Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson Shovelhead for sale, sourced to order from America
A Shovelhead is hard to find in Europe at a fair price; in America far more are for sale. We find your Shovelhead from private sellers, inspect and film it on the spot and ship it to Rotterdam.
To order
Have your Shovelhead found
Tell us what you are looking for
Electra Glide, Super Glide, Low Rider or a chopper? Send us the model, the years and your budget. We search on our next buying trip in America and send you videos of what we find.
Recently found
An early 1968 Shovelhead
This is what searching looks like in practice. For this 1968 Electra Glide we drove almost 800 kilometres to Cleveland, Ohio. A generator Shovel in its original blue and white paint, six years in storage. Filmed as it came out of storage, not even washed yet.
Why from America
Why a Shovelhead from America?
Much more choice
Far more Shovelheads were sold and have survived in America. There you find original Electra Glides, Super Glides and Low Riders, but also choppers and projects.
Favourable on import
Every Shovelhead is more than 30 years old. If it is in original condition, it usually qualifies as a collector’s item, with 0% import duty and a reduced VAT rate in many EU countries (in the Netherlands 9%). Customs decides per bike.
No surprises
We inspect the bike on the spot and film it: cold start, running, every side. So you see it before you decide.
Money back if it disappoints
If you don’t like the bike when you collect it from the shipping agent, you get your money back, including the transport costs.
Which Shovelhead?
The Shovelhead models (1966-1984)
Electra Glide (FL and FLH)
The big touring bike, built throughout the Shovelhead era. The early years 1966 to 1969 still have a dynamo, which is why they are called generator Shovels and are highly sought after by collectors.
Super Glide (FX, from 1971)
The first factory model with the light front end of a Sportster on a big Harley engine. The basis for many later custom models.
Low Rider (FXS, from 1977)
Low, tough and well loved. One of the most popular Shovels to ride and a great basis for your own project.
Wide Glide and Tour Glide (from 1980)
The Wide Glide (FXWG) with its wide fork and the Tour Glide (FLT) with a frame-mounted fairing: the forerunner of the later Road Glide.
FXR (1982-1984)
The last Shovels in the new rubber-mounted FXR frame. Rare, and sought after by riders who want a Shovelhead that handles like a more modern Harley.
Choppers and customs
Many Shovels were turned into choppers in the 70s and 80s. In America you find every kind, from clean classic builds to projects.
How it works
A Shovelhead to order: how it works
- You send your wishes. On WhatsApp you tell us which model you want, which years, original or chopper, and your budget.
- We search in America. On our next buying trip we look at private sellers. If we find something, we go and see it and send you videos and photos.
- You decide. You see the bike start and run. If you like it, you receive an invoice. You pay into the company’s US business account, not a personal account.
- Pickup and shipping. We pick up the bike and ship it to the port of Rotterdam. That takes about 4 weeks from New York and about 2 months from Los Angeles.
- Import and registration. Then come customs and registration in your country. We help you with information, and our partners in the Netherlands can take care of the inspection and Dutch registration.
What we check on a Shovelhead
- The papers. A Clean Title and a number that matches the papers. Up to and including 1969 the identification number is on the engine case, after that on the frame.
- Cold start. We want to hear the engine start and run cold, not just warm.
- Leaks and smoke. A Shovel may sweat a little oil, but blue smoke or serious leaks say a lot about the condition of the engine.
- Original or modified. We tell you honestly which parts are original and what was changed later. That makes a difference to the value and to the import.
Price, import and tax
Prices are in dollars and include shipping to the port of Rotterdam. After that come unloading the container, the customs declaration, import duty and VAT. For a Shovelhead in original condition that is usually 0% duty and a reduced VAT rate; see the cost of importing a Harley. In the Netherlands, vehicles 40 years and older are also exempt from road tax.
Restoration or rebuild
Has your Shovelhead been standing for years, or do you want a full rebuild? Our partner Thundercycle in Ochten, the Netherlands, specialises in restoring classic Harley-Davidsons and knows exactly what an old bike like this needs.
FAQ
Questions about a Shovelhead from America
What is a Shovelhead?
The Shovelhead is the Harley-Davidson V-twin used in the big models from 1966 to 1984. The name comes from the rocker covers, which look like a shovel. It followed the Panhead and was replaced by the Evolution.
What displacement does a Shovelhead have?
At first 74 cubic inches (about 1200 cc). From the late 70s the 80 cubic inch version was added (about 1340 cc).
Do you have a Shovelhead for sale right now?
We work to order: we look specifically for the Shovelhead you want. Send your wishes on WhatsApp and we will start looking on our next buying trip in America.
What does the price include?
The price is in dollars and includes shipping to the port of Rotterdam. Import duty, VAT and the port costs come on top. Feel free to ask for an all-in calculation for a specific bike.
Do I pay import duty on a Shovelhead?
For a bike 30 years or older in original condition, import duty is usually 0% with a reduced VAT rate (in the Netherlands 9%). Customs decides per bike; a heavily modified bike may be assessed differently.
Do I pay road tax?
That depends on your country. In the Netherlands, vehicles 40 years and older are exempt from road tax, and every Shovelhead is older than 40.
How long does it take?
That depends on what you are looking for and when we find something. The shipping itself takes about 4 weeks from New York and about 2 months from Los Angeles.
Can the bike be rebuilt after arrival?
Yes. Our partner Thundercycle in Ochten, the Netherlands, specialises in restoring classic Harley-Davidsons, from a major service to a complete rebuild.
Looking for a Shovelhead?
Send us your wishes via WhatsApp. We reply quickly, even when we are on the road.