55FLE panhead

[hdhikaru]

hi there,
just wonder what this "E " stand for?

[kitabel]

1-1/8" venturi, perhaps EL cam? A.k.a. "parade" motor.

[1950Panhead]

FLE is police bike for city use.

[hdhikaru]

thanks!! for your reply

[Speeding Big Twin]

hdhikaru, FLE was a 74ci Panhead with handshift.
FLEF was the footshift version. NB: the second F may appear on paperwork but I would not expect it to be stamped on the engine as part of the serial number.

Although the engines were 74ci the cam was from a 61ci which I think is at least part of the reason the letter E was included in the serial number. (E/EL for Pans and Knuckles indicated 61ci.)

Another difference for the FLE/FLEF was a carb with 1-1/8” venturi. H-D referred to the FLE and FLEF as ‘Traffic Combination’ motors as you’ll see on the 1953 season order blank and they were also available for 1954–56.








NB: sometimes you’ll find an engine stamped FLE outside the model years 1953–56 but I have not seen one that I consider authentic.
Eric

[hdhikaru]

thats great!! thanks Eric!!!

[Chris Haynes]

The 74" FLE Engines had the 61" E Camshaft and 1 1/8" carburetor. This improved low end torque and the bike would come out of the hole faster. Usually used by police departments. Note top end suffered but city MC Cops rarely used top end speeds.

[T. Cotten]

The 74" FLE Engines had the 61" E Camshaft and 1 1/8" carburetor. This improved low end torque and the bike would come out of the hole faster. Usually used by police departments. Note top end suffered but city MC Cops rarely used top end speeds.

Could it be also, Folks,..

Law enforcement officers are naturally a heavier payload.

(Not that a thin officer would be un-natural. Damn its hard to be PC.)

....Cotten

[Rubone]

Lots of PDs used FLs and then FLHs when they became available. Highway patrols usually ordered the more powerful bikes, city PDs the low end torque FLE versions.

[T. Cotten]

..Highway patrols usually ordered the more powerful bikes,...

Uh oh, Folks!

The city machines were purposedly underpowered?

Must have been a tight budget.

...Cotten

[Rubone]

The FLEs were set up for low end torque, and the ability to idle along for hours on end, hence their popularity on congested streets. Budget only affected the packages they were ordered with.

[T. Cotten]

The FLEs were set up for low end torque, and the ability to idle along for hours on end, hence their popularity on congested streets. Budget only affected the packages they were ordered with.

Glad you were there!

....Cotten

[T. Cotten]

Next question Folks,..

If these machines were intended to "idle along for hours on end"..

Shouldn't we find a different balance factor for FLEs?

It gives a whole new dimension to "forgiving"!

....Cotten
PS: At least they went to 'R&R' Timkens to accept the lean on the jiffy stand.

[Rubone]

Glad you were there!

Yup, you should have been there, a really great time. There is so much you missed!!