The Evolution of the Harley FL series by Yale from YalesMotorcycle Parts at www.ymphd.com

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

The Last Year of the Harley Shovelhead by Yale from Yales Motor Cycle Parts Ymphd.com

In 1979 Harley Davidson introduced a totally new model to the 1980 line up of big twins, the FLT Tour Glide today known as the very popular Road Glide.

The FLT was a complete revamp of the FL model with a rubber mount engine, transmission and swing arm, dual disk front brakes and very badly needed 5 speed transmission.   The triple trees were reversed with the fork tubes place behind the steering neck.  It had a frame mounted fairing which reduced the wind pressure off your arms

Up until 1980 all Harley Big Twins models had the engine and transmission mounted directly to the frame, this is where most of the vibration came from.   

Most of the diehard Harley riders put their noses up to this new motorcycle.  I heard the words tour toilet used a lot to describe this new model.  I never understand why so many Harley riders including myself were so against a vibration free ride, a fairing and a 5 speed transmission.   It took me until 1982 until I finally got on an FLT and then I was hooked.  It was amazing to be able to go for a day long ride and still feel my hands and feet when I got off.  I was relieved of how much pressure the fairing took off my back.  Another cool feature was I could see out my mirror at 4500 RPMs.  Believe it or not I have been riding rubber mount Harleys ever since.  I still have a 1983 Harley FLT that has over 300,000 miles on it although the Shovelhead engine was replace many years ago.  It is going through a major face lift this winter.  Harley continued to use this 3 point rubber mount frame setup until 2008.

In 1982 Harley introduce the FXR Super Glide a rubber mounted version of the FX models.  This bike, so popular today, was again snubbed at back then.  I guess we weren’t so smart after all.  A lot of people said that neither one these models would last another year.

In 1983 Harley introduce the FLHT a rubber mount with the Electra Glide FLH fairing.

1984 was the last year of the Shovelhead engine that was originally introduce in 1966.  It was also the last year for the FL rigid mount engine. 

The Shovel years were a lot of fun and hell of a lot of frustration for me.  I never left the house without my tool kit.  Over the years my Brother Dan Roche and I spent many hours on the side of the road fixing my bike.  Those were fun times, not that I want them back.

My next blog is going to be on the Evolution, stay tuned

If you are looking for any parts for your Harley Davidson Shovelhead  check out my site Yales Motor Cycle Parts @ Ymphd.com

or send me an email with your questions to yale@ymphd.com

Ride On

yALE

The Harley Davidson Shovelhead FLH and FX models 1966-1980 by Yale @  ymphd.com

of  Yales Motor Cycle Parts

In 1966 Harley Davidson introduced a new top end for the FL Electra Glide Panhead that quickly got the nickname the Shovelhead.  The Shovelhead was in all big twin Harleys from 1966 to 1985.  The bottom end basically stayed the same other than some minor changes like the timing cover.  This engine still had the generator setup and same transmission that was introduce in 1965. 

In 1970 the Shovelhead motor had a major change including new style cases, a nose cone timing cover and replacing the generator with an alternator.  The transmission was changed adding a longer main shaft to compensate for the longer motor shaft that was added for the alternator.

One of the big trends in the 70’s was to replace the Panhead top end with new and improved  Shovel top end, I wish I would have saved some of those Panheads, they are worth a fortune.

Another huge change was the introductory of the FX Super Glide series where Harley finally trimmed down the bulky FL in 1971.  They replaced the 41 mm wide glide front end with a Sportster 37 mm lighter fork.  There was a version called the Night Train that had a fiberglass boat tail fender and rear section with a 66 Chevy tail light.  It had a 2 into 1 exhaust similar to the one used on the police models.  It is funny how many of the boat tails were taken off and replaced with a bobbed fender.  I would like to have the ones I threw away today.  This was a Kickstart only model until 1974 when the FXE electric start was introduced.

In 1970 there was also a slight change in the frame stepping up the riders seating position.  Both the FL and the FX used the same motor, frame and transmission. 

In 1973 Harley finally decided to improve the braking on the Big Twins by adding a kidney shaped disk brake set.

In 1977 the FXS Low Rider was introduced with a 32 degree rake, mag wheels and a dual disk front end, which became hugely popular.

In 1978 Harley introduce the 80 cubic inch 1340 CC engine size  eventually replacing the 74 CI 1200 CC originally introduced in the  1936 Knucklehead.  In 1979 Harley discontinued the hand shift foot clutch option and 1980 they introduced the cow pie transmission.

Harley decided to catch up to catch up with the custom world and introduce the FXWG the Wide Glide.  They added a stripped down version of the 41MM Wide Glide forks which we had been doing for years.  The smart thing they did was kept the front fender taps on.  We thought it would be real cool to machine the lower legs down and remove all the tabs, unfortunately after doing that we had no place to mount a fender or anchor a brake to.  But they looked so cool with a 21 inch spool wheel, except in the rain or when we had to make a quick stop.

If you are looking for parts to repair, restore, customize your Harley Davidson Shovelhead check out our site Yales Motor Cycle Parts  ymphd.com or send me an  EMAIL

Ride On

yALE

Early Shovelhead Cut Out

1966-1969 Shovelhead

1970's Style Shovelhead Engine

70's Shovelhead FLH

The Night Train

The Superglide

Low Rider

Wouldn't you like one of these

Shovelhead Wide Glide

Wide Glide