From: carlp@frigg.isc-br.com (Carl Paukstis)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
Subject: Re: somebody 'splain please
Date: 27 Aug 92 01:03:41 GMT
Organization: ISC-Bunker Ramo, An Olivetti Company

In article <2305@devnull.mpd.tandem.com> joe@mpd.tandem.com writes:

>would someone explain to me what all the different Harley designations are
>and what aspect of the bike qualifies it as such?

Somebody else asked a similar question, so I guess it's time to post this again.
I wrote this at the beginning of '92; some minor changes need to be
made but I'm too lazy right now...

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     Unofficial Harley-Davidson Model Designation Description

Much of this information is extracted from _The Illustrated Harley-
Davidson Buyers's Guide_ by Allan Girdler 1986 Motorbooks International, 
ISBN 0-87938-204-4(pbk)  This is a brief summary, the detailed history
consumes about 1/2 of Girdler's book, which is 157pp.

The first letter of the model designator reveals the engine series.

Models beginning with X are Sportsters. These descend from the K
series, 1952-56.  The XL series started in 1957.  They are "unit
construction" (engine & transmission share a common case).  X was in
the normal series, following the U and V used for flathead Big Twins.
L stood for high compression (7.5:1 in 1957).  In 1958 came the XLH
with H meaning Higher-power or High-compression (9:1) or Hot.  Also in
1958 was the XLCH, the meaning of C is not clear, perhaps for
Competition or California.  Options for Sportsters abounded but these
same letters have been used since 1958 in various combinations, plus
the XLCR (a "cafe racer" style, with bikini fairing, 1977-78).
Sportsters have been 54ci, 883cc, 1100cc, and 1200cc.

Models beginning with F are Big Twins.  These all descend from the
61E in 1936.  Knuckleheads 1936-47, Panheads 1948-65, Shovelheads
1966-84/85, and Evolutions 1985/6-present.  F is the engine, FL meant
"high compression" model originally, FLH was maybe "higher", as in a
higher level of standard equipment, fancier fenders, more lights, etc.
Various other designators were used: FLF at one time meant Foot shift;
in 1965 a B was used for Battery-start and H was introduced for
High-compression (they forgot what L meant?) and there was a FLHFB.
Until 1978, these were all 74's (~1200cc).  In 1978, the 80ci (~1340cc)
was introduced.

In 1971 was the first FX model, with an F engine and assorted
Sportster (X) parts, notably forks - these were initially Super
Glides.  In 1974, FXE was Electric start.  In calendar 1977 came the
FXS Low Rider, with shortened shocks and scooped seating position.
Also in 1978, the FX Super Glides got belt final drive.
1979 brought 80ci Shovelheads and the FXEF Super Glide Fat Bob 
(not Boy), for bobbed fenders and fat tank. In 1980, FXWG (Wide Glide) 
and the FXB Sturgis with belt drive (primary and secondary).  
In 1980, the FLT designation was introduced for the Tour Glide.  This
model introduced the vibration-isolation mounted engine (rubberglide)
and also a slightly different frame from other FLs and a fixed fairing.
FXR (originally called Super Glide II) arrived in late 1981.  The R
had rubbermount engine and 5-speed tranny, as opposed to rigid-mount
and 4-speed in other models.  FXRS maybe meant Sport, with cast wheels
and a small sissy bar.  The Sport Glide FXRT (Touring?) arrived in
1983, with the fixed fairing and air adjustable anti-dive forks.
1984 brought the Softtail FXST, with the look of an old hardtail but 
some suspension for comfort.  In 1988 (1989? Girdler doesn't go that
far) came the FXD Dyna Glide series, starting with another Sturgis 
model.  This brought many frame and engine-parts changes.
 
The only really reliable letters now are at the beginning of the model:
X=Sportster, F=Big Twin, FL=Big Twin with big forks, FX=Big Twin with 
Sportster-style (smaller) forks, FXST=Softtail, FXD=Dyna Glide.  At
times, different models have even shared the same letter-designation;
witness the FXRS Low Rider/Low Rider Convertible and the FLHTC Electra
Glide Classic/Ultra Classic Electra Glide in 1992 models.

The 1992 lineup, with some pertinent facts:

                              Seat  Grd  Wheel Dry  Fuel   EPA  Brake  Back
    Model designation         High  Clr  Base  Wt.  Cap.   MPG  Discs  Rest

XLH Sportster 883 Hugger      26.0  4.5  59.0  472  2.25  57/48   2     N
XLH Sportster 883             28.5  6.7  60.2  472  2.25  57/48   2     N
XLH Sportster 883 Deluxe      28.5  6.7  60.2  484  2.25  57/48   2     N
XLH Sportster 1200            29.0  6.7  60.2  470  2.25  52/45   2     N
FXDB Dyna Daytona             26.6  5.6  65.5  598  4.9   55/43   3     Y
FXDC Dyna Glide Custom        26.6  5.6  65.5  598  4.9   55/43   3     Y
FXRS-SP Low Rider Sport Edtn. 27.5  6.0  64.7  585  4.2   55/43   3     N
FXR Super Glide               26.0  5.25 63.1  575  4.2   55/43   3     N
FXLR Low Rider Custom         26.5  5.25 63.1  575  4.2   55/43   2     N
FXRS Low Rider                26.5  5.25 63.1  575  4.5   55/43   2     N
FXRT Sport Glide              27.75 6.0  64.7  655  4.2   55/43   3     Y
FXRS Low Rider Convertible    27.5  6.0  64.7  585  4.2   55/43   3     Y
FLSTC Heritage Softail Clas.  26.5  5.25 62.5  710  4.2   50/40   2     Y
FLSTF Fat Boy                 26.5  5.25 62.5  650  4.2   55/43   2     N
FXSTS Springer Softail        26.12 5.38 64.5  625  4.2   55/43   2     N
FXSTC Softail Custom          26.7  5.62 66.3  618  5.2   55/43   2     Y
FLTC Ultra Classic Tour Glide 29.62 5.12 62.9  765  5.0   50/40   3     Y
FLHS Electra Glide Sport      27.0  5.12 62.9  692  5.0   50/40   3     N
FLHTC Electra Glide Classic   28.0  5.12 62.9  741  5.0   50/40   3     Y
FLHTC Ultra Clas. Electra Gl. 28.0  5.12 62.9  765  5.0   50/40   3     Y

All models are belt final drive except Hugger and standard Sporty.

All "softail" and Sportster models have  rigid-mounted engines, the rest
have "vibration isolation-mounted" (rubbermount) engines.

FLST and FXST models are "softail" frame, which has the appearance of
an old style rigid-frame, but is really a kludge (IMHO) monoshock-type
which actually uses two tiny shocks mounted under the frame. 

Other frames are pretty ordinary swingarms, and all similar design,
except the FXD models which have "latest chassis technology", oil
tank mounted low (under the transmission?), there's no evident exhaust 
crossover pipe, and they only come in one color (each).
--
Carl Paukstis, RRR&RSG           | "Good men must not obey the laws too well"
 ISC-Bunker Ramo / Spokane, WA   |    -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
 Phone: +1 509 927-5439          |  
 Mail: carlp@frigg.isc-br.com    |  My employer accepts no responsibility...