Wondering if Harley will be able to do it again.
The last time Harley made the cut was:
By Motorcyclist Staff Photos: Motorcyclist Archives, Kevin Wing Posted August 18, 2015

1949 Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide This is the bike that inspired a million imitations, both from within Harley-Davidson’s own styling department and, decades later, from halfway around the world, when the Japanese jumped on the bandwagon and began building “American-style” heavyweight cruisers. It's the archetypal motorcycle, with a timeless look that’s as compelling now as it was back then.
Harley-Davidson debuted its FL chassis—a variation of which is still its best-seller today—way back in ’41, and introduced the famed, 1200cc Panhead engine in ’48. But it wasn’t until the following year, when the antique springer fork was replaced with a modern telescopic unit, that the quintessential American cruiser silhouette took form. Dubbed the “Hydra-Glide” in reference to the new hydraulic fork that delivered twice the travel of the old springer, this latest Big Twin offered much-improved ride quality and road-holding ability. The new fork also imparted a modern look more in line with the telescopic-forked British bikes that were beginning to food the American market.
The deep-skirted front fender and thick, widely spaced fork legs—the upper halves enclosed in streamlined, stamped-steel nacelles—give the Hydra-Glide a broad-shouldered look that has never gone out of style. The rest of the bike, including the Fat Bob-type tank with its center speedometer and the sprung saddle cantilevered high above a rigid rear triangle, is just as memorable. Compare a vintage Hydra-Glide to a modern Heritage Softail Classic—or even a Star Roadliner—and you’ll count more similarities than differences. This is style with staying power.

 

Have a '49 EL (very early...below 500 on the vin #) that, after 16 years, is almost ready to go and very close to stock condition, but I would suugest that the 36 Knuckle was more significant and is one of the 11 most important.

 

 

In my world that would be the first 11 bikes I personally owned.

 

My first bike, a Suzuki 50cc enduro. It taught me how to ride.

 

The two most important motorcycles In my Lifetime are


and


my First and my Last, the other five were ok

 

OH snap.. thought a Heritage would be right there....Baaahawwww..