What was Harley-Davidson’s first factory custom? It was the 1971 FX 1200 Super Glide, a production motorcycle that paired the company’s big-twin FL platform with a sportier, lighter front end inspired by the XL Sportster family. Harley-Davidson presents the model as its first factory-custom motorcycle—and a way to bring the parts-mixing spirit of customization into a bike built at the factory.
What made the 1971 FX 1200 Super Glide experimental?
Rather than requiring owners to assemble a custom from separate components, Harley-Davidson combined characteristics from two model families in one production motorcycle. The Super Glide retained the larger FL big-twin platform and powertrain, while its front end brought in a lighter, sportier XL-family character. The distinction matters: Harley-Davidson describes the XL influence as a front-end contribution, not as evidence that the whole motorcycle used Sportster parts.
Harley-Davidson’s official history describes the FX designation as combining the FLH and XLH acronyms. The name points to the model’s blended lineage, while the actual hybrid was more specific: an FL big twin with a notably sportier front end.
Why did Harley-Davidson build a factory custom?
The Super Glide was Harley-Davidson’s factory response to the customization craze: it delivered a custom-inspired combination as a production model instead of leaving riders to create that mix themselves. The company describes the 1971 launch as its first foray into the factory-custom market and credits the motorcycle with setting a precedent for later styling.
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- Collectible quality True-to-scale detailed vehicle
- Die-cast metal body with plastic parts
- Officially licensed Harley Davidson product by Maisto International
- Highly-detailed die-cast precision model for collectible or play
- Detailed die-cast precision model
Harley-Davidson also calls the Super Glide Willie G. Davidson’s first major model. That makes it an important design milestone as well as a new combination of existing model-family traits.
How did the FX Super Glide lead to the Low Rider?
The 1971 FX 1200 Super Glide is the original model in this story; the 1977 FXS Low Rider was a later development, not the first factory custom. Harley-Davidson identifies the Low Rider’s lower seat, drag-style handlebars, and highway foot pegs as features that carried the custom lineage in a more distinctive direction.
Rank #2
- Officially Licensed Replica – Authentic styling and branding from the original manufacturer
- Die-Cast Metal Construction – Durable metal body with detailed plastic components
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- Free-Rolling Wheels – Smooth movement for display or play
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What does the historical record establish about its specifications?
Harley-Davidson’s history and museum timeline identify the Super Glide’s 1971 introduction and its FL/XL design combination. A separate detail applies to a specific later example: the National Motorcycle Museum describes the 1976 Bicentennial Super Glide as a 1200 cc (74 cubic-inch) motorcycle. That figure is for that documented 1976 edition, not a specification established here for every Super Glide year.
The cited historical accounts do not establish a dependable production total for the 1971 model or year-by-year specifications. Those figures should not be inferred from the later Bicentennial edition.
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Best Value
- Collectible quality True-to-scale detailed vehicle
- Die-cast metal body with plastic parts
- Officially licensed Harley Davidson product by Maisto International
- Highly-detailed die-cast precision model for collectible or play
- Detailed die-cast precision model
Rank #4
- Front seat sets the rider back 1. 75" compared to the stock seat; Angles the body for long-distance comfort
- Rear seat provides support across its full width and keeps the passenger firmly in the comfort zone
- Styled after state-of-the-art automotive interior designs; Convenient front bucket drain hole for rainy days
- Includes (1) Super Touring Deluxe one-piece seat in black; Suggested for installation (not included): phillips screwdriver and retained stock 1/4"-20 x 1/2" rear fender screw
- Fits Harley-Davidson Road King '08-'21, Street Glide '08-'21, Street Glide Trike '10-'11, Electra Glide '08-'21, Road Glide '08-'21, Tri-Glide '09-'21
Rank #3
- Brand new 1/12 scale diecast motorcycle model of 2004 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide Sport Blue die cast motorcycle model by Maisto. Brand new box. Detailed exterior. Real rubber tires.
Sources
- Harley-Davidson, Dyna Motorcycle History
- Harley-Davidson, Willie G. Davidson History
- Harley-Davidson Museum, 2014 media kit timeline
- National Motorcycle Museum, 1976 Bicentennial Super Glide
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