By STIX DOUGLAS
Could this motorcycle be the equivalent of a Harley Davidson Edsel? I seriously doubt it, and I would be one to know.
The year 1976 was a very special for a lot of people and for a lot of very different reasons. Besides being the year that I graduated the nation was busy with marketing products for its 200 year celebrations, it could also be a year before most of you were ever born and thus the reason for this to be explained and the need to clear up some misconceptions of motorcycle history.
There were many items marketed that were considered patriotic products as well as a certain amount of collectables, throughout the year. It was also during the period when AMF owned Harley Davidson, and it wanted to get involved in marketing its own rare collectable with the Bi-Centennial.
Many refer to the time that AMF ran things as the “Dark Ages” of Harley Davidson. It’s a shame that it also seems the majority also believes that nothing good ever came out of its ownership. It’s hard to understand why, although it still remains a highly disputed and controversial topic as well as a very difficult and touchy subject to deal with especially from the motor company. AMF motorcycles were shun and thought of as the least valued for one reason because of the company’s business strategy at that time.
AMF was interested in quantity and in doing so the quality of its product suffered substancually and done ill reputable damage to its brand in the process. Often when you would see a Harley Davidson motorcycle on the side of the road, it would be a fair assumption it was broke down. Design and in most cases modifications of private ingenuity contributed to the subliminal connection that Harley Davidson motorcycles were inferior.
During the AMF years, records weren’t completed or kept up with as they had been with the family owned company. This was another of Harley Davidson’s “Official” positions.
Things got easier for Harley once the AMF period was over, by avoiding the inevitable confrontation and side step any further arguments, allowed them to get on with the business at hand which was its recovery.
What makes the Bi Centennial stand out from any other Harleys were two items not found on other bikes at the time. First was its “Special paint” that was used. Up until this time no other Harley had been considered or adorned with any different or unusual paint. By adding a large grain Metal Flake into the clear coat it gave the base a slightly diverse look especially in the sun. The importance and significance of any 1976's AMF Harleys was the true symbolism that this was the first time that an Eagle was incorporated into and with the Harley Bar & Shield and , where it has remained ever since. It was also the first and only time the year of the motorcycle was decorated with a emblem showing its year. Also making it noteworthy.
Then there were the highly controversial Decals. Many claim that it was the artist PETTER MAX who designed the decals that adorn the Bi Centennial gas tanks. Because of AMF's inability to pursue copyrights the decision was made to not have them reissued or duplicated.
The importance of this fact alone makes a difference. During many motorcycle restorations it is common for them to be repainted and for decals and emblems to be copyrighted and available. But this is the one critical stipulation and exception for the Bi Centennial. Otherwise the Bi Centennial would lose its original status and no longer be a true Bi-Centennial. Instead it would just be a repainted shovelhead.
So technically it is impossible to repaint a true Bicentennial. Would this make the bike more valued over another that had been painted? Perhaps but it also divides the traditionalist from the pretenders.
While at motorcycle bike shows many goof and quickly walk away from an AMF Shovelhead. A few from the old school take a look and talk or make a comment. Some even share their own experience on how this bike reminds them of times gone by or one of theirs.
I suppose it could be said that I bought the Bi Centennial as an impulse purchase. It reminded me of my very first Harley which was also a 1976. Since then I have bought and still own two other 1976 models, a 1976 XL Sportster and of course this FLH Bi-Centennial.
Having owned a '76 prior I figured I had a general idea as to what to expect. Instead I got another lesson in life. I had no idea of what I was in for. The first clue should have raised a red flag when the previous owner claimed he was only selling it because he was pressed for Cash. He easily departed from it at what I considered a reasonable price. But he would have had to of already known that the oil pump was out of it, and made no indication and said nothing to me about it.
As with any and all older bikes there is usually a horror story or two that comes along with it. This bike would be no exception, especially one this old. As luck would have it disasters have a way of happening. Even if you escape one there is usually another waiting in the wings that has a way of tracking you down and finding you.
As fate would have it while having it parked in the basement while I was repairing the damages to the oil pump another set of unexpected change of events took place. The basement flooded, leaving 14 inches of water in it. The devastation was just too much and the repairs on the Bi Centennial would have to be shelved for a later time.
Several years passed, and a few people looking to buy a Harleys asked about the bike. They showed some interest in it, but with it apart and non running it seemed to them as a dreadfully insignificant disappointment.
I refused to allow it to go quietly and become a scraped collection of parts. There had to be something done with it. It was just plain wrong for a bike of this caliper to be hidden and ridiculed I made the decision to do what had to be done. It took a lot of effort to get the bike up and out from the dark and dreary dungeon, where it had remained at for nearly seven years. It had to be towed into the daylight..
A lot or consideration was given to the restoration of this project before it was taken to Butch Clayton. A well respected Harley Mechanic. Having his experience, and expertise, insured me that the Bi-Centennial was in the best and most capable hands. I felt it was important to restore the Bi Centennial to as near original and genuine as humanly possible. We both agreed that if it were worth refurbishing it would have to done right. The motor would have to be completely torn down and thoroughly gone through. In doing so we found out the cam gears did not match, which explained what had caused overheating problems prior to my purchasing of it.
All the aftermarket parts were removed and disposed of. Anything not Genuine Harley Davidson or an original OEM part would be closely examined. The integrity of this project had to be of the highest priority.
Once the aftermarket parts were scrapped and removed the real work was just starting. Finding original OEM parts to replace them was no easy task. Especially since they were no longer stocked or could be found any longer at your local Harley Davidson Dealerships. Plus they hadn’t been in more than two decades.
Many of these items had been discontinued decades ago. The accuracy and verifiable of each part could not be questioned. This had to be an absolute authentic and as close to original as each piece was painstakingly given the old school treatment. This chunk of coal would have to be a diamond on its own merit.In 1976 Harleys didn’t come with chrome. In fact the only chrome that was ever added usually was done while the engine was being rebuilt during the off season
Traditionally many who valued their machines would show their pride when it came time for repairs or upgrades. Depending on finances because not everyone could afford the repair and to chrome their bikes at the same time. Points covers, rocker boxes, primary covers even transmission ends along with anything else made out of aluminum were either chromed or massive amounts of time and energy were spent on cleaning polishing, and buffing each piece into a mirror like luster. Hours of elbow grease surprisingly made a real noticeable distinction.
1976 was also the last year for the FLH to use the factory “Pogo Stick” seating. As well as the last year for the “Buddy Seat”. The following year Harley started using frame mounted seats and many would change theirs over to a more comfortable and lower mounted aftermarket seats, which by then were becoming the norm.
For instance the Rear Fender were “hedged” Making it possible along with a optional Center stand, which this bike had, that allowed the rear wheel to be taken off without a jack and or without lifting it over the rear
During its restoration there were a few items that remained on the motorcycle even though they do not belong. Someone who owned it previously had drilled holes through the rear turn signal bracket, and had added chrome Bullets to decorate it. This was all the rage “back in the day” of course since chrome parts were almost unheard of..
In keeping with its Original and or Stock status, every detail with this bike was kept to its correct time period as is humanly possible.
With the lack of a suitable OEM rear turn signal bracket I believed it was better to fill the holes of the missing bullets rather than replacing it with a chromed aftermarket one. To keep with the original/stock theme, it seemed that with the bike being in Black and having bullets why not set it up to resemble a police bike.
Often what make a big difference with any motorcycle are its accessories. However in 1976 you didn’t have a choice of genuine parts or accessories from the factory. Instead many would “RAT” out there motorcycles. Whenever anything broke or needed replacing on their motorcycle they would use alternate or aftermarket parts.
AMF made motorcycles, everyone else made the aftermarket parts and upgrades.
It was like an “unspoken rule” that the company made the motorcycles and everyone else made the improvements for it. If you wanted chrome chances were you went with purchasing a cheaply made part that was already chrome plated. The quality might have been slightly better than Harleys at the time but that started the battle cry “Chrome won’t get you home”.
One of the accessories that did come with the Bi Centennial was the medallions of the eagle and ribbon with Made In the USA. These were the first of what has later to become a very successful Harley Davidson Parts & Accessory market. It combined Eagle Iron which was later phased over into the Genuine Harley Davidson Parts and combine it with the performance and racing parts of its Screaming Eagle line.
It is not the most beautiful bike but what it lacks in looks it more than makes up for in its own significance .for being noteworthy. It remains an Icon. The last in a long line and a prime example of the way things were done.
The stereotypes that were earned as well as all the finger pointing and divisions within the ranks have eased over time. But the fact remains that in the case of the Bi Centennial like that of all things AMERICAN or dealing with Pride have faded and are nearly extinct from the way it was. Sometimes the things like that of importance slipped between the cracks and are forgotten forever.
Being rebellious and defiant the Bi-Centennial might be a thorn in the side of Harley Davidson but I believe it should also be used as a reminder and I am a stickler for details. This Bi-Centennial represents all that went on before and has since been changed. I also believe the Bi-Centennial never received the respect nor the esteem that it properly deserves.
