1966 Harley-Davidson 1,200cc FLH Electra Glide Engine no. 66FLH2575

1966 Harley-Davidson 1,200cc FLH Electra GlideEngine no. 66FLH2575
• Second year for electric starting, first year for Shovelhead engine• Polished headlight nacelle, chromed crash bars and fender/saddlebag guardsAs a milestone in mid-century Harley-Davidson history, the 1966 FLH Electra Glide as seen here is a motorcycle to take note of. A year before, the FLH had been modernized with electric starting, the first Harley two-wheeler to be so equipped. That led to a name change from Duo-Glide to Electra Glide, celebrating the addition of the self starter, which made the bike accessible to a much wider range of customers. Then in 1966, in answer to riders asking for more open-road passing power, the 74ci engine was given a new, better-breathing alloy top end, good for an additional 5-10hp. The cylinder heads resembled overturned coal shovels, some thought – so in the FLH timeline, 1966 is remembered as the second year for electric starting and the first year for the 'Shovelhead' motor. It would be Harley-Davidson's prime mover over the next two decades, until introduction of the Evolution series in 1984.Also making their first appearance in '66 were the Electra Glide's signature saddlebags. Harley-Davidson had acquired a Wisconsin fiberglass factory a few years earlier, a move that allowed the bags to be molded specifically for the FLH. Even today, all Harley touring bikes all have luggage that resembles those first Electra Glide saddlebags.Cycle World magazine tested an early Shovelhead-powered FLH and came away impressed: "In its field – high-speed, long-distance touring – the Electra Glide is without equal", wrote the editors. "The Harley-Davidson 74 V-twin is one of the finest motorcycle engines ever built, not because it is revolutionary or unusual, but because it is the product of years of thoughtful, careful, conscientious development".On the Jalbert Collection's FLH, a unique built-in anomaly can be seen in the engine's so-called "belly numbers," the crankcases' stamped-in casting numbers which should match but here are sequential, one digit apart. It's not known if one matching case half was found to be faulty during original assembly so the next one was used instead, or if two engines coming down the production line simply got their cases mixed up.With its sparkling burgundy and birch white two-tone paint, acres of chrome, whitewall tires and studded fender flaps, the Jalbert Electra Glide looks like it would be right at home in Elvis Presley's garage which is why Jim Jalbert has nicknamed the bike after the King. Expertly restored some years ago, 'Elvis' now shows just over 2,000 miles and is his favorite regular rider, thanks in part to its cushy suspended saddle and, of course, the push-button starting that gave the bike its model name more than 50 years ago.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.