1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide

The 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide motorcycle's smoother-running, more powerful Shovelhead engine replaced the Panhead.

The 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide featured 60 horsepower.

In 1965, Harley-Davidson introduced an electric-start version of the big FL series, dubbing it the Electra-Glide. Still powered by the Panhead engine, the big Harley was now carrying not only the additional weight of the inevitable factory- and owner-installed accessories (made more plentiful by a switch from 6-volt electrics to 12), but also the pounds added by the new starting hardware.

Though the Panhead had served well during its lengthy tenure, owners were begging for more power. For 1966, Harley released an updated version of the 74-cubic-inch V-twin.

By mating new aluminum "Shovelhead" cylinder heads to the iron barrels, horsepower increased by five: the FLH now claiming 60, the lower-powered FL 54.

The smoother-running, more powerful Shovelhead engine was a welcome relief. Weight of the FLs had crept up to nearly 800 pounds, and the extra power was appreciated by owners.

Yet, despite the greater power and escalating heft, FLs were still slowed by drum brakes front and rear; it wouldn't be until 1972 that a front disc would appear.

Go to the next page to see more 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide motorcycle pictures.

1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J

The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J sported the olive paint Harley switched to with its 1917 models. Styling changes were few during those years, the most notable occurring in 1920 when the headlight and horn switched places. V-twins still displaced the same 61 cubic inches (1,000-cc) as before, though a 74-cubic-inch (1,200-cc) model joined the line for 1921

The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J introduced a number of styling changes. See more motorcycle pictures.

Introduced in 1919 was the Sport, a 35.6 cubic-inch twin with horizontally opposed "fore and aft" cylinders. It was intended to compete with Indian's highly successful V-twin Scout, but it failed to win over many customers and was dropped in 1923.

The 1920 Harley-Davidson 20-J helped Harle y dominate the race circuit.

During this same period Harley-Davidson sponsored an extremely successful racing team, which become known as the "wrecking crew" for the way it demolished its opponents. Racing models were devoid of such luxuries as sprung seats and even brakes, and some boasted special overhead-valve engines with two or four valves per cylinder. The 1922 JD racer was fitted with a conventional F-head engine, and like most Harley competition bikes of the era, carried bolder tank lettering for promotional purposes.