In this article
- A Harley I’m keeping
- Take a closer look
- Black Cherry, confirmed by the factory letter
- Delivered with the 80 cubic inch Shovelhead
- How it left the factory
- From Ashland, Kentucky to my collection
- Built in Harley-Davidson’s 75th anniversary year
- 4,400 miles and well-kept condition
- Looking for a Harley from America yourself?
- Frequently asked questions
A Harley I’m keeping
At Harley’s Enzo I search America for Harleys for enthusiasts across Europe. I go and see every bike myself, pick it up and arrange transport to Rotterdam. That means a lot of motorcycles pass through my hands. Every now and then there is one I don’t want to let go.
This 1978 Harley FLH Shovelhead is one of them. An Electra Glide in Black Cherry with original paint, matching numbers, 4,400 miles on the clock and in beautiful, well-kept condition. It is not for sale: this one goes into my own collection.
| Model | Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide |
|---|---|
| Year | 1978, built on February 15, 1978 |
| Engine | 80 cubic inch (1,340 cc) Shovelhead, factory-fitted |
| Color | Black Cherry, color code 037, original paint |
| Mileage | 4,400 miles (approx. 7,100 km) |
| Numbers | Matching numbers |
| Not original | S&S carburetor |
| Documents | Harley-Davidson factory letter, first title |
| First dealer | Stewart Motorcycle Shop, Ashland, Kentucky |
| Status | Private collection, not for sale |
Take a closer look
In the video you can see the bike up close. The short version is below it.
Black Cherry, confirmed by the factory letter
Black Cherry is a deep dark red that changes with the light. In the shade the bike looks dark and understated; in the sun the warm burgundy comes through. Together with the chrome, the whitewall tires and the big fenders, it gives exactly that classic Electra Glide look.
The bike comes with a letter from Harley-Davidson listing its original factory details, so I don’t have to rely only on a previous owner’s story. According to the letter, this FLH was built on February 15, 1978 and left the factory in Black Cherry, color code 037. The paint on the bike is still the original Black Cherry.
Delivered with the 80 cubic inch Shovelhead
The letter also shows which engine it was delivered with: the 1,340 cc, better known as the 80 cubic inch Shovelhead. That is how it left the factory.
On Harleys this age, that is never a given. Over the years engines get swapped, enlarged or built from parts of different model years. This one has matching numbers, and together with the factory letter that is a solid basis for preserving its history.
The only non-original part on the engine is the S&S carburetor. You can read more about this engine generation on my Harley-Davidson Shovelhead page.
How it left the factory
The factory letter records exactly how this FLH was ordered and built. The factory codes from the letter are shown in brackets.
| Model | 1978 FLH, 1,340 cc |
|---|---|
| Factory order number | 244457 |
| Production date | February 15, 1978 |
| Color | Black Cherry (037) |
| Wheels | Silver cast wheels (244) |
| Seat | Black Comfort Flex seat (364) |
| Saddlebags | Black Cherry (782) |
| Fairing and windshield | Black Cherry (808) |
| Shipped to | Stewart Motorcycle Shop, Ashland, Kentucky |
Right now it wears a brown solo seat. I have also bought the original black Comfort Flex seat listed in the factory letter, so that can go back on. The top case belongs with the bike too; it just isn’t visible in the footage.
That kind of detail is what I enjoy about a classic: you can trace what was fitted at the factory and what was changed later.
From Ashland, Kentucky to my collection
According to the letter, the bike was originally shipped to Stewart Motorcycle Shop in Ashland, Kentucky. That is where its American story began.
I bought it from the second owner, which makes me the third. Along with the factory letter, I also have the first title, the original American ownership document. Almost fifty years after it was built, it is now with me.
Built in Harley-Davidson’s 75th anniversary year
In 1978 Harley-Davidson celebrated its 75th anniversary. So this FLH comes from a special year for the brand, and there is an Anniversary emblem on the front fender.
The factory letter does not mention a special anniversary edition: this bike was built in Black Cherry. To me that takes nothing away from the story. It is an Electra Glide with the big Shovelhead from the anniversary year, with the factory details to go with it.
4,400 miles and well-kept condition
The odometer reads 4,400 miles, about 7,100 kilometers. Just as striking is how well the bike presents: the paint has a deep shine and the chrome looks exceptionally clean.
With a motorcycle of this age, I always look at the whole picture: condition, documentation, specification and history. With this Harley, it all adds up for me. Normally I look for bikes to make another enthusiast happy. This time I am that enthusiast: to look at, to dig further into its history and above all to ride.
Looking for a Harley from America yourself?
Through Harley’s Enzo I find motorcycles for customers all over Europe, from a classic Shovelhead to an Evolution or a more modern Harley. Send me a search request with your wishes, such as model, year, specification and budget, and I will start looking in America for you. You can read how that works under Buying a Harley in America, and what the import involves under Importing a Harley from the USA.
This Harley is not for sale. Looking for a Harley from America yourself? Send me your wishes on WhatsApp and I will start looking for you.