Harley Davidson FXSTS Softail Springer 1995-1996 Service Manual

The Springer Softail's front end tells a story most modern bikes can't: Harley resurrected a springer fork design the company had abandoned back in 1948 in favor of telescopic forks, then completely re-engineered it with modern metallurgy and manufacturing before bolting it to a late-'80s Softail chassis for the model's 1989 debut. By 1995 and 1996, that combination of old-school front suspension and hidden rear monoshock had become one of Harley's most distinctive and popular Softail variants.

Power comes from the 80-cubic-inch (1,340cc) air-cooled Evolution V-twin, with a 3.498 in. bore and 4.250 in. stroke, running a Keihin CV carburetor through a 5-speed transmission with belt final drive. 1995 brought higher-contact-ratio transmission gears (first used on select touring models that year) for quieter shifting, along with slightly taller overall gearing across the Softail range. 1996 added electronic speedometers, new self-cancelling turn signal modules, one-piece instrument consoles, and standard round-key ignition.

Styling stays true to the model's 1940s-custom inspiration: chrome springer fork, high handlebars, bullet-shaped headlight, laced wheels, and a chromed dual pea-shooter exhaust set against a blacked-out steel frame. Weighing in around 625 lbs, the Springer handles lighter than its heft suggests, though vibration becomes noticeable above 65-70 mph — typical for a solidly-mounted Evo in a Softail chassis. 1996 pricing started at $14,030.

Distinctive front-end engineering means distinctive service needs — this factory manual covers the procedures, torque specs, and diagrams to keep a 1995-1996 Springer Softail's springer fork and Evolution engine running the way they were built to.