My 1980 FLT had the chain in a case, running in an oil bath. First year for five speed, and rubber mount engine mounts. If that's any help.

 

1980 chain encased in oil bath? I wonder when they started with that design.

Also the early Electra Glides had those big spring mounted solo seats. I wonder when the first passengers were allowed on Electra Glides.

 

You mean the Buddy seat?

If you look at the pic of my green bike, you can see the floorboard extensions and pass pegs- I have the buddy seat- 1953 was the first year for a naugahyde buddy seat.
you can also see a black spring assembly clipped to the top of the rear fender,in front of the rack, that is a helper spring for the buddy

I prefer the solo- the seat shown is gone--it was a bad recover.
I replaced with a 1937 part number seat which I bought at glendale harley in about 1991...the part was still in production into the 90's..

 

I think the history of the Electra Glide is important because it has spawned off the entire touring lineup for Harley Davidson. The Electra Glide started off without a faring. As the fairing became standard I explained how the Road King became a version of the Electra Glide without a fairing. In 1979 a frame mounted fairing was added to the Electra Glide thus creating the Tour Glide. The entire touring lineup are variations of what started off as the Electra Glide.
Electra Glide
Road King
Road Glide
Street Glide
and all the variations such as Electra Glide Classic, Road Glide Ultra, Street Glide Special, Ultra Limited Low etc. These are all variations of the Touring breed of Harleys that branched off the Electra Glide as its evolution started back in 1965.

Thanks to all that helped me with accuracy.
I have updated my original post.

 

Going to let this thread go for a few more days and then I'm going to move it to the Stickies at the top of the Touring section. Such great info would be a shame to see it scroll away!

 

the "Road King" was essentially based on common owner modifications on the Evo FLHS model- the large instrument pod ( shared with other models) was replaced by a bolt on headlight nacelle and the instruments relocated to a tank dash.

the custom version was created as a market alternative to the Softail Heritage model- which was a "tribute" to 50's models, the RK was more a tribute to 60's models- easily done with leather bags and paint combinations, spokes

H-D took common owner mods to "create" and market the superglide/low rider, the road king and the streetglide models.

The SG was based on common mods to the FLHT electraglide standard which was the bargain touring bike for years- this came with plain appearance and like a cop bike was an inexpensive platform for an owner who wanted a custom


I think one of the nicest looking models was the 83, 84 shovelhead FLHS



Mike

 

The '60s Electra Glides could be ordered with a "King of the Highway" accessory package that added the hard bags, windshield, etc. which makes it look very much like today's Road King, which I'm speculating was Harley's linkage to the name when they introduced it.

 

Add the Tour Glide to that list as well. I think they came out in late 79-80. Rubber mount, 80 ci, 5 speed, true duals. Part of the line evolving for sure.

Head

 

1985 flhtc front fender script.

 

What a great thread! I'd read some of the history of the EG before but having it all together with pictures and owners input makes it really special! Thanks to the OP and all who have contributed!