Models
FXRDG Disc Glide
A limited 1984 special with a solid disc rear wheel, and Cycle World's Best Cruiser that year.
Overview
The FXRDG Disc Glide was a limited edition introduced in the winter of 1983 as a 1984 model. It had a solid spun aluminum rear wheel, a spoked front wheel and "Genuine Harley-Davidson" in script on the tank (Rider, Sep 2017).
shovelhead.us describes it as based on the FXRS, with chain final drive and extra chrome, and lists 853 built (shovelhead.us, 1984). Wikipedia mentions a chrome package and the name FXRSDG, but that line is marked "citation needed" (Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide").
Cycle World named the Disc Glide its Best Cruiser in the October 1984 Ten Best awards (Cycle World, Oct 1984). The Disc Glide name came from an earlier limited four-speed FX model (Rider, Sep 2017).
Years made
1984.
| Model year | Units built | Notes | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 853 | Plus "FXRSDG" listed as 3 and 7 | Reported | shovelhead.us, 1984 |
Identifying features
- Solid spun aluminum disc rear wheel, laced front wheel (Rider, Sep 2017)
- "Genuine Harley-Davidson" script tank emblem (Rider, Sep 2017)
- Chain final drive (shovelhead.us, 1984)
- VIN model code EE (Rider, Sep 2017)
Specs
Period road tests: 1 magazine test with measured figures. See the Period Road Tests →
1984 FXRDG as tested by Cycle World, June 1984. Figures are from one magazine test bike and may differ from factory brochures.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Evolution overhead-valve V-twin | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Displacement | 1339cc | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Bore × stroke | 88.8 × 108.0 mm | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Compression | 8.5:1 | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Carburetion | One 38mm Keihin | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Ignition | Transistorized electronic | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Claimed output | 71.5 bhp at 5000 rpm; 82.5 lb-ft at 3600 rpm | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Oil capacity | 4 qt | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Alternator | 264 W | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Primary / clutch | Double-row roller chain / wet multi-plate | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Final drive | 530 chain | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Overall gear ratios | 11.57 (1st), 7.89, 5.72, 4.40, 3.57 (5th) | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Suspension travel | 6.9 in front, 3.1 in rear | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Wheelbase | 63.5 in | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Rake / trail | 29° / 4.22 in | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Seat height | 29 in | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Ground clearance | 5.25 in | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Weight (as tested) | 586 lb with half a tank; 47% front, 53% rear | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| GVWR / load capacity | 1085 lb / 487 lb | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 gal | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Wheels | MT2.50×19 front, MT3.00×16 rear | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Tires | Dunlop K181, MJ90-19 front, MT90-16 rear | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Brakes | 11.5 in disc front, 11.5 in disc rear | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Tested performance | Quarter mile 13.34 s at 97.40 mph; 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 s; top speed 106 mph (half mile); 60 to 0 mph in 137 ft; 48 mpg | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
| Period list price | $8,199 | Cycle World, Jun 1984 |
Known issues
Common problems across the FXR family, by model year: Known Issues →
1984 dry clutch
Early 1984 bikes had a dry clutch; later 1984 bikes got a wet clutch (Rider, Sep 2017; Cycle World, Sep 1984). Check which one a bike has before ordering parts.
Rubber mounts and stabilizer links
The whole design depends on three elastomer mounts and two adjustable stabilizer links (Rider, Sep 2017). Buyer's guides suggest checking them on any used FXR (Moto Gallery FXR overview). Typical wear symptoms and replacement intervals unverified.
Photos
No FXRDG photos here yet. We only publish photos that are free to use or that owners send us with permission. Have one?
Related models
FXRS
The dressier twin of the first FXR. It later became the Low Glide, then the Low Rider, and was the most common FXR of the early years.
FXRC
A limited 1985 custom in Candy Orange and Root Beer, with wire wheels and a dozen chrome covers.
FXLR
The custom-styled FXR, with a skinny 21 inch front wheel, solid rear wheel and blacked-out engine.
Sources
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson FXRDG" road test, June 1984. Link
- Kip Woodring, "Motorhead Memo: The Gentleman's Express", Rider Magazine, September 20, 2017 (year-by-year FXR history and VIN model codes). Link
- shovelhead.us, "1984 Harley-Davidson" model year history page (enthusiast site; production figures). Link
- Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide" (FXR section), and the sources it cites, including Andy Hornsby, "A Potted History of Harley-Davidson", American-V. Link
- Cycle World, "Ninth Annual Ten Best Motorcycles of the Year", October 1984. Link
About the unverified flag: it marks a detail we have not yet been able to confirm in a published source, such as a factory document, owner's or service manual, or period magazine test. Where a table cell shows only the flag, we have not found a reliable figure. We keep these details visible so they can be checked. If you have a source, please tell us.
Full bibliography and image credits: Sources & Credits. Magazine pages are linked, never copied or hosted here. Spot an error? Tell us.