1971 Harley Davidson FLH Sparkling America FLH Barn Find History

1971 Harley-Davidson FLH Sparkling America 100% Original Condition. Only 3,100 miles on it. A True Barn Find
Motorcycle owned by Dennis Westfelt and submitted to us from Instagram.
Visit his KZbin Channel at: / @tat2wheels357
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Key Descriptive Tags: harley, vintage harley, harley-davidson, harley davidson, harley flh, harley sparkling america, oldbike, old bikes, antique, antiques, old motorcycle, old motorcycles, classic motorcycles, classic motorcycle, classic bike, classic bikes, antique motorcycle, antique motorcycles, vintage motorcycle, vintage motorcycles, antique motorcycle club amca, antique motorcycle club of america, AMCA

[@allenrussell1947]

Don't apologize for NOT being a KZbinr. This was perfect. No annoying intro, music, or unnecessary BS. That's a great bike and what a smooth running shovel. Excellent!!!!!!

[@glenoneil3074]

I'm sure it wasn't cheap but worth every penny. Enjoy every mile. Just incredible

[@atcjoe1600]

It’s always cool seeing old bikes and hearing the stories.

[@specialse]

Fascinating , and very interesting story , done in a way we old school pre internet guys understand , parts saved and photos taken.....you have in my view done everything right....thanks for posting .

[@richardashwood5771]

What a beautiful bike. Riding it must bring you right back to 1971. I’ve seen Sparkling America Superglides and Sportsters, but I don’t remember ever seeing a FLH. You have an amazing piece of history there. She looks and sounds great. I can’t believe the patience that it took to review the original white paint on her. You definitely have a keeper. Ride safe.

[@robertcrawford5393]

Back in the 1970 to the 80’s AMF owned Harley and they could not give those bikes away. I remember walking in and seeing them sit for a year or more. years. Also, the peg’s that were on my 73 was turned ,in also .Good to hear a shovel again good luck with it, bro!

[@joereed4097]

Best KZbin video out there u should teach all others how it is done thank you

[@freddie_ray1498]

Brings back memories, I had a 71 (Green) back in 1985. Was the second owner. Bought it from a friend...

[@PanM8]

Nice to find these bikes that haven't been molested. I have a 1971 op, sparkling copper Electra Glide. I am the third person to register the bike. I am fortunate to know it's history.

[@mainebigfoothunter7088]

Thank you for sharing your bike with us. It's a true treasure. I have a 1970 FLH setup just like yours, but it's not original paint. Congratulations on your find

[@dmcharley64]

Just a phenomenal piece of machinery...I remember the older guys in my neighborhood riding bikes back in the day.

[@adamc4655]

Very nice old shovel

[@user-lq5hx7ve4d]

NICE BIKE!!!! I'VE HAD 3 SHOVELHEADS AND THE LAST ONE WAS A 1973 FLH ELECTRA GLIDE WITH THE TOUR PACK AND WINDSHIELD!!!!! HAD A REPAINT!!!! HAD TWO BOXES OF EXTRA PARTS!!! SOLD IT IN 2004!!!!! NOW IM GOING TO SELL MY MODERN HARLEY TO BUY ANOTHER SHOVELHEAD!!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR BIKE VIDEO!!!!

[@mrjolly8680]

That’s what I call a proper KZbin video...Thanks for showing. Mike, England

[@jedgmon5718]

Really rolling work of art beautiful Harley

[@dextergleason9421]

Very well documented and nicely restored bike. Bike looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing. It’s a keeper for sure.

[@bfoster2335]

My mom bought my stepdad a Harley-davidson in 1972 or 73. 2 big seats bags on the sides , same seats as this one. All white. OMG was it nice.

[@crapster]

Very nice Shovelhead, we love those old bikes. Glad that you're keeping it as original as possible. I've got an old 1982 FLH white and looks a lot like yours. They are so much fun to ride. Mine is a Shriners Edition and they only made 17 Shriners bikes in 1982, so it's very rare. Awesome video.

[@user-if8nz2yo5n]

I fell in love with this factory paint and graphics when I saw it for the first time on the original '71 Sporty advertisement. It was sitting on the line at a drag strip. And of course the Superglide. But that boat-tail? And to see it on your FLH with that solo and that unique batwing is truly stunning! Your bike guy worked his magic! I really dig the safety wire in the primary. Smart. No " lock-tite " back then.? And that filter! It sounds as good as it looks; perfectly tuned! Talk about turning heads!

[@mikerapp8163]

Beautiful bike and a rare find. I have an original paint 1970 FLH that I’ve had for many years. Enjoy the ride.

[@jearldbauknight619]

Remember the first one I saw as a teenager in Kirbys Harley Davidson in Columbia SC. Wow Awesomeness

[@hauler68]

The highway pegs were not a factory option. They were an accessory that could be bought from the dealer under part number 49100-58. Dixie/ Superior also had the exact same pegs with the same part number as an aftermarket item. There are still a lot of new old stock Superior foot pegs available. I bought a set many years ago for my FLH, I don't remember if they came in a Harley or a Superior box. I mounted the pegs on my bike the exact same way. If you mount them on the outside of the bars, over time, a combination of vibration, the wind blowing, and just the weight of your legs makes your feet want to slide off the pegs. If they are in the inside you just slide your foot in there and your shoe kind of naturally slides towards the crash bar and stops and you can go for hours without your feet sliding off. I don't think it's unsafe, mine have been like that for 44 years and it has worked out fine for me.

[@johnhall3860]

Very cool bike and story to go along with it. You should be very proud of what you ended up with. Take care and stay safe.

[@mtlvlgmnfishing]

That my friend is one very sweet bike

[@keeto56]

Very, very cool video. Thanks for sharing.

[@ClovisPoint]

Always good to see nice original bikes that haven't been stuffed with by so called customizers

[@aaronmankin5238]

You don’t need editing and pictures and weird music to make good videos, this is an awesome video and a beautiful piece of American history. Great job man

[@gregchermack4393]

Pretty dang cool! Way to bring back a classic! Great work!!

[@stevenbrown1798]

I had a 1971 fL for a few years in the 1980s I loved it

[@louisrauzi3872]

Had a 70 flh in 80. Absolutely hate/ love relationship. Sold it for 73 R75. Never looked back.

[@fredesch1201]

Bad Ass Street Glide. Lol. Love how raw it looks

[@martinwall7297]

U R A lucky man! what a find.

[@kenster007]

That's beautiful my friend. I do like Shinko tires too, 2 of my bikes have them. Great video.

[@craigprez-xk1zp]

Props to you for preserving this amazing piece of history. I'll be looking for you at the AMCA meet in Wauseon, Ohio 2024!

[@crisslastname9417]

Nice find!👍

[@keeto56]

Cool bikes in the background too.

[@frankflstf]

Solid badass!!!

[@johngloede8222]

Disregard last post. Your correct. I didn't watch vid before i posted. FYI mines original except for external throttle cable. AMF gets a bad rap. Take care of basics it will run like a champ. I've owned mine simce 1978, 3rd owner. Good luck.

[@fiestygnome]

Beautiful!

[@10ampsloblo21]

great vid

[@donniebaker5984]

omfg i never would have guessed i would ever see another one of these .1970 was i call the paper signing deal and the money of the sell out harley to AMF and in 1971 was the 1st all 100% AMF harley so it is too new to be junk as was AMF's plains to do...back to this thing ;;i was 21 years and had been staring at flh's in high school and each year they raised the price around $500 bucks more that was always $500 bucks out of my reach ;;in1971 this bike was priced around $2500 example to a yamaha TX750 $1850 this was also the year for the very 1st 74 cu in FX Night Train thatwas the same color as this FLH but with a sport bike seat rear finder called the "boat tail: kickstart only and the 1st year for 1000 cc Sportster ...there were 3 of us working at newport indiana army ammo plant making TNT for the carpet bombing of the jungles of Vietnam ..kill a commy for mommy ! so i bought the yamaha steve bought the sporty and i cant remember his name but he looked like a death camp survivor maybe 98 lbs about 5'5"long hair down to his waist ..with only a kicker he would stand up on the kick peddle grab the bars and pull and force his body weight down to barely make it go ker plump 3 to 5 time of this the night train was ready for an evening at the titty bar '' this thing you guys found should be displayed in 2024 on it way to "BIKE WEEK' Daytona and the battle of "KING OF THE BAGGERS" as you guys have the fu

[@wildcatfalling]

Great video ..their is a picture of Elvis on the almost identical bike !! Great stuff 👍

[@Luis-pz6ni]

Thats awesome find

[@edwardglasser9602]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[@bobpickersgill4470]

The maroon color HD named "Sparkling Burgundy" fyi. The clamp-on hiway pegs were dealer option. I always wondered what year the flat (sixties era) rear lens changed to protrude out a half inch- maybe during the AMF switchover. Excellent job preserving her originality. Will you be at Daytona AMCA meet?

[@robertwells6454]

Wow that is something. 😎👌

[@aussie_xsf]

👍👍 nice old girl you got there !!

[@Mrinspiredby]

What an amazing bike!

[@jkkasaab8461]

i app all u did, u need a cup of coffee for what u did, you are a placeholder or caretaker & someday w you are much older you need to find the next placeholder to be thee next caretaker, it aint about $$ either, its about preserving history !

[@robertjeffery6100]

At Rochester Harley Davidson I almost bought that bike brand new but they wanted my father to co-sign the loan and I told them if I couldn’t buy with just my name I wouldn’t buy it… being young and hardheaded I ended up in 72 getting the flh in black no co-signer paid cash

[@mac4g522]

Hey man love the video of the 71’ Saw you have a Tour Glide in the background of video.. do you have a video of the Black TourGlide?? I’m looking for the same as my second Harley!!

[@NoNameYetSoon]

Great video!

[@williamrenner2504]

Nice find.

[@CharlesMayne-xp7gk]

Whole lot of love in this video! My question is WHY was this bike parked in a barn for so long? What happened to the original owner?

[@lonniedugan6120]

I want that , I miss my 76 liberty edition

[@lonniejohnson1811]

I have a 76 liberty edition, think I might sell

[@lonniedugan6120]

@@lonniejohnson1811 let me know

[@timf1714]

AMF Shovel , nothing like swag.

[@larrysmith1923]

fANTASTIC

[@DJPTEXAS]

I remember the Super Glide version sold pretty well, a friend bought one.... If I remember correct he repainted it after a while too.... Never saw a full dress version. Those were the AMF years also so not the best quality control at the time...... ask me how I know..Lol.

[@elmerkemp5316]

ya done good saving that bike

[@davebarrowcliffe1289]

Nice bike! Front wheel needs cleaning up - 10 minute job. Needs a good long run. 6-700 miles then an oil change and FULL lubrication job. If I lived nearer to you, I'd have a ride over and give you a hand.... Enjoy! 😊

[@toddgittins5692]

Nice!

[@stevenwahl3440]

Just a heads up. The highway pegs are inverted to accommodate a shorter legged rider. Turned to the outside a short rider can't reach them.

[@mac4g522]

Also dude!! Did you get that Highway Patrol faring off FB market place?? I looked at the same fairing too!!!!

[@Markotto09]

Wondering if the crash bar pegs were turned inside for shipping and or storing the bike?

[@steve28849]

i'm not buying that story about painting it so it would sell. the people buying harley's in 71 were not anti war or anti america. i;m 70 years old and remember those days vividly. the bikes were just damn expensive for most people it wasn't like today when 9 of 10 bikes are HD. to see any electraglide at all then (at least in the northeast by me) was rare. check the records, total production run of the flh was about 3500. i own a 71 flh with REAL original paint bought in 1992. it was my daily rider for years and it;s been to every state east of WY. FYI the sparkling america paint job was a $25 extra back then and that's why they are rare.

[@steve28849]

to be clear, this is a beautiful bike with many original parts. one other note, the sale of hd to amf happened after these bikes were at the dealers. amf sent those little amf stickers on the gas tank out to the dealers with instructions to put them on the tanks. there was tremendous anger from most dealers over the sale of the company and many dealerships refused to put the stickers on. mine has no sticker.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@guyrivera3100]

👍🏾👌🏾✌🏾

[@aarondalton2223]

It looks like it was in the side of the barn with the leaky roof!

[@johngloede8222]

Own a '72. Check your seat looks aftermarket. HD had the rails on teirs???

[@johnkelly6942]

Solo seats didn’t have grabrails. His buddy seat has the grabrail, it’s under the accessory pad that fits over it.

[@toddgittins5692]

Deluxe solo

[@Lucky..B]

And white is law enforcement went with Most the Time Back in 70s and 80s . Nice SLED . Im 67 and a stroke surviver 70s and 80s are my years back in 69 to 74 ,an 76 . You could Get old WD 45s and 80s For a Song . 350 to 500 dollars

[@johngloede8222]

I beleve fairings were a " Dealer" option?

[@glenoneil3074]

Elvis had the identical bike.

[@jkkasaab8461]

can i recc a simple 2 into 1 exhaust from pauchgo & a kickstart, yes aftermarket & save the original stuff & also take a razor blade & cut off the trim & chrome concho's

[@frankfurther3828]

Sweet bike. I have a similar barn find story, slightly better.....

[@chazzcapone.]

Let’s see it! Anxious to read the story 🙌

[@frankfurther3828]

@@chazzcapone. in '92, got word of a '79 FL in a barn since new. Short version- Yes I bought it. 151 miles. Chestnut Brown with flake, brown seat. The Speedgrips were not cracked, I ran them for a while. Sold it when I ordered my EVO. Of course, "wish Ida kept it".

[@lignow9762]

Nice old thumper. I've been looking for similar