The shovelheads are great old bikes and I love riding my 73 Electra Glide which is the best sounding Harley I've ever owned. The difference between the performance of the newer bikes with Twin Cams and the shovel is night and day. The shovel (mine anyway) is comfortable cruising around 60 mph (4 speed) where my Ultra is happier at 75 or 80 (6 speed). There are worlds of difference in the suspensions as well. The shovel is not a chore to ride as some have suggested, (in my opinion), but the differences between the shovel and TC are huge.

As far as feeling antiquated, I would have to say that yes, my shovelhead does feels antiquated after riding my Ultra, but I like that and have an affection for it all the same. I ride it every chance I get and enjoy it. Just don't set your expectations too high and expect comparable handling and performance with a shovel cause it ain't going to happen.

 

Is a 60's Electra Glide really only good for 65 MPH?

Is Interstate cruising at 75 MPH out of the question?

Thanks

 

With stock gearing.........pretty much. Unless you like not having any feeling in your hands or *** :-)

 

I agree with all quote's made,for sure.I traded a 75 Norton 850,for a 76 shovel.Then AMF had a hand in the company.It had a killer tone at idle,but at 60 had to put your finger on your mirrors to actually make out what was behind you.

 

It's been a long time but I don't remember being bothered by anything, including vibration, with my shovel and I am sure that I did not limit my riding to 65 mph. I rode a 78 Low Rider to Sturgis and back from south Texas and all over Colorado. Now, having gotten spoiled by my TC96, I might think differently if I rode one today.

 

My first Harley was a '67 Electra Glide, I loved the bike and wish I still owned it. That said, I wouldn't want it as my only bike. at 70 MPH it will vibrate your feet off of the boards, the brakes are, lets just say not very good. The left fuel tank cracked from the vibes. Another thing to look for is the frame above the swing arm pivot, where the tubing welds to the casting can break. Later models had a flange there. It had 27,000 when I traded it for a new '82 Tour Glide.

 

. I am seriously looking at an 82 FLT, but still glancing at some of the TC Road Glides....thoughts?

 

Nice 9 year old thread resurrection.

 

Out of curiosity, I just looked at old 60s bikes. I sure as hell aren't seeing anything for $10k???

 

I've owned mostly new or newish bikes since the 1960s. My first Harley was a new FX1200 in 1974 - other than wartime sidevalves Harleys were rare bikes here in the UK at the time. I rode it like it was any other modern bike of the day - it would clock around 115mph, given its head, and travel on open roads at speeds up to 90mph with ease - once run in, but that took around 10k miles! An earlier Harley in stock trim would have a somewhat lower performance range, I would expect, bearing in mind that it is also now over 60 years old. I have no desire to own another shovelhead, they have had their place in my riding time, although I do still own an Evo.