1972 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide, Frame no. 2C25505H2 Engine no. 2C25505H2
Among the most collectible of post-1960s Big Twin Harley-Davidsons is the Super Glide, which set the company off in a new styling direction, the effects of which can still be seen today. The first major work by then-new styling chief Willie G. Davidson, the Super Glide would morph into the popular Low Rider series, inspiration for thousands of custom-style cruisers that would soon follow ? from Harley and almost every other bike-maker.
To arrive at the FX chassis, Davidson took the Shovelhead drivetrain and main frame from the FLH, then he grafted on the 'sporty' forks, headlight treatment and front brake from a Sportster. Buckhorn handlebars, a Fat Bob fuel tank and a one-piece fiberglass fender/seat that came to be called the 'boattail' completed the look. That last element was seen as too controversial for the day's tastes and was quickly replaced with more conventionally styled pieces.
The original Super Glide has quite rightly been called the first factory custom, even if early versions with their controversial "boattail" bodywork were not exactly AMF sales successes. In 1972 the boattail would be phased out and the Super Glide began its transition into a more convention-looking package, one that would eventually become the best-selling Low Rider series. Some early '72s retained the boattail, however, and for a time the fiberglass tail section could be ordered as an option.
This particular 1972 FX 1200, - believe to be all original with 3,537 miles on the odometer - has the conventional tail and seat installed. All FX Super Glides were painted black in 1972, appropriate as the bike had popularly become known as the 'Night Train', a model name Harley would officially use starting in 1998 on an all-black Softail.
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Among the most collectible of post-1960s Big Twin Harley-Davidsons is the Super Glide, which set the company off in a new styling direction, the effects of which can still be seen today. The first major work by then-new styling chief Willie G. Davidson, the Super Glide would morph into the popular Low Rider series, inspiration for thousands of custom-style cruisers that would soon follow ? from Harley and almost every other bike-maker.
To arrive at the FX chassis, Davidson took the Shovelhead drivetrain and main frame from the FLH, then he grafted on the 'sporty' forks, headlight treatment and front brake from a Sportster. Buckhorn handlebars, a Fat Bob fuel tank and a one-piece fiberglass fender/seat that came to be called the 'boattail' completed the look. That last element was seen as too controversial for the day's tastes and was quickly replaced with more conventionally styled pieces.
The original Super Glide has quite rightly been called the first factory custom, even if early versions with their controversial "boattail" bodywork were not exactly AMF sales successes. In 1972 the boattail would be phased out and the Super Glide began its transition into a more convention-looking package, one that would eventually become the best-selling Low Rider series. Some early '72s retained the boattail, however, and for a time the fiberglass tail section could be ordered as an option.
This particular 1972 FX 1200, - believe to be all original with 3,537 miles on the odometer - has the conventional tail and seat installed. All FX Super Glides were painted black in 1972, appropriate as the bike had popularly become known as the 'Night Train', a model name Harley would officially use starting in 1998 on an all-black Softail.
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Time, Location
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