1966 FLH Restoration
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Texas
1966 FLH Restoration
My dad handed down his bike to me, after over 30 years of owning it. The bike has been sitting a while and it has seen it's better days. There is some rust on a lot of the bike, but the frame seems pretty perfect. I've decided to start with the engine first. The motor in the first pictures is actually a '65 panhead motor. The original '66 Shovelhead is in the shop waiting to be picked up. I had a harley shop here in town who is very highly recommended rebuild it completely. Yeah, it was a lot of cash to do it, but I wanted to make sure that this thing was done right. I'm picking up the motor on friday or saturday and I'll post pictures of it when I get it.
So here is what I'm starting with...
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/E3C89733AC88486F9C531D93EE23C20B.jpg[/IMG]
So here is what I'm starting with...
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/E3C89733AC88486F9C531D93EE23C20B.jpg[/IMG]
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: 1966 FLH Restoration
some more "before" pics...
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/85A2BB075BEE4842B4FA4FCEE5AF2093.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/6E761711B9654A43AC1A9EB7AF7B0DF5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/769A145FC035458E88845405E46DC529.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/85A2BB075BEE4842B4FA4FCEE5AF2093.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/6E761711B9654A43AC1A9EB7AF7B0DF5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/46748/769A145FC035458E88845405E46DC529.jpg[/IMG]
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: 1966 FLH Restoration
My friend who owns a 67 just started updating the bike. He has owned this bike for a few years. The bike has been fully restored and took that long to straighten out the bike from all of the bad mechanics over the years. My friend (a non-member) just bought that 05 Softail complete front end from our member kmh54 on thread RE: FRONT END - 1/29/2008. The stock drum brakes, when working properly suck. If you plan on keeping the stock drum front brake, buy a lot of shoes. This bike is not practical in settings such as Fort Lauderdale in itâs stocks configuration and brake specifications. I will post photos when completed also.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: 1966 FLH Restoration
TDWZ28: Think my dad is gonna put it back in his panhead
FastHarley: good advice on the brakes...So I should look for a softail front-end, or does it matter?
FastHarley: good advice on the brakes...So I should look for a softail front-end, or does it matter?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: 1966 FLH Restoration
Boy! I've seen a lot resto bikes in a lot worse condition, shouldn't be hard to do a little rechroming and paint. Hope the Shovel works out for you. A rebuild on the forks is no biggie, they haven't changed much over the years. Good Luck!
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
RE: 1966 FLH Restoration
jarrette, keep the front end.Owning an old bike in stock configuration (and from the looks yours appears pretty much that way) is not about jaw-dropping speed. I live in Kalif and driving conditions are probably near to equal your area. Owned and ridden the same 65 pan since 1970. I just plan a little ahead and do not do some of the things my other friends do on their evos and twin cams.
These bikes are pretty easy to maintain. Hell, the front end was the same from 49 to E77 I believe so parts issue are not a problem. Hubs for the wheels are easy to service as well.
Couple of quick recommendations...flush out oil tank, if its been sitting awhile sludge will have settled in the bottom of the oil tank. Have your gas tanks pressure tested to make sure rust hasnt eaten through. Pin hole leaks are hard to see. Take your carb apart for a thorough cleaning.
Since you got the motor out take a good look at your clutch basket and inspect both the friction and the steel plates. Look for signs of warping and excessive wear on surfaces and if holes that over the hub studs are out of round. Check the hub to see if the studs are grooved as well.
Have you popped the lid off your tranny to inspect the gears?
Gotta say overall, your pop gave you a nice piece of history. Make sure you keep all of here posted on your progress.
These bikes are pretty easy to maintain. Hell, the front end was the same from 49 to E77 I believe so parts issue are not a problem. Hubs for the wheels are easy to service as well.
Couple of quick recommendations...flush out oil tank, if its been sitting awhile sludge will have settled in the bottom of the oil tank. Have your gas tanks pressure tested to make sure rust hasnt eaten through. Pin hole leaks are hard to see. Take your carb apart for a thorough cleaning.
Since you got the motor out take a good look at your clutch basket and inspect both the friction and the steel plates. Look for signs of warping and excessive wear on surfaces and if holes that over the hub studs are out of round. Check the hub to see if the studs are grooved as well.
Have you popped the lid off your tranny to inspect the gears?
Gotta say overall, your pop gave you a nice piece of history. Make sure you keep all of here posted on your progress.
