1984
Harley-Davidson FXST Softail
Colours used
in this example.
Copper orange and Burnt sienna set the main colour direction. Softer background tones keep the motorcycle in focus.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Layer colour gently around the curves.
Use light layers and preserve the fine outlines.
Use light layers and preserve the fine outlines.
Use light layers and preserve the fine outlines.
Keep the background softer than the bike.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
1998 FXSTC comparison
Later Evolution-era Softail Custom with a non-standard Heritage front wheel.
Photo: Gede · Source · Copyrighted free use1987 Heritage Softail comparison
Evolution-era Softail relative. Wider front wheel, mudguards and touring trim differ from the 1984 FXST.
Photo: Piero at Dutch Wikipedia · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Later Heritage front wheel
Front-wheel detail from a later Evolution-era Heritage Softail. The trim differs from the original 1984 FXST.
Photo: Nacho from Oviedo, España · Source · CC BY 2.0Later Heritage tank and engine
Tank and Evolution engine of a later Heritage Softail. Use this as a mechanical comparison rather than an original 1984 paint reference.
Photo: Nacho from Oviedo, España · Source · CC BY 2.0Later Heritage Softail
A later Evolution-era Heritage Softail. Its touring equipment and trim differ from the original 1984 FXST.
Photo: Nacho from Oviedo, España · Source · CC BY 2.0Original factory colours
Harley-Davidson's 1984 painted-parts bulletin lists Vivid Black and Candy Red for the FXST fuel tanks and front and rear mudguards.
- Vivid BlackTank and mudguards, alternative finish
- Candy RedTank and mudguards, alternative finish
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
In the photographs
The gallery contains later Softail relatives: dark blue-black bodywork, blue with cream panels and black with orange-red lining. None is a 1984 FXST paint reference. Use the factory bulletin for the original Vivid Black or Candy Red alternatives.
- Dark blue-black
- Cream, later Heritage
- Black
- Orange-red lining
Visual colour guide only. These are not additional factory paint options.
In the coloured example
The orange-and-brown example is a creative scheme. The checked 1984 FXST bulletin lists Vivid Black and Candy Red, so orange should not be presented as an original option.
Make the details count.
Curve copper strokes around the tank and mudguards.
Shade the seat ribs with a narrow pale crest on each.
Keep the desert mesas softer than the motorcycle.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.