The Five All-Time Most Important Harleys
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Nice article! Picking the Top 5 is hard - but the '36 and the K model definitely deserve to be there.
I think the Evolution engine, while admittedly not a single bike, should have been rated even higher than #5, because it is literally "The Engine That Saved the MoCo" in 1984. The aluminum cylinders and heads and combustion efficiency - and a long-awaited end to the oil leaks that always plagued the Shovels, Pans, and Knucks - ushered in a whole new era for the MoCo. Without the Evo engine, they would have died in the 80s... the Asian bike manufacturers would have crushed them. For example, I had a liquid-cooled 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator that would go 0-60 in 2.7 seconds! And rode it for many miles and never did more than change the oil, spark plugs, and tires on it. Very reliable, handled great, and super fast! Wish I still had that bike...
I was thinking that the Sturgis perhaps could have been on the list because it was the first belt-drive Harley.
I saw the "Making of the V-Rod", too. Very interesting program.
Again, good job on the article!
I think the Evolution engine, while admittedly not a single bike, should have been rated even higher than #5, because it is literally "The Engine That Saved the MoCo" in 1984. The aluminum cylinders and heads and combustion efficiency - and a long-awaited end to the oil leaks that always plagued the Shovels, Pans, and Knucks - ushered in a whole new era for the MoCo. Without the Evo engine, they would have died in the 80s... the Asian bike manufacturers would have crushed them. For example, I had a liquid-cooled 1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator that would go 0-60 in 2.7 seconds! And rode it for many miles and never did more than change the oil, spark plugs, and tires on it. Very reliable, handled great, and super fast! Wish I still had that bike...
I was thinking that the Sturgis perhaps could have been on the list because it was the first belt-drive Harley.
I saw the "Making of the V-Rod", too. Very interesting program.
Again, good job on the article!
What engineering marvel was the Superglide? None.
As great of a "concept" as it was, it presented really, in short, nothing new.
I wouldn't say the OHV 61" was the predecessor to all modern Big Twins. Realistically speaking the 80" Flathead was the first Big Twin. But, that's a technicality.
The OHV 61" is however, the predecessor for all modern Harleys and hell, copies too.
Why, the '58 was added to the list has nothing to do with it being a Panhead. That's pure coincidence. It has to do with that swing arm frame.
As great of a "concept" as it was, it presented really, in short, nothing new.
I would have to disagree with several of your choices. The Knucklehead will always be the most significant model because it is the predecessor to all modern Big Twins. The Pan wasn't a leader in any category ,swing arms and telescopic front ends were already on the K models. I would suggest as an alternative the SuperGlide of '72.
The OHV 61" is however, the predecessor for all modern Harleys and hell, copies too.
Why, the '58 was added to the list has nothing to do with it being a Panhead. That's pure coincidence. It has to do with that swing arm frame.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Central Pennsylvania
Great start, on the possibility of many topics along this line, think you already knew that.
I bought the 84 FXST off the floor in 2007 new with a few upgrades that H-D brought it up to date.
I have had literaly hundreds of compliments in the 35,000 + miles I have had the time to stop in traffic. I believe there are two factors that contribute to the overwhelming response from people who want to connect with this bike. I keep it clean, and I have landed on the preferred color, Amarillo Gold. Additionally, I have kept this bike in its origional appearance of its offering other than where I think the guys in the factory would have taken it a little further in finish.
I would think that if there was another list possibly titled, "The (Ten?) Most Significant Offerings from the MoCo of All Time !", there would be a few disappointed souls, if the 2007 FXSTSSE was not listed.
I bought the 84 FXST off the floor in 2007 new with a few upgrades that H-D brought it up to date.
I have had literaly hundreds of compliments in the 35,000 + miles I have had the time to stop in traffic. I believe there are two factors that contribute to the overwhelming response from people who want to connect with this bike. I keep it clean, and I have landed on the preferred color, Amarillo Gold. Additionally, I have kept this bike in its origional appearance of its offering other than where I think the guys in the factory would have taken it a little further in finish.
I would think that if there was another list possibly titled, "The (Ten?) Most Significant Offerings from the MoCo of All Time !", there would be a few disappointed souls, if the 2007 FXSTSSE was not listed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
To those who like the Fatboy - so do I, I've had 2 of them but I agree it shouldn't be on the list. On the whole, a good list. But it's clearly subjective.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
The 80 inch flathead is not the same engine family as the OHV's Knucks,Pans,Shovels and Evo's all used similar cases with a single camshaft acuating all four pushrods/valves. Flatty's had 4 cams ,one per valve. K models and Sportsters are derived from the flatties.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: up in the corner
nice picks
great taste in bikes!
anyway I think so since I have 3 out of the 5 picks, and cash shortage is the only reason I wouldn't add the 4th, the 84 fxst for a garage queen.
anyway I think so since I have 3 out of the 5 picks, and cash shortage is the only reason I wouldn't add the 4th, the 84 fxst for a garage queen.
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