Wiktor Wise
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been using the model designation FL for Big Twin engines since 1941. The letters that follow FL in the model name indicate the specific features of the motorcycle. For example, the letters FLH indicate a more powerful engine, while FLE indicates a model tuned for law enforcement. The Electra Glide, introduced in 1965, is a specific model of Harley-Davidson motorcycle that has been produced in various iterations over the years, including the Electra Glide Ultra Limited, the Electra Glide Ultra Classic, and the Electra Glide Sport. These designations indicate different features and specifications, such as engine size, transmission type, and additional technologies and comforts.
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What You'll Learn
Harley-Davidson FL model designation
The Harley-Davidson FL is a model designation for the company's motorcycles that has been in use since 1941. The "F" in the model name refers to the large-capacity 74 cubic inch (1200cc) variant of the V-2 Overhead valve engine (also known as the "Knucklehead") that was introduced in 1936 as Model E with 61 cubic inches (1000cc). The "L" in the model designation indicates higher compression, which offers more power but requires higher octane leaded gasoline.
In the early 1950s, the low-compression version was discontinued, and in 1952, the low-capacity EL was also discontinued, making the FL the basic model designation of Big Twin engines for decades. Additional letters were added to indicate different options, such as FLS for sidecar use with an adjustable fork and reverse gear, and FLE for escort and law enforcement, tuned for better idling and low speeds in cities.
The FL model designation has continued to be used for various Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including the FLH, which was introduced in 1955 and offered a more highly tuned engine with high-compression heads, higher-lift cams, and polished ports. The FLH designation is still in use today. In 1958, the FL model was given a new frame that included a rear swingarm suspended by a pair of coil-over-shock suspension units.
In 1965, the final year of the "Panhead" engines, the FL model designation was changed to Electra Glide to reflect the innovation of electric starters. In 1969, a fork-mounted fairing became available on Electra Glides. The Electra Glide has continued to be a popular model, with various iterations and upgrades over the years, including the FLHS Electra Glide Sport, available from 1977 to 1984, and the FLHT Electra Glide, which features a fork-mounted fairing.
The FL designation has also been used for other models, including the FLT Tour Glide, introduced in 1980, which featured a vibration-isolation mounted engine and a slightly different frame from other FLs, and the FLTR Road Glide, introduced in 1998, which featured a smaller version of the frame-mounted Tour fairing.
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The meaning of the letter 'F'
The Harley-Davidson FL is a model designation used for Harley-Davidson motorcycles since 1941. The letter F in this designation refers to the new large capacity 74 cubic inch (1200cc) variant of the V-2 Overhead valve engine (″Knucklehead″) that was introduced in 1936 as Model E with 61 cubic inches (1000cc). The F engine was an enlarged version of the basic E engine, with an increase in capacity from 61 to 74 cubic inches.
The F engine was also known as the "Big Twin" and was a significant upgrade over the previous E engine, offering more power and performance. This engine was used in various Harley-Davidson models, including the FL, which was introduced in 1958 and featured a new frame with a rear swingarm suspended by coil-over-shock suspension units. The FL model designation indicated higher compression, offering more power but requiring higher octane leaded gasoline.
The F engine was a popular choice for police departments, and the FL designation was often used for law enforcement and escort vehicles, tuned for better idling and low speeds in cities. The FL designation continued to be used for various Harley-Davidson models, with additional letters indicating specific options or features, such as FLS for sidecar use and FLH for higher performance.
In 1965, the final year of the "Panhead" engines, the FL designation was changed to Electra Glide, marking the introduction of electric starters in the "Big Twin" engines. This innovation was a significant upgrade for Harley-Davidson, and the Electra Glide name has become synonymous with the brand's touring motorcycles, known for their comfortable riding experience and advanced features.
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The meaning of the letter 'L'
The Harley-Davidson FL is a model designation used for Harley-Davidson motorcycles since 1941. The presence of the letter "L" in the model name indicates higher compression, offering more power but requiring higher octane leaded gasoline.
In the early 1950s, the low compression version was discontinued, and in 1952, the low capacity EL was also discontinued, making the FL the basic model designation of Big Twin engines for decades to come. The "L" in the FL model designation indicated that the engine had a higher compression ratio than the previous EL model, which was replaced by the FL in 1952. This higher compression ratio resulted in increased power output, but it also required the use of higher octane leaded gasoline.
The "L" in the FL model designation also had implications for the engine's performance and fuel requirements. With higher compression, the engine could generate more power, making it a popular choice for those seeking enhanced performance. However, this increase in power came at a cost, as the engine required higher octane leaded gasoline to function optimally. This fuel was more expensive and less readily available than regular gasoline, which is something potential owners had to consider.
The Harley-Davidson FL model, with its "L" designation, played a significant role in the evolution of the company's motorcycle engines. It represented a step forward in terms of power and performance, setting a new standard for future Big Twin engine designs. This model's influence extended beyond Harley-Davidson, as other motorcycle manufacturers also began to explore the potential of higher compression ratios and the associated power benefits.
The "L" designation in the Harley-Davidson FL model is, therefore, a testament to the company's engineering prowess and its commitment to delivering powerful and high-performance motorcycles. It also underscores the importance of understanding the technical specifications and fuel requirements when choosing a motorcycle, as certain models, like the FL, demanded specialised fuel to operate effectively.
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The meaning of the letter 'X'
The letter X in Harley-Davidson motorcycle letter codes indicates the type of engine and purpose of the bike. The X code refers to sports and special construction engines.
Harley-Davidson has been using letter codes since 1941 to designate different models and variations of their motorcycles. The letter codes are typically broken down into three parts: the engine code, the front fork code, and the frame code.
The first letter of the code indicates the type of engine. In the case of the X code, it designates a sports and special construction engine. This means that the bike is designed for performance and handling, and may have unique features or modifications that set it apart from other models.
The second letter in the code typically indicates the front fork type, with L indicating large-diameter forks and S indicating small-diameter forks. It is unclear from the sources what the second letter of the X code would be, as it is not explicitly mentioned. However, given that X indicates a sports-oriented bike, it is likely that the second letter would be L for large-diameter forks, which are better suited for high-performance riding.
The third letter indicates the type of frame. Common third letters include D for a Dyna frame, S for a Softail frame, and T for a Touring frame. Again, it is unclear from the sources what the specific third letter of the X code would be, but given the focus on sports performance, it is likely that the X code would be paired with a frame type that enhances the bike's handling and maneuverability.
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Differences between the Electra Glide and Street Glide
The Harley-Davidson FL is a model designation used for Harley-Davidson motorcycles since 1941. The Electra Glide was introduced in 1965, as the first "Big Twin" Harley-Davidson engine to be equipped with an electric starter. The Electra Glide Standard is the simplest Harley-Davidson touring bike, designed with a solo rider seat but no infotainment system. It is fitted with a batwing fairing, a midsize windscreen, four analog gauges, and a storage box. It also has hard saddlebags, an engine guard, floorboards, and chrome side mirrors.
The Harley-Davidson Street Glide is also a comfortable touring bike with stock batwing fairings and saddlebags. The Street Glide is the stripped-down model in the HD touring family. It has a step-up seat capable of two-up riding and provides lumbar support for the rider. It also comes with stock hard saddlebags, a batwing fairing with a small windshield, four analog gauges, speakers, and an infotainment system. The side mirrors are attached to the batwing fairing and can be adjusted to ensure a better rear view. The Street Glide has a sleeker look than the Electra Glide.
The main difference between the two is that the Electra Glide has handlebar-mounted fairings, so the windscreen and fairings will turn with the handlebars. On the other hand, the Street Glide has frame-mounted fairings, so the windscreen and other features are fixed through turns. The Electra Glide also has more chrome than the Street Glide.
The Electra Glide is also available in a Police version, the FLHTP, which features several improvements in its performance and functionality, designed to help law enforcement officers.
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Frequently asked questions
The F designation stands for Overhead valve 74 or 80 cubic inch "big twin".
The presence of an L indicates higher compression, offering more power but requiring higher octane leaded gasoline.
The FL designation stands for Big Twin engines, which have been the basic model designation since the early 1950s.
The FLH designation stands for an even more powerful version of the FL model.
The FLHTC designation stands for the Electra Glide Classic/Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
