1980 Harley-Davidson FLHS Electra Glide Sport
Desirable 1,340cc Shovelhead Electra Glide sport
Engine and Frame number; 5H31539JO
During the 1960s Harley-Davidson was selling more motorcycles each year but gradually losing market share to the Japanese. Concluding that a steadily shrinking piece of an expanding pie could eventually result in a debilitating downside, Milwaukee scouted several new avenues and investigated new product designs. One study found while owning a Harley was a family affair, Grandpa rode a Harley and dad rode a Harley etc., an electric start could expand the big-twin’s appeal. The addition of an electric starter and the name Electra Glide in 1965 coincided with the Panhead’s final year, but the Electra Glide would become one of Harley’s most successful models.
As the Electra Glide had grown in size and weight, the demands on the engine increased in proportion. The Shovelhead replaced the Panhead in 1966, this basically a new Sportster style aluminium cylinder head on the existing engine. With its rocker boxes in lieu of covers the Shovelhead recalled the styling cues of the legendary Knucklehead of the 1930s. The FLH Shovelhead grew to 80 cubic inches (1,338cc) in 1978, also coinciding with Harley-Davidsons 75th Anniversary. With an 89mm bore a longer 108mm stroke, the new 80 recalled its flathead ancestor as the “big-inch” king. The engine looked identical to the previous Seventy-four, but had one less cylinder fin and a large can air filter cover with “80” emblazoned on the face. With a 7.4:1 compression ratio, new electronic ignition and a Bendix carburettor, the FLH-80 produced 65 horsepower. The 80 cubic inch FLH Electra Glide received an improved solid state electronic ignition for 1980, but while the new FLT Tour Glide now featured a five-speed transmission the Shovelhead FLH retained the four-speed gearbox until its demise.
Rolling on a pair of 16-inch wheels and a long 1,562mm wheelbase the Electra Glide was Milwaukee’s heftiest model yet, the added bulk of the starter, battery and supporting parts contributing to a substantial 355kg. With its full complement of “King of the Highway” equipment, including extra quiet dual mufflers, saddlebags and windshield the Electra Glide easily topped 370kg. As FLH Electra Glide sales began to taper off in the late 1970s, Harley introduced a more sporting version, the FLHS, for 1980. Ostensibly an FLH stripped of saddlebags and a screen. The FLHS still rolled on 16-inch wheels with a single 245mm disc on each. The exhaust system was a two-into-one on the right. The engine produced 67 horsepower at 5,000rpm and the weight was 343kg. The FLHS lasted until 1982, by which time the Shovelhead had almost finished and was about to be replaced by the Evolution. After a period where it was forgotten and denigrated, the Shovelhead is now considered quite desirable, especially the 80 cubic inch versions like this 1980 FLHS-80.
This motorcycle has been registered up until recently under the Club Permit scheme, but will be sold unregistered. Aftermarket handlebars are loose and need tightening.
To view high resolution images of the motorcycles, please follow the below Dropbox link;
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/n5bcjb2nuoc16t4y3k5hs/h?dl=0&rlkey=exyqlbxilyvv4n3ue8jmppkbx
UPDATED: Please note the auction estimate should read $15,000-18,000.
