There’s a brand new custom at Harley-Davidson. Every year, The Motor Co. dives deep into their archives, finds a motorbike that set hearts ablaze in its heyday, and releases a contemporary reproduction of it. They name it their ‘Icons Assortment,’ and it’s now in its third yr.
This yr’s Icons Assortment bike throws it approach again, to the yr that Nixon gained the election, Led Zeppelin first took to the stage and a Massive Mac value 49 cents. Dubbed the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King, it’s a modern-day re-creation of the ultra-groovy 1968 FLH Electra Glide.
Editor’s be aware: Yip, we’re that includes a cruiser-slash-tourer from a serious OEM at this time. It’s a part of our drive to convey you, our loyal readers, extra than simply your weekly dose of the world’s finest customized bikes. Plus it seems to be spectacular and is available in magenta—so we’re discovering it exhausting to hate.
Harley-Davidson turns 120 this yr, which implies that the corporate has a lot of historical past to sift by when determining which legacy bikes to spotlight with its Icons collection. We’ve been fortunate sufficient to not solely go to the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee, however to realize entry to the hallowed archives. Stuffed to the brim with all the things from memorabilia to historic images, it’s a deep rabbit gap.
So what precisely does the H-D staff take into account when choosing every Icons mannequin? “Many elements,” says Brad Richards, Harley’s Vice President Of Design and Artistic Director Of Bikes, bluntly.
“We attempt to maintain a stability between what many years to lean into—and which fashions ignite probably the most ardour inside our prospects’ hearts. We additionally take into account the present narrative inside the complete portfolio every year. As an illustration, the Electra Glide Revival [Harley’s first Icons release] was launched adjoining to the Pan America, as a reminder that our present prospects are as vital as future prospects.”
The 1968 Electra Glide is as Americana nostalgia as classic Harleys get. Splashed in a magenta paint job, with white trim and chrome accents, it’s clear which period it lived in. Prospects additionally had the choice of shopping for it with a deluxe ‘King of the Freeway’ touring package deal on the time, which included fiberglass panniers, a windshield, a baggage rack and engine guards; it’s clearly the place the Electra Glide Freeway King nomenclature comes from.
The Electra Glide Freeway King is predicated on Harley’s current single-spar touring chassis, and powered by the corporate’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. So it has all of the trimmings of a contemporary touring bike; linked Brembo brakes, cornering ABS, traction management and drag-torque slip management, cruise management, and a hill maintain characteristic. You too can improve the 160 Nm mill with Harley’s full vary of Screamin’ Eagle hop-up kits.
Sitting on high of that chassis is bodywork that mixes current Harley components with a number of distinctive gadgets. The gas tank, tank-mounted clocks, fenders, aspect covers and fork shrouds seem like they arrive straight from different touring bikes, just like the Highway King. It’s a testomony to how constant Harley’s design language has remained over time.
“We’ve stayed so true to our roots, even with our most up-to-date bikes,” says Brad. “The proportions, varieties, and the best way we visually handle digital elements, implies that most bikes are nice canvases for future Icons.”
Even the saddlebags have been borrowed from the present touring vary; “Once more, the shape issue continues to be very near the originals from the late 60s, so it labored completely,” provides Brad. What makes the Electra Glide Freeway King stand out then, is how nicely its distinctive trim has been executed.
For starters, the 2 paint jobs that it is available in are equally eye-popping. You may get it in ‘Hello-Fi Orange’ or ‘Hello-Fi Magenta,’ and every model comes with color-matched tinting on the decrease half of the removable windshield. Bodacious.
The saddlebags on each variations are white, identical to they have been within the 60s. The middle console incorporates a chrome encompass with a black heart strip, punctuated by white striping. An Icons Assortment graphic and serialization badge are etched into the console too.
One completely distinctive element is the Electra Glide Freeway King’s saddle. Harley began with components from their police bike seats, then constructed a brand new unit with a customized rail design. Upholstered in black and white, it’s a standout piece.
The remainder of the bike is completed with swathes of chrome—from the engine itself, to the crash bars, entrance fender trim and saddlebag guards. Chromed ‘Electra Glide’ scripts adorn the entrance fender, whereas period-correct Harley badges sit towards the tank. Twin spotlights flank the headlight, whereas the basic laced wheels put on whitewall treads.
All that comes at a premium, naturally. The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King will set you again $26,999 within the States—three grand greater than the present Highway King Particular. As is customary for his or her Icons bikes, Harley will produce this as a 2023 mannequin solely, restricted to 1,750 items (1,000 in orange, and 750 in magenta).
Added up, the Electra Glide Freeway King sits someplace between a manufacturing facility customized and a contemporary basic. It’ll certainly enchantment to the Harley devoted, who’re identified to go gaga over particular version fashions (particularly after they’re launched in an anniversary yr). However we reckon it might have enchantment past Harley’s current fanbase, too.
Would you be tempted?
Photographs equipped by Harley-Davidson and Harley-Davidson Archives
