The FLE model and police bikes

[rlp56]

Howdy Folks,
Great site you have here. Until I aquire the Palmer's book , may I ask:

The FLE was popular as a police model or STRICTLY A POLICE MODEL? Were other models used as police bikes as well? Such as FLs?

Next, since they built both FLE and FLEF, can one tell the difference by motor vin alone? Are they all stamped FLExxxx? How about FLFs, all stamped FLxxxx only?

I own a 56FLE and a close friend has a 54FLE in a straight leg frame, I see production numbers in your data but do not see numbers after the FLE, is the number listed TOTAL of all models listed? Any separate production numbers for FLE production in 1954 or 1956?

Thanks to all involved here for sharing your knowledge.

Regards, RLP

[RUBONE]

Welcome rip56,
To try and answer some of your questions:
The FLE was not strictly police, but was designed for best lower end performance and was popular with PDs , commercial users, funeral escorts, sidecar riders, etc. All FL models were available as police units, both with or without hand shift.
No way to tell from a VIN if a bike came with handshift or foot. and yes, all FLFs were stamped only FL.
The production numbers for '54 are not broken into categories, just total production. Supposedly in '55 there were 853 FLEs and in '56 671. No breakdown for '54 or '53. Be aware that those numbers are not terribly accurate as H-D did not keep those records and the compilation of them was done in a flawed manner by the H-D archivists so those a re merely approximations. The '53 and '54 numbers are likely similar to '55 but the '56 numbers are diminished due to the introduction of the FLH in '55 and subsequent dropping of the FLE after '56.
I also have a '54 FLE in a straightleg. How high is your buddy's VIN?
Robbie

[jibhead]

posted pic on here before ,of a 54 FLE in a straight leg frame vin number 5635 ,hope some help

[rlp56]

Thanks for the quick replies! Very good info and guestimates on numbers.

My Bro is signing up and will respond regarding his VIN, I will say depending on daily output his pan may have been born on the same day as the pan jibhead is riding! Close numbers.

Regards, RLP

[jibhead]

hi rlp ,not my bike unfortunatly , was a prise winner alongside my 45 at sandford bike show here in the uk

[the village idiot]

I also have a '54 fle in a straight leg frame, the last four numbers are 4707. Is it just gearing or are there other changes to make it a "city" bike?

[RUBONE]

The FLE was built as the "Traffic combination" engine, which had a different cam (stamped 61) a small venturi in the carb, low compression and lower gearing. They run really well at lower speeds and have very good acceleration, they just drop off on the top end. With the advent of the FLH the FL became the lower end FL engine and took over the role of the FLE.
Mine is 4899.
Robbie