Harley often bounces popular names around to different model bikes. Various FXRs have been referred to as Super Glides, even though the original Super Glide began life in the 1970s, long before the FXR chassis existed.

The FXRP designation translates as "FXR Police". So if your bike is indeed an FXRP then it began life as a cop bike. One name for these was "Pursuit Glide", but there may have been others.

You are correct insofar that the 1985 FXRS was named "Low Glide". Harley offered the FXRS with an optional performance suspension package in 1985 (longer forks and rear shocks, and extra front disk brake) but they weren't called "FXRS-SP" by the factory until a few years later (1987 if I recall correctly). Some folks called them a "Tall Glide" or something similar since the resulting seat height was taller than the standard Low Glide.

This "performance" suspension was essentially the same as what came on the FXRT sport-touring bike, and the FXRP cop bike was an FXRT with cop bits added - lights, siren, different gauges, different saddlebags, different trim here and there. When the police sold/auctioned the bikes off to the general public a lot of them got modified back into FXRT or FXRS in appearance more or less, or like many Harleys got customized into something else.

So to summarize, if your bike is indeed an FXRP (I assume the VIN could shed some light on all this) and if it still has the tall suspension (which from your photo appears to be correct) then you could consider it an FXRS-SP (or at least a forerunner to the FXRS-SP) and since it's from 1985 such a bike would be called a Low Glide.

Or you could just call it an FXR and be done with it.

 

Ive even done some digging and cant find a listing for "Low Glide".

It isn't difficult. Go on eBay and search for a 1985 brochure. Or, click on this link and it'll take you to one. Look at the third bike on the right:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Harley-Davidson-Motorcycle-Sales-Brochure-Sportster-XR-1000-Glide-Rider/192130217116?hash=item2cbbda749c:g:xsIAAOSwoA9ZfnDY&vxp=mtr

 

so easy even a caveman85 can do it.

 

https://www.tabperformance.com/harley-davidson-vin-reference-guide-s/224.htm

 

Thanks for the help!

 

If you was around when the FXR first came out, You would Know how Difficult they were for Dealers to get rid of.. Was nothing for new bikes to be on the showroom floor for 2 to 3 Years!!! They desperately needed to "Market" them... I always laugh at the LowGlide Myself... since they were new I could pretty much tell they were the Tallest Harley Made!!!
No, Not true, 2nd Tallest, the FLT was even taller...

 

Hard to tell from the brochure Caveman linked, appears the Low Glide has a single front disc, your photo shows dual disc. Until you research your VIN and know for sure, I think you have a RP.

 

Correct. The standard brochure for 1985 only shows the "lowered" variant of the FXRS, which had a single front disc. I just wanted to point him to a source that showed the model name as "Low Glide". I think he's got an RP, RT, or an upgraded RS.

The confusion over the model "names" is valid, and Harley hasn't helped matters by shuffling them around over the years. For example:

1982 - FXRS Super Glide II
1983 - FXRS Super Glide II, and FXR Super Glide II (there was also a Super Glide with the old, non-FXR frame that year because why not)
1984 - FXRS Low Glide
1985 - FXRS Low Glide
1986 - FXR Super Glide, FXRS Low Rider
1987 - FXRS Low Rider, FXLR Low Rider Custom, FXRS-SP Low Rider Sport

After that I believe Harley pretty much stuck to the Super Glide II, and variants of the Low Rider name throughout the production run. Of course there were the FXRPs and FXRTs and other FXR variants such as the FXRC, Anniversary Editions, etc. with official "names" and nicknames just to keep things interesting and confusing.

When the Dynas arrived on the scene Harley recycled model names once again. For instance in the early 1990s you could get Low Rider variants with an FXR or FXD chassis. And now they're reusing the names on Softails as well.

So as I alluded to in my earlier post I think referring to FXRs with their marketing names is the wrong way to go. Using their shorthand designations - FXR, FXRS, FXRT, FXLR, FXRC, FXRP, etc. - is the better approach.

 

Insurance papers with vin say that its a 1985 FXRP-SP. The previous owner told me that all the police tins, bags and fairings were removed and replaced with the fxrs. The speedo does have "police" above the mileage indicator.

 

Some years, Lowrider FXR's were tall fork bikes. Explain that to me.

The MoCo really had very little forward thinking with the FXR. To the new owners it was AMF's performance folly that they never fleshed out. And to the design department it was a slap in the face. But after the success of Willy's Low and Slow pitch, AKA the Softail, design pretty much dictated what got built for the next 10 years.

 

Some years, Lowrider FXR's were tall fork bikes.

That is correct.

Explain that to me.

Can't. You'll have to ask Willie, Louie, or whoever was running the circus back then.

 

deleted double post

 

I have an 85 FXRs and it's called a "low Glide". It has 12.5" shocks instead of the 13.5" one that came on the original fxr. If your vin says EB then it is a low Glide. I hate that name but what can you do. What I did was go 2" over on forks and 1" over on shocks yet to be ordered cause I can't decide on a brand. Def not progressive or burly. I have a set of 11.5" progressives to sell that I took off it when I bought this Frankenstein bike.

 

Also I've never heard of a FXRP-SP. I've heard of FXRS-SP.

 

I'm with you on this.

I'm with Therm on the tall suspension Low Glide thing too.

Also, I'd recommend that OP translate the VIN rather than trust the insurance company. I'm sure his agent can read but, as a matter of policy, it's better to get as close to the source as possible.

joe

 

So what's up with having insurance on a police bike?

 

They always think they can charge ya More!!! Performance enhanced or some such BS
Been with the Hagerty since it was eligible... and No More Problems whatsoever..

 

I know it's an old thread but it is called a "Low Glide"

 

My title reads FXRPW...I'm guessing the "W" is for windshield...

 

Mine says fxrp sp not real sure why

 

Can't go by insurance or title. My title says FXS instead of FXRS. Why I don't know. Maybe someone at DMV messed up maybe PO messed up on registration papers. Either way I go by the 4th and 5th letters on the VIN after 1HD which every harley has I believe.

 

As is the case with many AMERICAN MADE Harleys, "1HD1" are the first four digits of all FXR models. The first “1” = US made. Digits 2 and 3 are always “HD” for "Harley-Davidson". Digit 4 is for engine type, “1” = 901+ cc; “4” is 351 -900cc.

The 5th and 6th digits identify the model:
EA = FXR “Super Glide ll” laced wheels w/ tubes, solid color.
EB = FXRS FXR “Low Glide Sport” cast wheels, tubeless, two-tone.
EC = FXRT “Touring” 1983 - ‘92
ED = FXRP “Pursuit Glide” Police w/ windshield, 1984 – ’94
EE = FXRDG “Disc Glide”, 1984
EF = FXRP “Pursuit Glide” Police w/ Fairing, 1984 - ’94
EG = FXRS-SP “Low Rider Sport”, 1985 -‘93
EH = FXRD “Dresser” with FL style dual exhaust (both sides) ’86 only
EJ = FXRC FXR “Custom” 1985 - ‘87
EK = FXRP “Pursuit Glide” Police C.Hi.P. California Highway Patrol
EL = FXLR “Low Rider”, 1987 – ‘94
EM = FXRS-CONV, “Low Rider Convertible”, 1989-‘93
ES = FXR2, “Super Glide” (CVO) 1999
ET = FXR3, “Super Glide” (CVO) 1999
EV = FXR4, “Super Glide” (CVO) 2000

Furthermore, the 7th digit (a letter) identifies the original engine:
"K" = 1340 Shovelhead motor - would be stamped in all '82 and '83 FXR's.
"L" = 1340 Evolution motor.

The 8th digit tells the Introduction Date:
1=regular, 2= mid-year January, 3=California Special, 4=Daytona March

Ninth digit is called the “check digit” (I don't really know what that means).

10th digit (another letter for FXR's) tells the year:
C = ’82, D = ’83, E = ’84, F = ’85, G = ’86, H = ’87, J = ’88, K = ’89,
L = ’90, M = ’91, N = ’92, P = ’93, R = ’94, S = ’95, T = ’96, V = ’97, W= ’98,
X = ’99, Y = ’00.

11th digit (letter) tells where, which factory the bike was made, J= Milwaukee, WI, K= KC, MO, T=Tomahawk, WI, Y=York, PA

And last but not least, the final six digits, #'s 11 thru 17 are the bike's production number.


Caveman85's previous post regarding specific models and years also helps clear up the muddied waters created by the MoCo:

Correct. The standard brochure for 1985 only shows the "lowered" variant of the FXRS, which had a single front disc. I just wanted to point him to a source that showed the model name as "Low Glide". I think he's got an RP, RT, or an upgraded RS.

The confusion over the model "names" is valid, and Harley hasn't helped matters by shuffling them around over the years. For example:

1982 - FXRS Super Glide II
1983 - FXRS Super Glide II, and FXR Super Glide II (there was also a Super Glide with the old, non-FXR frame that year because why not)
1984 - FXRS Low Glide
1985 - FXRS Low Glide
1986 - FXR Super Glide, FXRS Low Rider
1987 - FXRS Low Rider, FXLR Low Rider Custom, FXRS-SP Low Rider Sport

After that I believe Harley pretty much stuck to the Super Glide II, and variants of the Low Rider name throughout the production run. Of course there were the FXRPs and FXRTs and other FXR variants such as the FXRC, Anniversary Editions, etc. with official "names" and nicknames just to keep things interesting and confusing.

When the Dynas arrived on the scene Harley recycled model names once again. For instance in the early 1990s you could get Low Rider variants with an FXR or FXD chassis. And now they're reusing the names on Softails as well.

So as I alluded to in my earlier post I think referring to FXRs with their marketing names is the wrong way to go. Using their shorthand designations - FXR, FXRS, FXRT, FXLR, FXRC, FXRP, etc. - is the better approach.

 

Evidently my agent was smart enough to cipher the VIN herself. I gave the VIN to her and a moment later she said "Ooooo. A Low Rider!"

I'm just here for the beer.

 

I gave the VIN to her and a moment later she said "Ooooo. A Low Rider!"

You sure she was talking about the bike? Did she smile all coy like, and wink when she said it?

 

Yeah, I know it's old. So am I. I get there eventually.

 

Just FYI, Mr IDon'tNeedNoSteenkin'Iintro- this is a 4 year old thread.

joe

By the way - I don't know how to set up an "intro".

 

I was informed by Thermodyne that an intro is optional.

 

In the Old Days...a prospective, new Customer, would Burst into the Work area spewing questions and opinions...Unannounced. Certainly no Introduction...
My Partner... being the delicate flower that he was... Showed them the Door... oh well...one less Customer!!!!