1961 HARLEY DAVIDSON FL

1961 ARISTOCRAT OF THE MOTORCYCLES, ASTRO-FLITE STYLING, NO BACKFIRE, NEW ENGINE SPROCKET

The FL model was given a new frame in 1958. This frame included a rear swing-arm suspended by a pair of coil-over-shock suspension units. In honor of this fully suspended chassis, the FL's model name was changed from Hydra-Glide to Duo-Glide.

Unlike OHV configuration, aluminum heads, and telescopic-fork front suspension, however, this improvement in technology was applied to the small-frame bikes first, the K-series having received rear suspension in 1952 the Duo-Glide for 1961 justified the title of aristocrat of motorcycles! Astro-Flite styling was the new catch phrase to (in their words) make a clean break with the past. Little did they know that 36 years later the wheel would turn 180 degrees and dictate a race to embrace tradition and the past.
The 1997 FLSTS Heritage Springer is a perfect example of a 1948 Pan-head replica that the Motor Company readily accepts as a step into the future by learning the path of the past.
The gas tank emblem was a cast elongated shooting star with a tail attached. A new dual circuit breaker and twin coil ignition system eliminated wasted spark in the cylinder preventing back fire. A new engine sprocket design sped engine turnover. This may have been a premature announcement because the next change for the compensating sprocket did not occur until 1965. The sprocket interchange was 1955-1964. The tank now featured a two-tone paint scheme with what appeared to be two parallel wide birch white strips with the lower one coming out of a small panel at the front of the tank.