1949 HARLEY DAVIDSON FL

FIRST YEAR FOR THE HYDRA-GLIDE FRONT FORK

Accompanying the new Panhead engine, new forks, frame, and fenders were of contemporary design. This was the first year of the Hydra-Glide front fork assembly on the OHV model. Hydraulic forks first tried on a short lived experimental XA war model were reintroduced on the 49 Panhead. The timeless style, utility, and popularity of the new fork was proven by it’s continual use on Big Twins for the next 48 years.

The front brake assembly was totally redesigned and larger in diameter than the springer brake. A new, larger sealed ray headlight was offered on OHV models and two chromed parking lamps were attached to the upper fork tube covers. The frame was modified with dog-legged front down tubes instead of traditional straight legs used on the Knucklehead. The frame redesign accommodated the slightly taller Pan engine in it’s cradle. The valance springer rigid fenders used since 1934 were abandoned in favor of a pair of smooth sided mudguards with a rocket ship look. New polished stainless steel covers were used on the heads. A black painted horn was moved to the upper fork down tubes under the steering head. An unusual stainless stell cover shaped in the form of the fishtail muffler was attached over the muffler in 1949 only. The five piece fork trim covers, primary chain inspection cover, and clutch derby cover were all polished stainless steel. Three new horizontal chevrons enhanced each side of the tombstone tail-lamp     

In 1949, a year after receiving the "Pan-head" engine, the FL was given a new front suspension featuring hydraulically damped telescopic forks, replacing the leading link spring suspension of the time.These forks were standard on all big twin models for 1949, including the E, EL, F, and FL Harley-Davidson offered the spring suspension units on these models and recommended their use on sidecar combinations, because the hydraulic forks did not have enough trail to allow the combination to be stable enough for safe operation.During their debut model year of 1949, Harley-Davidson referred to their new suspension systems as the "hydraulic front ends". Harley-Davidson's marketing department promoted the new suspension systems by renaming the big twin models "Hydra Glide" for the 1950 model year.  This was Harley-Davidson's first departure from its policy of using alphabetic lettering to identify its models.