Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi,

I’m getting a little confused and I was hoping someone could straighten me out. Personally, I feel like a fool because it is hard to get information on an old bike without getting a manual. My complication is that I’m getting confused on the difference of a Duo, Electra and Hydra Glide from the era of the early 50’s to 60’s.

I didn’t realize how difficult it was to figure it out from a picture until I ended up getting corrected because I didn’t realize that the Duo Glide had a swing arm because I couldn’t see it due to the saddle bags that are always pictured. Also, I had a hard time seeing the gear shift on the tank because of the quality of the photo. What I was trying to find out was which one of the bikes have standard controls (clutch – lefthand, gear – leftfoot, brake – righthand and brake – rightfoot), is a hard tail and doesn’t have those fish tailed pipes.

Does anyone else have more detail?

Here's my easy reply- go to the library, or a book store and get a book on the history of Harley Davidson.

There are dozens available and you will find all the info you want and more.

There are too many subtle differences to go into here, but it does make for some fascination research/reading.

bikeguy joe wrote:Here's my easy reply- go to the library, or a book store and get a book on the history of Harley Davidson.

There are dozens available and you will find all the info you want and more.

There are too many subtle differences to go into here, but it does make for some fascination research/reading.

I was afraid of that.....I avoid our library.....not because I avoid reading but because the parking is so hazardous that its not worth risking life and property to go for a stinking book....

Here's a few sites that should help you figure it out:
http://www.wwwildcats.com/harley_abc.htm
http://www.dlhill.com/hdalphabet.html
http://www.fenlandershog.com/History%20of%20HD.htm

You got a picture?

bikeguy joe wrote:You got a picture?

Hydra-Glide:


Duo-Glide:


Electra-Glide:


Ain't Google a wonderful thing?

I'll have the Duo Glide please....

Actually, I was asking beer slinger if he had the original picture that he was asking about, but this may help him out.

Gummiente wrote:Here's a few sites that should help you figure it out:
http://www.wwwildcats.com/harley_abc.htm
http://www.dlhill.com/hdalphabet.html
http://www.fenlandershog.com/History%20of%20HD.htm

Actually, I had the alphabet stuff and I think that get's more to the heart of the problem. I don't have a problem with the difference of a Duo-Glide FLH or a Duo-Glide FLHTC......What I'm getting confused on is what fundamentally makes a Duo-Glide a Duo-Glide? I’m aware of the options and pretty much most of the history. What I’m trying to figure out is how they come up with these model names and defines them….Do they just pull them out of the air?

"Hydra Glide" is 'cause it has a hydraulic fork as oppsed to a springer type fork.

"Duo Glide" is 'cause it had suspension at both ends.

"Electra Glide" is 'cause it was the first one with electric start (Harley that is)

bikeguy joe wrote:I'll have the Duo Glide please....

Actually, I was asking beer slinger if he had the original picture that he was asking about, but this may help him out.

Well, this is something that I have been studying for weeks. I could show you all of the pics that I have but there are more then 5Meg and I don't know what this post can handle...

What I guess i'm trying to find out is the one that I want to build......I hate walking into a bike shop and sounding like an idiot and it happend the other day when I didn't realize that the Duo was a swing-arm and it shifted along the tank....