I currently ride an '85 FXR, but to my mind's eye, the best looking and most versatile frame from the factory was the 4 speed swing arm Duo-Glide frame. The Duo-Glide frame reigned from 1958 to a few FXWGs in 1986. The Dynas mimic it pretty well, and handle better, but they look a little "linear" to me...kinda straight across rather than the sway-backed horse look, know what I mean?

Before the FXR, I've ridden the old 4 speed frames since 1981. First with an '81 FXE that I bought new, followed by a stripped '76 FLH and finally, what I considered the pinnacle of the frame's evolution (no pun intended), a 1985 FXSB, a one-year-only model with the 4 speed frame, belt drive, Evo and both kick and electric start. I still regret selling that one.

I do like the looks of a rigid frame, but the Duo-Glide offered rear suspension, and cradeled zillions of Kings of the Road and Super Glides across the country. And it was an all-purpose frame. Strip an FL? No Prob. Turn a Super Glide into an FL? It can be done.

There are many things that that H-D did that were so right. The '36 Knuck still looks great. The tear drop tanks, tank badges and decals,etc that followed through the decades have been copied but never duplicated. Pure class. To me, at the top of that list is the 1958 Duo-Glide frame and it's descendants. I still like my FXR, though.

 

That was the last real frame HD made , everything since has been lighter weight stamped pop tab stuff , that's why so many have to be replaced anymore for minor bumps and tabs tearing off .

I will amend that somewhat for the some of the softail,s they still had some beef , can't say about 2000 & up models haven't looked at one close

 

I guess the FXR frames were too costly so along came the Dyna

 

Best looks. The dove tailed kicker frame.