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Number One Son
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1971 Harley-Davidson Super Glide
Michael Schulte
02/01/2007
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Photography by Cordero Studios/corderostudios.com
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Diverse parentage often makes for alluring and durable offspring in
motorcycles, as well as people. In 1971, Willie G. Davidson combined the
post-Easy Rider custom scene with Harley-Davidson’s Electra Glide chassis and
1200cc powerplant. That enlightened fusion yielded the original “factory custom”
motorcycle, the legendary 1971 Harley-Davidson Super Glide.
A maverick designer who had seen his innovative ideas shredded by timid Harley
brass, Willie G. crafted a brash cruiser that lent the production line a dose of
the raw style roaring out of custom shops around the country. Davidson took the
Sportster’s narrow, chopper-like front end and contrasted it with a fat rear
tire, topped by a Euro-style, scooped boat-tail fender.
Photograph by Cordero Studios/www.corderostudios.com courtesy of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
Strident in Knievel-esque Sparkling America paint scheme and advertised as the
“Great American Freedom Machine”, Willie G.’s bold conception proved to be a
potent progenitor in its own right. The Super Glide sired Harley-Davidson’s FX
factory custom line, including the 2006 35th Anniversary Super Glide tribute
bike, introducing the dominant #1 gene to a whole new breed of riders.
www.harley-davidson.com
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