As the horrors of World War II receded into memory in the United States, companies shifted vehicle production from military machines back to civilian models. That included Harley-Davidson, who had supplied the U.S. and allies with thousands of stout WLA v-twins and other machines in the march to victory.
Post-war, Harley-Davidson worked through its military parts supply with a range of bikes based largely on pre-war designs and “knucklehead” engines. By 1948 they were ready to move forward with a new model sporting a new engine – soon to be nicknamed “panhead” – and a relatively new motorcycle suspension technology: Hydraulic forks. The 1949 Hydra-Glide was born just in time for America to enter the fabulous 1950s – and the new era of the American interstate highway system.
Now, 75 years later, Harley-Davidson is bringing the Hydra-Glide back into production, with a few modern updates, of course. The new FLI Hydra-Glide Revival is part of the company’s Icons series of limited production retro-modern machines, and if you don’t look too close, it’s difficult to tell the new one from the old one. Only 1,750 of the new Hydra-Glide Revival models will be produced, and MSRP is $24,999.
From the period-correct “V” tank logo, flowing fenders, roomy floorboards, round air cleaner, and two-tone windscreen, the Hydra-Glide looks like a restored 1950s restomod from almost any angle. The large single seat truly earns the term “saddle.” It is adorned with a chrome rear rail, chrome studs, conchos with acrylic red centers and white piping. A matching pair of leather/vinyl saddlebags compliments the perch. With the throwback paint scheme, acres of chrome, black grips on buckhorn bars and tank-mounted analog-look speedometer, it’s the 1950s all over again, but with more power, modern brakes and a much refined suspension.
Underneath the deep chrome, Redline Red and Birch White tank paint (just like in ‘49!), modern technology makes the Hydra-Glide Revival a reliable (and oil-tight) partner for in-town cruising and longer highway trips. Power comes from the reliable 114-cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin that is mated to a six-speed gearbox and quiet belt drive, and the hidden rear Softail monoshock suspension works a fair bit better than the sprung seat and hardtail frame of the original.
The headlight is braced by two large driving lights, and the wheels are spoked hoops thankfully wearing modern rubber and disc brakes. A tick more compression and a larger air cleaner boosts horsepower to 94 and torque to 119 lb-ft.
While many of Harley’s Icon series machines have strong echoes back to the bikes that inspired their modern counterparts, few cast a spell as strong as the original Hydra-Glide, which became an archetypical Harley model and historical point.
Indeed, the Hydra-Glide Revival is hitting showrooms at the same time as the long-awaited movie The Bikeriders is arriving in theaters (and home theaters). Based on actual events (as they say now), The Bikeriders recounts the growth of the Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club in the mid-1960s, when many members were astride Hydra-Glides. The club was captured on film by photojournalist Danny Lyon whose iconic images were published in a best-selling book of the same name. In the movie, the club is called The Vandals. Here’s the trailer, be aware there is some violent content.