Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

hidework as well. The fringed-andembossed, tractor-style seat sports a nostalgic grab rail and removable passenger pillion cushion for solo riding. Each side of the seat carries.a leather fringed valance embossed with a basketweave pattern and accented with polished conchos. The capacious leather saddlebags also feature the fringed pattern but feature modern dual-zipper inner closures with triple-buckle outer flap closures as well as rather discreetly styled reflectors to meet DOT requirements. The basket-weave pattern is also repeated in the leather tank paneL. The Heritage Springer will be available in birch white with red or blue scalloped tank graphics and a matching follow-through scheme on the fenders. Red or blue piping also comes on the seat, pillion, valance, saddlebags and tank . panel to accen tua te the paint design. Matching 3-D cloisonne Harley-Davidson emblems grace the sides of its 4.2gallon fuel tank. Despite devoting considerable time to the introduction of a new model, Harley-Davidson didn't leave the rest of its Big Twin lineup completely alone. Major changes abound on the 1997 FL series of touring machines, not' the least of which is a new frame. The new, lower chassis came about as a part of Harley-Davidson's response to its customers, who wanted a lower seat height. For 1997, all Harley-Davidson touring models now feature seat heights lowered by three-quarters to one inch, depending on the model. The 1997 touring models now have a seat height of 27.25 with the Road King now sitting at 28.2 inches and the Electra Glide Standard, Electra Glide Classic and Ultra Classic Electra Glide models now at 28 inches. The lower seat height is said to enhance rider comfort, but does not affect grQund clearance or lean angle. ... The new touring frame has brought on other refinements as well, including a redesign of the seat, which is slimmer toward the front, making for a reduced leg arch to further enhance rider comfort. Additionally, Harley-Davidson has engineered the frame to accommodate a new, larger battery with higher'capacity. Among other electrical changes, the 1997 touring models all feature fuses that are easily accessible from underneath a redesigned left side cover, which does not require tools to remove. Harley-Davidson will also be offering a new, two-tone paint scheme on the FL Ultra Classic. Improvements to the 1997 XL models include the switch to 3.3-gallon fuel tank on the 883 Sportster Standard, a removable seat on the 1200 Sportster Standard, recalibrated suspension on both Standard models, and less restrictive exhaust and intake systems on the entire XL line. All XL, Dyna and Softail models will also receive a smaller, gel-filled battery with greater capacity and more power. But it is the Heritage Springer Softail that is likely to be garnering the majority of attention in the coming year. Harley-Davidson plans to produce 6600 copies of the new-stalgia bike for 1997, and it won't come cheap. Retail prices are set at $16,995 for the 49-state version and $17,285 for the California model. Even so, if past history is any indication, it is doubtful that there will be any left sitting on dealer showroom floors. But then again, what else would you expect from a company that continues to turn back the clock and somehow remains right on schedule? (N 5 AMA NATIONAL WINS PLUS, 4 SECOND PLACES, 8 THIRDS AND 6 FOURTHS Metzeler riders haven't just won most of the '96 H-D SuperTwins races, we've been on most of the top 10 finishers! BEN BOSTROM, BARTELS' H-D DAVE ESTOK, BARTELS' H-D TOTAL WERA HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSTOCK DOMINATION - ON STREET ·TIRES! Metzeler has won all six WERA National 4-Hour Endurance rounds so far - on standard, off-the-shelf ME Z1 rears! :That's right - street compound tires! Proof that performance and durability mean Metzeler. For infonnation and brochure: phone: (6101458-96621 fax: (610) 458-9663 410 Eagleview Blvd., Suite 106, Exton, PA 19341

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