Pushing the 35 year rule: a 1990 Harley Electra Glide Sport (FLHS)

[jim d]

My friend’s 92 FLHS that he purchased new came through stock with a windshield. I distinctly remember him saying that he didn’t like a windshield and was going to remove it. After he rode it with the windshield he changed his opinion of them and never took it off. He still rides with one today. I always like to remind him of the windshield when he tells me that he doesn’t like something that he has never tried.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Well, I have to admit I wasn't interested in HD products in 1990 -- so I have zero recollection of what was or was not stock.

All that said; I do have the OEM owners manual, parts book, and FSM -- all of which show the FLHS as coming standard with a screen and saddle bags; tourpak and saddlebag guards were options.

Harley's literature also shows and markets the FLHS in 1990 as coming with a screen. Attached are three very poor scans from that 1990 brochure showing the FLHS.

The first detailed photo blow up says this in the copy ad: "This is the Harley Davidson touring motorcycle distilled to its essence. The ElectraGlide Sport. With its adjustable windshield . . ."

And the second detailed blow up says this in the final sentence: ". . .and something to keep the wind off your chest."

I take all of that, plus period road test showing a bike with bags and screen, as evidence that at least in 1990, the FLHS model had a screen from the factory.

Setting all that aside; I got a heck of a surprise when I opened the pushrod tubes -- the pushrods are already chro-moly "ez" pushrods. No wonder the rocker boxes never looked messed with. The question is -- did someone do a sleeper cam swap? The factory timing cover remains riveted on . . .which my friends who were dealership and indy mechanics in the late 80s to early 1990s say they all did to keep the stock appearance. So, I'll find out for sure when I get the tappet blocks out and can see the cam lobes ;-)

I also have to look twice; but when I was staring at the front pushrods I glanced at the carb. It appears to be one of the very early CV that did not come with an accelerator pump. I thought that was phased out in 1989 but maybe not . . .

More to come.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

My friend’s 92 FLHS that he purchased new came through stock with a windshield. I distinctly remember him saying that he didn’t like a windshield and was going to remove it. After he rode it with the windshield he changed his opinion of them and never took it off. He still rides with one today. I always like to remind him of the windshield when he tells me that he doesn’t like something that he has never tried.

I have had a lot of bikes with different windscreens and fairings -- most were "ok" but rather noisy in the end. This particular screen is surprisingly quiet and comfortable. I get no buffeting up to about 75mph and without the extra weight of the batwing; the bike turns in nicely even if there's a cross breeze hitting the screen.

Personally, I like having at least one bike in my rotation that has a screen. There's days when you want air -- and there's days when it's pleasant to just sit behind a big screen and watch the world motor by.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

The R&R on the lifters went off with zero issues.

The front exhaust lifter collapsed and hammered the roller needles. They remained in place and no debris got in the cam chest. Amazingly, no cam lobe damage, either. The cam chest was clean and shows surprisingly little wear for nearly 60k miles.

Tappet blocks also had little wear. All measured out at .0008 to .001 clearance with lovely bores. No dirt tracks or the like.

Surprise was the presence of Rivera Taper Lite pushrods. The cam is stock, so, not sure why these rods were chosen by a previous owner.

Second surprise, the gaskets I ordered never arrived but the local hd dealer had them in stock. The gaskets were 35% cheaper from the dealer! I paid $5.27 with tax for a pair of tappet block gaskets. They also were dog friendly and my pup got a lot more attention than me at the dealer ;-)

The total bill was $179 for the tappets and $5.27 for gaskets, plus a filter and fluid change.

Bike fired right up and after a bit became very silent. I can hear the whoosh of the primary chain over its shoe. . .so, yeah, that job quieted down the valve train quite a bit. It’s smoother and happier all around. I also, for sure, lashed the push rods more snugly than the po.

All lifters were oem “A” style. The failed lifter did show signs of getting jammed internally. I’ll probably disassemble it for fun.

And off we go for more miles of smiles. This really wasn’t a complicated job at all and well within many enthusiasts wheel house.