Highlights

Recently imported from America
Immaculate all-round condition
One of the very first Harley-Davidson Shovelheads

The Appeal

Cruising – going for a leisurely drive for no reason besides the love of the road – could only have originated in America. Indeed, the concept is now as deeply ingrained in American culture as the proverbial apple pie. Cruising with a car usually means making a few runs up and down Main Street with an arm out the window and tunes on the radio; with a bike, it means longer-distance runs on cross-country highways, surveying all the breath-taking scenery that the Land of the Free has to offer.

With that in mind, it’s only natural that America’s greatest cruising bikes should be made by her greatest motorcycle-maker. Harley-Davidson’s FL models were conceived as big, comfortable, long-distance machines way back in the 1930s and have evolved steadily ever since. The Electra-Glide launched in 1965, getting its name from the fact that it was the first Harley after the Servi-Car to receive an electric starter. In 1966, the old Panhead engine was replaced by the new Shovelhead, which delivered a 10 per cent increase in power. The model was not only enormously popular with the motorcycling public but was also adopted by police forces across America, inspiring its own cult film, 1973’s Electra Glide in Blue.

Britain may be a small island, but there are still plenty of reasons to invest in a cruiser motorcycle. With our beautiful national parks and a dramatic coastline, there’s really no better way to tour the land than from the softly-sprung saddle of a classic Harley.

As few Harley-Davidsons were sold new in Britain until recently, historic models remain very scarce, but demand for them now exceeds supply. This largely original, imported example is in very good condition, and would be very welcome at both motorcycle rallies and American vehicle shows, but perhaps it would be most at home doing what it was always meant for: long, lazy tours. Why not snap it up and head off on the road trip you’ve always dreamt of?

The History and Paperwork

Rare FL model, with most being FLHs
Matching numbers
Known to be on the road in Indiana in 2015
Imported from America and registered with the DVLA in September 2020
Purchased by the present owner in May 2021
Offered for sale with the current V5, and Indiana number plate, a 1969 Electra Glide Service Manual, a Clymer manual for 1966-1984 Shovelhead engines, some notes on wiring and a couple of invoices for parts
The previous owner, a former Suzuki UK mechanic, carried out a fair bit of work to the bike to a very good standard

The Condition

Superb paintwork and well presented chrome
New old stock seat fitted by the previous owner
Evidently restored in the fairly recent past

While we don’t know much about this Harley’s life in America, it is evident that it has received a very high-quality restoration in quite recent years. From what we can see, there appears to be very little at all to find fault with in the paintwork, and the chrome is really presentable. There is a spot of light patina in one or two places, which is only to be expected.

The handsome and very comfortable-looking two-tone seat is in excellent condition and is apparently a rare new old stock item fitted by the previous owner. The chrome wire wheels are believed to be original and as such exhibit some patina. The whitewall tyres were fitted around two years ago but remain in good condition.

As it currently appears, the Harley is already well-equipped for touring, with two sizeable pannier boxes and an additional luggage rack.

The Mechanics

Matching numbers
Said to be all original, with the exception of the carburettor which is a Super E fitted by the previous owner
Most recently MoT tested in 2020 although now exempt
All mechanical parts in excellent condition externally
Fitted with one of the earliest examples of the famous 1.2-litre Shovelhead V-twin

The vendor informs us that the bike is supplied with the following additional components:

A new police style solo seat with the 'pogo stick' assembly
A spare carburettor and jet kit
Rear sprocket
Silencers
Another dual seat
Filters, a gasket set, various other service items - many new

Again, while we don’t know details of the Harley’s past prior to being imported, we would think that as it’s obviously been restored to a high standard, it has probably benefitted from extensive recent mechanical restoration, too. In any case, the external condition of the engine, brakes and so forth suggests that they are in very good order. The vendor comments that it runs very smoothly, especially for this type of engine and some nice mechanical work was evidently carried out while the bike was in the US. The clutch is reportedly smooth and has never given trouble in the 2000 miles they've covered. We're informed that it always starts on the button and runs well.

There are two small oil leaks: One from the base gasket and the other from the front rocker pin screw on the right. Neither are said to be excessive. The brakes, work quite well (for 1967 drums) and will apparently stop you quite effectively.

When the Harley was first put on the road in Britain, it was subjected to an MoT test, which shows that it was running in August 2020 and has covered 2350 miles in the time that has passed since. All things considered, the odometer reading, if original and genuine, is very low for a 56-year-old bike, so even if the mechanicals haven’t been restored we would expect them to show few signs of wear. It passed its MoT with no advisories save one, for a ‘noisy exhaust’, but some motorcyclists would interpret that as a badge of honour…

All the evidence suggests that this is a very sound and useable bike, and we there’s nothing we’d like more than to jump on it now and embark on a round-Britain tour.

The Summary

Many manufacturers have cottoned on to the appeal of cruiser motorcycles and field a wide range of models, but the fact remains that you still can’t beat a classic Harley. The Electra-Glide combines the FL’s timeless good looks with a few welcome refinements such as electric start and the more powerful Shovelhead engine, so if we were about to embark on a long motorcycling holiday, that’s the one we’d want for it. In fact, this is the exact one we’d want, a beautiful, fully-restored example that looks to be in full working order and is already well-equipped for touring. Bid now, because you won’t see another one like this any time soon.