1993 Harley-Davidson FXRSC

Our FXRS Lowrider Convertible is a cherished and much-loved example. Our vendor, Charlie, bought the bike brand new in 1993 from Surrey Harley Davidson in Dorking. Charlie had recently been made redundant and felt the need to let his hair down a little. As a result he parted with a whopping £9,675 of his redundancy settlement in return for a gleaming, blue FXRS. Thinking back, Charlie says “I can’t believe I paid that much for it! That was a huge amount of money then! I was a lot less sensible back then I suppose.”

Clearly any regrets were short-lived as, thirty years later, the FXRS presents in an almost as new condition and has clearly been enjoyed and adored. Whilst we discuss the condition Charlie points out a hard to spot ding in the top of the tank. “This was annoying,” he says, “a conker dropped from a tree as I was passing. It’s the only mark I’ve collected in 30 years.” Luckily it is quite hard to spot.

The “Convertible” elements of our FXRS relate to the sublime, heavily embossed leather saddle bags and the deep Perspex screen. Charlie has never fitted the screen and it is complete with its fixings, instructions and neat towelling carry bag that Charlie’s wife made for it.

The only other modification Charlie made was to replace the original, stock carburettor with a larger, freer breathing alternative. This helps the big-twin breath more deeply, but the original is included if a 100% factory specification is preferred by the new lucky owner.

Charlie has clearly enjoyed each of the 14,147 miles he has covered on the FXRS, except perhaps the one when the conker fell. He told us about the time his wife took her first motorcycle ride as pillion on the FXRS. It was a ride of a couple of hundred miles and Charlie was a little worried about her reaction. Halfway through the journey it had become apparent his wife had fallen asleep. Clearly a testament not only to Charlie’s riding style but to the long-distance capability of this Lowrider.

Our FXRS is a handsome beast. The metallic blue paintwork of the tank and mudguards combine perfectly with a sea of bright chrome that makes up the bulk of the remainder of its structure. It is awash with detailed Harley Davidson adornments, too. Charlie explains that Surrey Harley Davidson, at that time, liked to add their own customised elements to their bikes in the spirit of “Willie G’s” original “production custom” idea.

These include, but may not be limited to, the “Live to Ride, Ride to Live” embossed filler cap, the bespoke oil tank filler cap, the mirror backs, the headlight shroud, the side-panel badging and the seat back badge.

The forged alloy wheels, raked forks with dropped bars and forward set “cruisin’ pegs” all contribute to the look of a bike that immediately conjures up mental images of sunshine, long straight roads, open-faced helmets and Raybans. It’s a fine looking machine with a condition that remains very hard to fault……despite the best efforts of that conker.

The riding environment is comfortable and laid-back. The low rider’s seat makes this a motorcycle that would suit a range of rider heights and builds. Condition, as you will see from our photographic package, is excellent. The twin clocks sit low between the bars accompanied by a small cluster of warning lights. A fuel gauge sits atop the curvaceous fuel tank. Other controls for the lights, turn signals and electric start are situated at the base of the grips in traditional fashion.

The rider’s seat is side hinged to allow access to the oil tank. The alarm box is also affixed to the underside of the seat. Two remote alarm fobs are included with the two original keys and the alarm’s siren is situated (and pictured) on the underside, ahead of the rear wheel.

Standard, “upright” foot pegs are fitted together with a forward set of cruising pegs, giving the rider a choice of riding positions, best described as “alert” and “relaxed.” The pillion has access to a pair of fold down foot pegs.

By the time our FXRS was produced, the big V-twin had grown in capacity to 1,340cc or a satisfyingly round 80 cubic inches. Like many Harleys, our example emits a charming and melodic note that can only really be achieved by big capacity V-twin engines. It has a strangely calming effect and could help explain Charlie’s wife’s sleepiness in the pillion saddle. It’s hypnotic and addictive.

Despite being stone cold on a chilly February morning, Charlie was able to quickly coax the V-twin into life with a judicious application of a little choke. The big cruiser then quickly settled into a rhythmic and even idle with no smoke evidently emitted from the asymmetrically arranged tail pipes.

The underside of the motorcycle is clean and seemingly unmarked and in a condition that only an owner with a natty hydraulic bike lift can truly achieve. If we were just concerned with reporting the faults on this big Harley, it would prove very challenging indeed.

Charlie is an experienced and accomplished motorcyclist with an impressive breadth of knowledge and a number of other interesting classic bikes. As such he has predominantly and methodically attended to the routine maintenance of his prized Harley himself. Helpfully he has also kept a record of this work in the back of one of his many manuals. We captured a picture of this for your review.

That’s not to say Charlie has shunned professional assistance when needed. In 2010, at around 11,500 miles, AFB Motorcycles of Bridgewater replaced the drive belt and undertook a number of associated tasks for a total cost of around £800. The invoice for this work is included and pictured here.

Additional to that, Charlie has collated an impressive paperwork archive to accompany the FXRS. This includes, we think, every MoT certificate including the current one valid until July 2023. Numerous interesting invoices, including the original bill of sale, are joined by a number of manuals and books, two original keys and paperwork associated with the lovely “FXR” personalised number plate.

It’s always a pleasure to spend time with enthusiastic and well informed owners and learn more about their prized machinery. Charlie has been this FXRS’s only keeper and it couldn’t have wanted for a better one. The bike has clearly been well-loved, well-cared for and thoroughly enjoyed during their time together. It’s highly original and in the very finest of fettle. It would, surely, be hard to imagine find a more honest example with a purer provenance than this one owner, low mileage Lowrider.

The stock of these machines certainly continues to rise, too. Their easy charm and low revving, friendly nature is capturing the imagination of a whole new audience, seemingly. Many new owners are attuned to the opinion that if you are a “bike person” you need to have owned a Harley. What an opportunity this is for those who agree.

We estimate this bike to fetch between £6,000 - £9,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular bike is located with the vendor in Southwick, Peterborough, United Kingdom. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.