In 1993, the Motor Company built what quickly became known as the “Cow Glide.” Though they might not have been too happy about its nickname, the factory managed to sell all the FLSTN Nostalgias they made very quickly. The bike came with black and white “milk cow” hide inserts on the seat and saddlebags. Consumers
knew right away that the bike would become collectible. Many were set aside just for speculation. On eBay, they currently bring $20,000 to $25,000 if you can find one with zero miles. The FLSTN Nostalgia model was continued for three additional years, their color schemes remain etched in everyone’s minds: ’93 black and white, ’94 silver and white, ’95 black and grey, and in ’96 green and silver. These bikes can be identified at long distances since they had only one color scheme per year.

The model was dropped in 1997 but made a comeback in a slightly revised form in 2005. For 2006 it was
continued. Confusingly, it is no longer called the Nostalgia even though it has the FLSTN model letters.

It is now officially the Softail Deluxe. But I imagine most dealers lump it in with the Nostalgias on their price lists. I know we do. As before, this bike fits in between the Fat Boy and the Heritage Softail Classic. It has lost its saddlebags but keeps the shotgun dual exhausts of the Fat Boy and the wire wheels of the Heritage. What made the bike stand out in its 2005 and 2006 guises was the addition of higher quality trim pieces all around the machine. More substantial footboards, slick front blinkers, an integrated luggage rack, and tombstone taillight set it apart from the other Softails. The effort to hearken back to older models can be seen in the wide whitewalls, nostalgic speedo, and narrow, low-bend bars on short risers. These small touches with the two-tone blue or black and white paint schemes give the bike a good touch of the 1960’s.

When the new Softail Deluxe (Nostalgia) hit the showroom floors in August of 2004, they were scooped up with great enthusiasm. Their more refined appearance mixed with a touch of old age was very well received. The buyer for these bikes is a person who thinks the Fat Boy is a little simple in appearance and the Heritage a little more than is wanted. Seeing a niche between two models is something that the Motor Company has always been good at, as they watch carefully what their customers actually do to their existing models. You can find their officials at rallies scrutinizing not only the bikes in shows but those in the parking lots as well.

For the details of the bike itself, it comes with the 88” Twin Cam B motor which is solidly mounted in the frame
but counterbalanced internally for a smooth, vibration-free ride. The engine accepts the factory hop-up kits of 95” and even 103” along with the myriad of other horsepower adding components: Screamin’ Eagle heads, carb, pipes, cams, etc. These bikes can be kept stock or modified beyond recognition. The photo in this article is from the Harley-Davidson accessory catalog showing a Softail Deluxe with all the fixins’ and then some. The
scale and tape show the big Softail weighing in at 693 pounds dry with a 64.5” wheelbase. The torque figure quoted by the factory is 88 ft-lbs, which is simply a barrel full. If you want to be really nostalgic, you can order yours with a carburetor, but if you know how to watch one TV show and tape another, electronic fuel injection
is available and will probably be appreciated by technophiles.

For 2006, seven different color combinations are available, some twotone, some solid. The bike is a little lower than most other Softail models, with a 24.5” seat height. The standard 150mm rear tire is up from the original’s 130 and on the highway this model can touch 50 mpg now and that’s important to think about again. As with all Harleys in the last couple of years, numerous small improvements and refinements have been made. The machines are very reliable and very flexible. They are easy to work on and maintain. This magical combination of good looks and technology is what modern Harleys are all about.

- Mark Barnett
Photo courtesy of Harley-Davidson Photography & Imaging