ISSUE 177
/FIRST UP, AND BEST DRESSED
Jochen Zeitz just announced the Harley-Davidson “Icons Collection” and its first model, the Electra Glide Revival. All up only 1,500 will be made. If you didn’t anticipate this Icon, as we revealed two issues ago in Cybercycles, I am sorry but they are all sold! So what is my point? Read on and I am going to give you my best guess at what ‘Bikes that changed Harley-Davidson history’ the next, and future, Icon Harleys will be based upon.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/icons.html
INSPIRATIONS…
Along with the release of the Icon Collection, Jochen gave us a pretty clear idea of what is to come, along with a warning that if you want one, you better be first up, and best dressed! He said that the Collection would be, “A series of extraordinary adaptations of production motorcycles which look to our storied past and bright future. Every year one or two available models will be made Icons, designed to elevate traditional forms and celebrate Americana, either by revisiting classic Harley-Davidson design themes or by exploring ideas that represent the future of motorcycle style. Production of that model will never be resumed or repeated.” So in theory if you ante up you will have a one-of-a-kind collector’s item.
QUESTIONS…
How is Harley choosing its next Icon? We can guess by how it did the Revival. First and foremost, it will not be an exceptionally expensive CVO. Like the Revival, they will start with a basic model like the Electra Glide Standard. Add an iconic paint theme along with selected accessories out of the P&A catalogue. The key is to pick a historic model that sets a design and standards that have lasted to this day. Like the 1969 Electra Glide with the first Batwing fairing. That said, I think the Revival is actually Icon number two. You see the first Icon was the “Serial 1 Powered by Harley-Davidson” eBicycles prototype honouring the original 1903 “Serial Number One.” So what do you think? But more importantly what does Jochen and his predecessors think are Icons? We see in the Revival what he likes and in the 2021 model year Harleys, a return to chrome and classic Harleys.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23131/lot/169/
AND THEN THERE WERE SIX
A few years ago HOG, the official magazine of the Harley Owners Group, published the five “Bikes that changed Harley-Davidson history.” Recently, HOG added a sixth bike, the LiveWire? The original five are the 1909 Model 5-D, 1936 EL Knucklehead, 1977 Low Rider, 1980 FLT Tour Glide and 1984 Softail.
Back in 2002, Willie G Davidson wrote 100 Years of Harley-Davidson. There he chronicled the birth of the most significant models from Serial Number One to the 2002 VRSCA V-Rod. He detailed in all, 26 models he thought were really important. If you read one book on Harley-Davidson, this is the one!
Today almost every motorcycle website and blog has a list of the most significant Harleys. So for the next Icon model, from what I have read, there is conciseness that the 1909 Model 5-D and 1936 EL are the grandfathers of today’s most loved Harleys. The 1909’s 45 degree V-Twin engine gave Harleys their heart and soul, while almost every part and design element on the ’36 EL can be found on today’s modern Harley. Therefore, my wish is that the next Icon be based on the early V-Twins. But there is a problem with that. What current model year Harley can be the donor as the early Harleys were much smaller? My nominee is the Softail Standard.
https://www.rideapart.com/features/253590/the-big-list-important-harley-davidsons-throughout-time/
BUT; SPORTSTER
But first, most people today including Willie G would agree that the 1957 Sportster is perhaps the most iconic Harley. Heaps of us fell in love with the Sportster and want to have one in the shed next to our Big Twin.
The Motor Company actually opened the door for a future Icon Sportster by including it as “exploring ideas that represent the future of motorcycle style.” The XL1200s are destined to be replaced in the next year with perhaps the Modular 975/1250 Revolution Max engine. The future is the Pan America’s stressed-member-trellis frame for the Sportster replacement. Hopefully Harley will one day make either the 1957 Sportster or the 1956 Elvis Model KH an Icon.
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-american-motorcycles/1957-harley-davidson-sportster/
https://www.bikeexif.com/1957-harley-sportster-replica
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Sportster
NOT FORGETTING THE FX
The FX or Factory eXperimental models deserve an Icon model. The 1971 FX Super Glides were classic parts-bin specials with the frame, rear suspension and drivetrain from the FLH Electra Glide. The front forks, headlight and brakes came off the XLH Sportster. But unfortunately it had a sorta cafe racer-boat tail rear fender and buckhorn handlebars.
Amazingly, the Super Glide gave birth to all the FX models that were to follow. The Super Glide, thankfully, soldiered on with a regular rear fender and gave birth to the 1977 FXS Low Rider, 1980 FXB Sturgis and Wide Glide, and the whole FXD Dyna family.
What really makes the Sturgis Icon attractive to The Motor Company is that they previewed it at the 2020 Sturgis Rally as a one-off paying homage to the iconic Black on Black 1980 FXB Sturgis that Willie G personally designed from the basic 1977 FXS Low Rider. Perhaps we will see it revealed at the 2021 Rally and Races.
https://www.readmeta.com/bulletin/2020/08/20/harley/lowrider
https://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com
OR THE 1984 FXST
The most significant Icon candidate by sheer numbers is the 1984 FXST Softail, 1986 Heritage Softail, or my favourite the 1988 FXSTS Springer Softail. The Springers take us all the way back to the 1948 FL Panhead which was the last old school Springer model.
What I don’t think will be candidates for the Icons are any models that have been a CVO or Anniversary model like the Fat Boy or Super Glide. Sadly I don’t think we will see a racer like the XR750 either. Now, it’s not too early to save your pennies and tell Santa or your dealer what you want for Christmas.
https://adbmag.com.au/editorial/harley-davidson-xr750/
https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/story/bikes/harley-davidson-xr750-50th-anniversary/
https://nationalmcmuseum.org/featured-bikes/feature-bike-harley-davidson-xr750-cut-away-bike/
