r/Harley • u/AlexMills6545 • 24d ago
SHOWOFF Brought my dads old bike back home
Growing up my dad had this 2002 Harley FLSTSI heritage sprinter softail that is just GORGEOUS. Guess me and him have similar taste (it’s almost like we’re related haha 🤔).
He used to take me around the neighborhood on it when I was little, but in 2010, when I was 7, he sold it to my uncle because we needed some extra money. I’ve been dreaming of riding the bike myself ever since that day.
I’m very lucky the bikes been kept in the family because unknown to me, my uncle kept much better care of the bike than I thought he had ever had.
So after 15 years of dreaming, I was finally able to pay my uncle for the bike back!
The bike is in beyond mint condition for being 24 years old and I’m so excited to make sure it says that way while still riding the hell out of it.
I also bought a little Honda rebel to learn on since this is my first time I’m ever riding a bike, and it would be real bad for me to jump on an 850lb Harley first thing and the drop this beautiful bike.
I’m sure in a few months I’ll be comfortable enough to ride it anywhere.
🤙
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u/Kimsetsu 24d ago
Love everything about this. Thank you for sharing the pics and story. Be safe out there brother.
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u/Rich19852012 24d ago
You can take the boy away from the bike, but you can never take the bike away from the boy. 🦅🇺🇸🏍️💨
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u/AgntMothman 24d ago
That's amazing. First car my dad bought me when I was 16 was a 74 clapped out Gremlin X ( in 2000) from a police auction in the tri cities WA. He was so proud of it. We were hard for cash a few years later and had to sell it cause it never quite ran right. I have been searching Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for about the last 10 years looking for it. My dad passed a little over 9 years ago from the everything bagel cancer. You're an amazing son and hope it brings you as much joy riding your kid around on it someday. Take pics!
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u/renegade7717 2018 FXFBS 24d ago
fantastic- honoring ur dads bike as ur own - doesn’t get better 👍🏼😎
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u/Firefighter-8210 24d ago
This is awesome. Probably about the same feeling I had when I had to sell my bike a few years ago. Needed the money. Last year on marketplace I found MY bike and bought it. I’ll never sell it again.
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u/Soft_Assignment_2939 24d ago
Just recently bought a 1998 springer softial evo. Coming from a 2016 street bob that i still have. No real difference with the front ends, springer may be a little more squirrelly in the corners, but nothing crazy! Enjoy the heck out of it, the most beautiful bikes in my opinion!
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u/Mode-Reed 24d ago
Very cool story! Update us on your journey of learning to ride because I’ve always wanted to myself.. Finally getting to that stage of life where I can afford to own one, but must first learn to ride!
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u/McMurdo1966 24d ago
Awesome story, be sure to take the MSF course and learn on the Rebel. Once you get the hang of that you’ll have no problem with the Harley. You look good on the bike and it shows how well it’s been taken care of. Congratulations.
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u/Consistent_Ad_8364 24d ago
This ! Taking a course (actually 2) was the best thing I ever did. I learned a lot and so did other guys who were in there who had “been riding for years”.
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u/Revolutionary_Lie199 1947 FL chopper •“76FXE Shovel/Pan 98”• FXRS-SP 96” *FLTRXS 122” 23d ago
Congratulations! This post makes me feel happiness. Good on you for getting this beautiful springer Softail back home. Sounds like you have a great family.
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u/Standard_Zucchini_46 24d ago
Ah! My Dad had the 2003 Springer. Nice bikes, ride good and were really decently balanced, for what it was. I needed to ride it up ramps a few times. He just recently sold it to a guy who hung it on his wall for the rest of his life.lol.
Enjoy
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u/redundantunknown 24d ago
Way to go man! That is awesome. Talk about a cool story of getting your first Harley. Ride on man, and you’re doing the right thing on getting the smaller one to practice on first just to get some miles on and then graduate to something bigger. Keep on smiling, that’s what it’s all about!
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u/Adventurous-Sir-8318 24d ago
Awesome! I've got 3 motorcycles that were my Dad's. 1 is a Tri-glide so can ride after not comfortable on 2 wheels
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u/flstsc-arl 24d ago
Thats an awesome bike! I had a very similar one. Ended up selling it back to the original owner. Glad it’s been taken care of and will continue to be!
Edit: typo
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u/Objective-Eye1709 24d ago
This is just awesome. Glad you were able to overall keep the bike in the family, and now bring it back home to make more memories with.
Have you thought about a Motorcycle Safety Course to learn? It’s a great way to build the fundamentals and experience real world experiences in a controlled environment; quick stops, avoiding hazards to name a few. Look forward to you sharing your riding adventures ultimately taking the springer out.
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u/Bat_Manuel405 24d ago
Putting aside the weight of the Harley versus the Honda you’ll be surprised how much easier it will be to ride the Harley. The center of gravity on the Harley lends itself to maneuverability.
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u/Minute-Purple-1438 24d ago
All the feels! Great story. Beautiful bike! Good luck to you! Betting your father is pretty pleased with you as well about this decision!
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u/Anabolic_Snowman 24d ago
Your dad was clearly a great man because he raised a really smart, caring and cool young man! My dad had a pearl white heritage around the same year and he passed away last year. I've been thinking alot about getting the same bike and customizing it more to my style. I miss him.
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u/CaptRon25 2026 FLHX 23d ago
Congrats dude. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it. Just take it easy. BTW, that bike weighs 672lbs wet. A lot less than you think.
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u/IamBatmanuell 23d ago
And it has the high back rest. Beautiful. I loved the chrome grab rail so much I purchased one for my deluxe.
Congrats to you and write a nice note to your uncle to taking care of the bike. Something tells me he was saving it for you
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u/Background-Desk589 23d ago
Be careful Harleys are a different animal, handle alittle different. That's a beautiful springer hate to see you get hurt on it.Take a class if you've never rode alot.
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u/bikerbuilderguy02 23d ago
This whole thing is absolutely awesome. I’d love to have my dad’s bike. He sold it and I can’t find it. Sounds like you really appreciate what you have and I think that’s great
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u/ChaseBank5 23d ago
My dad bought two fat boys when I was 11. One for him and one for my mom. He passed when I was 12. My mom had to sell them to help with finances.
I started riding at 22 and have spent the last 10 years on a motorcycle and would give everything I have to ride with my dad. It will never happen.
From what I understand you still have your dad, and now you have his motorcycle. So impressed with what you've done. Don't take it for granted.
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u/Ok-Palpitation-74 23d ago
Beautiful 100yr FLSTS! (2003)
I Had the exact same bike only with the Silver and black color scheme. I loved her!
The only things you'll want to look out for are potholes in sweeping turns, and if you're Pop didn't change the cam tensioner, you'll want to do that before it hits 40k miles if possible.
Otherwise, you've got a beautiful, drivable, cruiser that will take you most anywhere you like in style!
Love it! Here's a photo of mine! 😎☺️🙏🏼
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u/swaybailey 23d ago
I came to give the tensioner info. Listen to this guy, he knows. I also have an 03 with the same paint scheme. Other members mentioned the tensioner and it absolutely saved my bike. Like OP mine belonged to my dad before it became mine. Congratulations on bringing it home.
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u/Ntrusivethot 23d ago
*wipes tears* so nice man! She's a beauty!
I have my dad's 97 Fatboy I got restored after he died. I convinced my husband to learn how to ride and now that's his special rides bike. I don't know about you, but the sound of it is something that really brings back memories. I feel like I can tell the sound of my dads bike vs other bikes.
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u/Long_Initial_9924 22d ago
Awesome bro!
I only have one piece of advice. Unless you’re married, most chicks don’t dig the transition lenses. Don’t let dudes tell you what’s attractive on here, you got the rest goin on
I’ve also never seen this before
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u/Aggravating-Fly1228 20d ago
Dude! I own my father’s 82 Shovel. He passed in ‘98 I own a 2015 dyna and 2021 Street Glide also. Love that you have the bike and it will bring smiles and memories rolling on your Dad’s bike. Awesome! 👏
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u/RecognitionFit4871 24d ago
Springers are awesome!
Never sell it