The History of the Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide: Harley’s Big Twins on a Roll
Harley-Davidson is known as a company whose reputation is built on reliability and innovation. Looking back at their offerings that came out post-World War II, one of their most significant innovations rolled off the assembly lines in 1949 when they released the new FL Hydra-Glide featuring their new hydraulic forks.

These new forks offered a smoother ride for those who wanted to take to the streets on a motorcycle that not only provided enough power and speed to satisfy those with an appetite for adventure, but it also was comfortable enough for those who wanted to take in the sights as they made their way down the winding roads of the American countryside.  

The Debut of the Hydraulic Forks - Harley’s FL Hydra-Glide
It is said that the folks at Harley-Davidson held off on releasing their new hydraulic forks model for several years after the conclusion of World War II because they wanted to deplete their existing supply of girder forks. The year they finally released the new forks onto the streets was 1949, marking a turning point in motorcycle technology.

Prior to this new models debut, Harleys came standard with the aforementioned girder forks. Though girder forks had some advantages over the new hydraulic models, the advantages of the Hydra-Glide seemed to far outweigh the drawbacks.

Why Are Forks So Important and Why Hydraulic Forks?
When looking at Harley’s decision to go the hydraulic forks route, there are many reasons behind the motorcycle maker’s bold choice. In order to understand why the Hydra-Glide was a great option, you must first understand why forks are so crucial to motorcycles. 

The Importance of Forks 
Any motorcycle enthusiast will tell you that the way they “feel” the road is the most important thing about the ride. The suspension system on a bike will either give you a rough and tumble or a smooth, more laidback ride. 

Why Hydraulic Forks?
As motorcycling became more popular, Harley decided that they could offer the smoothest ride possible by designing a motorcycle that offered the best suspension system possible. The way to achieve this was through hydraulic forks.

Hydraulic forks differ from their predecessors because the shocks and springs are housed inside tubes where they are continuously lubricated. This offers better shock absorption and a smoother ride. The way they connect to the frame also gives the rider better handling over the bike.

Some of the significant reasons why hydraulic forks were the obvious choice for Harley include:

-They offer the suspension that most Harley riders were looking for.
-They give the bike a pleasing aesthetic that most motorcyclists wanted.
-They come at an affordable cost to the manufacturer, and they can pass that savings off to buyers.

Another of the major advantages that accompanied hydraulic forks is the indisputable fact that the enclosed suspension keeps the forks from being contaminated or scratched by dirt and debris that can be encountered on the open road.  

Hyping up the FL Hydra-Glide
With Harley’s successful release of the new Panhead engine, they realized that they could not rest on their laurels. They did not want to find themselves left too far behind, as the technology for these forks had been rolling out with other makers for the better part of a decade or more.

The FL Hydra-Glide was a big twin that came complete with a 74-inch overhead valve engine, giving bikers that low rumble that Harley riders were hungry for. In contrast to the Knucklehead engines, the Panhead engine came with most of its working parts enclosed, thus preventing leaks that often found their way onto a rider’s clothing.

While Harley kept the same sized wheels on the FL from the previous model, they did offer a more prominent, left-side mounted brake. The Hydra-Glide also offered a curvy aesthetic with its optional curved front hubcap, rounded fenders, shapely gas tank, exhaust system, and valve covers, just to name a few of its curvaceous details. Riders went wild for this look, as it was reminiscent of the beautiful pin-up girls who graced the cover of magazines everywhere at the time.

Though Harley would continue to work the bugs out of this new engine for a few years, the FL was a contender for the top spot on the motorcycle scene from its debut in ‘49 until it made its exit in 1957, when it was replaced in ‘58 by the Duo-Glide that offered rear wheel suspension as well.

The History of the Harley Davidson FL Hydra-Glide: Gliding Into the Hearts of Americans

When Harley-Davidson introduced the FL with hydraulic forks and a powerful engine, bikers were able to enjoy a smoother ride without sacrficing performance. 

Though the technology had been available prior to the release of Harley’s FL Hydra-Glide, in true Harley-Davidson fashion, the legendary motorcycle manufacturer managed to make the technology almost larger than life when they implemented it. The Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide managed to glide into the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere, and it continues to be a sought-after collector’s bike over 70 years later.