The FXSTC is Harley-Davidson’s Softail Custom, a factory custom built on the Softail platform’s hidden-rear-suspension architecture. It first appeared for the 1986 model year as part of Harley-Davidson’s effort to blend old-school hardtail styling with modern ride comfort. The early FXSTC became known for its long, low stance, stripped-down custom look, and cruiser-friendly ergonomics, making it one of the more distinctive Softail variants of the Evolution era.
The nameplate did not run continuously. After its original production span, the FXSTC disappeared from regular Harley-Davidson model-year listings and later returned for the 2007 model year, continuing through 2010. That later run carried the same Softail Custom identity while reflecting the updated Softail family styling and equipment of the period.
As a result, the FXSTC is best understood as a recurring Harley-Davidson custom cruiser nameplate rather than a single uninterrupted model line. It occupies an important place in Softail history as one of the classic factory-custom interpretations of the platform, appealing to riders who wanted a traditional look with concealed suspension and a more personalized stance straight from the factory.