Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Harley-Davidson FXB Sturgis Edition sold for a best offer under $12,999, final sale price unknown.
In honor of the famous Sturgis motorcycle rally, HD released the Harley-Davidson FXB Sturgis – a FX (Low Rider chassis/engine) customized with a black/orange paint job and a slight extension of the front forks to give it more of the chopper look. This bike is also notable as it was the first usage of HD’s belt drive (leading to the “B” in FXB).
The belt was developed by Gates Rubber, and it utilized Aramid nylon fiber. Advantages are well-known today, but at the time riders were skeptical about how durable the belts were and how catastrophic a failure might be. While maintenance was more intensive than a chain, daily operation was smoother and quieter. In addition, the belts lasted longer than expected, yielding 30-40k before needing to be replaced. That helped this bike stand out from most Harley factory customs – it was actually a hit right from the start. MSRP of the limited Sturgis model was $5,687, and that bought you the exclusive paint scheme and standard 80 ci engine of the time which yielded 65 horsepower. Produced for just two years, this model was one of 1,470 built in 1980 (production was slightly bumped up in the 2nd year).
This specific Harley-Davidson FXB Sturgis (VIN: 1H48124J0) is offered by the 2nd owner, who’s had it for 29 years. It’s covered 28,405 miles and the seller claims that everything runs and looks good – the only minor issue is some wear on the seat.
Find this Harley-Davidson FXB Sturgis for sale in Peotone, Illinois with a BIN of $12,495 or best offer
