Vehicle Category:
Full-size touring motorcycle.
Target Audience:
Owners and mechanics seeking to maintain and repair their classic Harley-Davidson Electra Glide FL Shovelhead.
Era Competitors:
Other large displacement touring motorcycles from brands like Indian (though in decline), and potentially some European offerings like BMW R series.
Motorcycle Segment:
Flagship touring model for Harley-Davidson.
Design Philosophy:
Comfort, long-distance capability, and the iconic V-twin Harley-Davidson experience.
Engine Service:
Complete engine overhaul, including disassembly, inspection, repair, and reassembly of the Shovelhead engine (e.g., cylinder head, piston, crankshaft, camshaft, valve train, oil pump).
Transmission Service:
Diagnosis and repair of the 4-speed constant mesh transmission, including clutch, primary drive, gears, bearings, and shifting mechanism.
Electrical System:
Wiring diagrams, troubleshooting for ignition system (points, condenser, coils), lighting, charging system (generator/regulator), starter motor, and instrumentation.
Fuel System:
Carburetor (likely Linkert or early Keihin butterfly) tuning, rebuilding, and troubleshooting, fuel tank, fuel lines, and petcock.
Brake System:
Service and repair of front (likely drum brake) and rear drum brakes, including brake shoe replacement, drum inspection, and linkage adjustment.
Suspension And Steering:
Fork service (oil change, seal replacement), rear shock absorber service, and steering head bearing adjustment and lubrication.
Chassis And Frame:
Frame inspection, bodywork alignment, and mounting of components.
Wheels And Tires:
Wheel bearing service, tire pressure recommendations, and spoke tensioning.
Routine Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug maintenance, chain adjustment, lubrication points.
Troubleshooting Guides:
Diagnostic flowcharts and symptom-based troubleshooting for common issues.
Component Rebuilds:
Detailed steps for rebuilding carburetors, generators, starters, and other key components.
Special Tool Requirements:
Identification of specific tools needed for certain repair procedures.
Diagnostic Capabilities:
Comprehensive diagnostic procedures covering mechanical, electrical, and fuel system issues.
Repair Level:
Full spectrum, from basic adjustments to complete engine and transmission overhauls.
Specification Detail:
Detailed torque specifications, clearances, timing settings, and tolerances.
Searchability:
Likely text-searchable if the PDF is well-OCR'd.
Print Quality:
Dependent on original source and scanning quality; typically high-quality for service manuals.
Binding For Original:
Spiral-bound or softcover for durability in a workshop environment.
Paper Quality For Original:
Durable paper stock, often glossy for diagrams and illustrations.
Engine Type:
Air-cooled, 45-degree V-twin
Displacement:
74 cubic inches (1208 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
3.4375 in. x 4.25 in. (87.3 mm x 108.0 mm)
Compression Ratio:
Typically around 8.0:1 for 1969 models.
Valve Train:
Overhead valve (OHV), pushrod actuated.
Horsepower Estimate:
Approximately 55-60 hp (at the crankshaft, unconfirmed without exact spec sheet).
Torque Estimate:
Around 70-75 lb-ft (at the crankshaft, unconfirmed).
Carburetor Type:
Typically Harley-Davidson Linkert M-series (e.g., M74) or early Keihin butterfly carburetors.
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (minimum 91 octane recommended for modern fuel).
Fuel Delivery:
Gravity feed from fuel tank.
Oil Capacity:
Approximately 4 quarts (3.8 liters) with filter change.
Oil Type:
Harley-Davidson recommends specific V-twin motorcycle oils (e.g., 20W50 or 50W for air-cooled engines). Check manual for exact 1969 specification or modern equivalents.
Transmission Type:
4-speed constant mesh, foot shift, hand clutch.
Primary Drive:
Primary chain drive (enclosed).
Clutch Type:
Dry, multi-plate clutch.
Transmission Oil Capacity:
Approximately 1 pint (0.47 liters).
Transmission Oil Type:
Specific Harley-Davidson transmission fluid or equivalent motorcycle gear oil (refer to manual for 1969 specs).
Wheelbase:
Approximately 60.5 inches (1537 mm).
Length:
Approximately 90.0 inches (2286 mm).
Seat Height:
Approximately 29.0 inches (737 mm).
Dry Weight:
Approximately 630 lbs (286 kg).
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Typically 4.0 U.S. gallons (15.1 liters).
Crash Test Data:
Not applicable for motorcycles of this era; safety focus is on mechanical integrity and rider control.
Braking System:
Mechanical drum brakes front and rear.
Lighting System:
Headlight, taillight, brake light, turn signals (depending on market configuration).
Frame Construction:
Steel frame and chassis for structural integrity.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 2,000-3,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Manual will specify.
Primary Chain Tension Check:
Frequent checks recommended, often every 1,000-2,000 miles, as primary chain stretch is common.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Refer to manual, typically around 5,000-10,000 miles.
Fork Oil Change:
Recommended every 10,000-15,000 miles or as needed based on performance.
Engine Oil Grade:
Refer to manual, likely 20W50 or 50W (specific Harley-Davidson or compatible V-twin motorcycle oil).
Transmission Oil Type:
Refer to manual for specific Harley-Davidson gear oil or equivalent.
Primary Chaincase Oil:
Typically shares engine oil or uses a specific primary lubricant; refer to manual.
Oil Leaks:
Common due to age and material degradation of seals and gaskets.
Ignition Timing:
Requires precise adjustment of points and timing to run correctly.
Carburetor Tuning:
Linkert carburetors can be finicky and require regular adjustment and cleaning.
Pushrod Tubes:
Seals on pushrod tubes can fail, leading to oil leaks.
Generator Charging System:
Can be a weak point, requiring maintenance of the generator and voltage regulator.
Founder:
William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, William A. Davidson.
Electra Glide Introduction:
Introduced in 1965 as the first Harley-Davidson with an electric starter and the FLH (Electra Glide) designation became synonymous with the large touring model.
Shovelhead Engine Introduction:
The Shovelhead engine replaced the Panhead engine starting in 1966, characterized by its distinctive rocker box covers resembling shovels.
Production Period:
The Shovelhead engine was produced from 1966 to 1984.
Manufacturing Location:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
