1978 Harley-Davidson 1,200cc FLH Electra Glide

1978 Harley-Davidson 1,200cc FLH Electra Glide
No other motorcycle company, it seems, celebrates its own heritage better than does Harley-Davidson. In business continually since 1903, there have been many milestones for The Motor Company to commemorate in metal, as here with the Special Edition 75th Anniversary Electra Glide. Period magazine ads featured an especially stunning black-and-gold version of the FLH, but a multitude of color schemes was available, set off by special anniversary graphics on the front fender.

The other big news for 1978 was an increase in displacement to 80 cubic inches (1338cc), accomplished via a simple bore-and-stroke job. The always-entertaining writer Henry Manney III sampled the newly enlarged Shovelhead for Cycle World magazine, advising that the best way to enjoy the Harley was to get it into top gear as soon as possible, "Then the giant bore and stroke and all that lovely torque take over to produce a most satisfying waffling beat from the Big Twin that wafts the outfit effortlessly down the road, doing seemingly about 800 rpm," he wrote.

The current owner found this 75th Anniversary Edition about three years ago in less than original condition and set about to correct that, repainting some parts, acquiring others, resulting in a good-running, rider-quality machine. Apparently a Canadian model, its speedometer is calibrated in kilometers, of which 22,848 are showing on the odometer, about 14,200 miles. With a recent service, fresh oil and a topped-up battery, the FLH is ready for more mileage, on either side of the border.