Harley Davidson FLHTC 1340 Electra Glide Classic 85th Anniversary

Classic Bikes Custom Bikes Individual Racing Bikes AJP AJS Aprilia Ariel Avinton / Wakan Bajaj Benelli Beta Bimota BMW Brough Superior BRP Cam-Am BSA Buell / EBR Bultaco Cagiva Campagna CCM CF Moto Combat Motors Derbi Deus Ducati Excelsior GASGAS Ghezzi Brian Gilera GIMA Harley Davidson Hero Highland Honda Horex Husaberg Husqvarna Hyosung Indian Jawa Kawasaki KTM KYMCO Laverda Lazareth Magni Maico Mash Matchless Mondial Moto Guzzi Moto Morini MV Agusta MZ / MuZ NCR Norton NSU Paton Peugeot Piaggio Revival Cycles Roland Sands Royal Enfield Sachs Sherco Sunbeam Suzuki SWM SYM Triumph TVS Ural Velocette Vespa Victory Vincent VOR Voxan Vyrus Walt Siegl Walz Wrenchmonkees Wunderlich XTR / Radical Yamaha Zero Video Technical
Complete Manufacturer List

Harley Davidson FLHTC 1340 Electra Glide Classic 85th Anniversary

Make Model	Harley Davidson FLHTC 1340 Electra Glide Classic 85th Anniversary
Year	1988
Production	850 Units
Engine	Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	1337 cc / 81.5 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	88.8 x 108 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Induction	38mm Keihin carburetor
Ignition	Electronic
Starting	Electric
Max Power	71 hp / 53.3 kW @ 5000 rpm
Max Torque	82.5 ft-lb / 111.8 Nm @ 3600 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Double-downtube, full-cradle frame box-section steel swing arm
Front Suspension	Center-axle fork with 41mm tubes
Frnt Wheel Travel	117 mm / 4.6 in
Rear Suspension	Dual shock absorbers, adjustable for spring preload
Rear Wheel Travel	97 mm / 3.8 in
Front Brakes	2x 292mm discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 292mm disc 4 piston caliper
Front Tyre	140/90-16
Rear Tyre	140/90-16
Wet Weight	345.0 kg / 760 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19 Litres / 5.0 US gal

The 1988 Harley-Davidson FLHTC Electra Glide Classic was built to commemorate the company’s 85th anniversary.

On the surface, that may not sound like a terribly significant milestone. But in fact, it may have been the company’s most important anniversary—ranking ahead of 2003's gala 100th anniversary celebration.

Why? Because 85 was the anniversary that almost didn’t happen.

Within years after its founding in 1903, Harley-Davidson had grown to become one of the country’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers. And when archrival Indian stopped making motorcycles in the 1950s, Harley was the sole survivor of more than 150 motorcycle manufacturers that had once called America home.

But then came the ’60s, when Japanese companies challenged H-D’s share of the U.S. market. And by the end of the decade, the company agreed to a purchase by recreational-equipment giant AMF to stay in business.

With an infusion of AMF money, production increased, but quality and relations with customers and dealers declined. By the late 1970s, AMF was disenchanted with motorcycles, and Harley was on the ropes again.

In June 1981, a team of Harley executives bought the company from AMF and set about improving quality and expanding the model line. After staggering losses in 1981 and 1982, they turned a profit in 1983.

But that was only a temporary solution. By the end of '85, Harley was nearly forced into bankruptcy when it had to restructure its debt. The situation remained precarious until Harley went public in June 1986, bringing in a stable source of cash.

The company’s 85th anniversary rolled around in 1988, and Harley had a lot to celebrate. When Harley President Vaughn Beals took this FLHTC on a cross-country ride, it wasn’t just a celebration of that milestone. It was a victory lap of America.

Sorce motorcyclemuseum.org