I don’t know if it was the blue pill the doctor gave me, or that red Softail the fleet center loaned Bikernet, but my life hasn’t been the same since. My flaming pile-of-shit-of-a-existence wasn’t heading anywhere. I sold my last bike to help support my music habit. I needed a descant stack to compete on a pro level. But good equipment is no match for unreliable band members. When you sell your soul for something, make sure your fate is in your hands alone, otherwise you will find nothing but disillusionment.
When Bandit told me we were picking up a 2006 Softail and it would be mine to ride for a week, I was dazed.My first thought was shit, responsibility. I’ll fuck that up. Oh well, like my ninth grade science teacher always said, “You can’t destroy matter only rearrange it.” So when we rode back to the Bikernet Headquarters, I parked her out front, went inside and pondered my fate. Was it true, a new 88 Twin Cam sitting outside the Bikernet barracks door? I grabbed a borrowed cell phone and hit up every chic who asked me for a ride in the last six months. This Softail Standard had a fat bitch seat and I wasn’t going to waste it. There is nothing better than flying down the road with a beautiful girl on the back. Every time you whack that throttle or hit a corner hard she squeezes you tight, pressing her tits into your back. Damn, there aren’t many better reasons for getting up in the morning.
Before I go too far I must take this time to point out that my roommate’s girlfriend helped me grab these riding shots. She is a stunning Latin girl with a damn quick wit. Before this week her favorite thing to say was, ”John, go to your room,” now it’s, “can we go for a ride?”
I didn’t realize the impact of this particular H-D model on my life. I’m a low-buck, no-buck sonuvabitch. My last bike was a rat 1984 BMW. I blew it up and couldn’t afford to fix it. I attended the Harley program at the Phoenix MMI and worked at a dealership for a short time, but then my life took a shit and the thought of riding a Harley never entered my mind. Shit, I would be lucky to ride a stolen Vespa. But when I stood alongside the black framed, limited chrome, affordable Standard, my ego was elevated. Suddenly my life had foundation. The standard, at $14,795 (color, black was $500 cheaper) MSRP, contained the latest H-D EFI technology ever, a balanced 88-inch B Motor and yet was affordable, even for a slouch like me.
I felt like guy who was just given a plot of land to build on as I pondered Molly my first victim. I hadn’t seen her in years. I recently ran into her about a week ago. It was still raining as I got off the borrowed solo-seat 1200 Sporty. Water dripped from my leathers as I stumbled though the door of the single-garage-sized, sandwich shop on the coast. “Wow, he lives,” came from the girl behind the counter. Till that moment I couldn’t remember her face. But, those baby blues never left my mind.
“Molly,” I said in the steadiest voice I could muster? She stammered some as she told me her life’s pitfalls. My ego said I had the upper hand, shit yeah, you’re the man. But, I knew the truth. It was only a matter of seconds before I muttered something really stupid. It didn’t happen that way, though. Somehow I made it out of there, with her number, before making a complete ass of myself. Yes, I was walking on air and wanting more. Shit, how can evil look so good?
With the Standard key in my sweating hand and hot blood coursing through my veins for the first time in months I called the hardcore hippy chic with a two-year-old-son. Molly had seen some shit in her short life. You wouldn’t know it to look at her. On the outside that 24-year-old looked 17 and innocent as fresh peaches. I know, what does that say about me at my age, 31? I’m messing with a chic who looks seventeen. Shit, it’s not my fault that the broad don’t age. Anyway, she wasn’t that easy to impress. We made a date, and the fact that everyone looks more attractive pulling up on a brand new H-D, was my ace in the hole. So I grabbed my gear and out the door I went.
I turned the key. It was just dark enough, on the coast, to make that glistening, classic, instrument dash really come alive. That same timeless style, we’ve loved for decades, with all the new amenities. The wine of the fuel injection stopped in seconds. I hit the starter, warmed her slightly and rolled off the curb. There was a misty chill in the air? I questioned my riding duds? Hell, I questioned everything remotely involved in my life until that cool evening on the LA Harbor. No, was the answer to my attire query. That rich pink sunset hiding behind the blue lights of the Vincent Thomas Bridge reminded me that I was in Califa, and it wouldn’t be getting any colder. I stomped it into first and gave it some gas. I clicked into second around the corner past the methadone clinic towards San Pedro, where the ghetto meets the sea.
Suddenly, for the first time in a couple of years I didn’t question another damn thing. Bandit made sure the 5-gallon, classic, fatbob gas tank was full. I wouldn’t break down, and the 4-piston disc brakes would stop the 651 pound freight train whenever necessary. I hit Third gear, and the harbor container cranes were a blur on my left. My eyes started to water as I hit fourth and turned the throttle. I just hit fifth and remembered the cop shop was coming up fast on the right. Damn, I’ll have to hit the freeway to really check out this new five-speed transmission. If that’s a taste, then I’m already starting to like this beast. The wind died down as the bike slowed, and I could smell the Pacific. I must see it, I thought, as I passed up her street. I rolled the coast and took the long path around to her place.
Suddenly it dawned on me that I hadn’t experienced the opportunity to cruise in years. When you’re down on your luck, it’s tough reaching any destination, usually in the back seat of a friend’s car. No chance of taking a leisurely drive, forget a ride. I just recently picked up a job working for Bandit and Bikernet. My life was turning around slowly, then this, a bike, and I was on my way to see a girl. I must have died and gone to heaven.
Wait, how could I forget? The other thing that makes everyone more attractive, beer. I knew the projects area well, my bro the Cuban lived down there. So, I hit the liquor store.
The store owner stood outside, on the stained curb smoking, as I pulled up. It was just dark, so I parked right under the neon sign that read Nino’s Spirits. He was back behind the bullet-proof plexi-glass by the time I grabbed my beer and hit the counter. As I handed him just enough crumpled money he said, “Nice bike,” in broken English. I nodded and smiled like I cared. I snatched the 12er of keg cans off the counter and headed towards the door. He followed me down the counter and babbled about how he owned an old Shovelhead. But, he gave it to his son when he returned from the army.
What the hell, I thought? This guy hasn’t said more than three words to me in the two years. “Marko,” he said extending his hand as we reached the exit. I shook his hand and introduced myself. We stopped just outside the door, to gaze upon the bike under city lights. I noticed for the first time that rich red almost burgundy paint. It might have been the neon above it, but I could swear there was yellow or gold tint in that shit, too. We talked about the swooping line of the rear fender and how it made it look lightening fast even standing still. By the time we stood over the Twin-cam we’d become like two, twelve-year-old school girls talking about a crush. Turned out that sly old bastard was a gear-head in disguise. He told me he loved the teardrop blinkers and they remindedhim of the ‘57 Chevy he drove in high school. I had to agree, for stock blinkers they were sick. After a good fifteen minutes of gab I told him of my shapely night mission. He told me, “You’re burnin’ daylight, boy, chase some tail”.
“I concur,” I replied. Her place was only up the street, so I slapped the beer on the tank between my legs and headed out. That Standard fit the area. It was tough with the wide glide, dual exhaust 33.5 degree rake and fat 200 rear tire. It was as hard as the projects, but as substantial as the container freighters in the harbor.
She lived in a muilti-unit place just a few blocks above the projects. The kind of joint where you expect to see a pair of sneakers hanging over the electrical lines in the alley. I parked out front, in style, and headed toward the outer gate. Locked, shit, call her, fuck that, you must make an entrance. There’s times when I forget my age. There have been many times I’ve been shitty enough to even forget where my pants were. But, I was sober as hell.
Okay, I forgot that I was a man in skin tight leather pants carrying a twelve pack, until I got to the top of her spiked wrought-iron fence. As I tossed my left leg over the top, Keanu Reeves style, I figured I was home free. But that wasn’t the case. The back of my pants caught one the sharpened rods. I hung motionless for a second, a 12-pack of beer in my teeth and 20-feet in the air, a sight to behold. In desperation, I thrust up and out with my legs, and hoped for the best. I tucked and rolled. “Save the beer,” was the only thought flashing through my head, as I flew through the air. “Concrete sucks when it’s this close to your face,” I thought hitting the ground. But the beer was ok. I wasn’t bleeding. A quick check to make sure there were no witnesses to my jackassary, I brushed myself off and headed for her door. I noted there was something about that big bike at the curb that evoked a crazy air in me. I was pumped, secure and alive for the first time in months, as if I pulled into a strange port in a armed Navy destroyer. I had faith.
I knocked three times on the outer steel door. I couldn’t believe she heard me over the thumping of the music vibrating the security door. I pounded this time with some authority and the inner door flew open with a whoosh. It was the evil girl, Molly, my favorite kind. She stared blankly threw the steel mesh of the door. “John” she said, then smiled coyly while opening the door.
“Hey, you” I replied smiling back and attempting to step though the door. She pounced like a tiger, with a hug that almost bowled me over. “I got a babysitter for a couple hours,” she announced like she had won the lotto.
“Yeah, me” a girl’s voice screeched from one of the back rooms not sounding nearly as happy.
“Cool, I’ve got beer,” I announced pleased with scenario shaping up before me. Not really understanding what a big deal it is, freedom, when you have a two-year-old.
I finally stepped inside. It was bigger than I expected. The living room was full but not cluttered. There were a couple of brightly colored, retro, vinyl couches. Some weird plastic chairs, straight out of the ‘70s were neatly placed. The biggest zebra print rug I’d ever seen sat center stage. Framed, signed, band posters were tacked all over the walls. In the corner between the keggarater and two 6-foot PA speakers was a roomate’s 50-framed stack of band promo prints.
Molly pointed to the kitchen, so I could stow away the goodies. I snagged two as I placed them in the frig and headed back toward the living room. I noticed a little man peeking at me from the hallway. Roxy, the baby sitter, behind him, tried to coax him out into the room. He ran, terrified, straight across to his mother, who was sitting on the couch. I know, it’s no surprise, I scare children.
We left the sitter with the kid and hit the road. She felt the freedom aboard the Standard. I felt her tits at my back and a sense of knowing, foundation and confidence as I leaned into every curve certain of the outcome. The bike was as secure as the tides, and I knew at once I was aboard something I could build on, like my relationship with Molly. With a solid foundation beneath me I could go anywhere, build anything. The Standard gave me support, a base for growth.
My life had finally turned for the better.
Below we have the specs and just a handful of the options available to take the Standard to any performance or custom level. Suddenly with the Softail Standard and Molly at my side I was capable of anything. Let’s see what happens next.
FXST/I SOFTAIL® STANDARD MODEL OVERVIEW
The pure custom styling of the FXST/I Softail Standard makes it the perfect starting point for any owner planning to create a personal interpretation of a classic motorcycle profile. It's a clean canvas that enables the process of customization with a wide selection of accessories.
FXST/I Softail Standard features:
*Rigid-mount, Twin Cam 88B balanced engine
*Clear-lens, reflector-optics headlight
*Silver powder-coated engine
*Laced wheels
*Bobtail rear fender
*Black horseshoe oil tank
*Raked FX forks
DIMENSIONS
Length 95.0 in. (2413.0 mm)
Seat Height: 25.2 in. (640.1 mm)
Ground Clearance 6.0 in. (152.4 mm)
Rake (steering head) 32°
Fork Angle 33.5°
Trail 5.0 in. (127.0 mm)
Wheelbase 66.9 in. (1699.3 mm)
Tires (Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series):
Front – D402F MH90-21 54H
Rear – D401 200/55R17 78V
Fuel Capacity (includes 0.5-gallon reserve) 5.0 gal. (18.9 L)Reserve Fuel Capacity Carburetor: 0.5 gal. (1.9 L)(warning light at approx. ESPFI: No reserve due1.0 gal. for ESPFI models) to fuel injection
Oil Capacity 3.5 qts. (3.3 L)
Weight:
Dry Weight 651 lbs. (296 kg)
Vehicle Weight in Running Order 682 lbs. (310 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1125 lbs. (511 kg)
ENGINE
Air-cooled Twin Cam 88BTM (balanced)
Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead valves w/hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke 3.75 in. x 4.00 in. (95.18 mm x 101.52 mm)
Displacement 88 cu. in. (1450 cu. cm)
Compression Ratio 8.9:1
Fuel SystemCarburetor or Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
DRIVETRAIN
Primary Drive Chain, 36/25 ratio
Final Drive Belt, 32/70 ratio
Clutch 9-plate, wet
Transmission 5-speed
Overall Ratio:
1st 10.110
2nd 6.958
3rd 4.953
4th 3.862
5th 3.150
CHASSIS
Frame Mild steel tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast and forged junctions; forged fender supports; MIG welded
Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions, MIG welded
Rear Shocks Hidden, horizontal-mounted, coil-over
Front Fork 41.3 mm telescopic
Wheels
(Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced front; forged aluminum disc rear option):
Front 21-inch Steel Laced
Rear 17-inch silver cast aluminum disc
Brakes:
Caliper Type 4-piston front and rear
Rotor Type (diameter x width): Patented, uniform expansion rotors
Front 11.5 in. x .20 in. (292.1 mm x 5.08 mm)
Rear 11.5 in. x .23 in. (292.1 mm x 5.84 mm)
Suspension Travel:
Front Wheel 5.6 in. (142.2 mm)
Rear Wheel 4.3 in. (109.2 mm)
PERFORMANCE
Engine Torque (per SAE J607): North America 85 ft. lbs. @ 3000 rpm (115 NM @ 3000 rpm)
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
Right 35°
Left 34°
MPG (EPA urban/highway test):
Carbureted 42/50 mpg (5.6/4.7 L/100 km)
ESPFI 44/50 mpg (5.3/4.7 L/100 km)
ELECTRIC
Battery Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca (per Battery Council International Rating)
Charging Three-phase, 38-amp system (439W @ 13V, 2000 rpm, 489W max power @ 13V)
Starting 1.2 kW electric w/solenoid shift starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):
Headlamp (quartz halogen) 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
Tail/Stop Lights 8W/28W (5W/21W)
Turn Signal Lights 28W (21W) self-canceling
Indicator Lamps High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system (optional)
STYLING/CONVENIENCE
Engine Trim Silver powder-coated w/polished treatment
Exhaust System Chrome, staggered shorty duals
Oil Tank Black “horseshoe” w/chrome external oil lines
Ignition Tank console-mounted
Seat Two-up
Handlebars Stainless steel, low-rise
Foot Supports Forward-mounted footpegs and controls
Rear Fender Bobtail
Rear Fender Supports Chrome
Fork Lock Common w/ignition key
Instruments Electronic speedometer w/odometer and resettable tripmeter, diagnostic readoutHazard Warning Integrated into turn signal controls
COLORS
Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver Pearl, Chopper Blue Pearl, Fire Red Pearl
WARRANTY
24 months (unlimited mileage)
Service Interval First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter
THE MODIFIED SOFTAIL STANDARDThe bike depicted here was customized with a long list of Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessory items (69 different part numbers by my count), and features several items that are new for 2006 and specific to this model or at least to FX Softails.
The profile shot of the bike illustrates the Cut Throat paint set and most of the other parts used on this project, although I notice that the sissy bar and rack are not on the bike in that image.
Radical Paint Set for Softail Standard and Night Train Models–Stretched Tank/Cut Throat
A sharp knife cuts deepest, and this is one of the sharpest blades around. Bold orange and red zig-zag graphics, set off with hand-applied pinstriping, slash across the deep black tank and continue from fender to fender. This complete paint set features a Softail 5.0 gallon fuel tank that has been stretched and molded for a new contemporary look. The 2″ longer tank features a mirror smooth top surface that flows to a contoured pocket for the nose of the seat. The side profile maintains strong, straight top surface lines, while the bottom contour hugs the rear rocker box cover. The seat pocket features a protective wrap to guard the seat and paint from wear and abrasion. The miniature chrome “Bar & Shield” logo authenticates the special design, and only 200 hand-numbered sets are available. (Available June, 2006).
Note that the Stretched Tank alone is also available in primer (P/N 61668-06, $1,295.00) and with the “Smokin” paint pattern (Fire Red Pearl over Vivid Black) (P/N 95754-06CDN). As with the paint set above, you need to also fit the Sidekick seat to work with this tank.
P/N: 95754-06CFM; MSRP $3,750.00
(Fits '06 FXST/I and FXSTB/I models. Requires separate purchase of smooth Sidekick™ Seat P/N 51814-06 or Sidekick Seat with Cut Throat Stitch Pattern P/N 51817-06 or 51818-06. Will not fit with Original Equipment or other accessory seats. Will not fit with accessory Dash Console P/N 71202-03 or 67575-04, Chrome Dash Panel Extension P/N 71283-01, accessory Tank Panels or Pouches, or Tank Bras.)
Sidekick Seat for Stretched Fuel Tank – Cut Throat Pattern
Styled to match the Cut Throat Radical Paint set, the color-matched stitch pattern on the premium cowhide seating surface mirrors the bike's graphics for a true custom look. The long and lean seat combines low-profile style with added back support for a comfortable ride. Seat width 12.5″; passenger pillion width 6.5″.
P/N: 51817-06 MSRP $399.00
![Chrome_Billet_Fork[1].Blade_Wheel](http://www.bikernet.com/news/images/PhotoID20023.jpg)
Chrome Billet Front Fork Kit
Lead the way with a big, beefy look. This complete Billet Front Fork Kit features a thick forged Billet Aluminum Triple Tree, accented with beveled edges for an aggressive look. The Triple Tree is precision machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, highly polished and dual nickel chrome-plated for a rich, lasting shine. The stem has been designed so the fork lock feature on Softail models is retained after installation. The chrome fork tubes and tapered cylindrical lower fork sliders add a bold, clean look to the front end of your custom ride. Machined from 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum, the mirror-polished and chrome-plated sliders feature a hidden axle and smooth fender and caliper mounts for a show-winning appearance. Complete kit includes left and right fork tube and slider assemblies, polished stainless button head fork tube caps, front axle, smooth slider dust covers, upper and lower triple trees, steering stem, bearings, dust caps, fork oil and mounting hardware.
P/N: 46398-06; MSRP $1,195.95
(Fits '00-later FXST and FXSTB models and '00-'03 FXDWG models. Requires separate purchase of Fork Stop Kit P/N 46072-02 (Softail) or 46074-02 (Dyna Wide Glide®). Also requires separate purchase of model specific Braided Brake Line. Accepts Quick Release Detachable Windshield P/N 59802-05, 58751-05 and 57199-05 with separate purchase of Directional Relocation Kit P/N 68952-98.)
Profile Low Front Suspension
Designed by Harley-Davidson to lower the front fork approximately 1″ while preserving ride quality. Springs are progressively wound to allow a compliant, yet controlled ride. Kit includes two fork springs and damper tubes.
P/N: 54621-05; MSRP $94.95
(Fits '00-later FXST and FXSTB models equipped with Profile Low Rear Suspension P/N 54648-00A, 54665-03 or Rear Lowering Kit P/N 54001-04. Also fits '00-'05 FXDWG models equipped with Low Rear Shock Kit P/N 54594-03 or Premium Billet Profile Low Rear Suspension P/N 54592-03.)
Bullet Headlamp Kit
Light the way to a custom look. This mirror-chrome Bullet Headlamp Kit features a high-tech deep drawn aluminum housing that is precision machined for a perfect contour and surface finish. The visor-style shell adds a unique profile to the bike's front end, and the complete kit includes a smooth lens lamp assembly with a replaceable halogen bulb.
P/N: 68593-06, MSRP $392.95
(Fits '96-later XL1200C, '98-later XL883C, '94-later FXDWG, '06-later FXD, FXDL, FXDC, FXDB, FXD35, '99-'00 FXR2, FXR3, FXR4, '84-'99 FXSTC, '99-later FXST, FXSTB, and '00-later FXSTD models. Installation requires separate purchase of appropriate Headlamp Mounting System P/N 68595-06 or 69611-06.)
Chrome Swingarm for SoftailModels
The ultimate chrome accessory, polished to the highest standards using bright chrome plating. Affordable and convenient with no troublesome exchanges necessary. Factory specifications guarantee exact fit, unparalleled quality and affordable price. Stamped with the Harley-Davidson “Bar & Shield” logo.
P/N: 48607-06, MSRP $549.95
(Fits '06 FXST, FXSTB, and FXSTS models.)
Blade Wheels
The new Blade Custom Wheel from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories features ten slim spokes that flow from the center hub and spiral rearward to blend with the outer rim. Forged for strength from 6061 aircraft aluminum, the mirror-polished surface is chrome-plated for a brilliant shine that also resists the elements and is easy to clean.
The 21-inch front Blade Custom Wheel (P/N 41681-06, $1,199.95) fits 2000-later FXST, FXSTB, FXSTS and FXSTD (except FXSTDSE) models, and 2000-2005 FXDWG models. The 17-inch rear Blade Custom Wheel (P/N 41680-06, $1,199.95) fits 2006 FXST, FXSTB, FXSTS and 2006 FLSTFSE2 models.
Complete this slashing custom look with the complementary mirror-chrome Blade Billet Sprocket (P/N 40264-06, $359.00), which also has ten spokes that spiral from the hub. The sprocket includes a five-year tooth-wear warranty. The Blade Billet Sprocket fits 2006 FXST, FXSTB and FXSTS models.
