Harley FX Models

Article by Mark Trotta

Designed by Willie G Davidson, grandson of company co-founder William A Davidson, the Harley FX Super-Glide combined the lighter, thinner front-end of the Sportster with a Big-Twin frame and motor. At 560 pounds, it was 150 pounds lighter than an FL model, and 60 pounds heavier than a Sportster. The 1971 Super-Glide was the first of the Harley FX models.

The first-year Super-Glide featured a fiberglass boat-tail seat/fender combo that survived only one year. The 1972 model looked much cleaner, with a banana seat and Sportster-style rear fender, combined with "Fat-Bob" gas tanks and dash unit from the FL. Although not a big seller at the time, the Super Glide is considered to be the first factory custom motorcycle.

1974 Super Glide

In it's third year of production, the FX was given a smaller, one-piece three-gallon gas tank instead of the larger FL Fat-Bob tanks. The Super-Glide FX was joined by the FXE, an electric-start version.

Both FX and FXE models had the one-piece gas tank, which made the bike narrower and a little easier to ride aggressively.

The year 1974 saw FL Touring models switching from a Bendix carburetor to a Keihin, while the Harley FX models continued using the Bendix carb. The FXE began outselling the FX, then out-selling the FLH touring bike, becoming the most popular Harley Big-Twin model.

Read: Bendix Carburetor Rebuild

Harley Big-Twin bikes came equipped with Bendix carbs from 1971 through 1975. In 1974, Harley FL Touring models switched from Bendix carburetors to Keihin, while the FX models continued using the Bendix carb.

Early Super Glide Forks

Super Glide fork tubes where shared with early Sportsters, which were taken from the Harley K-model. The 33.4mm diameter tubes looked pretty spindly attached to a Big-Twin frame. In 1973, disc brakes became standard, and the fork tube diameters were increased to 35mm, manufactured first by Kayaba and then Showa (both Japanese companies).

Early 35mm forks have the single "pie-slice" brake caliper, later models have dual-disc calipers.

Read: 1974-1977 Harley FX Caliper Rebuild

Harley-Davidson Low Rider

In 1977, the FXS Low Rider was introduced, featuring a low 26-inch seat height, shorter rear shocks, alloy wheels front and rear, twin front disc brakes, and extended forks with a 32-degree rake. The Fat-Bob tanks returned, featuring a dashboard with speedometer and tachometer.

Unlike the Super Glide, the Low Rider was an instant hit, outselling other Harley Big Twins in it's first full year of production. All three FX models now sported Fat-Bob tanks, with their own center divider.

From 1966 to 1977, the Shovelhead motor displaced 1200cc. The cylinders had a 3.44" bore with a rod-stroke of 3.97", making 74 cubic-inches.

Shovelhead Cylinder Heads

A cylinder head change was seen in mid-1978. Earlier heads had a lip-style O-ring to seal the intake manifold to the cylinder head. Starting in mid-1978, the O-ring was replaced with a flat band with no lip.

74ci vs 80ci Shovelhead

During production of the 1978 model year, engine size was increased to 1340cc (80 cubic-inches) and was available optionally on Harley FL models. Whereas the 74ci motor was designed to run on premium leaded fuel, the 80ci motor was designed to run on premium unleaded.

The larger engine was offered on FX models starting in 1979.

Externally, the 80 cubic-inch engines had a larger, different air cleaner. Another visual difference is 80ci motors had one less fin on each cylinder.

1979 Harley-Davidson FX Models

The kickstart-only FX was discontinued in 1979. In that same year, the FXEF Fat Bob was introduced, offered with either cast or spoked wheels, and with either the 74 or 80ci motor.

Harley Wide Glide

Based on the Low Rider, the Harley FXWG Wide Glide first appeared in 1980. Wide Glide models featured wide chrome front forks with a 21" front tire, dual-disc front brakes, bobbed rear fender, and a flame pattern painted on the gas tank. In addition to the FXWG models, Wide Glide front ends also came on 1980-1983 FWDG Dyna series.

Read: Wide Glide Front-End Conversion

The original FXWG was produced from 1980 through 1986, then re-appearing in 1991 as the FXDWG.

1980-1982 Harley FXB Sturgis

Painted black with red trim, the short-lived Sturgis FXB featured a king/queen seat, belt-drive, and thick-spoked wheels. The fuel tank featured a speedometer, tachometer, and matching filler caps. A two-inch fork extension gave it a mild "chopper" look.

The Harley Sturgis was named after the annual motorcycle rally held in Sturgis, South Dakota. Originally produced only two years, the FXB would re-appear in 1991 on the Dyna platform as the FXDB.

Harley FXR (1982-1994)

Introduced in 1982, the Super Glide II (FXR) differed from the existing FX models in many ways. Where other FX models had solid engine mounting and a four-speed transmission, the FXR shared the rubber-mounted engine and new five-speed transmission with FLT Tour Glide. The easiest way to recognize an FXR from other FX models is by the triangle-shaped side cover.

Only two model year FXR's (1982-1983) were equipped with the Shovelhead engine, subsequent models (1984-1994) were powered by the Evolution motor. The FXR handled well and was fast. It also had less mechanical problems than previous FX models, which helped the bad reputation all Harley-Davidsons suffered during the seventies.

Chain-Drive to Belt-Drive

In 1983, the Low Rider was converted from chain-drive to belt-drive and given the designation FXSB. Introduced this year was the FXDG Disc Glide, featuring a disc-type rear wheel instead of the wire-spoked wheel of the Super Glide or the solid-spoked wheel of the Low Rider. The FXB model was discontinued.

Harley FX Models

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Convert Harley To Points Ignition

Read: DIY Harley Engine Stand

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Harley Shovelhead VIN Numbers

Up until 1969, the only VIN number on Harley-Davidson motorcycles was on the left engine case. There were no frame numbers until the 1970 model year.

The first two numbers of the VIN are the year and the letters (up to four) are the model code, example, FL or FH. The last numbers are the production number. All Harley FX models should have matching frame and engine numbers if the bike is all original.

Up until 1969, engine VIN numbers usually started at 1000 each new year. Harley-Davidson didn't necessarily assemble machines in exact numerical (serial number) order. Sometimes engines were held back due to one reason or another, so it's possible that an engine with a numerically lower VIN number may have reached the final assembly line after engines which had a numerically higher VIN number.

In an attempt to curtail theft, the Motor Company used different frame and engine numbers on some 1979 models. The frame numbers didn't match the number stamped on the engines. The first two digits remained the model code.

From 1970 to 1980, matching VIN numbers appear on both frame and engine.

From 1981 to 1983, a 17-digit VIN appears on the frame, and the engine had a partial VIN.

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