1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide

The 1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide motorcycle, Harley's first "factory custom" bike, failed to attract the audience Harley had hoped it would and was a sales disappointment, finding fewer than than 5,000 buyers.

The 1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide was created by using a combination of pieces from two popular Harley models.

In an effort to compete head-on with the aftermarket suppliers, Harley-Davidson ushered in its first "factory custom" for the 1971 model year. By combining pieces from two popular models, the "Big Twin" FL and the XL Sportster, the company hoped to provide buyers a new breed of Harley.

Stripped of its electric starter, the FX could be fitted with a smaller battery and battery box. The forks and front wheel were taken from the XL's parts bin, as was a smaller-diameter headlight and trademark headlight cover.

The frame, 74-cubic-inch Shovelhead engine, and rear suspension originated from the FL. The dual tanks were from the FLH.

A fiberglass tail section was styled after a similar piece used on the previous year's Sportster, and all the bodywork could be covered with a special Sparkling America paint scheme.

New and exciting as it was, the market failed to respond to the first Super Glide, and only 4,700 found buyers. By comparison, more than 10,000 Sportsters were sold the same year.

The Super Glide returned for 1972, but some of its pieces did not. The tail section disappeared, replaced by a traditional steel fender assembly. In this form, the Super Glide met with greater success, and factory customs would eventually become Harley-Davidson's stock-in-trade.

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1916 Harley-Davidson J

From a styling standpoint, the 1916 Harley-Davidson J motorcycle was a great leap forward from the brand's earlier bikes. The fuel tank had rounded rather than square-cut corners, and the motorcycle took on a longer, lower appearance. Also, pedals no longer sprouted from the lower frame on models with the three-speed transmission, which now sported a modern kickstarter.

The 1916 Harley-Davidson J wears Harley's traditional gray paint -- the last Harley model to do so.

Other than the kickstarter, however, there were few mechanical changes of note. Forks remained a leading-link design with enclosed coil springs, and the 61-cubic-inch intake-over-exhaust V-twin received only a curved intake manifold to smooth the airflow into the cylinders.

This would be the last year Harleys would wear their traditional grey paint, which had graced the machines since 1906. Its replacement -- Olive Drab -- would be hardly more colorful, yet would enjoy an equally long tenure.

More pictures of the 1916 Harley-Davidson J are on the next page.