Reliable and Proven Harley-Davidson Softail

“My 1994 FXSTC Harley-Davidson has been 27 years in the making,” said Arthur.

I’VE had a number of motorbikes — a Kirby, YZ80A, Honda XL 250, Honda 500-4, Suzuki XN85, Kawasaki GPZ 750 turbo, Kawasaki GPX 900 — and I have loved them all. However, I always desired a Harley-Davidson Softail and when one came up in 2001, I had to have it and have had it ever since.

As I ride the Softy a lot and being a panel-beater/painter, I stripped and repainted it a number of years ago during winter as it was looking tired, a bit dishevelled and needed a redo. It’s not perfect again now as it’s ridden and not hidden (unlike by brother’s show cars that are trailer queens).

Arthur on his Harley-Davidson Softail custom with the old 14-inch ape-hangers.

After I recovered from a recent, horrific head-on in my work-van, I could hardly wait to get back onto the Harley and enjoy riding it again. However, with the 14-inch ape-hangers, I found it badly affected my back, shoulders and elbow and I was on the verge of selling it when my brother said, “Put the stock bars back on and see how you go”. I did and all the pain went, and now I’m having a fantastic time of it.

I know it might be boring to keep the motor stock but it’s reliable and proven. I just like cruising and seeing the sites and mostly we’re two-up. It’s perfect for that.

Special thanks: I would like to thank my brother Julius for photographing and detailing my awesome Harley-Davidson Softail; I knew he would look after it.