Originally introduced in 1982 with a Shovelhead engine suspended in the frame by three rubber mounts to isolate vibration, the FXR was an instant hit with magazine editors and looked to be the next big thing. Sporty handling and a smooth cruising V-twin will elicit kudos from editors every time and the bike sold decently considering it was so different. In 1984, the then new and radical-for-Harley Evolution engine was shoveled into the frame to more glowing reviews. Production continued until 1994 with a variety of models from cruisers to full-blown touring models to police bikes. FXR freaks would later have their day in the sun again when Harley started their special Custom Vehicle Operations(CVO) program in 1999 with the release (or should I say re-issue) of two unlikely models, the FXR2 and FXR3 and a year later, the FXR4 and just like that, after a two-year run, the FXR disappeared (and along with it, the last factory Evo-powered model). Well it disappeared from Harley’s new bike lineup, but the FXR never disappeared from the minds and garages of those who felt it was the best Harley ever.

John Dodson, owner of Gangster Choppers in Chesterfield, Virginia, describes his unique retro-style 1994 FXRP feature bike called Making My Bones as his “favorite ride so far” and that’s saying a lot from a guy who always tells it like it is whether you want to hear it or not. John’s shop has been spewing out a steady stream of show- and magazine-worthy choppers for the last 12 years or so and each one is different from the last and has a style that’s all John. “Nobody’s going to build a John Dodson bike better than me. I’m very honest about this and I’m not going to compromise my style just to take money to the bank,” said John. Hey, you can’t help but to respect a guy who works his ass off creating customs that look great, ride great, and are built to perform and amaze you with his craftsmanship that Gangster Choppers has become famous for. Besides, he’s a hell of a character and I think a really good guy too.

If, after taking a look at Jack Cofano’s lovely photos, you aren’t just a bit jazzed up over John’s retro take on an FXR and would love to throw a leg over and ride it, I’m surprised you’ve read this far. In my opinion, you can’t be really into bikes and should go find a nice website about flowers or something. Everything about it is inviting from what appears to be a really commanding and comfortable riding position to John’s fabricated leaf-spring front end with a perfectly-placed headlight perched over it. Little did the Maryland cop riding parade duty on it back in ’94 realize that he was riding a utilitarian model that would end up so striking looking almost 20-years later. I have a hard time imagining this thing ever sporting bags, a top trunk, a windshield, and antennas sprouting all over the place. John’s finished project looks like it was always this way or should have been.

For me, what really seals the deal is John’s choice of paint color and scheme. I’m an absolute sucker for gold paint, but only when it’s done right. On this bike, the shade of orangey-gold and the somewhat monochromatic paint scheme could not have been done any better in any way. Usually, gold paint ends up looking like the spray-canned-gold macaroni wreaths I was forced to make in grammar school. There’s just such a richness about this bike that it somehow doesn’t end up being a case of gold-overkill, but instead has an old feel in a modern hue. Well done Johnny boy.

For more info on John Dodson’s Gangster Choppers, visit www.gangsterchoppers.com.