Electra Glide Classic

1997 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1997 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic custom - cruiser motorcycle, Harley-Davidson features a 1338 cc (81.6 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke configuration. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 59 HP (43.1 kW) at 5,000 rpm while maximum torque reaches 102 Nm (75.2 lb-ft) at 3,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and belt final drive. With a specific output of 44.1 HP per liter and a 2,000 rpm working window between peak torque (3,000 rpm) and peak power (5,000 rpm), the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the Electra Glide Classic measures 336 kg (741 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.18 HP/kg (5.69 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 692 mm (27.2 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 1996 to 2013, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.