Harley-Davidson FLH

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The Harley-Davidson FLH is commonly known by several names depending on when it was built. These names include the Hydra-Glide, the Duo-Glide, and the Electra Glide.

History

The FLH Designation started as a more highly-tuned version of the FL with high-compression heads, higher-lift cams, and polished ports in 1955.


The FLH model was given a new frame in 1958. This frame included a rear swingarm suspended by a pair of coil-over-shock suspension units. In honor of this fully-suspended chassis, the FLH's model name was changed from Hydra-Glide to Duo-Glide

The third and final change given to the name of the basic FL model would occur in 1965, the final year of the "Panhead" engines. These last "Panheads" were the first "big-twin" Harley-Davidson engines to be equipped with electric starters, the Servi-Car having received electric start the year before. This innovation for Harley-Davidson was greeted with the new model name of Electra Glide.

1958

1958 Harley Davidson FLH Duo Glide


1959

1959 Harley Davidson FLH



1960

1960 Harley Davidson FLH DuoGlide


1963

JFK's motorcycle escort was composed of 1963 Duo Glide's.

1965

1965 Harley Davidson FLH Electra Glide



1966

1966 Harley Davidson FLH Electra Glide



1970

1970 Harley Davidson FLH1200 Electra Glide



1981

1981 Harley Davidson FLH
1981 Harley Davidson FLH80 HE


The Heritage Electra was a retro styled version of the Shovelhead. Special equipment included fringed leather saddlebags, a sprung seat, and a distinctive paint job. The official description of the colors was orange and olive drag, unofficially known as "peas and carrots". Production was quite small, only 784 were built this year.