The Five All-Time Most Important Harleys
Well, I thought your article was a good mix of the major transitional models and your reasoning is good as well.
I totally agree that the pre-39' 61" OHV bikes are THE standard for Harley. Innovative, stylish, and functional. A bikers bike, all the way around.
The WLA made for the military during WWII kept Harley in the fore-front and also helped to create many of the reliability and safety minded features we still have on todays bikes. Crash bars, suspension upgrades, durability, and most of all the American GI. If you are gonna have a shovel on the list, this is the one.
I totally agree that the pre-39' 61" OHV bikes are THE standard for Harley. Innovative, stylish, and functional. A bikers bike, all the way around.
The WLA made for the military during WWII kept Harley in the fore-front and also helped to create many of the reliability and safety minded features we still have on todays bikes. Crash bars, suspension upgrades, durability, and most of all the American GI. If you are gonna have a shovel on the list, this is the one.
As for the Shovelhead, it wasn't anything new either. Very minor changes to the same engine that had been around since the introduction of the OHV 61".
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The FXS Low Rider was born in 1977.
Harley Davidson's Low Rider was introduced at Daytona Bike Week in Florida. Dubbed the FXS, it was the first of Harley's "factory customs", many of which proved so popular with buyers that they are highly coveted among Harley aficionados. In addition to the FXS's low seat height, that first model Low Rider included raised white lettered tires, drag bars, mag wheels, and an often copied two-into-one slash-cut exhaust. Coupled with shorter rear shocks and 1" longer forks, the bike was an instant hit and inspired Willie G. and his staff to create even more custom models - a trend that continues to this day and one of the main reasons for the motor company's continued popularity with the public.
KH models? Well, they were the impetus for the Sportster, but not enough of them were sold or wanted. I'd have to say the Sportster, itself, was more important. In production since, what...1957? And still on Showroom floors and Highways today.
Gotta agree with the '58 Duo-Glide, although OP didn't give it QUITE enough credit...this frame carried Pans, Shovels and Evos from 1958 to 1986. One hell of an achievement.
After that, I guess we get into Softails....
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The Five All-Time Most Important Harleys
The Five All-Time Most Important Harleys
the original FXR and make it a list of six.
Last edited by Zap; Oct 4, 2011 at 01:34 PM.
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I bought a new 81 superglide sport. I was so fed up with it that I was looking at a new Kawi but when I went into the stealership in December of 83 and saw the new softail I bought it on the spot. A few years later all of the alcollaides went to the fatboy but I always thought the softail is the one that started turning heads.
Word was that when they came out with it they were afraid of losing their following with the new motor and frame so they left it chain drive, four speed and put a kicker on it.
Word was that when they came out with it they were afraid of losing their following with the new motor and frame so they left it chain drive, four speed and put a kicker on it.
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5 all time H-D's
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5 most important harleys !
ya, that was pissar, ya hit it over the green monster, onto the mass pike, great article ! boston jim, going to biketoberfest next week, for the first time, we'll be set up at corbin seats, see ya there !
Last edited by IzzoQuazzo; Oct 5, 2016 at 03:56 PM.
