The 1948 FL motorbike launched a variety of changes towards the Harley layout, updates that showed the corporation was not resting on its laurels.
At Harley-Davidson, alterations came thick and rapidly in the postwar years. The year 1948 noticed the opening of a substantial new engine production facility in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a number of miles west from the Milwaukee facility.
But that year's largest news -- at the least to fans of traditional motorcycles -- came during the type of Harley's new FL model with its "Panhead" V-twin.
Replacing both the 61-cubic-inch overhead-valve Knucklehead and the 74-cubic-inch flathead V-twins, the overhead-valve Panhead was available during the same two displacements and incorporated several improvements.
Beneath its roasting-pan-shaped rocker covers (from which it got its nickname) lay aluminum heads that were lighter and provided better cooling than their cast-iron predecessors. lifters reduced valve noise and eliminated most adjustments, while an improved oil circulation system resulted in longer engine life.
There were other alterations as well. More chrome trim pieces gave the bikes a fancier look, and a steering-head lock was added in case the extra flash attracted the wrong kind of attention.
A latex-filled saddle was optional, as were eight equipment packages that let buyers tailor an FL to their own tastes.
Apparently, these changes were appreciated by the motorcycling public zx10r fairings, for Harley-Davidson sold a record 31,163 units in 1948. But more big news was on the horizon.
More pictures of the 1948 Harley-Davidson FL motorbike are on the next page.
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