My 78 FLH

[Johns62]

This time last year I joined as I had picked up a 62 Pan. That didn’t work out. Found a lot of welds in the cases that were done 20 year prior. The motor was never started or finish assembly correctly. My bore scope saved me 10k. And the seller was 100%. Stand up and took the bike back as he didn’t know about the welds either. So FF the following spring. He text me a pic of the 78. 90% stock sat in a barn last 15 years. Told him make it run I’ll buy it. He did. I did. Only thing they did. New points, new intake seals, cleaned the carb, new battery and clean gas. I’ve put about 1000 miles on it. But it’s not my only bike. Love this bike. But have some questions.

This is an early 78. 74”.

Was white an option in 78.
Did they all have a comfort flex seat? Or were some like mine.
Top speed comfortably is about 62mph. I’m thinking someone swapped a sprocket. What’s normal?


I do have the shop manual. Well 80% of it. And the small book that came with it. Been helpful so far.

Would like to add a kicker. But like that it’s stock. Virtually unmolested. There’s a bit of chrome that is not stock. But the quality makes me think it’s old school browns plating done back in the day.

I added the batwing and have the jumbo tourpak also. Came with just the shield.

[otis71]

Comfortflex was used 77-80 but unless you’re a giant you may not prefer it.

[vph-d]

Your bike looks to be a late 78 due to the lugs added to the underside of the rocker boxes to mount the larger air cleaner. It would have had electronic ignition, but many of the first-generation electronics failed in the first year and were replaced with points. I don't remember white being available in 78, but I think it was in 77.
vph-d

[JoJo357]

*M.A.D.*


*Paint colors for H-D 1978:

*Birch White
*Vivid Black
*Brilliant Red
*Charcoal Silver
*Arctic White
*Concord Blue
*Chestnut Brown
* Black Cherry

[PaulCDF]

Nice shovelhead. Too bad the Pan did not work out but you found an honest person to deal with so that is a big plus. I always liked a kicker on my bikes. Its been a while so I am not sure if the "kicker kit" would clear your rear pipe, but I am sure someone here will know. Nice bike Johns.

[Johns62]

Your bike looks to be a late 78 due to the lugs added to the underside of the rocker boxes to mount the larger air cleaner. It would have had electronic ignition, but many of the first-generation electronics failed in the first year and were replaced with points. I don't remember white being available in 78, but I think it was in 77.
vph-d

So these may be later rocker boxes. Likely he had them chromed and then just did a swap. It’s all numbers matching. So it’s the 1200 bottom end at the least. Thanks. I’ll look further into that.

[vph-d]

The foil data plate on the right front leg will have the build date stamped into it.
vph-d

[Rubone]

With that white color it may have started out as a FLHS which would explain the bags not matching. Kickstart kit won't fit with factory pipes and was not an option for FLseries. Sorry about that awful aftermarket front fender light.

[Johns62]

With that white color it may have started out as a FLHS which would explain the bags not matching. Kickstart kit won't fit with factory pipes and was not an option for FLseries. Sorry about that awful aftermarket front fender light.

Lmao. I know. I’m not a fan at all. But loving the bike sir far. We can tell it’s a repaint. And they debadged all the AMF. Which I will be putting back on. I was told the fender light was an original part. Just not the one on here. Should be all plastic. I have the manual and just looked. No lights. So I’m gonna pull it off and get the holes filled this winter.

[Johns62]

With that white color it may have started out as a FLHS which would explain the bags not matching. Kickstart kit won't fit with factory pipes and was not an option for FLseries. Sorry about that awful aftermarket front fender light.

Looked up the FLHS. Came with a 2-1 exhaust. Not that this exhaust could not have been added later. When I pull the seat off there’s a metal plate bolted to the fender that the seat bolts to. So the seat on the frame matches the FLHS but the metal plate is part of the comfort flex mount.

[vph-d]

I think that frame mount seat didn't come out until 79.
vph-d

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384091426114


78 FLH A.jpg 78 FLH B.jpg 78 FLH C.jpg 78 FLH D.jpg

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

78 FLH E.jpg 78 FLH F.jpg 78 FLH G.jpg 78 FLH H.jpg

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

a 1969 FLH front fender light.

1969 FLH front fender light.jpg

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Not sure if a 78 had a front fender light.

ezgif-2-c3f181cba0.jpg