Sure but among the bat wing and shark nose group the batwing is the FLH and the shark nose is the FLT.

What was the letter designation of the original "Electa-Glide"

FLH - ElectraGlide came out in 1965 (the FLH designation came out in 1949 as the HydroGlide)

FLT - TourGlide came out in 1979

You are wrong, in 1948 the first year of the hydroglide the designations were WL, UL, U, US, EL, E, ES, FL, F, FS, as you can notice no FLH. FLH diesignation came out in 1955 along with FLHF, FLE, FLEF, FL, FLF, along with other lightweights and the K models. This information can be found in The Harley-Davidson Motor Company, an official eighty-year history. This is not one of the many british produced books that are out there. This has a foreword by Willie g and the author had full access to the harley archives. It is not a heresay book. If you would like to learn the history of Harley this is the best book I have found, and I have bought a few and get them as presents all the time. Not trying to push buttons just putting out the correct information. Deerslayer

What was the letter designation of the original "Electa-Glide"

the designations on the pan in '65 were FLHFB, which was a footshift, FLHB which was a hand shift, FLFB foot shift, FLB handshift, all f models were equipped with electric starting and designated electra glide. The first two are supersports and the last two are super solos.
Deerslayer

I stand corrected. I was thinking the H designation was introduced with the HydroGlide. The Electra-Glide did replace the Duo-Glide in 1965.

Way back when I was a kid - around 1968 - I saw the most beautiful motorcycle in the world - A Harley Davidson Electra Glide. I promised myself when I grew up I'd get that bike - In 1994 I saw the Road King - it was for all intents and purposes a brand new version of that very same bike I saw as a kid. I've held onto that bike since. To me it is still the most beautiful motorcycle ever made. These days the new bikes have made many improvements - but - some of the modern styling has taken away the look I love. The saddles with the sculpted seat back is not only NOT comfortable for me to sit in but also looks like they are trying too hard... My opinion - not an argument. I also think the engines are getting out of control with the size. My 80 c.i. is a great engine - it has power enough for me and like so many here have stated it is a work horse. I know there is no replacement for displacement but I also see 1 liter bikes making 150 HP these days on a regular basis. I think a reasonable next step for the MOCO should be an upgrade in technology instead of more displacement.

you got a good looking bike and in the pictures a good kept up bike. The evo makes good power and is as or more reliable than a twincam. The adjusters and the blancer setup in the "B" motor are items that will go. With the Hydraulic tensioner since 06 or so I think will take care of the tensioner problem but it is still just an extra in the motor. In my opinion if they setup the lower end better than the 007 tolerance, they would be able to use gear drive with no problem. They say they did it due to noise with federal regulations, but my lower end was trued after the factory and with almost no pinion shaft runout I get no noise from the gear drive cams. It worked on the sportster since '52 and used before that. The worst thing of the evo is the weeping at the cylinder base gaskets, and that isn't a major problem that will shut you down. The tensioner and the balance setup in the "B" motor will shut you down if they fail. One other problem is in the transmission with the plastic caged bearings, never knew they were there until my let go, so I don't know how long they have been there. When I did my motor at 137,000 miles a friend that works for a dealer said I should replace my bearings in the trans, I thought why replace what is working with no problem. I changed my oil every 5,000 in the trans and figured no problem. I guess I was lucky 2 trips to the west coast and it finally let go in my driveway almost 50,000 miles later. anyway nice bike you got, when I bought my ulra I wanted a Road King but a friend that is a salesman asked me what was wrong with the ultra, I could not come up with any problems so I ordered one.

First - Thank You

I can only hope to get that kind of usage out of my machine - And talk about a faithful mount - breaking down in your driveway after being so far from home. My old work van is that way - It never stranded me anywhere but in my driveway. Lucky?? or just repayment for love given? I'm going with the love.

I'm a firm believer in "if it aint broke - don't fix it" - so the weeping is ok for now - I'm starting to have some issues with the trans - It popped out of first gear a few times recently - down shifts from 4 to 3 sometimes goes into neutral and I need to upshift to get it into 3rd or it will drop into 2nd and thats not good - back wheel slides motor over revs... Not all the time - but I have to pay attention more to avoid any goofy moments. Other than some wear on the saddle and the patina that comes with 19 years old I am happier today with it than when I brought it home the first time.

I'd like to drop a 4 cylinder double over head cam engine in a road king frame some day. Styling and performance.

"V" twin pushrod forever, with the trans you should pull it out or have a shop look at it. It is an easy trans to work on, kind of just like the trapdoor sportsters but without the shaft spacing. You just plug them in nice and easy. I love my baker 6 speed direct, it is a great trans, shifts like butter and has steel cages for the bearings