Īlthough the 1903 founding is now the basis for "Anniversary Models", Harley-Davidson's 50th Golden Anniversary was celebrated in 1954 with special paints and badges on the front fender. 1952 was also the last year of the 61 cu in (1,000 cc) EL, making the FL the last remaining large-frame model. The original layout remained an option until 1978. In 1952, the Hydra-Glide's transmission's standard hand-shift/foot-clutch arrangement was supplemented by an optional foot-shift/hand-clutch setup. In addition, the Glide ending was added to the names of other models based on the FL and FX formats. This name was changed twice in the history of the basic large-framed E and F series models, each time signaling an improvement in the bike's technology. This was Harley-Davidson's first departure from its policy of using simple letters to identify its models. Harley-Davidson's marketing department promoted the new suspension systems by renaming the big twin models "Hydra Glide" for the 1950 model year. ĭuring these front suspensions' debut model year of 1949, Harley-Davidson referred to them as "hydraulic front ends". Harley-Davidson offered the spring suspension units on these models and recommended their use on sidecar combinations, because the standard hydraulic forks do not have suitable trail. These forks were standard on all big twin models for 1949, including the E, EL, F, and FL. In 1949, a year after receiving the "Panhead" engine, the FL was given a new front suspension featuring hydraulically damped telescopic forks, replacing the leading link spring suspension of the time. The U and UL flathead twins were discontinued in 1948, leaving the OHV EL and FL models as Harley-Davidson's large-frame motorcycles. These engines had several improvements over the earlier "Knuckleheads", including self-adjusting hydraulic lifters and aluminum cylinder heads to reduce weight and improve cooling. The FL continued relatively unchanged until 1948, when it and the EL were given redesigned " Panhead" engines of the same capacities as before. The FL replaced the UH and ULH, which used the same frame with 80 cu in (1,300 cc) flathead engines. The FL shared its frame with the EL and with the U and UL, which used a 74 cubic inch flathead engine. It used a 74 cu in (1,210 cc) version of the " Knucklehead" OHV engine that powered the EL in 61 cu in (1,000 cc) form. The FL was introduced to the Harley-Davidson model line in 1941. Since then, the FL prefix indicates that the traditional 16-inch front wheel and big fenders are used on ″Dresser″ Touring series or the traditional styling ″Heritage″ variants of the Softail series, while FX is used on sportier models or the chopper-like Softails with rather thin front wheels. In 1971, the Harley-Davidson FX ″Super Glide″ was introduced as a ″factory chopper″, combining the FL frame and drive train with the smaller XL front end, basically creating the third, intermediate model range FX that sold and sells well. Customers often slimmed down the factory FL to create a ″ bobber″ or even ″ chopper″, removing the fender, the sheet metal and big head light, even adding slim 3.00-21 front wheels from other makes, or the whole fork of the smaller Harley-Davidson Sportster XL models that were introduced in 1957. Until the 1970s, all Harley-Davidson bigtwin FL models came with a front wheel that had the same size as the rear wheel, 5.00-16, and with large fender and wide fork to match, often combined with fairing, bags and additional chrome accessories as ″full dresser″. In 1950s, the low compression version was discontinued, and in 1952 also the low capacity EL, making FL the standard engine and model designation for decades to come. The presence of an additional letter L indicated higher compression, offering more power but requiring higher octane gasoline. Harley-Davidson FL is a model designation used for Harley-Davidson motorcycles since 1941, when F referred to the new large capacity 74 cui (1200cc) variant of the V-2 Overhead valve engine (″ Knucklehead″) that was introduced in 1936 as Model E with 61 cui (1000cc). The V2 engine introduced in 1948, colloquially called Panhead, was available as E, EL, F, FL depending on size and compression 2019 Harley Davidson FLHT
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |