Showing posts with label Harley-Davidson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harley-Davidson. Show all posts
Motorcycle of the Day--Orange Harley-Davidson
Motorcycle Pics and Humor to Warm You Up
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| How we have felt for three months... |
Great news for bikers in some regions--the weather is promising to warm up for a bit. We might even see some temps in the 60's. Sure, there are plenty who still get out there and ride when it is 0, but probably not so much when the snow and ice are up to the handlebars.
It may be a few more days before the last of the ice disappears, but until then, here are some motorcycle themed memes and photos to give you a laugh, (or just get you in the mood to ride.)
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| Best mobile business idea. |
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| Bugs taste better at high speed. |
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| Not all bugs though... |
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| You will still be young enough to ride when Spring gets here. |
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| If not, then improvise. |
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| Second best mobile business... |
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| Have you planted your bike seed yet? |
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| And road legal. |
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| Meanwhile, behind the scenes... |
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| We want to work there! |
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| Thank God for Swiffer. |
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| Or at least send us a free sample for a week or so. |
A Little About Heritage Softails
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| wikimedia public domain |
Since we have had two Heritage Softails in the shop this year, an '04 and a '92, we thought we would talk a little about this little piece of Harley History.
If anyone doesn't know what a Softail is, it means that the bike has special shock absorbers (springs) to make the ride less bumpy. Sometimes these are hidden so that the bike retains the more classic hardtail appearance.
The term "Softail" was actually coined by Harley-Davidson in 1984 when they introduced the FXST Softail. The term is trademarked to Harley-Davidson, but is unofficially used to refer to any motorcycle or even bicycle with a hidden rear suspension system. The term is also used for sport's bikes with visible suspension.
The first Softail model was designed in the 1970's, but Harley-Davidson wasn't interested. The inventor, Bill Davis, continued to refine his prototype, and eventually Harley-Davidson contacted him and bought the rights to the new design.
The first Heritage Softail. the FLST Heritage Softail, was introduced in 1986. Unlike the first Softails, the new design incorporated telescopic forks. This model was followed by the FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic.
In 1993 the FLSTN "Cow-Glide" was introduced, with a signature black and white design. The "Cow Glide" theme was discontinued but the base model was manufactured well into the 90's. It was replaced FLSTSC Springer Classic.
Since then, Softails have seen an updated motor, and improved rider ergonomics. Today they are still sought out for the same reason their predecessor's were--their nostalgic appearance. Oh, and the fact that they GO. And we mean GO!
Motorcycles At Bowlegs 5th Annual Fire Run
Just a few of the awesome bikes seen today after the Bowlegs Fire Department Poker Run.
Harley-Davidson History--The Servi-Car
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| 1968 Servi-Car Wikimedia public domain image |
Before people started putting trike kits on their motorcycles, and before companies started manufacturing pre-made trikes, Harley-Davidson had the bright idea to make the Servi-Car. This was during the Great Depression, when their sales were flagging a bit, and most people didn't have any extra cash to spend on a motorcycle for pleasure.
Businesses however, did have money, and that is who the Servi-Car was targeted at. Mainly, garages, service stations and car dealerships. Why would these businesses need a motorcycle?
The original concept behind the Servi-Car was to create a small vehicle that could be towed behind cars that were being delivered. (garages and service stations used to do that!) Once the car was returned to it's owner, the delivery person could hop on the Servi-Car and head back to their job. Or, in some cases, the mechanic would carry tools to a car needing repair.
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| wikimedia public domain image |
Other businesses soon saw the value of these motorcycles. They had large toolboxes that made them perfect for small deliveries. Vendors and salesman used them for utility vehicles, and soon the police started riding them as well. In fact, police officers were still riding Servi-Cars as late as the 1990's, even though they were only manufactured between 1932 and 1973.
Unlike other motorcycles of the time, the Servi-Car was not built to be ridden on the highways. It had a rigid frame, and the axle track was set at 45", the same as a standard car. This made it ideal for riders to maneuver down rural roads because the bike tires easily fit in the ruts already made by cars and trucks.
The Servi-Car typically offered a three-speed transmission, plus reverse. Many elements of the design changed or were improved along with other HD bikes. As time went on they were given electric starters, spring protected forks, tow bars, and other features that kept them popular and useful for many years.
The Servi-Car didn't really lose popularity based on it's design. Rather the world changed around the Servi-Car, and when delivery men and others began using other automobiles, and service stations stopped delivering, the practicality of the Servi-Car was no longer worth the price of manufacture.
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| wikimedia public domain image |
Harley-Davidson FXRS, FXEF, FXDG...What the FXR is the FX Series?
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| 1985 FXRS Low Glide |
Introduction To FX Series
If you are new the HD scene, the naming system can be pretty confusing. Especially after you add in letters, numbers, limited editions and customs. Even die-hard motorcycle enthusiasts sometimes draw a blank when trying to remember what year a bike was introduced, improved, and discontinued.
As we mentioned in an earlier post, our shop mascot is an FXRS Low Glide. That is a good enough reason to go into a little history on the FX series, from it's conception in 1971 until the FXRS Low Glide vanished from the factories in 2009.
A Stroke of Genius
For over 50 years, Harley owners had been mixing and matching parts from small and large twin engine bikes to create custom rides. Finally, someone at HD took notice of that, and decided to create a Frankenstein model using the best parts from two series, namely, the FLH and the XS.
This gave birth to the FX, or Factory Experimental line. The first baby was the Super Glide. The FLH Electra Glide donated it's rear suspension and drive train to the new model, and the XLH Sportster handed over it's brakes, headlight, and smaller forks.
That was all well and good, except the new Super Glide also had the "boattail" fender from the Sportster line, a feature that was not widely popular. Still, the new Super Glide was popular enough that Harley-Davidson considered it a worthwhile endeavor to keep on improving the line. In 1974, a Super Glide with an electric starter was introduced. It also had a new one piece tank, that replaced what was known as the "Fat Bob" tank.
The FXS Low Rider
In 1977, HD introduced the FXS Low Rider. This new model was so popular that within a year it outsold all other HD models. A new and improved Fat Bob tank was reintroduced, with a dividing strip and mounted tachometer.
The tank wasn't the only thing that grabbed people's attention. The new bike had alloy wheels on front and back, disc brakes on the front, extended forks, and a 26" seat.
Special FX
HD kept pumping out the FX series and people kept buying them. Over the next few years the following models were introduced:
- 1977 Confederate Edition with commemorative paint job. Only 228 of these were made.
- 1979 FXEF Fat Bob
- 1980 FXB Sturgis Black Low Rider
- 1980 FXWG Wide Glide with wider forks
- 1983 FXSB Low Rider with belt Drive
- 1983 FXDG Disc Glide
- 1984 FXST Softail
Parallel to these models, HD also introduced the FXR Super Glide II in 1982. This model was built on a Tour Glide chassis. The FXR range was expanded in 1983, and the FXRS Low Glide was presented, as well as the FXRT Sport Glide.
Discontinuations and Re-christenings
In 1985, the FXE Super Glide was discontinued. FXEF Fat Bob style became the model base for the FX series.
In 1987 the Wide Glide was also retired. This happened a year after the FX bikes switched to FXR base models. The FXR bases were too small to accommodate the Wide Glide forks.
The Dyna Series Takes Over
In the early 90's, the Dyna chassis was introduced to replace the FXR. According to HD, this was due to more and more consumers feeling that the FXR series was too similar to import bikes. The first bike to use the Dyna chassis was the Limited Edition FXDB Sturgis, in 1991.
The next year, the FXDB Daytona and the FXDC Dyna Glide Custom were presented. The FXDC was almost identical to the Daytona, but was available in only custom black and silver. The Dyna Low Rider moved in on the FXRS Low Rider, which was finally discontinued in 2009.
Random Facts About The FX Series
- In 1984 the FXR series went from 5-speed shovel motors to 5-speed Evo motors
- In early 1985 "transition" models were still being shipped with any combination of the '84 and '85 features
- 1986 FXRD Sport was last Big Twin with chain drive
- 1987 First ball and ramp clutch actuator was added.
- 1988 39mm front forks were added to FXR models
- F means Big Twin engine, X means Sportster front end. R means rubber engine mounts. Thus, FXR.
- FXR bikes were designed to be ridden aggressively, thus the stiffer torsion in the design
- The triangular side-cover design was the least popular feature of the FXR bikes
- The FXRS model revived flagging sales. Customers liked the lower seat in combination with the stiff frame and Evo motor.
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| Photo from Hot Bike Magazine |
Read more about the FXR history HERE
See Cool Motorycle Pictures of the FXR series HERE
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Guest post by J. Kinsey 2013
Biker Photo of The Day--Man's Greatest Invention?
Oh the great inventions of the world. But who doesn't agree that the wheel is one of the best ever? It wouldn't be the same if it was square. And for bike's it just wouldn't be the same if it was wooden. I guess along with the wheel we ought to thank the guys that perfected inflatable rubber tires, too.
Wheel
The bright idea of creating something round that could move heavy loads seemed to have dawned on several people at the same time. "First wheels" have been found that are the same age (dating back the fourth millenium BC...or Neolithic age) in various geographical locations across the world.
Tire
The idea of making a wheel out of something softer than wood, metal or stone didn't really take off until 1880's, after the many uses for vulcanized rubber were being discovered. The first guy to think about putting rubber on a tire to make the ride softer was actually looking for a better tire for a bicycle.
Biker Photo of The Day--1985 FXRS, The Shop Mascot
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1985 Harley-Davidson FXRS with Evolution Motor Introducing Ol' Blue, the shop mascot. It has been owned by both of the Two Wrenches, and they both agree that it is THE best motorcycle either of them has ever ridden. There will be more about Ol' Blue in the future, as this bike has many stories to tell. |
Biker Photo of The Day--1936 Harley Davidson
Check out this blast from the past. A 1936 Harley-Davidson spotted at Sparks, America in 2003.
Biker Photo of the Day--Heritage Softail Twins
Sometimes a great photo op just pulls up and parks beside you. These two Harley-Davidson Heritage Softails were just begging to have their picture taken together. The one in front belongs to our Sheriff and riding-buddy. The other one just magically appeared today when we stopped for gas in Eufaula.
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