1950 HARLEY DAVIDSON FL with sidecar

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. “Smooth as flying” is how the Hydra-Glide forks were described in period sales literature. The fork lower legs were polished on the touring Big Twins from this time forward. There was a 10% boost in horsepower with a design change and an increase in size of the intake ports. The carburetor was updated with an improved Linkert M-74B. Gas lines were rubber-mounted. An adjustable trail feature was introduced on the Hydra-Glide forks to improve handling on sidecar and package truck applications. A handlebar riser link introduced in late ’49 was first illustrated in advertising on the 1950 OHV model. 1950-FIRST YEAR OF THE “TRAIL-A-WAY” HYDRA-GLIDE ADJUSTABLE FORKS