It’s “Sunday Run” day here at V-Twins and here’s another snippet of history from the 123-year Harley-Davidson Motor Company story. This one is related to the Buyback, which we brought to you in our Sunday Run two weeks ago, but today we’re heading towards a different tale.
We’re sure you know about H-D’s Limited Edition and/or Individually Numbered motorcycles which are released occasionally. (The 2025 Fat Boy Gray Ghost is a recent example.)
Today we’re looking at the all-time winner of the lowest number… ie most exclusive… of Limited production bikes built as a model ‘category’. There was a version of the 1981 FXS Low Rider which had a total build number of…… 14. Yes, fourteen.
Note the year, 1981, the same year of the Buyback, when the group of 13 H-D executives bought back the company from AMF Corporation.
The Motor Company celebrated in numerous ways, including building one of these exclusive FXS models for each of the 13 buyback investors, plus one for recently retired H-D President John Davidson.
(As an aside, John Davidson was H-DMC President from 1973-1979 through most of the AMF period. John and his brother WillIe G are sons of William H Davidson who was Company President from 1942 to 1971, and grandsons of William A Davidson, one of the four founders.)
The bike in the photos here today, number two in that production run, was John Davidson's bike. Vaughn Beals (Company President and CEO from 1981) received number one and Willie G. number three. The motorcycles were issued on June 16, 1981, and shortly thereafter the executives, as a group, rode the bikes from the York, Pennsylvania assembly plant to the Juneau Avenue factory in Milwaukee.
This was the only journey of Number #2’s life. As you can tell from the speedo photo, the bike still has the original 650 miles from the ride to Milwaukee. In the fuel tank pic, you’ll see that both John and Willie G. Davidson signed the gas tanks on this bike.
The tank logos are unique as well. Instead of the standard "Motor Cycles" seen on every H-D product, these 14 bikes only have the "Motor Company" Bar & Shield. And for proof of how special this bike is, check the photos of the VIN and the timer cover.
After that original 650-mile ride, the 14 bikes were put up for auction in Las Vegas, with the proceeds going to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
This one VIN #2 was purchased at the auction by Bob Conley, owner of Conley Harley-Davidson in Dallas, Texas. It stayed in his collection until he passed away, and is now a part of the family at Conley’s Classic Cycles. It's still kept in running condition.
Build number #14 is on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
Enjoy your Sunday Run out on the roads today!