In the early 1970's Dad and I had grown much older but neither of us ever outgrew the joy of riding so freely on a bike. Dad had retired and wanted a new motorcycle to enjoy. He went to the local Harley Davidson dealer and asked the man there many questions about the Harley bikes. The dealer told Dad the best Harley he recommended was the Harley Davidson 1966 ElectroGlide.

     Harley Davidson made 4500 of these in 1966. They came from the factory with shovel heads and a Pan Design crank case. 1966 is the first year of the shovel head design and Harley used the existing Pan crank case in 1966. In 1967 the crank case changed to the shovel design.

     The local Harley Davidson dealer that recommended this bike to Dad did not have one and could not tell Dad where to find one of these bikes at that time.

     Dad was an electrician and came to Arkansas in the early 1940's to work. He was one of the few electricians that helped start the local electrical union here. Dad grew up in Princeton West Virginia and worked in the coal mines providing the air supply for the minors and learning the electrical trade while also attending college. During the many years working as an electrician through the local electrical union, Dad met and knew many people. The word went out that Dad was searching for a 1966 Harley Davidson ElectroGlide and he found one for sale. The bike belonged to a local retired policeman and had very few miles on it as it was still a fairly new bike at that time. 

     In 1966 Harley Davidson painted the ElectroGlides either shiny black or blue. Dad's Bike came in black. One of my brothers painted his bike a beautiful gold color. Dad road this bike a little on weekends in the neighborhood but never actually put it on the open road for a stretch. 

     In May 1980 Dad was taken quickly by cancer and his beautiful Harley remained tarped and parked under the willow tree in the back yard for several years.  

     After some years passed, Mom became concerned about Dad's bike when she noticed rust collecting on the chrome parts. Mom asked my youngest brother to store it in his workshop so the bike would be in dry storage. 

     My brother works for an international company and was relocated out of state. Dad's bike remained in the work shop wrapped and dry but rarely cranked or moved for several more years. In 2005, Mom gave Dad's Harley to my younger brother and told him to take it home and enjoy the bike. 

     In 2005 Dad's 1966 Harley was restored by Lee Mason of Hog Pen and Accessories of Nachez Missippi. Lee Mason is well known by bikers from all over the U.S. The work he does is impeccable and precise. Lee is a motorcycle enthusiast and in my mind an expert. What this man knows about motorcycles can't be put in one book. Bikers from all over come to Lee for expert work on thier bikes. Lee has been known to go out many times in the middle of the night to help a biker in mechanical distress. If you want custom work or minor repairs, Lee Mason is the man to see. 

     The 2005 restoration of Dad's bike was expertly done and everything remains original from the factory to this day except for the seat, exhaust, rims and spokes. These parts are after-market replacements manufactured on the original design with the exception of the seat. The original seat remains in great condition to this day. It was replaced by the seat showing in the picture only because my brother is not six foot four like Dad. 

    This bike rarely sees the highway as it can't be replaced if damaged.  It is well known in the area where my brother resides and is housed in the guest house at his home.  My brothers, several nephews and their wives are bikers.  We are a biker family that enjoy the freedom and fun riding. 

     The actual mileage on Dad's bike at this time is 12,000 miles and this photo is the bike as it looks today.