2003 Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

This lot comes to us as part of a fine collection of classic cars and motorcycles belonging to the late Professor Christopher H. Bovis FRSA, a widely published and respected expert in international and European business law, public procurement and public/private partnerships, and he was clearly a bit of a petrol head too!

Professor Bovis bought this bike brand-new in 2004. Since then, it has amassed a paltry 1,895 miles and has spent nearly all of its life accompanied by other Harley-Davidsons (you’ll find three of them elsewhere in our listings) as part of the Professor’s fine collection of cars and bikes.

With its fat rear tyre, skinny front tyre, swept-back front forks, low stance and classic chopper handle bar, this gleaming black FXST Softail Standard is channelling its inner Peter Fonda in ‘Easy Rider’ to optimum effect.

The bike has seen little or no use for many years and will need some light recommissioning, including a new battery, to prepare it for a return to the open road.

We have not attempted to start or ride the bike, but the engine does turn over.

This Softail Standard FXST appears to us to be in first-class overall condition.

The bike presents very handsomely from every angle and its overall condition is entirely in accordance with its ultra-low mileage.

The black paintwork on the fenders and fuel tank is beyond any reasonable criticism, save for the odd light, swirly scratch.

The fuel tank carries ‘1903 – 2003’ badging to mark the brand’s centenary.

The chrome-work is in very good order, save for the odd spot of foxing here and there and a few light marks and scuffs on the front forks.

The satin-finish on the crank case and elsewhere is equally untroubled by use or the passage of time.

The wire wheels look to be in excellent condition, but we imagine that the tyres are now some way past their sell-by date.

Eagle-eyed observers among you will have spotted that the inside of this motorbike is very much in the same place as the outside.

Obviously, motorcycles don’t really have an interior but we guess this is where we talk about the seats, instrumentation and controls.

The black leather on the seat is free of any holes or tears. It has a striking saddlebag-like design (complete with leather laces) and a matching section of black leather extends along the length of the fuel tank.

We haven’t started or ridden the bike so we can’t make any claims for the efficacy, accuracy or otherwise of the gauges, instruments and controls.

But we can say state with confidence that they look to be in very good condition.

The engine is a twin-cylinder unit of 1,450cc, which produces the kind of lazy grunt best suited to a long-distance cruiser like this.

Again, as we haven’t started or ridden the bike, we can’t voice an opinion on how well it handles or rides.

We can say that everything on and ancillary to the engine and drivetrain looks more or less factory-fresh, and there are no big scuffs or dinks anywhere to suggest the bike has ever been dropped.

As for the underside, what you see is what you get. It’s all there, open for inspection, and it all looks good to us with no leaks, drips or damage.

We know that this exceptionally low mileage Softail Standard FXST spent its life in a collection of other Harley-Davidsons (you’ll no doubt have spotted them on our listings) and was evidently as well cared-for and meticulously curated as its stablemates.

The bike comes with both 2003 and 2009 Softail owner’s manuals, some old MoT certificates and tax discs, a clear HPI report and a V5C.

Put on your Stars ‘n’ Stripes helmet, roll yourself a jazz cheroot, and head off towards the horizon with a friend who looks a bit like Jack Nicholson.

After a little gentle recommissioning and a new battery, this low mileage Softail will be ready, able and willing to whisk you off on all sorts of new adventures...and in considerable style.

We are happy to offer this motorcycle for auction with an estimate in the range of £4,000 - £8,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.