1968 Electraglide - Harley Forum

justahobby · #1 10-10-2009, 11:33 PM

Im looking at purchasin a 68 Electraglide and was wondering if there was anything I need to know about this model to look out for. Im a greenhorn when it comes to the older bikes. Is there any electrical or mechanical problems with this year and make of bike? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tim.

street bob · #2 10-10-2009, 11:53 PM

Jump on it.... 68 was a great year. Generator bottom and shovel top.. beautiful!!!!

Buzz Kanter · #3 10-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Check it out as you would any other older Harley. Tires, wheels, wheel bearings, forks, steering, starter, compression, leak down test, heavy load lug test, clutch, transmission, brakes, rear suspension, rust or corrosion, battery, charging, lights, etc.

You might also check out the amazing collective knowledge about classic Harley motorcycles at Classic American Iron

justahobby · #4 10-11-2009, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the words of encoragement street bob, 68 was an awsome year. (Its my year

) Im hopin to pick it up soon.

Hey Buzz, Im definately going to look this thing over from front to back, it belongs to a buddy of mine and he hasnt riddin it in 15-20 years so theres no tellin what could be rusted,broke,frozen, or missin. Im thinkin, bout the only thing that I really want to change on it is the seat. The Boss

said there had better be a comfy seat for the bitch on the back

so the big solo seat has to go.

I was told that this was a pan lower and shovel upper and that something (I cant remember what) was junk in some way or another. Someone else told me that if the regulator goes out (and that it does often) it will kill the generator and that its an expensive repair.

street bob · #5 10-12-2009, 01:01 AM

All kinds of stuff like that happens to old Harleys. They are not a "hands off" kind of bike.
You will always be dealing with something on that bike. I'm not at all saying its going to break, I'm saying you will (or should be) just checking things out. I was always doing a "nut and bolt session" on my panhead. Its all a labor of love, and pure enjoyment.

justahobby · #6 10-12-2009, 11:03 PM

Hey street bob, I plan on takin this thing apart over the winter and clean everything. Then go over the sheetmetal, do any bodywork and repaint it. This will go next to the 41 Indian Four Im restoring for a friends dad. I hope to have at least one of them done for summer, cause I want to RIDE, damn it!

Bigincher · #7 10-13-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justahobby

I was told that this was a pan lower and shovel upper ...............

This is a common misconception. The first few years of shovelhead, 1966-69 had a generator charging system and ignition timer like the earlier panheads, so they have the same appearance as a panhead lower end. 1970 was the first year of the alternator, and a new style lower end, with the points in the 'nose cone'.
The generator shovel has been called 'pan-shovel', 'slab-side shovel', or simply 'generator shovel'.

1haugster1340 · #8 10-13-2009, 04:42 PM

There were a lot of Pan/Shovels made by putting the new Shovel topend on the Pan bottom. I would check the engine numbers and make sure the numbers match the title.

street bob · #9 10-13-2009, 08:19 PM

DEFINITELY check the paper.......

justahobby · #10 10-13-2009, 08:43 PM

Hey guys, Im not too worried about the paperwork, my buddies dad was the original owner. He gave it to his son as a grad present, but that was along time ago!

Thanks for the help though.