Harley-Davidson Glossary of Terms

Atmospheric Inlet Valve - The falling of the pistonscommonly found on post 1980 models of the
activates the opening of inlet valves by causing abig-twins and Sportsters.
vacuum. Usually found in the early single cylinderF-Head® - Pertains to inlet over exhaust valve
Harleys.engines.
Ape Hangers - Elevated handlebars raising the rider'sFathead® - A Twin-Cam engine introduced from
hands above the shoulders.1999 and is still featured till this day!
Buell - First built by Eric Buell, a formerFat Boy® - The bike seen in the movie
Harley-Davidson employee, these are the v-twinTerminator. Characterised by a solid front disc wheel
Harley-engined bikes which helped the company win aand engine mounted gauges. One of
share in the sports bike market.Harley-Davidson's top selling motorcycles.
Big-Twin - A designation used for the larger sizedFlathead® - An older engine featuring side valves.
Harley-Davidson engines. Sportster® modelsNoted for its durability.
range from 883 ( see the XL883 Sportster®Hardtail® - Basically, a frame with no suspension.
here ) to the 1200 cubic centimetres. Almost all otherA rigid!
Harleys have 1340, 1450, or 1584 cc engines.Hydra Glide® - An hydraulic suspension system
Bobber - All extras and non-essentials are removedused in the front forks.
to increase the power to weight ratio. IncreasedKnucklehead® - A v-twin engine built from 1936 -
performance and better styling was the result.1947.
Probably one of the first customised motorcyclesLow Rider® - A custom with low riding position
from about in the early 50's. The first customs cameand low seat. A typical custom version of the Super
about with the return of war vets looking to rekindleGlide® which appeared in the 1970's.
the thrill of flying fighter planes. Also known as aPanhead® - The series of engines that replaced
Bobtail.the Nucklehead.
Blockhead - Harley-Davidson's innovativeShovelhead® - The series of engines that
Evolution® V-Twin engine.replaced the Panhead from 1966 onwards.
Chopper - 1960's and 70's era custom bikes. NotedSide Valve - An engine with valves on the side of the
for extended and raked forks, tweaking done to thecylinder.
suspension and the introduction of thinner JapaneseSoftail® - Resembling the look of a Hardtail, the
wheels for the front end.suspension is hidden underneath the engine.
Duo-Glide® - A big twin with rear suspensionSportster - An improved model featuring 883 cc to
introduced from 1958 to the mid sixties.1200 cc engines.
Dyna Glide® - The term glide refer to the effectSpringer® - A model with a front fork featuring
of the effective rubber engine mountings used onsprings on the suspension. Here's an example of a
the frames of this model.custom Springer.
Electra Glide® - An electric starter was introducedSuper Glide® - A hybrid between the Sportster
to this modelfront end and the frame of the big-twin engine
Evolution® - The engine that replaced theHarley-Davidson's. The first factory custom ever
Shovelhead. Featuring an overhead valve and ismade.