SOLD - 1965 Harley Davidson Electra Glide FLH Panhead - SOLD

             1965 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHB                

ELECTRA-GLIDE 

 

This is an older cosmetic restoration of a 1965 Harley Davidson Electra Glide. This Harley Panhead is first year of the Electra Glide and first year electric start. It is also the last year of Panhead production. This motorcycle is equipped with all the first-year items used in production in 1965 including the extra paint payment for the High-fi Red color and paint scheme.
 

MILEAGE: 12,432 showing on a working odometer.

PAINT: Correct paint scheme for the year model at an extra cost, The High Five Red with white tank bottoms and pinstripes along the panel edge is in incredible shape with very little wear.  This motorcycle appears to be equipped with all of the accessory items for King of the Highway Group available.

SHEET METAL: Original factory Sheet metal well fit and without dings or dents noted. Gas tanks are clean and in excellent shape.

CHROME: Chrome on the bike is in outstanding shape and takes a great sheen. Appears to have all chrome items available at the time in the #1 Chrome finish group.  

MECHANICAL: This bike is in excellent mechanical shape. Starts right up and is smooth through the gears. It has been in dry storage for a few years until recently, it has a fresh battery and carb build, we have been riding this around regularly and there is no history on maintenance of the original owner.  12volt cyclelectric generator installed 

WHEELS & TIRES: Rims are Harley Davidson chromed steel with chrome spokes and nipples. 
Front tire is Harley Davidson Dunlop 90 R 16 in excellent shape.
Rear tire is Harley Davidson Dunlop 90 R 16 in excellent shape.

TITLE: California Title with current registration

Engine #     65FL3930
Frame #      N/A
Belly #        Match

Location:  Apache Junction, AZ

1965 Harley-Davidson FL Electra Glide — history

• A “transition” year that matters. The Electra Glide name had debuted in 1965 (replacing “Duo-Glide” as the big twin’s flagship), and it was tied closely to Harley’s push for a more “modern,” electric-start touring machine.

• Electric start becomes the headline. Harley had introduced electric start on the big twins in 1965, and the Electra Glide identity leaned hard into that convenience—huge for police, commuters, and touring riders who were done with kick-only life.

• Still very much a Panhead era bike. 1965 is firmly in the Panhead big-twin lineage (1948–1965). That makes it desirable to a lot of collectors: classic hydraulic lifters, that iconic top-end shape, and the last-year aura (even though the motor architecture didn’t “end” overnight, 1965 is commonly treated as the end of the pure Panhead run).

• Built for the road (and departments). FLs in this period were the big touring chassis—often seen with windshields, saddlebags, buddy seats, and police equipment. These bikes are the foundation of the “big Harley touring” identity that kept evolving into the Shovelhead era and beyond.

Core technical specifications (typical 1965 FL)

Engine

• Type: Air-cooled, 45° V-twin “Panhead”

• Displacement: 74 cu in (1207 cc)

• Bore x stroke: 3.4375 in x 4.00 in (3-7/16" x 4")

• Valve train: OHV, pushrod, hydraulic lifters

• Compression ratio: commonly listed around ~8:1 (varies by reference/build)

• Lubrication: dry-sump with external oil tank

Fuel / induction

• Carburetion: commonly Linkert on earlier bikes; many ’65s are seen with Tillotson or later swaps depending on originality and period updates (carb correctness often depends on exact build/date and what’s been changed over the years).

Electrical / starting

• System: 12-volt

• Key feature: electric start (with a kickstart still often present depending on configuration)

Transmission / final drive

• Transmission: 4-speed “big twin” gearbox

• Final drive: chain

Chassis / suspension / brakes

• Frame: steel double cradle touring frame

• Front suspension: telescopic fork (Hydra-Glide style)

• Rear suspension: swingarm with rear shocks (the “Glide” rear end)

• Brakes: drum front and rear (period-correct stopping—plan accordingly)

Weight / performance (real-world expectations)

• These are heavy, torque-forward machines designed for steady cruising rather than quick revs.

• Comfortable at backroad/highway touring speeds when properly sorted, but they ride like a 1960s big twin: brakes, lighting, and handling feel vintage because they are.

More Pictures and videos available upon request