Harley-Davidson · Harley-Davidson Shovelhead big twin (1966-1984)

Electra Glide FL / FLH Shovelhead (generator)

Library entry covers 1966-1969

26 factory 47 guideline

Published source

Harley-Davidson 1966 FL Electra Glide Owner's Handbook (Harley-Davidson Motor Co.), Service and Maintenance Chart p.22

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1966 FL / FLH Electra Glide owner's handbook (first Shovelhead year); intervals in miles and months.

Open the source

73 items for a 1966 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Hydraulic lifters (no routine clearance adjustment)
Ignition: Battery and coil with contact points
Charging: DC generator with regulator
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1966 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide FL / FLH Shovelhead (generator)

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 1 month

1 item

Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

3 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

4 items

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner: service. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: more often in dusty conditions
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: also weekly
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Rear chain: oil. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: rear chain oiler inspected every 2,000 mi if fitted
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Hydraulic brake fluid level: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Change primary chaincase oil

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

9 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: change. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: first at 500 and 1,000 mi; also change spring and fall; level checked every 300 mi; flush the tank at every second change
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter: clean. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: wash the element at each oil change
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Gasoline strainer: clean. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Circuit breaker: service. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: first at 500 and 1,000 mi
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch adjustment: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Front chain adjustment: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: rear chain adjustment checked every 1,000 mi
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear fork pivot, seat post, saddle bar, pedals, shift lever and clutch booster bearings: grease. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: front and rear wheel hub thrust bearings greased at the same interval
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake adjustment: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Hand levers, clutch, brake and throttle cables, shifter joints: oil. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

10 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 12 months

10 items

Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter element: replace. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: replace. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Throttle control spiral: grease. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Ignition: time. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: dealer item
Inspect generator brushes and commutator

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Generator: service. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil: change. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: first at 500 mi; also spring and fall
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front and rear fork bearing adjustment: check. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Tires: switch. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22: pressures and tread checked weekly
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Front, rear and sidecar wheel hubs (center): grease. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Speedometer and tachometer cables: grease. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.
Flush oil tank and clean tank screen

Engine

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner cartridge (dry type): replace. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

4 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

3 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)

Engine

Guideline

Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 50,000 mi

1 item

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head bearings: pack with fresh grease. Factory: Service and maintenance chart p.22

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.