FL 1200 Electra Glide

1972 Harley-Davidson FL 1200 Electra Glide Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Built around Harley-Davidson's classic motorcycle platform, the 1972 Harley-Davidson FL 1200 Electra Glide pairs a 1206 cc (73.6 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 58 HP (42.3 kW) at 5,150 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 48.1 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the FL 1200 Electra Glide measures 340 kg (750 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.17 HP/kg (5.86 kg per horsepower). The 15-liter (4 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 164 km/h (102 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1970 to 1972, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.