History of the Harley-Davidson® Softail® Motorcycles
It goes without saying that Harley-Davidson is the top choice for all things motorcycle. If you’re looking for a model that combines vintage style with modern power, then a Harley® Softail is the bike for you. Designs range from classic and timeless to modern and innovative, but you can rest assured that you’ll get to enjoy legendary Harley performance. We love these Softail cruisers and want to share a bit about them, which is why we’ve crafted this brief guide to some of the enhancements made to the Softail bikes over the years
History and Legacy
Back in the mid-70s, engineer and avid rider Bill Davis designed the first-ever Softail. Many of the design choices that Davis originally made influenced the classic look of the Softail family we know and love today. His design was based on a 1972 Super Glide. Once he patented his design, he sold it to the grandson of Harley-Davidson co-founder, Willie G. Davidson, who happened to be the Chief Styling Office at the time. Although he was interested in the design, Davidson ended up passing on it.
As a result, Davis went back to the drawing board to make some adjustments. He switched the pivot and the springing points around so that the pivot point was at the top of the triangular swingarm and the springs and shock absorber were under the frame. He attempted to produce the design independently, but he was not successful. Fast forward to 1982, Harley-Davidson executive Jeffrey Bleustein contacted Davis about purchasing his patent and prototype. It wasn’t long before Harley released its first Softail, which was the 1984 Harley-Davidson FXST.
Engines
The first Softail models didn’t have rubber-mounted engines and this led to more vibration in their engines than in rubber-mounted touring models with Evolution engines. To make up for this, later models used a counterbalanced version of the Twin Cam engine rather than the regular Twin Cam Engine used in the Touring and Dyna models. Now, the latest models are equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin.
Front Forks
The Softail family offers several options when it comes to front fork configurations. They also offered the Springer leading link forks reminiscent of the sprung front-ends used prior to the introduction of the Hydra-Glide® in 1949. The FXST designation is used for 21" Front Wheel Bikes or when the Springer fork is used with a 21" wheel, while the FLST designation is used for 16" Front Wheel Bikes or when the Springer fork is used with a 16" wheel.
The Harley-Davidson Softail family has many great motorcycles that align with many different riding styles. Whether you are like classics or prefer a more modern look, Harley has got something for you. Head over to Jim Moroney's Inc. in New Windsor, NY, to check out our Softail collection! We welcome all those in Newburgh and Cornwall.