lower rider custom ) . My frame is black. I did look at a FXR that had a silver frame but the frame was after market even though the bike was still titled a Harley fxr.

  8. Right here in the article above you.

    Good sales kept the FXLR on the market through 1994, with few changes—like adding a tach alongside the speedo. Then the Low Rider morphed into the Dyna version, the FXDL, and was on the model list for 15 more years.

  9. I have a 87 FXLRC Evo. My engine is cutting out on me intermittently. Harley mechanics have not been able to diagnose the problem. Anyone else have this problem and a solution to the problem? Sometimes it won’t start at all and then all of a sudden will kick off and start. Any suggestions, please email me.

    • I had the same problem with my 87 FXLR and we thought it was the fuel system. We were wrong, it was the electronic ignition. Replaced it with a Dynatek2000 ignition system and I never had that problem since. Good luck with your ride and shoot me back your results when your done.

      • When your bike started cutting out I’ve got an 87/10 anniversary. Just got this in the ass on it short of a carburetor. Mine runs strong as f**k as I had motor work done to it. It’s been in storage 14 years buddy mine got it out in 2020 and put ignition on it all that stuff And I’m not understand it when it gets to 3000 RPMs if you’re not in it hard pass 3000 it’ll start spitting in sputtering but when it gets to 36 bass and 3500 it runs fine hard as hell that’s the only spot between 3030 500 once it goes over that it quits is that what years was doing by any chance because it’s got a brand new Dyna 2000 ignition on it Just wondering because I’m thinking it’s a fuel issue with the carburetor I build motorcycles but this one I stop my ass and I was wondering if it was electrical, so what part did your motorcycle do with that is what I’m asking thank you

  10. my 1987 fxlr has done over one million kilometres will never sell love it people aproach me regularly telling me there regret in either customizing or selling an early fxlr this bike will outlive me daily ride all weather as much as ausies like to put shit on americans the fxlr is a perfect example of American pride and quality thankyou from one happy ausie

  11. I have a 1989 FXRS with a Convertible kit.
    The bags and windshield are correct for the year. I have 1 1/2 inch straight pipes on it but kept the stock pipes. A Mustang seat, but still have the stock on. Been in storage for 15 years. I have Clay Morrow’s hands so no longer riding. I am going to take it back to stock and sell it. Does anyone know where I can the chrome belt shield that attaches to the frame behind the transmission?

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