Know Your Knucklehead From Your Shovelhead? A Glossary of Harley Davidson Terms

The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company has beenon motorcycles that were produced after 1980 such
around for over 100 years and originally the machinesas the Sportsters and Big Twins.
were built in a small wooden shed. Today however5. Fat Head - This is a term used to describe the
these motorcycles have now become an luxury item.twin cam engine that the company brought into
However, there are many terms and words used toproduction in 1999 and is still to be found on many of
describe such motorcycles and below which maytheir machines today.
sometimes confuse novice and experienced riders .6. Fat Boy - This is the bike that was ridden by
Below we take a look at some of these terms.Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator and has certain
The terms that one associates with Harley Davidsoncharacteristics such clearly show what it is. The front
Motorcycles have been around for many years nowdisc wheel on this machine is solid and all gauges for
and below we look at some of the ones morethe machine are mounted on the engine. This
commonly heard.particular motorcycle has now become the
1. Ape Hangers - These are handlebars which havecompany's top selling model.
been elevated so that they raise the hands of the7. Hardtail - This refers to any motorcycle within the
rider above their shoulders.Harley Davidson range where the frame has no
2. Big Twin - This term relates to the larger sizedsuspension. Many of those who ride Harleys may also
engines used in Harley Davidson motorcycles. Modelsrefer to this type of motorcycle as a rigid.
such as the Sportster come with engines ranging8. Low Rider - This motorcycle first appeared on the
from 883 to 1200 cc (cubic centimeters), whilst mostscene in the 1970's and it is because of the low riding
others have engines whose sizes range from 1340,position due to the lowered seat is what gives this
1450 and 1584cc.machine its name. One of the motorcycles which are
3. Bobber - This motorcycle is often referred to asclassed as this type is the Harley Davidson Super
the Bobtail, and was one of the first customGlide.
motorcycles to appear and dates back to the early9. Shovelhead - This engine which has now been
1950's and were used by men returning back fromreplaced by the blockhead was originally introduced
the Second World War. These were ridden as a wayand fitted to Harley Davidson motorcycles from 1966.
of rekindling the thrill some of the got from flyingIt was the same engine that replaced the Panhead
fighter planes and all non essential items or extrasengine which in turn had replaced the Knucklehead
were removed from the bike. This made them muchengine that had been used in this company's
faster because there was far less weight on themotorcycles from 1936 to 1947.
machine.10. Softail - These particular models of motorcycle
4. Blockhead - This term is to do with the innovativeresemble the Hardtail which we have discussed
Evolution V Twin engine which the Harley Davidsonabove. However this one does have suspension but
Company designed and produces. It was this engineis hidden from view because it is placed underneath
which replaced the shovelhead and featuresthe engine.
overhead valves. It is most commonly to be found