1987 tour glide

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The Tour Glide / Road Glide History - a complete information guide

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I tried to make a wikipedia page, but they shot it down due to lack of references. What they don't realize, there is no references as the history has not been well documented. If you do a google search for Road Glide history, this forum is the only thing that comes up. If you have more to add or corrections, please reply and I will edit so all info is good and up to date. I would love to have listed all color choices for each year, so please help me out there where you can. Most of the initial information came from forum members RoadGlideRider and JacktheBagger - thanks for sharing your knowledge gentlemen. A lot of the missing info is going to take some of you experienced guys to fill in the blanks for me, as information is just not out there on the web. _________________________________ The Harley-Davidson '''Road Glide''' or '''Tour Glide''' is an American made touring motorcycle that was first put into production in the year 1979. The Tour Glide was different then any H-D models before, in that it had a fixed fairing that was attached to the frame and did not move with the handlebars. Today the Road Glide is one of the most popular motorcycles in the custom bagger world, and for long distance touring. The shape of the fairing is often referred to as a "Sharknose" fairing due to the resemblence of a shark. _________________________________ First years - Tour Glide The Tour Glide was introduced in 1979 and only 19 FLT's were produced that year. In the following year Harley produced 4480. The 1980 Tour Glide was the first to have the 5 speed transmission and 3 point rubber mounted engine. The motorcycle also had a rectangular steel back bone , and tubular frame, twin 10" front disc, single 12" rear disc and an enclosed final chain drive. The bike was powered by an 82ci (1338cc) Shovelhead with a bore x stroke of 89 x 108mm and had a wet multiplate clutch, 5 gallon gas tank and the bike weighed 725lbs. The 1981 model brought a VfireII electronic ignition, lower 7.4:1 C.R., longer valve guides, extra oil drain lines from the rocker boxes, revised valve guide seals, and a Girling rear brake caliper. In 1982, the FLT got new handlebars and seat, primary chain oiler, higher output alternator, and locks for the luggage. 1983 only brought a lower seat, and stiffer suspension. From 1979 to early 1984 the tour glide was powered by the Shovelhead engine. In late 1984 until 1996 the motorcycle was powered by the Evolution engine. The early 1984 models had a shovelhead bottom end with an EVO top end. There was never a Police FLT Model. Only FLHT, FXRP, XLP, and Dyna Police models. It is known that the 1984 through 1988 models (at least, maybe more) had air resivors in the crash bars for air assist to the front fork springs. The 1985 model was changed from a final drive chain to a belt. The Tour Glide came without a Radio or gauge mounting positions made into the fairing. To add a radio, you would need to purchase a Radio Caddy from Harley, or several after market companies. Some after market caddys came with the gauges mounted in the radio aaddy. To add Harley gauges, Harley sold ones that required you to drill a hole in the fairing and mount them there. Harley introduced the Radio Caddy for the Tour Glide fairing and was stock beginning with the 1986 model year. It is the same year Harley had the radio in the Inner/outer fairing on the Electra Glide. It was produced by Radio Sound. That radio was only used in the 1986/87 model years. The only major change made that didn't change the name of the model line was to move the turn signals from in the fairing to outside and attached to the lower mounting supports and this happened in 1988. 1989 the "Ultra" model was introduced along with the base FLT model. The alternator was bumped up to 32 amp for 1989 and it also had a one piece pinion shaft and right flywheel. The FLTCU model came standard with cruise control, a CB radio, intercom, front and rear sound systems, and fairing lowers, and two tone paint jobs. The standard FLTs were solid colored bikes. A sidecar option was available for the FLTCU, but only 15 were made in 1989. Total production for 1989 is believed to be 603. The Tour Glide's last year of production was in the 1996 model year, and also the first year for the fuel injection option. There was not any FLT models produced for the 1997 model year. _________________________________ Road Glide years With the introduction of the 1998 model lines, Harley introduced the FLTR Road Glide. This was using the same frame and motor assembly as the Electra Glide, as before, but with a completely redesigned fairing. It included the radio and gauges mounted in the fairing in areas that were made for this purpose. This inner and outer fairing has not changed for the entire production run of the Road Glide. From 1998 to present it has remained the same. The fairing changed slightly and this was the last year for the Evolution engine. In 1999 Harley Touring models got the Twin Cam engine that bumped the displacement up to 88". From 1999 to 2003 the motorcycle had very minimal changes. In 2000 and 2001 Harley offered CVO Road Glides, the FLTRSEI and FLTRSE2. 2004 brought the change from cassette tape to compact disc, and in 2006 the radio manufacture changed from Radio Sound to Harman/Kardon. 2007 the engine displacement increased from 88ci to 96ci and Transmission to 6 Speed, and all Touring Models became EFI standard. In 2008 the fuel tank increased to 6 Gallons. Throttle changed to Throttle By Wire, brakes changed to Brembo Brakes, and an ABS option for all Touring Models. 2009 brought the new frame, rear tire changed to 180 wide rear tire and 17 " front tire. This was the last year of the Road Glide (FLTR). After many years Harley Davidson brought back a CVO Road Glide in 2009 (FLTRSE3). _________________________________ Custom and Ultra years After many rumors that the Road Glide's last year was going to be the 2009 model year, 2010 models came out with a newly designed Road glide called the Road Glide Custom and designated model FLTRX. The bike was basically the same as a Street Glide, just with the shark nose or fixed fairing. The 2010 models was the first and only year to offer a 2 into 1 headpipe. 2010 was also introduced with 18" front tire, lowered rear end with newly designed tail lights, doing away with the center brake light in the middle of the rear fender. In 2010 Harley redesigned the fairing mounting supports. They were redesigned to move the fairing up and re-angle the fairing to make the fairing accept the vented lowers that are now being used on the Electra Glide. Before this models change, the Road Glide required a different lower fairing from and of the "Batwing" or Road King models lines. Cruise Control was made optional (controls removed from handlebars). 2011 Road Glide Custom (FLTRX) same as before with new colors and 103ci motor option and a 2/1/2 headpipe. The Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU) was introduced with a 17" front tire and has the TwinCam 103ci motor. Harley also produced a FLTR CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) with 110ci engine and 18" front and rear tire. 2012 saw both the FLTRX and FLTRU models return, and a FLTRXSE in 3 color offerings. 2011 was definatley a big year for the Road Glide, along with 2012 and the best kept secret in the Harley Davidson line-up, seems to be finally getting some well deserved respect in the touring community. 2013 was another great year for the Road Glide, with the Custom and Ultra returning with new color offerings. Also the FLTRXSE2 returned with addition speakers in the saddlebag lids, 2 paint offerings and the 110 year anniversary edition CVO Road Glide. The FLTRXSE2 came with Harley's new LED lighting for the Road Glides. ​  

Color options for each year according to model and Some models (mainly CVO) has the production numbers that could be found and even the country the bike went to. ---------- 1979 ---------- - FLT Vivid Black ---------- 1980 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Rich Red Saddle Brown Bright Blue Charcoal Grey Candy Red ---------- 1981 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Classic Tan Classic Creme Candy Root Beer Metallic Blue Light Red Dark Carmine Orange Olive Light Charcoal Metallic Dark Silver ---------- 1982 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Classic Tan Classic Creme Metallic Blue Light Red Dark Carmine Orange Brown Emerald Green Red Pewter Maroon ---------- 1983 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Classic Tan Classic Creme Pewter Maroon Indigo Blue Claret red Slate Grey Metallic ---------- 1984 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Classic Tan Classic Creme Pewter Maroon Indigo Blue Claret Red Candy Purple Rose Metallic Slate Grey Metallic ---------- 1985 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Classic Tan Classic Creme Candy Blue Slate Grey Metallic ---------- 1986 ---------- - FLT* Birch White Vivid Black Candy Red Slate Grey Metallic Candy Blue Candy Pearl Signal Red ---------- 1987 ---------- - FLT* ---------- 1988 ---------- - FLT* Vivid Black Bright Cobalt Candy Blue Bright Candy Plum Candy Brandywine Candy Crimson Brandywine & Crimson Bright Cobalt Blue & Brilliant Silver Candy Bronze & Creme Vivid Black & Creme Metallic Blue & Cadet Blue Metallic Creme & Champagne Gold ---------- 1989 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Vivid Black Metallic Blue Candy Brandywine Bright Candy Plum Brandywine & Crimson Metallic Blue & Brilliant Silver Vivid Black & Creme Candy Bronze & Creme Metallic Blue & Cadet Blue Metallic Creme & Champagne Gold Vivid Black & Brilliant Silver ---------- 1990 ---------- - FLT & FLTCU* Burgandy & Candy Red ---------- 1991 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Birch White Bright Sapphire Dark Candy Ruby Dark Sapphire Light Candy Ruby Turquoise Vivid Black Vivid Yellow White Wineberry Pearl ---------- 1992 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Birch White Bright Sapphire Sunglo Charcoal Satinbrite Dark Candy Ruby Dark Sapphire Sunglo Light Candy Ruby Light Poppy Pearl Red Voyage Turquoise Vivid Black White ---------- 1993 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Aqua Sunglo (canceled – replaced by Aqua Pearl in 1994) ----- Arctic White Birch White Bright Victory Red Sunglo Bright Wineberry Sunglo Charcoal Satinbrite Custom Red Custom Tan Dark Victory Red Sunglo Dark Wineberry Sunglo Mandarin Pearl Scarlet Red Silver Vivid Black ---------- 1994 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Aqua Pearl Birch White Bright Victory Red Sunglo Burgundy Pearl Charcoal Satinbrite Dark Victory Red Sunglo Gold Poly Nugget Yellow Scarlet Red Silver Vivid Black ---1994 Custom--- Blue Metallic Crimson Dark Candy Ruby Dark Knight Blue Dyna Silver Knight Light Blue Light Candy Ruby ---------- 1995 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Aqua Pearl Birch White Bright Victory Red Sunglo Burgundy Pearl Charcoal Satinbrite Dark Victory Red Sunglo Gold Poly Nugget Yellow Scarlet Red Silver Vivid Black ---------- 1996 ---------- - FLT* & FLTCU* Aqua Pearl Birch White Mystique Green Patriot Red Pearl Platinum Silver States Blue Pearl Victory Red Sunglo Violet Pearl Vivid Black ---------- 1998 ---------- - FLTR(I)* Birch White Lazer Red Pearl Mystique Green Platinum Silver Sinister Blue Pearl Violet Pearl Vivid Black ---95th Anniversary Colors--- Champagne Metallic Midnight Red ---------- 1999 ---------- - FLTR(I)* = 467 total production Aztec Orange = 29 ~Cali.: 3 ~CAN: 1 ~JAP: 5 ~USA: 20 Birch White Cobalt Blue Pearlcoat Diamond Ice Pearlcoat Lazer Red Pearl Mystique Green Nugget Yellow Scarlet Red Sinister Blue Pearl Violet Pearl Vivid Black ---------- 2000 ---------- - FLTR(I)* Aztec Orange Pearlcoat Birch White Bronze Pearl Chrome Yellow Cobalt Blue Pearlcoat Diamond Ice Pearlcoat Ice White Luxury Rich Red Sinister Blue Pearl Suede Green Pearl Viking Purple/Concord Purple Pearl Vivid Black White Highlight Pearl Luxury Blue - CVO FLTRISE Vivid Black/VR Racing Orange/Arctic White = 793 Three-Tone Red = 768 ---------- 2001 ---------- - FLTR(I)* Birch White Bronze Pearl Chrome Yellow Diamond Ice Pearl Jade Sunglo Luxury Rich Blue Luxury Rich Red Racing Orange Real Teal Flash Suede Green Pearl Viking Purple/Concord Purple Pearl Vivid Black White Highlight Pearl - CVO FLTRISE2 Vivid Black/Platinum Silver/Charcoal Satin Bright = 858 Sinister Blue Pearl/Diamond Ice/States Blue Pearl = 849 ---------- 2002 ---------- - FLTR(I)* Birch White Diamond Ice Pearlcoat Imperial Blue Mica/Impact Blue Mica Jade Sunglo Luxury Rich Blue Luxury Rich Red Racing Orange Real Red Real Teal Flash Suede Green Pearl Viking Purple/Concord Purple Pearl Vivid Black White Highlight Pearl ---------- 2003 ---------- - FLTR(I) Two-Tone Sterling Silver and Vivid Black Vivid Black Gunmetal Pearl Luxury Blue Pearl Luxury Rich Red Pearl White Pearl ---------- 2004 ---------- - FLTR(I) Vivid Black Sierra Red Pearl Luxury Teal Pearl Smokey Gold Pearl Impact Blue Pearl ---------- 2005 ---------- - FLTR(I) Vivid Black Sierra Red Pearl Smokey Gold Pearl Black Cherry Pearl Black Pearl Chopper Blue Pearl Yellow Pearl ---------- 2006 ---------- - FLTR(I) Vivid Black Brilliant Silver Pearl Black Cherry Pearl Black Pearl Chopper Blue Pearl Fire Red Pearl Deep Cobalt Pearl Yellow Pearl ---------- 2007 ---------- - FLTR Vivid Black Black Cherry Pearl Black Pearl Fire Red Pearl Deep Cobalt Pearl Pacific Blue Pearl Pewter Pearl Yellow Pearl Mirage Orange Pearl ---------- 2008 ---------- - FLTR Anniversary Copper and Vivid Black Vivid Black Black Pearl Pewter Pearl Dark Blue Pearl Crimson Red Sunglo Crimson Red Denim Mirage Orange Pearl Candy Red Sunglo ---------- 2009 ---------- - FLTR Vivid Black Black Pearl Dark Blue Pearl Red Hot Denim Red Hot Sunglo Mirage Orange Pearl - CVO FLTRSE3 Yellow Pearl and Charcoal Slate = 517 Electric Orange and Vivid Black = 1,605 Stardust Silver and Titanium Dust = 1,386 ---------- 2010 ---------- - FLTRX Vivid Black Denim Black Scarlett Red ---------- 2011 ---------- - FLTRX Vivid Black Denim Black Sedona Orange Cool Blue Pearl - FLTRU Vivid Black Brilliant Silver Pearl Cool Blue Pearl Merlot Sunglo - CVO FLTRUSE Rio Red & Black Ember/Quartzite Graphics = 1,338 ~USA-1,113 ~CAN-59 ~ENG-30 ~HDI-86 ~JPN-50 Charcoal Slate & Black Twilight/Quartzite Graphics = 1,213 ~USA: 985 ~CAN: 49 ~ENG: 20 ~HDI: 116 ~JPN: 43 Frosted Ivory & Vintage Gold/Quartzite Graphics = 346 ~USA: 216 ~CAN: 14 ~ENG: 20 ~HDI: 68 ~JPN: 28 ---------- 2012 ---------- - FLTRX Vivid Black Denim Black Chrome Yellow Big Blue Pearl - FLTRU Vivid Black Big Blue Pearl Ember Red Sunglo - CVO FLTRXSE = appx. 2639 total Maple Metallic/Vivid Black w/ Real Smoke Graphics = 799 ~USA: 621 ~CAN: 49 ~ENG: 04 ~HDI: 78 ~JPN: 47 Candy Cobalt/Twilight Blue w/ Real Smoke Graphics = 602 ~USA: 451 ~CAN: 37 ~ENG: 04 ~HDI: 50 ~JPN: 60 White Gold Pearl/Starfire Black w/ Real Smoke Graphics = 1,238 ~USA: 870 ~CAN: 49 ~ENG: 03 ~HDI: 231 ~JPN: 85 ---------- 2013 ---------- - FLTRX Vivid Black Denim Black Candy Orange Big Blue Pearl - FLTRU Vivid Black Big Blue Pearl Ember Red Sunglo Midnight Pearl - CVO FLTRXSE2 Roman Gold/Burnt Emerald w/ Edge Graphics Atomic Orange/Galaxy Grey w/ Edge Graphics Anniversary Diamond Dust/Obsidian w/ Palladium Graphics _________________________________________ _________________________________________ * = Only information that could be found was colors for all models, and may not be model specific. _________________________________________ _________________________________________  

hay there's my 84 TG .. Turn signal went from the fairing to the current location in 1988 .. I have yet to see proof that the TG was a 1979 , every reference I have says 1980 .. 80 also saw first rubber mount with the TG and TG was first five speed .. Enclosed chain final drive .. FWIW my late 84 TG cost under $8500 new .. My 88 TG cost under $10000 new .. 1989 first Ultra and it was a TG First FI for TG was in 1996 99 model years see TC 88 JtB  

I still have my 1980 TG which is an international model. It was built in 1979 as a 1980 model. Still have all the paperwork that came with it if any one is interested. Oh yes and it cost the equivalent of $8000 US  

One heck of a write up. Many thanks for your effort in this endeavor! Gotta be a stickey. Thanks, Beavz  

JacktheBagger, updated with your info,. many thanks.  

Great thread...Thanks  

Thanks for the great post!  

I will have the colors from 1980 thru 1999 or so tomorrow for you JtB  

The Tour Glide was introduced as a 1980 'Model Year' motorcycle. These models are generally introduced at the Summer Dealer Meeting held during the summer of the 'calendar year' before the 'model year'. Therefore it would have been introduced in the calendar year 1979.  

that has been my argument all along , a 1980 model introduced in 1979 JtB  

Very cool to have this information. Thanks for your efforts, folks.  

I just dug out "The Harley-Davidson Motor Company - An Official Eighty Year History, published in 1987. According to a glossary in the back of this book there were 19 FLT's built as 1979's and 4,480 FLT's built as 1980's.  

JacktheBagger said: I will have the colors from 1980 thru 1999 or so tomorrow for you JtB Click to expand...

BigJack said: Very cool. Wish there was more pics. Great thread Chain! Click to expand...

Nice Job Thank for sharing your time and knowledge Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk  

I was just wondering about this. Very cool.  

2003s had cd player.  

Very cool. Wish there was more pics. Great thread Chain!  

My 1996 FLTCUI. Factory two tone paint . Came stock with Cassette four speaker stereo with tank mounted CB radio. Also had two stock fairing mounted guages the rest where inclosed in the handle bar mounted speedo/tac housing.  

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Updated,. thanks to JacktheBagger for a ton of new info!  

Great informative read. Thanks  

Great read loved learning about the history --- I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?rr0qke  

Great work Chain! Why don't you submit the info to AI or AB for publication. It would be nice to see it in print.  

Once all the info is complete I may just do that. Cafepress.com, the site that we currently have the merchandise with can also print books. I may go through them and have some printed up, but we'll see.  

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