Someone explain the Touring model timeline
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Camden County, NJ
RE: Someone explain the Touring model timeline
As I have always understood it.... FL was the big bike after the XL or sporter came along. First a hard tail with a springer front end. Then the HydraGlide, hard tail with hydraulic forks, 1949. Then the DuoGlide (sp), rear shocks & hydraulic front forks, 1958. Then they added electric start, thus the ElectraGlide in '65.All of these where FLs, the HydraI think added the H as in FLH. These also where a solid mounted motor.
It was in '80that Eric Buell invented/designed the Isolastic or rubber mounting for the engine. This premiered in the FLT with the shovelhead motor. The FLT was an FLH frame with the frame mounted fairing. As of '84 whenthe FLsgot the Evo & rubber mount through out the line there was 2 separate versions available, the FLH bat wing or ElectraGlide & the FLT fixed fairing or TourGlide. If there was any difference in the FLH & FLT frames, which I don't think there was, it was that the FLT frame neck was offset forward as the FLT had the fork tubes mounted behind the pivot. But I think this was the case with the FLH also.
As for the "FLT Ultra Classic Electra Glide" referred & shown in Hog Tales or Enthusiast mag. I believe some one miss spoke or printed. That bike would have been an FLTCU or Ultra Classic TourGlide. Though technically it has all the stuff to be an ElectraGlide, it is a TourGlide.Which at the time was believed by the MoCo, or perhaps pushed, as the flagship, the premier long distance touring bike. I remember this from the new model brochures of the day. But then the same as now, the batwings out sold them about 25:1.
The history tab at the top of the page is a good place to start, but I have noticed some bad info there & some obvious omissions.
It was in '80that Eric Buell invented/designed the Isolastic or rubber mounting for the engine. This premiered in the FLT with the shovelhead motor. The FLT was an FLH frame with the frame mounted fairing. As of '84 whenthe FLsgot the Evo & rubber mount through out the line there was 2 separate versions available, the FLH bat wing or ElectraGlide & the FLT fixed fairing or TourGlide. If there was any difference in the FLH & FLT frames, which I don't think there was, it was that the FLT frame neck was offset forward as the FLT had the fork tubes mounted behind the pivot. But I think this was the case with the FLH also.
As for the "FLT Ultra Classic Electra Glide" referred & shown in Hog Tales or Enthusiast mag. I believe some one miss spoke or printed. That bike would have been an FLTCU or Ultra Classic TourGlide. Though technically it has all the stuff to be an ElectraGlide, it is a TourGlide.Which at the time was believed by the MoCo, or perhaps pushed, as the flagship, the premier long distance touring bike. I remember this from the new model brochures of the day. But then the same as now, the batwings out sold them about 25:1.
The history tab at the top of the page is a good place to start, but I have noticed some bad info there & some obvious omissions.
Stage III
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Ok I'll admit I am not that familiar with the Touring models prior to 05 because I never really had an interest in them. I know the current ones. FLT = Road Glide and FLH = Kings and the other Glides. But how did we get to where we are today. I know the predecessor to the Road Glide was the Tour Glide. But I was looking through the recent issue of Hog Tails and came across an FLT Ultra Classic Electra Glide. WTF!?!?! So can someone explain what the earlier models were and what became what in the later years to current.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 515
Likes: 299
From: Alexandria, VA
well,, it all started,,, with 2 boys who loved to fish,,,, but getting to thier fishing hole was a chore,,,,, difficult on their bicycles,,, so the went down to granmas basement.and started tinkering.....came up with a motor for thier bike,,,,,,,
and the rest is history!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and the rest is history!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 867
From: Lincolnshire, IL
Sounds like the OP should plan a trip to the HD Museum in downtown Milwaukee, WI. It's well worth the trip and you'd get the complete and accurate history of the company. Spend a couple of days in Milwaukee and also take a 60 minute drive to Chicago...see the sites and Lake Michigan........summer around Lake Michigan is beautiful.........and for you "educational".
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KumaRide
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