This Harley has a lot going for it! Not only is it one of the more desirable models, but this example is an all-original survivor with documentation back to the original owner. And between ’62-63, a strike at the Harley-Davidson factory greatly reduced production, meaning not many of these were built during that time. It really is a special find, so if you’d love to have it, you can find it in the Barn Finds Classifieds or here on eBay in Germantown, Wisconsin.
According to the seller, this bike was sold new at the Gerencer Harley-Davidson in Elkhart, Indiana in 1964. That owner kept it for 10 years and then sold it back to the dealership. One of their mechanics liked the bike so much that they bought it and parked it in their garage. The seller purchased it out of the garage a while back and earlier this spring had a shop go through the entire bike to ensure it was ready for the road!
A lot of work went into making this bike roadworthy again after being parked for so long. The seller made sure that it was kept as original as possible though, as you rarely find these in this nice of original condition. The paint and chrome some signs of use, but are both in really nice condition. Clearly the mechanic that did the recent service took their time so as to avoid damaging any of the original components.
These bikes have seen a significant surge in value over the past few years. By the time this one was built, Harley had really refined the FL, with improved brakes, larger drive chain and improved oiling. If you are looking for an FL to ride or collect, this is the one to get! Given the originality and mileage, I wouldn’t blame the next owner for tucking it safely away, but I truly hope they put at least a few miles on this bike.
Nice! Never cared for the older H-D’s while growing up in Milwaukee. Perhaps it was the image of H-D owners that turned a lot of folks off. That, and they were just too gawdy, and still had a post WW2 design. I had respect for America’s greatest offering, but British and Italian bikes ruled. The Electra Glide in ’65 helped some, allowed people that couldn’t kick a Duo-Glide to ride, but H-D was a few short years away from being devastated by the 750 Honda. In the mid 60’s, you wanted an American top of the line bike, this was it. Today, I’d love to have it,,if it had electric start. Sorry, I’m spoiled by my dual sport, doesn’t even have a kick start.
Does this bring back memories!
1974, I was 4 years old, my Dad just got released from a trip “up north” on the state. He showed up with the 1959 version of this bike. This is when I first recall meeting him.
The bike was red with black leather “Elgin” saddlebags, black fringes.
Attached is a picture of 26 year old “Ritchie” and his bike. Happy Father’s Day Dad, r.i.p.!
Dig the period exhaust!
A pan without visible oil under it? Whaa? We had a 63 pan for sale at a bike shop I worked at when I was a hang around. I dug that bike but I always had to have something under it or there’d be a good puddle on the ground in no time.
Harley has spent considerable time and money to bring this bike into the future. Looks like a Road Glide to me.
Yeah, I used to think the same thing. Heck, I used to think the Heritage was a direct descendant of this. I was wrong.
This is actually closer related to a RoadGlide than a Heritage, but none of them are the same. There are numerous differences, some fairly obvious to those of us that have training (I spent most of the 2010’s working at a Harley dealership and got a huge education on these) and some that are very subtle. This is no RoadGlide lol.
The Heritage is a softtail (FXST chassis) while the bike in the writeup is an FL. The Roadking is a descendant of this bike. I like the FXDs myself. Dynas are cool.
I learned that a few years ago, but the heritage is not an “fx” chassis, it is an “fl”, just an fls, not flh or flt.
I know the RoadGlide is a descendant, but this is like a grandfather to a RoadGlide. Not much is the same.
Yeah, the Dyna was a cool series of bike. Too bad the quit making them a couple years ago.
If you know anyone looking for a nice Dyna, my Uncle has one for sale. It is advertised on Barn Finds classified ads.
Don’t argue with Stevieg. I consider him to be the “geomechs” of Harleys,,, :)
Lol hardly the case, I still have plenty to learn about these yet. If I am lucky enough, my education will continue in a couple years once I am in Arizona. There are no more dealerships in Wisconsin that interest me enough to work at.
My old service manager at Milwaukee Harley taught me a LOT!
If any of you ride a Harley & make the voyage to Milwaukee, and your bike needs help, that is the place to go. Jay, my former boss & still current friend, is fair & ethical, along with extremely knowledgeable. He is at Milwaukee Harley Davidson.
Thank you for the compliment Howard, but my knowledge isn’t that deep yet.
I do appreciate that vote of confidence though.
We all have our calling, and while I babble about things I’m not quite sure of, (and angers up the blood of some), trucks are my specialty, just from working with them my whole life. You seem to have the knowledge of H-D’s for the same reason. That’s what’s cool about a site like this, it attracts folks from all across the mechanical spectrum.
Believe it or not, I have been involved with our 4 wheeled friends for a LOT longer than the 2 wheeled Milwaukee iron. I just really took to motorcycles in general, Harley Davidsons specifically, once I started riding myself about 15 years ago. Prior to then, my life revolved around cars, with vintage being my hobby but modern being my income.
Motorcycles are way less complex than cars, making it easier to learn about them.
That makes it easier for some dummy like me to become knowledgeable. With that thought in mind, I have a lot more to learn. That is not humility, it is fact lol.
I plan on going back to that industry as soon as I can, but I am also planning on going to get formal edumacation on the subject too, just so less mistakes are made. I hate being wrong lol.
Have a great day you all!
A Heritage is a Softail, and is not built on the touring frame. This is most like a Road King (FLHR) having a windshield instead of a fairing (or batwing) like a Street Glide. A Road Glide has a Fixed fairing connected directly to the frame, instead of being attached to the forks. Any way, I would love to have this scooter, but I ride my bikes and don’t have room for an occasional rider at this point; someday maybe.
You are correct, I was thinking Road King, even when I said Road Glide. My fault! I know there is a big difference.
I even own a RoadGlide, & I still screwed that up lol.
In any case, I now know this isn’t even closely related to a Heritage. My point was I used to not know the difference & at that time I thought this, a Road King & Heritage were all the same, and many novices might still think that. Sure, this is closer to a Road King, but it is still not that. It is WAY cooler than one of those. It is WAY cooler than my RoadGlide for that matter lol. Attached is a picture of my FLTRXS. If we call them by their “alphabet soup” names, I never get them mixed up. When we start using their “street” names, I get lost lol.
That’s nice bike Steve! And yes, I agree that you know what a Road Glide is. I currently have a Road King (FLHR) and a Dyna Low Rider (FXDX), along with a little Yamaha dual sport. I’ve loved Harleys since my college days, but only had Japanese bikes until 7 or 8 years ago when I got my first HD.
Thank you Rex!
Those low riders are cool bikes, I like all Dynas.
I am particularly partial to the softails. I had a Heritage Springer that was my pride & joy. It was wrecked by some young chick texting & driving. She took that bike & I down when she ran a stop sign. I went from 40 to 0 instantly, but I got up & walked away. Beat & battered like a country fried steak, but no permanent damage.
Keep them wheels down & bars up!
In Connecticut I had a 63 panhead rigid frame Springer front end jockey shift best dam bike I ever had wish I had here in California . Now I have a 97 Softail Evo the 63 was more fun