1981
Harley-Davidson FLHS Electra Glide Sport - Specifications & Review

Article Complete Info
| Articleid | 13375 |
|---|---|
| Category | Custom-cruiser |
| Make | Harley-Davidson |
| Model | FLHS Electra Glide Sport |
| Year | 1981 |
Engine & Transmission
| Coolingsystem | Air |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1340.00 ccm (81.77 cubic inches) |
| Enginedetails | Twin, four-stroke |
| Fuelconsumption | 6.91 litres/100 km (14.5 km/l or 34.04 mpg) |
| Fuelsystem | Carburettor |
| Gearbox | 4-speed |
| Greenhousegases | 160.3 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
| Transmissiontypefinaldrive | Chain |
| Valvespercylinder | 2 |
Other Specifications
| Starter | Electric |
|---|
Physical Measures & Capacities
| Fuelcapacity | 18.92 litres (5.00 gallons) |
|---|---|
| Weightincloilgasetc | 344.7 kg (760.0 pounds) |
About Harley-Davidson
Country of Origin:
United States
Founder:
William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, William A. Davidson
Best Known For:
V-twin cruisers, touring icons, H-D culture; also LiveWire electric spinoff
Company History
Founded in Milwaukee in 1903, Harley-Davidson grew from backyard shed to global symbol. Early board-trackers and military machines proved durability; postwar big twins defined American road culture with a cadence and silhouette that became shorthand for freedom. The company professionalized long-distance comfort—Electra Glide fairings, air shocks, and later sophisticated infotainment—while keeping a mechanical identity built on a 45° V-twin heartbeat. Harley also navigated reinvention: the Evolution engine restored reliability in the 1980s; rubber mounting tamed vibes; and fuel injection, ABS, and ride-by-wire brought modernity. The brand’s culture—H.O.G. rides, dealer events, customization—turns ownership into community. Recent decades saw expansion into liquid-cooled performance (Revolution X) and true adventure/sport segments (Pan America, Sportster S), while LiveWire broke ground in electric motorcycling. Historically, Harley’s significance extends beyond machines: it’s a maker of rituals and myth, exporting an American idea of the open road. The tension between heritage and innovation defines each new model year, but the throughline is tactile connection—torque-rich roll-on, slow idle, and a sense that the bike has a pulse.
