A Sportster for his son. Then, he met a "shovel".

What started out as a search for a Sportster for my son's birth year, turned out to be a search for an old Harley. This time, we introduce a 1974 Harley-Davidson FX1200 SHOVELHEAD. We will introduce the story of the owner who continues to pursue his "ideal bike" while meeting friends and enjoying the fun of building it with his own hands. The story of the owner's pursuit of his "ideal vehicle" is introduced. (Top image: Photo by Kona)

1974 HARLEY DAVIDSON FX1200

What is the FX1200?

The FX series of the 1970s models combined the power of a big twin with the sporty style of the time. Among them, the FX1200 is equipped with the "shovelhead" engine, which still attracts many Harley fans with its unique heartbeat and rough feeling. It is also very popular as a custom base, and one of its charms is that it can look completely different depending on the owner's sense of values, such as chopper, bobber, and Frisco style.

The engine is a beautifully sculpted shovelhead

He was supposed to be looking for a Sportster from his son's birth year.

The owner was originally looking for a Sportster in the year of his eldest son's birth. He narrowed down his search to a specific year, test rode at dealers, and even rented a bike for a day. But something was different. Of course it was cool, and it was a very nice bike to ride, but it wasn't the Harley I had pictured. But it just didn't feel quite like the Harley I had pictured." Then one day, a friend of his came to show him a 2003 1200cc Sportster, known as a "Ridispo," that he had purchased. He told me I could go for a spin," he said, and as soon as he took a quick ride around the neighborhood, something changed in him. It was his first experience with a Harley with a carburetor. The vibrations transmitted through the handlebars, the wild acceleration when he opened the throttle. From there, as he researched Harleys, he was drawn to the unique appeal of cab-behind-the-wheel Harleys and the highly flexible customization culture. He found himself looking only at old Harleys, not the Sportsters of his son's birth year. It was a complete swamp." chum, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chumshovel

Popular driving photo photographer chum and his car SHOVELHEAD

The best driving photos, as he has photographed many riders and knows how to attract them as a subject.
Photo by Yuki

To your own unique FX1200, totally different from the stock one

The current FX1200 retains very little of its stock appearance. Only a few parts, such as the engine, transmission, and frame, are the same as when it was purchased. The FX1200 has been modified little by little to reach its current style, and is not a complete bike built by a store, but one that has been shaped by the owner's own senses and experiences, and by the time spent with his friends. One of his favorite parts is the gas tank, which he painted with a friend. The one-off 2-in-1 muffler and the shift knob that a friend made for the car are also examples of the time spent with friends. This FX1200 is not a mere customization, but a connection with others that has made it what it is.

A front view that clearly shows the ruggedness and the calculated low profile

Rear view, which is lean yet powerful

The right side of the vehicle with its one-off 2-in-1 muffler that gives it a strong presence

The engine has the shovel's distinctive presence and a beautifully integrated silhouette

The style is cool, as if they have been together for many years, and the finish is natural and not overworked

Doing what you can yourself" is the way to deal with an old Harley.

It is not easy to maintain an old Harley. Even so, he values the feeling of "doing it myself first. He does his own maintenance as much as possible, including oil changes. Sometimes he is faced with difficult tasks, but at such times, he consults with friends he has met through Harley, and receives advice and help from them to maintain his bike. Of course, when he can't handle the work himself, or when the work is beyond his personal skills, he asks a trusted pro store to help him. He says that it is important to rely on the right people to help you keep up with your old car for a long time, rather than "forcing yourself to do everything yourself. I don't think I would have been able to maintain it if I had to do it alone. Old cars take a lot of work, but perhaps the charm of an old Harley lies in the fact that you can enjoy it, including the hassle involved.

Beautiful from any angle...calculated curves

Chopper-like simplicity around the handle

Straight 2-in-1 up muffler balances the right side

The tank, which changes expression depending on the light and angle, is a favorite piece painted with his friends
Photo by Tel

Time spent with the bike

An old Harley is not an efficient vehicle. It takes a lot of work, and sometimes things don't turn out the way you want them to. But the time spent touching the bike with your own hands, worrying with your friends, and gradually bringing it closer to your ideal form is the reason why you continue to ride this FX1200. There are still many things I want to do," he says, and we can tell from his expression that he is enjoying the time he spends with the shovelhead itself. This 1974 FX1200 SHOVELHEAD is not just an old car, but one that will continue to run with the owner's own life and connections. Instagram "Single Cylinder for Everyone" https://www.instagram.com/minnano_tankito

I felt that chum's shovelhead had a "power to connect people" that could not be put away by the term "just an old car."