An Original 1949 Hydra-Glide Panhead
This 1949 Hydra-Glide Is Waiting Just for You
Following the conclusion of World War II, Harley-Davidson was on a serious roll. The Knucklehead held a big time competitive advantage over the flathead Indians of that era. But H-D never rested on its laurels, rolling out the Panhead and its hydraulically-adjusted valves in 1948.
But late-1949 is when the boys in Milwaukee replaced their aging girder fork setup, with what it called the, Hydra-Glide. The Hydra-Glide had a hydraulic telescoping fork. It was a simple but effective upgrade. Despite the fact that it was old technology, the upgrade was much appreciated by consumers.
If you’re in the market for a nice and original FL, you won’t find one much better than this 1949 Hydra-Glide. Almost everything on this bike is original, save for a few replacement parts and an older respray.
That includes the trim, luggage rack, oil tank, and taillight. The original battery box, oil tank, and tool box were also re-chromed. The handlebars, spot lights, rocker lids, and front fender ornament are likewise original.
Parts that have been replaced are period correct. They include the Westinghouse headlight and muffler, rear brake switch, and oil pressure sending unit. The speedometer was rebuilt a few years back, and rocker cover rings help prevent leaks.
Outside of that, this 1949 Hydra-Glide has been tuned up to run nicely. New tires and a new battery are obvious changes, yet all the numbers match on the 74 cubic inch Panhead. For a first year Hydra-Glide, it’s about as good as you’ll find.
The price isn’t too bad either at a reasonable $28,999. This is a historically significant bike that was built during a booming and dominating time for H-D. It also ushered in a new era for the American icon, one that would benefit riders for decades to come.
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