Prized Panhead: 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide
With snow either on the ground or in the forecast for many readers, shouldn’t we be seeing snowmobiles? Well, yes, but why not motorcycles as well? While winter is the prime time to enjoy those SnoRunners, Phazers, and Enticers, for riders that spend the other three seasons on two wheels, it’s the ideal time to work on projects or finally get around to some long overdue maintenance. If you’re looking for something to keep you busy in the garage during those short days and long nights, and your interests lean toward the V-twin variety, our feature bike may be right up your alley. Located in Grayling, Michigan, and found here on eBay, this 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide is in running condition with only minor details requiring attention from the new owner.
If you’re a fan of first-year and last-year options, our feature bike should intrigue you. As a 1965 model, it was the Motor Company’s first motorcycle with an electric starter, barring the 3-wheeled 1964 Servi-Car. As shown in the picture, the kick starter is still present to assist when necessary. The electrical system was upgraded as well, from 6- to 12-volt, with a larger battery stored behind the chrome cover and underneath the seat. The engine itself is the last year of the Panhead design, so-called because the rocker covers resemble baking pans. First introduced in 1948, the legendary engine would be replaced by the more powerful Shovelhead in 1966.
The eBay ad states that the bike has a low 22,851 miles and that the bike itself is quite original. Whether that means the mileage is original is not exactly clear. The paint, described as Holiday Red and Birch White, appears to be in good condition, with a fair amount of wear and patina that could reflect 50+ years of use. The chrome throughout the bike shows minor blemishes of age but is still very presentable overall.
With only 6800 units produced in 1965, this rare Electra-Glide has a lot going for it. Sharp-eyed readers will have already noticed the matching streamlined saddlebags with decorative guardrails, along with the optional dual-exhaust system featuring those cool fishtail tips. There are still a few things left to do if the new owner gets tired of spending time in the garage, ogling their latest purchase over a hot cup of coffee, and waiting for the snow to melt. The seat looks like it could use some upholstering, an original windshield would look great on those long rides through the country, and a set of whitewall tires might just make the bright paint colors pop that much more. How would you spend the winter with this old Harley?
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Comments
Yep, the last of one and the first of the next, I always had aspirations toward this one and the first of the Shovelhead. I knew a couple of guys in Kalispell who were lucky enough to be in those categories. Well, the Shovelhead might’ve been a ‘67 model but it was close enough. A bike like this is something I would love to have at my place. Fix what’s broken, give it a good shine and ride it!
Very nice original Harley. All Electra Glides had electric start, it’s why they are called “Electra”. Fortunately the early ones also had a kick starter to back it up, as the electric starter wasn’t that reliable.
Oh, this a painful one,,,just a sec,,,this is a tough one to see, and I’ll tell you why. I know it’s part of life, as you get older, friends are bound to die before you. I had a good friend, his name was Mark Brozowski, but everyone called him “Breezely”. Back in the late 70’s, we did a LOT of dump trucking together, like everyday, in some cases. We had a blast, CB radio, and all.One winter when things were slow, me and him restored a ’65 Panhead, like this, only black over white, in his living room. I had my ’75 GoldWing, we did a lot of riding AFTER driving all day, once it got it nice, of course. He literally CHERISHED that old Pan. Well, here’s the tough part, last Christmas, he killed himself, age 65. Details were sketchy, but took the wind out MY sails, for sure. They say you’ll never see a Harley parked outside a psychiatrists office, didn’t help Breeze. Maybe I’ll add something later about the bike itself, it literally changed everything for Harley. Why? Because for the 1st time, women, who normally had a rough time with kickstarts, could enjoy biking, kind of like power steering in cars. It opened up a whole new world for them.
Sorry to babble, thanks to BF’s and Tyson for this, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to listen to Breezely’s theme song, They call me the Breeze, by Lynyrd Skynyrd,,,,here’s to ya’, where ever you are, it’s blue skies, dry roads, all the coops are closed, I miss ya’,,buddy,
So sorry about Breezy. You never know what goes on inside a person’s mind. Was it something that popped up suddenly? Or was it one of those long steady destructive demons that rolled along just under the surface? I lost a good friend just over 10 years ago. He’d stop by the shop for coffee, share a couple of stories then back to the farm. One day Dick was golfing with some friends, enjoying some good time with everyone just like usual. Next morning he and a neighbor were supposed to go to a farm auction. He was supposed to swing by and pick up the neighbor. When he didn’t show up the neighbor came looking. Found the truck in the closed shed, golf clubs still in the bed, motor still running; Dick laying back in the reclined driver’s seat. That haunts me to this day…
Thanks, man, yeah, you never know, and there in lies the disease. I figure, Father Time will take of that for me all too soon, in the meantime, I’m gonna party my axx off, it’s what Breezely would have wanted, :)
always liked these best due to the heads,
Wanted a ’69 sportster tho (after allowed to drive a new one while hitchhikin cross country in AZ).
Boy, that drove like a bike should, sounded like a bike should, looked like a bike should, smelled…
Too bad Indian did not stay up. The competition could have produced some synergy & great ’60s, ’70s (AMF, yuck), 80s, and beyond bikes…
Oh beat still my heart! Man here’s a sweet sickle for sure! It would be very easy to “DE-Gook” this Pan. I can’t ride anymore, but if I did this would be a contender. I ran a ’59 Duo-Glide (Panhead) for almost 20 years back in the day. Sold it to a buddy and bought a ’69 Electra-Glide. I don’t care what anyone says these are great machines… a mechanic’s bike, as they need to be maintained, not just started and ridden like the new ones do. Great times!
Hi Johnny. The Panhead was just a tad before my time. That is to say that I well remember them even when they were on the showroom floors. Just a tad too big and out of my budget so I went mostly British then got a 45, then a Shovelhead. And there were a couple of dingers there as well but my heart was always far from the Rising Sun. I had a few breakdowns on the road: a blowout on the front tire of my BSA 500 Sportsman; the factory crimping on my oil return line on my Norton Ranger came loose and caused the failure of a conrod bearing. And a battery cable came loose on my Shovelhead just as I was riding up the ramp to the ferry (it backfired like the gunfight at OK Corral). Fixed it on the garage deck of the ship but the staff wasn’t happy about me working on it–something about regs and passengers in the garage. But my bikes and my four-wheeled vehicles all needed maintenance and sometimes they had a case of hiccups…
My Dad had a panhead when I was a kid, a ’59 Duoglide. I remember him kickstarting it, swearing like a sailor lol. He loved & hated that bike, all at the same time.
I also remember him taking me bar hopping on it, me straddling the gas tank, back when I was 4 or 5 years old.
Ended:Jan 21, 2022 , 5:42PM
Winning bid:
US $20,950.00
[ 26 bids ]