The 1980 FXWG Wide Glide was On Fire
Only a few thousand of the distinctive orange flamed-machines were built.
Distinctive Machine
Nicknamed 'Fireball,' the FXWG Wide Glide Flame Edition was one hot-looking factory custom. Produced between 1980 and 1986, the Wide Glide was one of Harley-Davidson's best selling models. There are no official numbers but it is estimated that only a few thousand of the distinctive orange flamed-machines were built, and only until the end of 1982.
Rare Export
Flame Edition Wide Glides were a scarce commodity even when new. As fast as they came up for sale in the early 1980s, they were shipped out of the United States. Most Flame Editions were exported to Australia, but eventually found their way to Europe and Japan. Finding one of these rare bikes with all its OEM parts is a lucky break.
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Original Setup
The Flame Edition was not Harley-Davidson's first factory custom, but it was the first production motorcycle to have a flame paint job. Literally named after its wide forks, the Wide Glide frontend measured almost 10" between fork tube centers, compared to the 7" narrow glide. Although distinctive, the setup was also not entirely original to Motor Company designers and engineers.
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Slimmer Look
Like the 1971 FX Super Glide, the Wide Glide's inspiration was drawn from customizers and the aftermarket. In Harley-Davidson Evolution Motorcycles, author Greg Field writes that the Wide Glide idea originated with chopper builders. “The look came from stripping the headlight and fork covers off the Hydra-Glide frontend, substituting longer forks and a smaller headlight, and lathe-turning the sliders for a slimmer look.”
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Electra Presence
Customizers would also swap in a 21" front tire and a 'bikini' fender to achieve a skinny, yet wide-spaced look. Headed by Willie G. Davidson, the Wide Glide designers add a five-gallon tank to offset the front stance. First used on the 1965 Electra Glide, the tank was a perfect fit for the production models. It helped accentuate the wide frontend and gave the bike its unique presence.
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Reluctant Executives
The Wide Glide was fitted with a bobbed rear fender—sometimes called a 'whale tail.' The taillight and license plate bracket were neatly tucked under the fender's rolled rear lip. The upholstered two-piece seat was another unique feature, with its pleats and buttons. Despite its eventual popularity, Harley-Davidson executives were initially reluctant to go ahead with the Wide Glide's design and production.
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Retained Kicker
In his book, Field reveals that a California dealership was building one-off 'wide glides' several years before the production model. This, and prompting from future CEO Vaughn Beals saw the project through. The FXWG was initially powered by an 80 cubic-inch Shovelhead motor but received the new Evolution engine in 1985. It was also one of the last production Harley-Davidsons to retain its kicker pedal.
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Old Flame
Production of the chopper-inspired FXWG ended in 1986. It reappeared for Harley-Davidson's 90th anniversary as the 1993 FXDWG Wide Glide on the Dyna rubber-mounted chassis. It remained in production until 2017, except for a one-year hiatus in 2009. In 2010, a slightly redesigned Wide Glide was introduced. To the delight of Wide Glide fans, it was sporting the characteristic 'Fireball' flames.
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