Touring on the old Harley Davidson
FL models, with the rigid mount engine and 4 speed transmission was very taxing
on the rider’s body. The vibration that
one felt in their hands and feet was very numbing. For most riders traveling above 60 miles an
hour for long periods was out of the question.
In 1980 Harley introduced the new
and improved Tour Glide FLT. This brand
new model was equipped with a 5 speed transmission, rubber mount drive train in
a new redesigned frame, larger saddlebags that stayed locked, dual disk
upgraded forks with reverse triple trees and frame mount fairing. This new
Harley was a dream to ride for touring.
It was odd that many old Harley riders
rejected the new improved Harley. The
Tour Glide FLT is what today is known as the very popular Road Glide.
The FLHT was introduced in 1983.
This was an Electra Glide based on the FLT Tour Glide frame, but using the
Electra Glide "batwing" fairing instead of the Tour Glide
frame-mounted fairing.
1984 was the last year for the rigid
mount Harley FLH and the shovelhead.
In 1985 Harley replaced the
Shovelhead with the new and improved Evolution engine. The new Harley Evolution was an 80 inch 1340
cubic centimeter engine that quickly took on the name the Evo. The Evo had major advances over the
shovelhead.
The Evo was quickly embraced for its
reliability, oil tightness, and ability to be run hard under all kinds of
circumstances for tens of thousands of miles farther than any of its
predecessors.
The engine cases were upgraded
and the cylinders of the Evolution engine were made from aluminum to reduce
weight and heat compared to a cast iron design of the Shovelhead, Panhead and
Knuclehead engines.
The Evo was a more reliable than
the shovelhead and had more potential for high performance upgrades. With the more comfortable ride people now
wanted to go travel faster on the highways so many high performance and custom
parts started appearing on the market.
As time went on riders started
calling the touring models baggers.
If you are repairing, customizing
or adding high performance upgrades to your Harley FLT or FLH and need parts
please check out our site www.ymphd.com just
mouse over touring bagger section and pick your year
If you have any questions send
them to me at and I will try
and help you out.
tech@ymphd.com
Ride On
yALE
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