- Harley-Davidson FL
FL is a model designation used on
Harley-Davidson motorcycle s from 1941 to the present. Mostly applied to Harley's large-framed bikes, including the current Touring series, the FL designation is also used with theirSoftail series, especially on Softails with traditional styling, 16" front wheels, and either Springer forks or large-diameter telescopic front forks.Early FLs
The FL was introduced to the Harley-Davidson model line in 1941. It used a 74 cubic inch (1.2 L) version of the "
Knucklehead " OHV engine that powered the EL in 61 cubic inch (1.0 L) form. The FL shared its frame with the EL and with the U and UL, which used a 74 cubic inch (1.2 L) flathead engine. The FL replaced the UH and ULH, which used the same frame with 80 cubic inch (1.3 L) flathead engines. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 95 ]The FL continued relatively unchanged until 1948, when it and the EL were given redesigned "
Panhead " engines of the same capacities as before. These engines had several improvements over the earlier "Knuckleheads", including aluminium cylinder heads to reduce weight and improve cooling and self-adjusting hydraulic lifters."Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 134-135 ] The U and UL flathead twins were discontinued in 1948, leaving the OHV EL and FL models as Harley-Davidson's large-frame motorcycles. Mitchell, D. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 141]Hydra-Glide
In 1949, a year after receiving the "Panhead" engine, the FL was given a new front suspension and a model name to go along with it. In honor of their first production motorcycle with hydraulically-damped telescopic forks, the FL was officially called the Hydra-Glide. This name would change twice in the history of the basic large-framed FL bikes, each time signalling an improvement in the bike's technology. In addition, the Glide ending would be used on other models, based on both and FL and FX formats.
In 1952, the Hydra-Glide's transmission format was reversed from hand-shift/foot-clutch to foot-shift/hand-clutch, although the original format continued to be offered as an option until 1978. 1952 was also the last year of the 61 cubic inch (1.0 L) EL, making the FL the last remaining large-frame model. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 150]
A more highly-tuned engine with high-compression heads, higher-lift cams, and polished ports, was offered with the FLH version of 1955."Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 164 ] The FLH designation would continue up to the present.
Duo-Glide
The FL model was given a new frame in 1958. This frame included a rear swingarm suspended by a pair of coil-over-shock suspension units. In honour of this fully-suspended chassis, the FL's model name was changed from Hydra-Glide to Duo-Glide. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 186 ]
Unlike OHV configuration, aluminium heads, and telescopic-fork front suspension, however, this improvement in technology was applied to the small-frame bikes first, the K-series having received rear suspension in 1952. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 158]
Electra Glide
The third and final change given to the name of the basic FL model would occur in 1965, the final year of the "Panhead" engines. These last "Panheads" were the first "big-twin" Harley-Davidson engines to be equipped with electric starters, the Servi-Car having received electric start the year before. This innovation for Harley-Davidson was greeted with the new model name of Electra Glide.
In 1966, the "Panhead" gave way to the "Shovelhead," gaining a ten percent increase in power in the process."Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 206]
A fork-mounted fairing became available on Electra Glides in 1969. This became unofficially known as the "batwing" fairing. The A-Z of Harley-Davidson Part Two] Although the batwing fairing was an easily removable option on early Electra Glides, it was not removable on later machines, as the instruments were moved from the fuel tank into the fairing.The FL frame was the basis for the 1971 FX Super Glide. The FX mated the FL frame with the forks of the XL Sportster, with buckhorn handlebars and a large fibreglass tailpiece completing the Super Glide specification. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 234]
The FL was given a front disc brake in 1972. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 244]
The three speed plus reverse option was discontinued in 1977. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 258]
An 80 cubic inch (1.3 L) engine was made optional on the Electra Glide in 1978. However, the FL designation was not changed as a result. By 1981, the 80 cubic inch (1.3 L) engine was the standard engine; the 74 cubic inch (1.2 L) engine being discontinued.The A-Z of Harley-Davidson Part Three]
The low-compression FL engine was discontinued in 1979, as was the option for hand-shift/foot-clutch transmission controls.
Tour Glide
The FLT Tour Glide was introduced in 1979. Sold alongside the existing FLH Electra Glide, the FLT had a larger frame with rubber engine mounts, a five-speed transmission, the 80 cubic inch (1.3 L) engine, and a frame-mounted fairing. In order that the FLT frame, which was larger and heavier than the large and heavy FLH frame, would handle acceptably, the front forks were given radical steering geometry which had them mounted behind the steering head, with the frame behind the steering head being recessed to allow adequate steering lock.
The FLHT was introduced in 1983. This was an Electra Glide based on the FLT Tour Glide frame, but using the Electra Glide "batwing" fairing instead of the Tour Glide frame-mounted fairing.
Except for the base FLH, all 1984 FLs were equipped with the new rubber-mounted Evolution engine and a five-speed transmission. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 273]
All "Shovelhead" engines were discontinued by the 1985 model year. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 274] In that year, the four-speed solid-engine-mount FLH was modified to accept rubber mounting and the Evolution engine. The FLH was discontinued in 1986; all Touring models thereafter used the FLT/FLHT frame. Ironically, the FLT Tour Glide, which introduced the current Touring frame, was dropped from the lineup in 1996. The frame-mounted Tour fairing would return with the FLTR Road Glide in 1998.fact|date=August 2008
The
Evolution engine was replaced by the Twin Cam 88 engine on all large-frame Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 1999.Unfaired Glides
An unfaired version of the FLH Electra Glide, known as the FLHS Electra Glide Sport, was available from 1977 to 1982. An unfaired FLHT Electra Glide reintroduced the FLHS Electra Glide Sport name in 1987. In 1994, the FLHS Electra Glide Sport was replaced by the FLHR Road King, which continues to the present day.
2009 Touring chassis
For the 2009 model year, Harley-Davidson redesigned the entire touring range. The changes included a new frame, new swingarm, a completely revised engine-mounting system, 17-inch wheels for all models except the Road King Classic, a six-gallon fuel tank, and a 2-1-2 exhaust. The changes result in greater load carrying capacity, better handling, a smoother engine, longer range and less exhaust heat transmitted to the rider and passenger. [Harley-Davidson 2009 model line] [Edge, Dirck, Harley-Davidson Touring Models and V-Rod Muscle - MD First Rides]
Tri-Glide Ultra Classic
Also released in the FL Touring range for the 2009 model year was the FLHTUCTG Tri Glide Ultra Classic, the first three-wheeled Harley-Davidson since the Servi-Car was discontinued in 1973. The model features a unique frame and a 103 cid engine exclusive to the trike. [ [http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2009_Motorcycles/2009_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US#/model/flhtcutg 2009 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic] ] [ [http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2009_Motorcycles/2009_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US&/#/model/flhtcutg 2009 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra Classic] ]
FL Softails
Harley-Davidson introduced the
Softail chassis in 1984. Mitchell, D. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 272] The original Softails used the small FX telescopic forks, but the FLST Heritage Softail with large FL telescopic forks was introduced in 1986. The FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, with large front forks and retro styling, was in production by 1988. Mitchell, D. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 277]Other Softails with big forks followed, including the 1990 introduction of the FLSTF Fat Boy and the 1993-only FLSTN "Cow Glide". Mitchell, D. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 311] Mitchell, D. "Harley-Davidson Chronicle - An American Original" p. 288 ] The base FLST Heritage Special was discontinued in 1991. The FLSTN was continued after 1993 without the bovine motif as the Nostalgia model until 1997, when it was replaced by the FLSTSC Springer Classic. The Springer Classic is also designated as an FL despite using Springer forks instead of the large FL telescopic forks.2007 Harley-Davidson Softail Springer Classic specifications]
In 2000, all Softails, including the FL models, were switched from the
Evolution engine to the counterbalanced Twin Cam 88B engine specially developed for the rigid engine mounting in this frame.
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