7 Best Classic Harley-Davidson FL Models
The FL series we're talking about here are the classic, big, touring road burners, which started out not very different from any other bikes and became 2 wheeled luxury cars. Let's look back at the big baggers and pick out the best of the bunch.
1. 1941 H-D FL with 74ci Knucklehead - Old Grand Dad
Harley-Davidson has built bikes that were durable and reliable, nearly since day one, so they have been popular touring rigs since the days before paved roads. 1941 Harley-Davidson 74 cubic inch knucklehead powered FL set a new standard for power and capabilities in a touring rig. Pretty much all of the current baggers and the Softail can trace their heritage back to this bike.
2. 1954 H-D FL Hydra Glide - 50th Anniversary Edition
With Harley celebrating its 50th anniversary in 1954, they released special editions of the recently introduced Hydra Glide. The name Hydra Glide indicated that they had moved away from the springer front suspension, and onto a modern telescopic fork. This special edition FL Hydra-Glide featured a medallion on the front fender, special shift lever knob, and trumpet style horn. Two-tone paint was an option.
3. 1957 H-D FLH Hydra Glide - Elvis' Choice
They famously said "50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong" and Elvis himself was a fan (and not wrong) of the Harley-Davidson FLH touring bike. Harley introduced the higher performance FLH in 1955, but Elvis didn't get one of his own until 1957, which is when this picture was taken. The FLH featured higher compression, lumpier cams, and other improvements. Elvis' bike here shows period hard bags and a windscreen, making this a very early bagger. The more powerful FLH was available for just 3 years before the Duo-Glide was introduced with rear swingarm suspension, which changed the classic look of the hard tail.
4. 1965 H-D FLH Electra Glide - The Power of Electric
Three things combine to make the 1965 Harley FLH such a great bike, and popular to this day. The FL series of bikes had proper front and rear suspension by now. The big 1965 improvement came with the electric starter on the touring bike for the first time, hence the name "Electra Glide". In 1966 the Panhead motor was gone and the Shovelhead motor ruled, making 1965 models special. Compared to the current Electra Glide this bike may same quaint and slow, but it will always be considered one of the best from a historic perspective.
5. 1969 H-D FLH Electra Glide - Batwing Fairing
These bikes are still small and light when compared to the full dress bikes of the 21st century, but the 1969 Electra Glide introduced the fork mounted batwing fairing and changed the shape of touring bikes. Looking at the restored model in the picture, with the full King of the Highway package, you can see the shape of things to come. Only a few years later, the instruments would move from the tank to the fairing, as it became a permanent part of the bike. Touring riders would then start adding car stereos and CB radios, and all sorts of touring accessories we now get from the factory.
6. 1972 H-D FLH Electra Glide - Stops as Well as it Goes
The Harley-Davidson FL series of bikes are all big heavy tourers, and until 1972 they all had drum brakes. If you are looking for a classic looking bike that you can ride in modern traffic the 1972 Electra Glide is for you. Sure, these are the AMF years, which many fans think are poor quality bikes, but 40 years on all the bugs have been worked out and they are as reliable as anything from that era. Another nice thing about the 1972 is you could still get it mostly naked, without the fairing, windshield, bags or trunk.
7. 1979 H-D FLHS Electra Glide Sport - Big and Naked
The 1979 Electra Glide Sport has several things to recommend it: It was the first time you could get the 80ci motor, and the factory started offering the stripped down FLHS. It was only a few years before when bags and fairings were extra cost options, but by the late 1970s, Harley made a whole new model by leaving all that stuff off. The Super Glide had started with an FL frame, but became an FX, making the FLHS the sportiest FL bike you could buy.
For help with care and maintenance of your Harley, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com
