One-Owner 1964 Harley-Davidson FLH Duo-Glide
The seller says that this 1964 Harley-Davidson FLH Duo-Glide is 100% original and was purchased from the original owner’s son. In essence, it’s a one-owner bike, or would that be one-family-owned? Whatever the case, it has killer patina and they have it listed here on eBay in Kent, Washington. The current bid price is $15,100, there is no reserve, and there are only two days left to get your bids in.
There’s patina and there’s patina, or what we would normally call dents, damage, and missing paint. Sadly, the gas tank on this otherwise great-looking Harley has seen better days. The seller says that this bike was, in fact, repainted in the 1970s and the gas tank must not have been prepped correctly, is my guess. The question is: would you fix the repaint the tank, maybe trying to make it look somewhat aged to match the rest of the bike, or keep it dented and with big areas of missing paint as it is now?
Since this FLH has been repainted already, I would probably repaint the whole bike. Well, not the chrome and seat and wheels… you know what I mean. The Harley-Davidson FLH Duo-Glide evolved after the Hydra-Glide in 1958 and the name reportedly came from a rear swingarm that consisted of two coilover shock suspension units. I know that we have at least one Harley expert and former owner in the crowd (Howard) who hails from the Motherland: Milwaukee. The seller says that it was bought with the “King of the Highway” package with all the touring bags and accessories and all of it comes with the sale.
Being the nerd and vehicle fanatic that I was as a kid and still am, I had several posters of Harley-Davidson motorcycles on my bedroom wall as a kid. They were later than a 1964 Harley-Davidson FLH Duo-Glide – actually, mid-1970s bikes such as Russ recently showed us with the 1975 Electra-Glide. The big FLH touring models were and still are my favorite Harleys. This example has a nice look to it other than the gas tank and paint issues. You could show up at Sturgis with this great-looking FLH even with your “A Prius is my other vehicle” license plate frame and still get thumbs up from everyone.
The engine is Harley-Davidson’s 74 cubic-inch V-twin Panhead with 60 hp. The seller says that it’s 100% original but then mentions replacement brake/clutch levers that were put on sometime during the 1970s. They have added a video here on YouTube so you can see and hear it running and it sounds great. Hagerty is at $12,000 for a #4 fair condition bike and $18,500 for a #3 good condition bike. I have never owned a Harley-Davidson FLH but I would love to have this one. Have any of you owned one?
Comments
When hogs were hogs. This is a big brute of a bike and it’s perfect for what it is the way it is. Great color combination, the fishtail pipes, panhead and even the warts
I wouldn’t touch a thing but change the fluids, then try to decide if I’m going to ride my ultra classic or this bike. I’m surprised I have never seen this bike before after all I hail from Kent , Washington, years back
’64 was the last year for the Duo-Glide, kick start only. “65 would be 1st year for Electra-Glide (electric start) and last year for the Panhead. Original bikes of this era are pretty rare, a lot of them were cut up into choppers. Not being original paint I think I would go the restoration route on this one using all of the original parts possible. Good find, hope somebody will love and ride this. Keep the shiny side up.
This is a real neat find and has a lot of appeal. Even the dents add to the story. I would imagine it will clean up very nicely. Seems to me that the one owner status is going to add some more value to this one. Back in the day I could start one, but I’m not so sure today. Especially if the tune was a bit off. I recall a lot of swearing.
Wow my best friend in the Navy in 1978 had this bike he had the 3.5gal tanks unfortunately he sold it . I on the other hand still have my 1968 FLH I bought in 1978 it’s been covered up in a building for 20 years now ? I ride my 95 FLSTC now seeing this bike tells me it’s time to refresh the old girl and ride it again . Again nice bike hope whoever gets it rides it don’t put it away and say ya one day I need to redo it .20years will fly right by . Happy riding!
Having kick started a lot of unwilling, large bore four strokes I would pass. When everything is perfect they start with one good effort, but things are rarely perfect on a summer ridden classic, and you are good for maybe four or five kicks before it gets rolled back into the shop in frustration and you limp off for a beer.
A one owner bike purchased from the son of the original owner? I count 3 owners.
Depends on whether or not you consider flippers to be owners, I guess…..I’ll give a pass to the father/son part of the equation.
Perfect just the way its presented.
I’ve got one that looks a lot like this one, king of the road accessories etc except mine is a tank shift.
Sold! $20,100
Thanks, Mike!
Absolutely beautiful! The Panheads will always be the true Hogs. Those bulky valve covers will always have a personality of their own. I hope that whoever bought this rides it and has a lot of fun with it. You don’t park these in a garage and leave them. Of course you can always park it in my garage…
Same here, Geo. I really like (liked) this one but $20 grand is way too rich for my blood.
That is a huge seat !
Patina is not a Harley word