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2007–2010 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Softail Custom FXSTC (FXSTC)
Custom Chrome From The Factory
The Machine's Character
The Softail Custom is Harley's own answer to the garage-built chopper, sold finished. A 1584 cc air-cooled 45° V-twin sits in a frame that tucks its rear shocks out of sight under the transmission, so the back end reads rigid while the suspension quietly does its job. Counterbalancers inside the engine cancel the worst of the shake without sanding the character off it. Torque is 89 lb-ft, run through a 6-speed box and a belt. A skinny 21-inch front wheel, a 200-section rear, and 64.5 inches of wheelbase stretch the whole machine long and low.
The torque shows up early and stays flat, so you shift rarely and roll rather than rev. That hidden rear end is softer than the stripped-down look promises, and the 26.4-inch seat puts most riders flat-footed at a light. This is a bike for the rider who wants presence and a canvas: the parts catalog behind this platform runs deep enough that almost none of them stay stock for long. The honest caveat: it carries 705 lb wet, there is no ABS and no traction control, and the 5.0-gallon tank keeps your stops frequent.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Torque | 89 lb-ft (120 Nm) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1584 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | MH90-21 |
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 64.5 in (1638 mm) |
| Seat height | 26.4 in (672 mm) |
| Wet weight | 705 lb (320 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.9 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard
Known issues
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Positive battery cable routing may cause fire
The positive battery cable can rub against the frame, wearing through insulation and potentially causing a short circuit and fire. A recall was issued to reroute the cable.
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Primary chain tensioner and compensator sprocket wear
Loud grinding or clunking noises from the primary case indicate abnormal wear of the chain tensioner or compensator sprocket, a common issue on 2007-up Big Twins. Failure to address can lead to more extensive damage.
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Cam chain tensioner shoe wear
The Twin Cam engine drives its camshafts with chains that run against plastic tensioner shoes. Over time these shoes can wear down, and badly worn shoes let metal touch metal inside the cam chest. Plastic and metal debris then gets into the engine oil. Warning signs include a louder, rattling cam chest and debris on the oil filter or magnetic drain plug. Left unattended, the debris can starve the oil pump and damage the engine.
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Noisy 5th gear in some transmissions
A whining noise from 5th gear was reported by some early owners, attributed to a different gear cut. The noise typically diminishes with mileage.
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the Harley-Davidson Softail Custom FXSTC with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: Harley-Davidson Softail Custom FXSTC vs. its rivals
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Alternatives to the Harley-Davidson Softail Custom FXSTC
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Softail Custom FXSTC. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
