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1956-1962

___1956 FLEF 74 Hydra Glide___

Production   5,785

Power plant  74 CI V-Twin 

Features      Foot shift transmission

List price     

The Hydra Glide was offered with a choice of either hand or foot shift transmission. Although most police departments preffered hand-shift models, Harley made 4,055 foot-shift models, compared to 1,731 hand-shifts.

____1957 XL Sportster____

Production   1,983

Power plant 55 CI OHV V-twin

Features       Powerful engine

List Price      

The new Sportster, with its 55 cubic inch OHV engine was Americas first "Superbike." It wads the fastest and quickest accelerating motorcycle ever produced in America, and easily earned a reputation for speed and power.

____1958 FL 74 Duo Glide____

Production   6,038

Power plant  74 CI twin

Features       Rear suspention

List Price      

The Hydra Glide became the Duo Glide in 1958, when new hydraulically damped rear suspension was added to supplement the oil-damped front end. All motorcycles would eventually adapt this type of suspension system.

____1960 FL 74 Duo Glide____

Production   5,967

Power plant  74 CI V-twin

Features       Hand shift gearbox

List Price     

The FL model had a hand-shift transmission, while FLF models had foot-shifters. Today gearbox shifting is regulated by federal standards, but in those days riders had a choice of how they wished to shift gears.

____1960 Topper Scooter____

Production   N/A

Power plant  10 CI  automatic transmission

Features        Economy, ease of handling

List Price     

The Topper was the only motor scooter ever produced by Harley-Davidson. It had only two controls: a throttle and a brake. A special "bull-pen" sidecar was made for the Milwaukee Braves to bring relief pitchers to the mound during home games. Shown is Braves' pitcher Warren Spahn gets a ride from Walter C. Davidson, H-D VP Sales.

____1961 Sprint____

Production   N/A

Power plant   15 CI single

Features        First Italian Harley

List Price      

The first Italian made Harley motorcycle sold in America was the 1961 Sprint. The durable little 250cc engine was tiny compared to Harley's other massive 1200cc twins, but this machine fit an important market niche.

____1961 FLH Duo Glide____

Production   4,927

Power plant  74 CI V-twin

Features       Full dresser

List Price       

Harley's big touring motorcycles, when equipped with saddlebags and fairings, were called "dressers" a term used to describe a "fully dressed" road machine. An average of about 5,000 FL's were sold annually during this period.

___1962 XLCH Sportster____

Production   2,000 (all XL)

Power plant   55 CI OHV V-twin, 4-speed

Features         High performance OHV engine

List Price       

The high performance XLCH was a true American "muscle bike" that could outperform any stock street motorcycle. It's high-mounted muffler allowed it to be used in off-road competition, such as enduros and cross-country races, with little or no modifications.