Hello from central Wisconsin

[Rob Murphy]

Hi everyone, my name is Rob and I just joined. 2 years ago I moved my family and I to Green Bay, WI to start a new job. I am a combat disabled vet and am using my GI Bill benefits to learn a new trade. I currently work at Doc's Harley of Shawano County. As you can imagine, I see a lot of bikes come in as trade-ins. Last week, the dealership took in a '77 FLH shovelhead. For whatever reason, the bike struck me and after staring at it for 3 days, I asked the dealership manager about buying it. He gave me all kinds of grief about wanting to buy a Shovelhead. Said I would never get to ride it because it would always be broke down. His warning aside, I bought it anyway and took it home.

Yesterday, on my day off, I called the previous owner of the Shovel and asked him if he could give me any info or history on the bike. Turns out that about 5,000 miles ago, he had the entire bike torn down, repainted, rebuilt and rewired. Didn't really think too much about it figuring the guy was just saying that since he no longer owned it.

So, imagine my surprise when the previous owner shows up at the dealership today and says that he has "a few parts for me". Take a look.....

The first pic is my new to me bike.
The next 3 pics are of all of the parts loaded into my 4 door jeep.

I had no idea what a Liberator fairing was. Quick search on Google landed me here. I have yet to sort through all of the parts and pieces but I do know that there is the fairing with the dash, 4 lower saddlebags, 6 lids, 2 sets of saddlebag support rails, 2 seats, a luggage rack and a tour pack.

Any info or help would be great. Also look forward to meeting new people.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Rob Murphy]

I'll post more pics tomorrow when I get home from work.

 

[Larry Fine]

Welcome, and great buy/find!

 

[Kynan C.]

Welcome to the forum Rob, that is a dynamite find. I personally do not know a ton about the Liberator, however they are pretty rare. They came out between 74 and 77. There were not many of them made, around 5000, Craig believes less because of the fire.

Here is Craigs writeup http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/vetter_fairings/Liberator.html

Are you thinking of restoring the fairing and bags and putting them back on your FLH? That would be super cool.

Throw up some more detailed pics of the fairing when you get them!

 

[Rob Murphy]

So I went and laid everything out. There is a ton of stuff! LOL. Was actually a little overwhelmed seeing everything.

Found the original tank badges in the bottom of a plastic tote!

You can see the OEM clutches that were replaced. Also some of the OEM turn signals.

Tan Comfy seat and aftermarket Mustang seat.

The comfy seat was this spring setup underneath of it.

Misc parts in a tote.

Saddlebag trim. One bag has a matching trim piece on it.

Fairing headlights

The snap on covers are there too which I was told is rare.

Fairing L5084. Guessing it's one of the last ones because of the fire at Vetter?

There is a crack on the right side, above the turn signal.

 

[Kynan C.]

Wow, quiet a find!

You should post a clear nameplate image in Craig's Serial number page http://www.vetterowners.com/threads/a-call-for-vetter-serial-numbers.148/

What are your plans with all that stuff? You gonna equip the bike?

 

[Rob Murphy]

Thanks for the link. Will have to check that out now. Not sure if I'm going to equip my bike with the parts. Not really a fan of fairings in general. I work at a Harley dealership and don't really like the modern ones either. LOL

 

[brianinpa]

Welcome to the party Rob! Nice score!

 

[steppenwolf]

Hello to the site and WOW to the find.

 

[Larry Fine]

Parts is parts!

 

[Rob Murphy]

Thanks for all the welcomes! Have been trying to sort through the parts and see what I want to use and don't use. Kinda fun just looking through it all. LOL

 

[Larry Fine]

I detect the "kid-at-Christmastime" syndrome.

 

[brianinpa]

Thanks for all the welcomes! Have been trying to sort through the parts and see what I want to use and don't use. Kinda fun just looking through it all. LOL

Personally, I think that big ole Hog needs a liberator out in front, but I have been known to have a biased opinion when it comes to all things Vetter.

 

[Larry Fine]

. . . I have been known to have a biased opinion when it comes to all things Vetter.

No!

 

[Rob Murphy]

I detect the "kid-at-Christmastime" syndrome.

That would be putting it mildly! LOL. Went for a short putt around the neighborhood the other day. Smiled the rest of the day and most of the next day!

 

[Rob Murphy]

Personally, I think that big ole Hog needs a liberator out in front, but I have been known to have a biased opinion when it comes to all things Vetter.

I don't what I'm going to do with the Liberator yet. I really like the stripped down look it has now, but I'm starting to dig the Liberator the more I look at it.

 

[Kynan C.]

I think it is super unique and is a piece of history. I think the Liberator looks tough on the Harleys. I bet you would get a ton a really envious modern day Harley riders.

 

[brianinpa]

I don't what I'm going to do with the Liberator yet. I really like the stripped down look it has now, but I'm starting to dig the Liberator the more I look at it.

That's the VOG spirit!

 

[Rob Murphy]

So I spent most of today, my only day off, messing with the Vetter fairing and my bike. In the process of messing with the fairing, I found these in the storage cubbies...I'm guessing the metal bracket is the mount against the neck. Not sure what the plastic pieces are though.

Anyway, long story short, after messing with the fairing and setting/propping it roughly in place, I don't think I'm going to put it back on the bike. If someone is interested, I'd be willing to sell it. Would prefer not to ship it just because of the size. If anyone wants/needs more pics, lemme know.

 

[Kynan C.]

You might put it up in the for sale section. If you were closer I would consider.