Harley Heritage Softail Nostalgia – The Cow Glide

Harley Heritage Softail ‘Cow Glide’ Nostalgia

With Ian Fallon

Now that every manufacturer is joining the nostalgia fleet, it’s worth remembering that the father of the nostalgia ride is Harley-Davidson.

More than anyone else, Harley-Davidson has created and nurtured a sense of tradition to successfully build brand loyalty, constantly launching commemorative models.

Harley’s first big party was its 90th anniversary, and the Heritage Softail Nostalgia was one of five 90th anniversary models introduced in 1993.

While others have been consigned as yet another commemorative model, the Nostalgia is now one of the more coveted classic Harley-Davidsons.

1903 was a good year for American inventors. In Kittyhawk, North Carolina, two bikers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, have built a cane and cloth machine that actually flies through the air using its own power.

In Dearborn, Michigan, a man named Henry Ford had the crazy idea that people would buy these new horseless carriages if he could make them affordable and reliable. And in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Davidson brothers and close friend William Harley set out to build the world’s finest motorcycle.

90 years later, after two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Triumph Bonneville and the Honda CB750 Four, the Harley-Davidson is alive and well, stronger and more successful than ever.

More than 100,000 riders attended the massive 90th anniversary party held in Milwaukee, a success that heralded frequent gatherings of this kind.

Basically, Nostalgia is a Fat Boy with some styling updates. Like the Fat Boy, Nostalgia started with a Softail chassis, Evolution engine, wide fenders, and fat car-like front tires.

The Evolution engine was first introduced in 1984 and replaced the Shovelhead. The result of seven years of development, the Evolution not only produces more power than the Shovelhead, but also runs significantly cooler and cleaner.

As the first large displacement (1340 cc) V-twin from Harley in 18 years, it has brought a lot of success to Evolution. Fortunately for the Harley the Evolution’s improved reliability and durability saved them in the late 1980s.

Along with the aluminum cylinder, the Evolution has a narrower inclusion valve angle (58 degrees), but it retains the air-cooled overhead valve long stroke design.

With a diameter of 88.8 mm, a stroke of 108 mm and a single 40 mm Keihin carburetor, the power from the 45-degree inclined V-twin engine is a moderate 57 hp at 5000 rpm.

Over the years, minor updates were incorporated and in 1993 the engine incorporated a new internal ventilation system to clean up the exterior appearance. Inspired by 1950s custom, Nostalgia’s pistol-style silencers include shark fin tips and a matching sensuous throat note.

Nostalgia’s tubular steel frame is shared with all FX and FL series Harleys, and recreates the look of a traditional stiff tail, but without the harsh ride feel. Two horizontal Showa shock absorbers hidden beneath the engine provide 104 mm of rear wheel travel.

The Hydra-Glide front panel reproduces Showa 41 mm providing 140 mm of travel. Since the Nostalgia weighs up to 312kg when fully loaded, the luxurious suspension makes it possible for the bike and rider to navigate the back roads and boulevards smoothly, without ripples.

When pushed harder, the journey becomes uncomfortable and the chassis and suspension become poor quality. The Evolution engine is firmly mounted, with vibrations through the handlebars, saddles and footrests occurring at higher speeds. You wouldn’t expect 292mm single disc brakes with floating twin-piston calipers to do the job, but they’re surprisingly effective.

Nostalgia is as much about appearance as it is about function. At the model’s press launch, Harley boss Willie G Davidson said, “The white tires on the 16-inch spokes are the most important factor. Nostalgia has to do with the past, but it also has to be new. Calfskin insoles make an extreme visual statement. It has all the nostalgic elements and a bit of Hollywood.”

With a low seat height of 686 mm and an extra-wide handlebar, along with a soft suspension, the riding posture helps to encourage touring speed. It’s ideal for short, slow rides at a comfortable pace.

With the passing world reflected madly on the large chrome headlight housings, Nostalgia simply provides the right sound and the right look and feel for those looking to dig into the past. Even the black and white paintwork has a hint of the Eisenhower era after the war.

Harley is not trying to modernize nostalgia. While it doesn’t require a lot of new tools or parts, Harley knows that when it comes to sexy styling, solid feel, and soulful nature, the Heritage Softail Nostalgia is a timeless hit. Collectors agree. As the only FLSTN produced as a numbered limited edition, the Nostalgia holds a special place in Harley’s history.

Five facts about Harley Heritage Softail Nostalgia

The 1993 FLSTN was informally named “Cow Glide” or “Moo Glide” due to the innovative use of Holstein cowhide pads on the saddle and saddlebags. Other unique features include a cloisonné gas tank icon.

1993 was the only year Harley limited production and gave it a “number plate”. Nostalgia is limited to 2700 pieces. 2000 were sold in the US and 700 worldwide.

In the US, Nostalgia was initially priced at $13,000, but with demand outstripping supply, speculators immediately demanded $17,000.

Due to its popularity and rapid sales, Harley decided to continue the line. For 1994, this model dropped the limited edition number but kept the model name FLSTN.

The FLSTN Heritage Softail Special continued until 1996. They are Silver on a Dark Blue background with gold stripes.