The Electra Glide first came out in 1965 with the Panhead engine. It was based on the Duo Glide but had an electric start (hence the name Electra Glide). The kick start was retained just in case. It also got a bigger tank (5 gallons as opposed to the Duo Glide's 3.5). The Electra Glide had hard bags but no fairing.
The Electra Glide is known as the FL series.
1965 Electra Glide
1966 is the first year of the Shovelhead engine.
Sixguns' 1969 Electra Glide
The Batwing fairing was an option in 1969. It was designed by Dean Wixom. It was a a removable option because it did not have the speedometer or other electrical components mounted in it.
In this next picture you can see the original Batwing faring was used in conjunction with a handlebar mounted windshield.
1969 Electra Glide with a Batwing fairing
Today if you went into a Harley dealer asking for an Electra Glide without a fairing the salesman would say "Oh so you want a Road King?" In 1979 Harley came out with one last Electra Glide without a fairing. It was called an FLHS Electra Glide Sport. In 1994 the Road King became a separate model although it is basically an Electra Glide without a fairing. All the Touring models have the same frame and engine.
In 1970 the generator went to the wayside and an alternator was used in it's place.
1971 Electra Glide
The Electra Glide used several different carburetors over the years. Early on a Linkert carb mixed the air and fuel. Then it was Bendix / Zenith and later Keihin. In 1995 the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Electra Glide had the optional Fuel Injection. From 1995 to 2001 buyers could opt for Magneti Marelli EFI but it proved to be very problematic. The EFI from later years were far superior. In 2002 Delphi EFI was an option. Electronic Fuel Injection became standard in 2007.
In 1972 front disk brakes became available.
1973 the kick starter went away.
In 1973 Craig Vetter asked Harley Davidson if they would like a frame mounted fairing for the Electra Glide. For those of you that were interested in motorcycles in the 1970's you know the Vetter fairings were very popular when very few motorcycles came from the factory with a fairing.
Harley Davidson FLH Liberator
Vetter shipped these huge fairings to Harley Davidson to be installed as a factory option from 1974 to 1978. Is this what inspired HD to produce the Tour Glide with a frame mounted fairing? The next year HD released the Tour Glide.
1975 Electra Glide
Up until 1985 a four speed transmission came standard on the Electra Glide. A 3 speed with reverse was sold as an option. It was common when a sidecar was also present. In 1977 the 3 speed transmission with reverse was discontinued.
The 1977 Electra Glide used Showa forks. Other Harley models used Showa forks as far back as 1973.
1980 Electra Glide - Note the passenger grab handles that will go away in 2006
1984 came out with the Evolution Engine
In the early 80's the Electra Glide had an enclosed chain final drive.
Since 1985 Electra Glides have been using belt final drive. For a touring motorcycle this was a big improvement for maintenance and reliability.
The FLHS Electra Glide Sport went into production from 1979 to '82 and was reintroduced in 1987.
1979 FLHS Electra Glide Sport
The Electra Glide Sport did not have the batwing faring that is now considered a trademark of the Electra Glide.
1992 FLHS Electra Glide Sport.
In 1994 the Road King became a separate model. From this point on the Electra Glide came standard with the fork mounted "Batwing" fairing.
1999 was the first year of the Twin Cam engine. It was originally 88 CI but in 2007 increased to 96
2004 saw a wider 140 rear tire.
2006 was the last year for carburetors. The Tour Pak was also redesigned this year and allowed LED side lights. The grab rail for passengers was no longer standard.
2007 had big changes to the drive train. The 5 speed transmission was replaced with a 6 speed. The primary chain now had an automatic adjuster. The primary no longer had an inspection cover. 2007 also received hydraulic cam chain adjusters, a big improvement for long term reliability.
2007 also saw the release of the Twin Cam 98. This was an increase in displacement from the Twin Cam 88 that has been in production since the 1999 model year.
2008 got a 6 gallon tank and Brembo brakes. ABS became an option. No more throttle cable, instead the twist grip now has an electronic sensor.
2009 saw an upgraded and much stiffer frame. The exhaust now went under the frame instead of behind the engine to reach the left side. This helped keep the heat away from the rider and passenger. The rear tire got wider and the front tire got taller at 17 inches.
2010 received a catalytic converter
2014 saw big changes in the fairing and luggage. These years are easy to identify because of the vent under the windshield. The Tour Pak is wider and more sleek. It looks shallower but it holds 2 full face helmets.
2014 Electra Glide
In 2014 the cylinder heads in the Electra Glide Ultra Limited are liquid cooled with radiators in the lowers. The Classic is still all air cooled.
2014 Radiators
In 2014 the dash was also redesigned to accommodate a larger radio with GPS.
The 2017 model year received a new V Twin for the touring lineup. The Milwaukee Eight had many refinements, most notably it had a total of 8 valves.
Milwaukee Eight
This chart shows the features that were on the Electra Glide over the years. Yellow indicates optional features. Blue is standard equipment.
Note: the 3 speed also had a reverse
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 Harley Davidson produced the Tour Glide basing it on the Electra Glide but with a stronger frame and a rubber mounted engine. 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.
But the story of the Electra Glide doesn't stop with 2 wheels. Many individuals and small companies have been converting the Electra Glide (and other cycles) into trikes by adding a rear axle with 2 wheels in the rear. Lehman Trikes was one such small company. In 2008 Lehman Trikes signed an agreement with Harley Davidson. Harley shipped them Electra Glides without the rear tires, suspension or even the swing-arm. Lehman Trikes then produced the Tri Glide. In 2012 John Lehman, the owner of Lehman Trikes, passed away. The production of the Harley Davidson Tri Glide was then transferred to the Harley Davidson plant in York, Pennsylvania.
Sloufoot's Tri Glide
In 2015 Harley Davidson removed the Tour Pak from the Tri Glide. They lowed it and added mini-apes. The result is the Freewheeler. Both the Tri Glide and the Freewheeler are available at the Harley dealer.
I want to thank mkguitar, RollaMo, Bagga, Sixguns, ieatchickens, JHP and all the other members that helped with this thread.
Last edited by Durango Dave; 04-03-2017 at 08:45 AM.
Reason: Updates and feedback from others
Pretty good info. 65 was the last year of the Panhead and the only year with electric start,thus the name. And like Mike mentioned, 66 was the first year of the slab side Shovelheads. I was thinking '70 was the first year of the nose cone Shovelheads.
Picture of the 69 is not a 69, its at least a 70 AMF bike, 69 was last Harley and still a Generator, Flat side, Pan/shovel as some call them. Not sure what to make of the 3 speed going to 4 in 77.... Nice post though, needs a little cleanup
shovel- 1966 not 1969.
lower cases changed 69 as alternator replaced generator
the drum brake moved to the rt side for 69,70- disk brake appears to have been a running change for 71 model year.
showa forks 1977
and evo mid year introduction for 1984.5
the shovel motor was available for special order 1985 models- cops & shriner
mike
The alternator came out in 70, also the 70 did not have AMF on the tank, that started in 71. leads me to believe the picture of the 69 is actually a 71. but def not a 69... I added a pic of my 69 Electra Glide
What a great bike, with a great history. The movie "Electra Glide in Blue", captivated me, and influenced me to become interested Harley Davidson. What a great name!
07-02-2016, 09:08 AM
Electra Glide over the years
