@@bigmikelongwood3276 I bet! I also got a higher pressure oil pump and stuff to make it all work well. 85 cubic inch big bore kit, ported polished heads, who nine yards. Makes 100whp
It’s got potential and you got it for a great price. If you want to make it a throw back to the 80,s you have a good start. Just look at some bikes from back in the day. To figure out what needs done. But first do a compression test and get a great tune up and make sure the carb is jetted correctly.
The skeletons, and lots of them to contend with LOL!! Engine doesn't sound too bad, just needs a bit of tuning. All AMF era Harleys are shake, rattle, and roll! At 5' 8" I've never been a forward control guy either, those hideous things have to go.
I believe that the frames are very much alike, but there are a couple.differences. Behind the rear head, the seat post is slightly different, and the FL frame has a tab on the primary side to accommodate the floorboard.
A genuine Milwaukee vibrator, lol. I had a 1978 1/2 FLH, stripped off the fairing and saddle bags and put a Mustang solo seat on it. Having footboards adds a lot to your comfort level.
Glad to see an ironhead lover. I had a '65 XLCH. Fast! And good brakes, great clutch and transmissions. Bonnevilles ate my dust, but it blew up at 17,000 miles..Fast but fragile
When I was a kid, my dad’s best friend Mike had a 1976 Super Glide shoveler that he had bought brand new. Beautiful blue metallic factory paint. Sounded mean as hell. Mike died in 1988 and his father (who was basically like a grandad to me) took possession of the bike. My dad tried to buy it from him a couple of times, but he couldn’t let go of it. My adopted grandad died two years ago and left everything to his second wife (not Mike’s mom). That Super Glide was still sitting in the back of the shop. Hadn’t moved since ‘88. My dad passed away in August of last year and I decided to ask the old woman if that Super Glide was still there. She had sold it for $500. I have been sick at my stomach ever since.
Geez, crazy as it sounds, I kind of like it. Immediately following Bike Week 1982, I purchased a left-over 1981 FXEF from a guy known well to me. He had bought it from a local dealer, added a BUNCH of chrome (no skulls), a flat tappet cam, Barnett clutches and a Super B, trailered it the 1000 miles to Daytona and road it for the week. Trailered it home with 164 miles on the clock and decided to sell it. The deal was too good to refuse at 5K even. (He wanted the cash to put in another lift at his garage) I put just over 43K miles on it with only normal maintenance. The last of the AMF Harleys was, for me, totally good.
The Shovelhead was a good design and can be very reliable as long as they are not hot-rodded. Keep them with low compression and they will run a long time. I owned an '82 FXS Shovelhead for 15 years and put over 80,000 miles on it with basically tires, oil and fuel.
Yup...a friend of mine years back had a 114" shovel bagger....I did take it for a ride once, and it was cool to see the look on the face of the guy on the Honda who figured, easy race win from a stop light....I smoked him, and with my old lady on the back. The problem was, a fast as it was......it needed rebuilding every Winter, sometimes twice ina year it would blow up.
Years ago I had a 1979 Shovelhead. AMF. Almost didnt buy it because it being AMF. I had absolutely ZERO problems with that bike. I had it for about 10 years. No oil leaks nothing. Only issue was electric start stopped working after about a month. Didnt even bother fixing it. Just kicked it over. Bike sounded BAD ASS. One of THE best Harleys I've ever owned. O owned 2 Dynas, a hatdtail sporty. A brand new 883 sportster which i hated. And the 23 year old Dyna im riding now. That Shovelhead blew them All off rhe road!!
Man I just stumbled on to your channel. My friend just got tonight---An 83 Ironhead.....We all ride an live in Georgia. I just got a 93 883 an got it running. These old bikes are a pain and fun all at the same time..
Heck yeah, man! Great find! Mine is a thrown together shovel too. Eventually I plan to take it apart just to put it back together to make it mine. But it still runs, so I'm gonna keep riding it until then. Right on... you've got endless content now!
I have been riding a 1200 Superglide built in 1980 since 1991, bought at that time for 14000 german marks by a german who worked as a mechanic in the States and had bought it from the first owner there 😎✌
We couldn't ditch them fast enough once the Evo was put into production. Why someone would purposefully rehab one to use as a daily rider is beyond me!
30+ years riding two shovels, {a '77 and an '82}, I would never call them bad. The few problems I had were easily permanently corrected: Stock ignition switches were junk, replaced with parts store universal switches and the stock switch hole was the perfect place to fit an oil pressure gauge. The '82 had the crappy electronic ignition but switching it back to points made it super reliable. Both bikes ate clutch cables but converting to jockey shift solved that for good and (my personal preference) I think it's way cooler anyway. Also the machine screws that hold the exhaust pipes in the heads are known to sieze and strip out when removing so I replaced them with studs and brass nuts. Many trouble free miles and lots of fun with those bikes...
Keep the iron head they are way better faster too. Iv got an old iron head all hotrodded out huge cams forged Pistons s&s b with a thunderjet bike makes nearly 80 ho out of a 61 inch motor
Love that sound. brings back a lot of memories. I ride a 103 Twin Cam now, but if I ever run across a shovel in my price range, well, sometimes a man just has to do what he has to do.
the lug in the right side, is a mounting for FLH floor boards, same as the part on the left side on the primairy cover so yeah its a flh frame, put an andrews J cam in it and with the super-e you will have a nice running 74'' shovelhead
That shifter slop is classic ratchet top action. Once you see the mechanism, youll understand 😉 You can cheat that 1/2 shift dog closer to 2nd gear if catching a clean 2nd gives you hell all the time. Fixed the problem for me.
The best thing going for that bike is it has a new owner. Stripping off all those trinkets and a thorough maintenance work up will make a huge difference. Nothing wrong with patina. Its a shovelhead and they're special.
I love it, dude!! I put the same factory custom front fender on my 93 sporty after I matched the paint and pinstripes. My Sporty would give a vette of the era a run. I sold it to a young sportbike guy who was impressed by the power. I still miss that bike. It's going to be an awesome bike when you clean it up and tune it!
Nice bike man. I have a 75 FX, it's also Orange drag pipes same handlebars same forks I was trying to send you a video of it. I'm sure you know what's inside that motor. I have a 80cc stroker 60 over same carb 10 thousandths bore. it sounds almost the same. almost eighty horses 90 lb-ft torque right around 3G rpm. I paid 5 for mine and I love it. I want to put a little trailer or probably better with a sidecar for my little buddy to ride along
Decent score! That one's hardly "bad". They certainly knew someone as there was no need to alter the engine numbers since title passes with frame post-1970. Fine for a rider so good score. Removing the bagger garbage was perfectly normal in that era because bikers bought HDs to use as actual transportation. Low Riders reflect Willie G. copying what bikers had done since the generator era with Sporty front ends etc. There should only be a VIN on the right side case. Based on my decades of Shovelling (and fixing fighters), take or leave as ye prefer: I'd install a stainless lock nut to retain that spark plug holder cover. Shovels vibrate and SC roads ain't smooth (I live near Sumter). Star style lock washers work best (per NASA, and why spit locks aren't used in modern aircraft) and red Loctite gel is love. The stock cowpie box is best hung on a wall along with the primary once it has significant wear. The affordable upgrade for a keeper is a late splined shaft Evo Softail transmission, primary and starter which are best hunted cheap and set aside if not needed immediately. I still run cowpies but may have scared them into behaving by threat of replacement.. My Pan project is starting off with a five speed for the vastly better everything including reliable Denso OSGR starter (ya won't be young forever so leaving the option never hurts even if you run a kicker kit). BTW Taiwanese kicker kits and arms for the old four speeds are trash and the arms bend even with stock compression. Alternators on all cone engines are basically consumable so I keep a spare handy along with appropriate ignitions. Points or EI don't matter much if properly timed, but like with Sporties best pull the ignition cover to inspect for melted pickups or advance and points wear depending on whatever surprise lurks beneath. I pull the timing cover on any new-to-me big twin and pull the tappet filter screen (every oil change) to check for chips. It being so old you'd be wise to snatch a tappet block and eyeball the rollers and cam lobes. facebook.com/groups/1465028990466294 is worth a dummy Fecesbook account. It has all the factory Shovel service manuals and parts catalogs, handy for swap meets like NC ABATE or Denton AMCA when hunting Shovel parts. If you haven't been to Denton it's a fine time with old iron and old mechanics. The Donnie Petersen Shovel books are worth owning but not cheap in print. Downloads turn up. Visit Jockey Journal and Chop Cult if you don't already know about them. JJ is slow but has many old builders who won't be around much longer. Chop Cult forum is outstanding but down for host swap today. Properly sorted Shovels are reliable machines (as with Ironheads "properly sorted" mostly means replacing everything electrical especially the wiring harness, but the best harnesses are DIY so it's cheap). Enjoy your new ride!
The engine sounds good. The gears upshift good. Overall I believe its a good shovel. I would want to chrome the engine though and get chrome rocker covers and cam chrome nose cone cover and outer primary. Just put a new pilot jet in that carburetor because im sure its clogged ( I have an experienced ear for this) Next, paint the tank and fenders a dark red and have lower fender and tank in gloss black color. Leave the wheels as they are. Try to paint that frame black and get rid of that crappy silver color That silver frame is a huge minus in the bikes looks. And yes youre right that shift linkage looks like chit and needs to be changed. So gradually as you will still be able to ride, about 600.00 will fix you up
Good day. You might have a FLH frame? I can’t remember but the footboard mount you pointed to near the drag pipe is the giveaway. But I can’t remember on which side it was deleted for a FX frame. Smitty Footboards and original FLH foot controls will work for shorter people. And a lot easier to install than mid controls. Footboards are very comfy.
@@buttcrackcycles Don't cut that floorboard tab off! I have been looking for a floorboard aluminum outer primary for my 77 at swap meets for a year now- lots of FX (tabless) outers around but not FLs!
Get a CV carburator. Polish the leading edge of the slide. The needle and jets can be adjusted.. Cheap. Weld a washer on the end of a bolt and insert in exhaust like a flapper valve around 10 to 4 o'clock. Easier to tune carb. I'm just saying it works for me. 1950 Pan-Shovel here
Nothing like a shovel. Ain't quiet, not smooth and requires four points of contact to operate. Wrestle the bull, turn a wrench. It requires shovel love. Welcome to the tribe.
Kool score mate just found ya channel 👍 hear in Australia ya can't even get running shovel for under 15grand I spent all summer daily riding mine to work on 79 flh as got new job at dealership man she stands out around all new ones 😂
If you want that thing to move go get an Andrew's F grind cam and the correct valve springs to match. It will increase power greatly and still keep it streetable. It's the biggest cam without having to do extensive head work. Get rid of the S&S carb and go find a Kline and jet to match cam. Good red light racer bar hopper
There is absolutely nothing wrong with an $&$ Super E, it just needs to be tuned properly.... I run a G model on my '68 FL with no issues.... ....RooDog....
Why would you think he's lying about out running Corvettes? Just guessing but he's probably talking about the early 90's. And it's not hard to believe anything could outrun an early 90's Corvette. I had a coworker that always thought everyone was lying. Once you got to know him you realized it was because he was a liar himself.
As one that grew up on these bikes, I love the AMF bikes, but they run rich at low RPM's, I think it's just the carbs back then, they always lean out over 1k. does it still use points?
I like it! Without the skulls and beer can artwork of course. The paint job looks very cool on video, how is it in person? I think I would put an oil pressure gage on it before anything else. Check the clutch wear, the lifters for slop in the blocks, go over the wiring for fire hazards, etc. If you don't like the tee bars, I am in need of those exact bars for my '72 Sporty. I have them and like them but mine are tweaked and I want to replace them before handing the bike off to my son. Looks like a fun project. Good luck and ride safe.
Jerry, the paint is actually one of my favorite parts. Looks pretty good in person, obviously chipped around the gas caps. I definitely have a little list of stuff I've been slowly working on to get the bike road worthy, and I'll be putting out a few videos about fixing it up. I'll probably ride the t bars for now but eventually they'll come off
@@buttcrackcycles When I first started riding the Sporty with the tee bars, I didn't think I would like them. I had taken off 16" apes, that I didn't like, and the tweaked tees were the only thing I had to replace them with and found I really liked them. I've always liked the look of drag bars on tall risers, and the pull back of the tees just looks and feels really good to me, and my son likes them also. I'm currently riding a 2000 Heritage that is stock except for custom paint, hi flow air filter and V&H Shotguns. Just bought it last month and am loving it. Ride safe
@@jerrylong381 I'm gonna try them just because I don't feel like dealing with pulling the electrical through the bars and redoing that right now. Maybe they'll grow on me?!
Good luck I think that is the only kind of controls for that year they came with mids. I have an 1980 I looked into them I didn't like them earther . I just put foot rests up front an kept the mids
So your transmission is from an FL model. You can tell me where the linkage connects to the rotator on the trans. FX trannys have the linkage tab on TOP of that rotator. FL trannys are on the bottom, like the one you have. I think that may be why someone homemade the rest of the linkage to shift it.
no numbers on the alternator side of the case, normal. the engraved numbers on the right side vin boss is pretty ghetto but it is what it is. 4800 is a good price though, people get so scared of titles and stuff. cone shovels are titled to frame anyways. i have a frankenshovel too but in alabama its easier to register. no titles for 30+ year old vehicles. my understanding is SC is pretty anal about that stuff. good luck with the bike! Listening to the video I think we had similar introductions to the world of shovelheads, coming from ironheads. It was always weird to me that my ironhead was faster than my shovelhead. I bought my shovel unseen out of state and it came to me with house wiring and no brake pressure. People swear by s&s super e carbs but I really love mikuni vm38's , both on ironhead and my shovel. Makes for a really easy to kick bike.
Yup, the title situation isn't a big deal really, but I have had some trouble in the past with GA how they don't issue titles for old stuff. Slowly working my way through my laundry list of repairs to this bike to get it road worthy!
Pretty much anything rubber will be shot, same as any other old bike or car. Other than that, just maintenance items and anything safety. Going is good, stopping is better!
I had an 80' with 80cu. motor. Caught shit all the time because it was an AMF, everyone telling me they were junk. Every spring I took it to the dealer and told them to check every nut and bolt and adjust everything that needed it, caught shit for that too. Not once did I need to get a repair done, rode that mfkr for almost 20 yrs. and only thing I did was change oil, replaced plugs if needed and replaced a weather checked front tire. Can't tell you how many times I went to a friends house to see if they wanted to ride with me, but they couldn't because their bike was down lol. Even their ol' ladies would laugh and shake their heads.🤣🤣
well my 1969 shovel has been parked since 1973 and my old ultra classic shovel been parked since1976 harley were chaning on a rapid basis back then so better to park them and get something new.hell mine havent been ridden in years. i do now prefer my new boss hoss trike faster and a whole lot more fun
Just found your channel, like the content. Not trying to piss on your parade but maybe you should have saved some more money and purchased one of the other shovels you mentioned. I've had my shovel for over 30 years and it's great but I think you got a can of worms. Good luck, looking forward to what comes next.
I like projects. I'll probably put another 1000 into this one to get it road ready, and there's a very good chance I would've spent 1k on any of those more expensive bikes too!
Shovels have a good sound!! and the idle is the best !
I sure like em
TURN YOUR IDLE UP to at least stock RPM. Adjust when engine is warm . Helps keep oil going through the top end at idle.
Yep also to low an idle will drag the crank pin bearings an cause lots scoring ...ppl always think it's Kool to have idle so low
@@bigmikelongwood3276 it’s why I bought a cam for my evo. I like the lope lol
@@crazydoom3dude yea I got some huge cams in my old ironhead it lopes for days
@@bigmikelongwood3276 I bet! I also got a higher pressure oil pump and stuff to make it all work well. 85 cubic inch big bore kit, ported polished heads, who nine yards. Makes 100whp
God dam I was screaming that.
It’s got potential and you got it for a great price. If you want to make it a throw back to the 80,s you have a good start. Just look at some bikes from back in the day. To figure out what needs done. But first do a compression test and get a great tune up and make sure the carb is jetted correctly.
You've definitely got some work ahead of you. My '76 FLH shovel was a solid reliable bike. I still remember the sound. Good luck.👍
The skeletons, and lots of them to contend with LOL!! Engine doesn't sound too bad, just needs a bit of tuning. All AMF era Harleys are shake, rattle, and roll! At 5' 8" I've never been a forward control guy either, those hideous things have to go.
Yeah, definitely a little laundry list of tasks on it, but I'm slowly chipping away at it!
I believe that the frames are very much alike, but there are a couple.differences. Behind the rear head, the seat post is slightly different, and the FL frame has a tab on the primary side to accommodate the floorboard.
A genuine Milwaukee vibrator, lol. I had a 1978 1/2 FLH, stripped off the fairing and saddle bags and put a Mustang solo seat on it. Having footboards adds a lot to your comfort level.
Glad to see an ironhead lover. I had a '65 XLCH. Fast! And good brakes, great clutch and transmissions. Bonnevilles ate my dust, but it blew up at 17,000 miles..Fast but fragile
When I was a kid, my dad’s best friend Mike had a 1976 Super Glide shoveler that he had bought brand new. Beautiful blue metallic factory paint. Sounded mean as hell. Mike died in 1988 and his father (who was basically like a grandad to me) took possession of the bike. My dad tried to buy it from him a couple of times, but he couldn’t let go of it.
My adopted grandad died two years ago and left everything to his second wife (not Mike’s mom). That Super Glide was still sitting in the back of the shop. Hadn’t moved since ‘88. My dad passed away in August of last year and I decided to ask the old woman if that Super Glide was still there. She had sold it for $500. I have been sick at my stomach ever since.
Man that's a rough story Charlie, but sounds like good memories with the people to ease the pain of the lost bike.
Mine is factory and my chain is on the right
Geez, crazy as it sounds, I kind of like it. Immediately following Bike Week 1982, I purchased a left-over 1981 FXEF from a guy known well to me. He had bought it from a local dealer, added a BUNCH of chrome (no skulls), a flat tappet cam, Barnett clutches and a Super B, trailered it the 1000 miles to Daytona and road it for the week. Trailered it home with 164 miles on the clock and decided to sell it. The deal was too good to refuse at 5K even. (He wanted the cash to put in another lift at his garage) I put just over 43K miles on it with only normal maintenance. The last of the AMF Harleys was, for me, totally good.
This bike sounds really good. You found a real winner.
You got a hell of a good deal, seen one like yours go recently for 7 grand 👍
$4800 is good. You have a running machine you can re-customize or return to stock. Nice buy.
The Shovelhead was a good design and can be very reliable as long as they are not hot-rodded. Keep them with low compression and they will run a long time. I owned an '82 FXS Shovelhead for 15 years and put over 80,000 miles on it with basically tires, oil and fuel.
Yup...a friend of mine years back had a 114" shovel bagger....I did take it for a ride once, and it was cool to see the look on the face of the guy on the Honda who figured, easy race win from a stop light....I smoked him, and with my old lady on the back. The problem was, a fast as it was......it needed rebuilding every Winter, sometimes twice ina year it would blow up.
Years ago I had a 1979 Shovelhead. AMF. Almost didnt buy it because it being AMF. I had absolutely ZERO problems with that bike. I had it for about 10 years. No oil leaks nothing. Only issue was electric start stopped working after about a month. Didnt even bother fixing it. Just kicked it over. Bike sounded BAD ASS. One of THE best Harleys I've ever owned. O owned 2 Dynas, a hatdtail sporty. A brand new 883 sportster which i hated. And the 23 year old Dyna im riding now. That Shovelhead blew them All off rhe road!!
Man I just stumbled on to your channel. My friend just got tonight---An 83 Ironhead.....We all ride an live in Georgia. I just got a 93 883 an got it running. These old bikes are a pain and fun all at the same time..
They make you work for it, but it's worth it!
Heck yeah, man! Great find! Mine is a thrown together shovel too. Eventually I plan to take it apart just to put it back together to make it mine. But it still runs, so I'm gonna keep riding it until then. Right on... you've got endless content now!
Between my ironhead and this, I'll never run out of content!
I have been riding a 1200 Superglide built in 1980 since 1991, bought at that time for 14000 german marks by a german who worked as a mechanic in the States and had bought it from the first owner there 😎✌
Nice, I also like these old shovelheads👍 just built up a 78 FLH in bobber style…
Shovelhead is the last old school Harley a guy can maybe afford today however they are absolutely 100% as bad as I remember them.
We couldn't ditch them fast enough once the Evo was put into production. Why someone would purposefully rehab one to use as a daily rider is beyond me!
@@LeoTheComm its just an engine. Build it right and it wont know if it is a shovel or a block head american made or jap made
@@LeoTheComm I take an antique out virtually every day I ride! Evos are great engines!
30+ years riding two shovels, {a '77 and an '82}, I would never call them bad. The few problems I had were easily permanently corrected: Stock ignition switches were junk, replaced with parts store universal switches and the stock switch hole was the perfect place to fit an oil pressure gauge. The '82 had the crappy electronic ignition but switching it back to points made it super reliable. Both bikes ate clutch cables but converting to jockey shift solved that for good and (my personal preference) I think it's way cooler anyway. Also the machine screws that hold the exhaust pipes in the heads are known to sieze and strip out when removing so I replaced them with studs and brass nuts. Many trouble free miles and lots of fun with those bikes...
Not really. Get a evo Harley, and you can afford it, and fix it all yourself.
Real nice brotherman. Like you I have an old '70 Ironhead I'm restoring in my creek shed, want a Shovelhead, but will keep both. Congrats~~
Keep the iron head they are way better faster too. Iv got an old iron head all hotrodded out huge cams forged Pistons s&s b with a thunderjet bike makes nearly 80 ho out of a 61 inch motor
Love that sound. brings back a lot of memories. I ride a 103 Twin Cam now, but if I ever run across a shovel in my price range, well, sometimes a man just has to do what he has to do.
Truly is a very special sound.
the lug in the right side, is a mounting for FLH floor boards, same as the part on the left side on the primairy cover so yeah its a flh frame, put an andrews J cam in it and with the super-e you will have a nice running 74'' shovelhead
Sweet man! Just started my bike journey myself. That bike makes me wish I had the space for a project myself
That shifter slop is classic ratchet top action. Once you see the mechanism, youll understand 😉 You can cheat that 1/2 shift dog closer to 2nd gear if catching a clean 2nd gives you hell all the time. Fixed the problem for me.
Nice, thanks for the useful little bit of knowledge! Might come in handy soon
Since your move the rooster in the background can always be heard allow him to be your family's golden goose. God bless 😊
The best thing going for that bike is it has a new owner. Stripping off all those trinkets and a thorough maintenance work up will make a huge difference. Nothing wrong with patina. Its a shovelhead and they're special.
Great comment here that sums up my feelings about it
Great comment here that sums up my feelings about it
Love it ! you got a bike built when dependable meant something they dripped a lot of oil and fouled plugs but they ran well ! its a basic bike
God, just hearing that engine brought back memories!!!
I love it, dude!! I put the same factory custom front fender on my 93 sporty after I matched the paint and pinstripes. My Sporty would give a vette of the era a run. I sold it to a young sportbike guy who was impressed by the power. I still miss that bike. It's going to be an awesome bike when you clean it up and tune it!
LOL... how cool man. we should start a orange M. C.
@@jerrymorin9512 How did you know my Fat Bob was orange?! Psych!
@@jerrymorin9512I am in . Got a orange Sportster and a orange 🍊🧡 BSA 250 C-15 dual sport bike.
Proves you can get a Harley and not have to pay silly money 🤑 for it.
I keep my bikes for decades, like my rescue dogs they have a forever home.
Nice bike man. I have a 75 FX, it's also Orange drag pipes same handlebars same forks I was trying to send you a video of it. I'm sure you know what's inside that motor. I have a 80cc stroker 60 over same carb 10 thousandths bore. it sounds almost the same. almost eighty horses 90 lb-ft torque right around 3G rpm. I paid 5 for mine and I love it. I want to put a little trailer or probably better with a sidecar for my little buddy to ride along
Decent score! That one's hardly "bad". They certainly knew someone as there was no need to alter the engine numbers since title passes with frame post-1970. Fine for a rider so good score. Removing the bagger garbage was perfectly normal in that era because bikers bought HDs to use as actual transportation. Low Riders reflect Willie G. copying what bikers had done since the generator era with Sporty front ends etc. There should only be a VIN on the right side case.
Based on my decades of Shovelling (and fixing fighters), take or leave as ye prefer:
I'd install a stainless lock nut to retain that spark plug holder cover. Shovels vibrate and SC roads ain't smooth (I live near Sumter).
Star style lock washers work best (per NASA, and why spit locks aren't used in modern aircraft) and red Loctite gel is love.
The stock cowpie box is best hung on a wall along with the primary once it has significant wear. The affordable upgrade for a keeper is a late splined shaft Evo Softail transmission, primary and starter which are best hunted cheap and set aside if not needed immediately. I still run cowpies but may have scared them into behaving by threat of replacement.. My Pan project is starting off with a five speed for the vastly better everything including reliable Denso OSGR starter (ya won't be young forever so leaving the option never hurts even if you run a kicker kit).
BTW Taiwanese kicker kits and arms for the old four speeds are trash and the arms bend even with stock compression.
Alternators on all cone engines are basically consumable so I keep a spare handy along with appropriate ignitions. Points or EI don't matter much if properly timed, but like with Sporties best pull the ignition cover to inspect for melted pickups or advance and points wear depending on whatever surprise lurks beneath.
I pull the timing cover on any new-to-me big twin and pull the tappet filter screen (every oil change) to check for chips. It being so old you'd be wise to snatch a tappet block and eyeball the rollers and cam lobes.
facebook.com/groups/1465028990466294 is worth a dummy Fecesbook account. It has all the factory Shovel service manuals and parts catalogs, handy for swap meets like NC ABATE or Denton AMCA when hunting Shovel parts. If you haven't been to Denton it's a fine time with old iron and old mechanics. The Donnie Petersen Shovel books are worth owning but not cheap in print. Downloads turn up.
Visit Jockey Journal and Chop Cult if you don't already know about them. JJ is slow but has many old builders who won't be around much longer. Chop Cult forum is outstanding but down for host swap today.
Properly sorted Shovels are reliable machines (as with Ironheads "properly sorted" mostly means replacing everything electrical especially the wiring harness, but the best harnesses are DIY so it's cheap). Enjoy your new ride!
😂You said buttcrack..lol...its still a iconic Harley...
The engine sounds good. The gears upshift good. Overall I believe its a good shovel. I would want to chrome the engine though and get chrome rocker covers and cam chrome nose cone cover and outer primary. Just put a new pilot jet in that carburetor because im sure its clogged ( I have an experienced ear for this) Next, paint the tank and fenders a dark red and have lower fender and tank in gloss black color. Leave the wheels as they are. Try to paint that frame black and get rid of that crappy silver color That silver frame is a huge minus in the bikes looks. And yes youre right that shift linkage looks like chit and needs to be changed. So gradually as you will still be able to ride, about 600.00 will fix you up
Good day. You might have a FLH frame? I can’t remember but the footboard mount you pointed to near the drag pipe is the giveaway. But I can’t remember on which side it was deleted for a FX frame. Smitty
Footboards and original FLH foot controls will work for shorter people. And a lot easier to install than mid controls. Footboards are very comfy.
Yup this appears to be an FLH frame, the seller told me it was a 74...I don't really want floorboards. I may fab up some mids or some closer forwards.
@@buttcrackcycles you really don’t have to run boards. But the stock shifter and brake set up will fit real real good even with pegs.
It's definitely an fl frame, due to the tab on the right side. It has a fl outer primary as well, notice the tab on it. These are both for footboards.
@@buttcrackcycles Don't cut that floorboard tab off! I have been looking for a floorboard aluminum outer primary for my 77 at swap meets for a year now- lots of FX (tabless) outers around but not FLs!
I had a 77 fxe that had footboards.
Get a CV carburator. Polish the leading edge of the slide. The needle and jets can be adjusted.. Cheap. Weld a washer on the end of a bolt and insert in exhaust like a flapper valve around 10 to 4 o'clock. Easier to tune carb. I'm just saying it works for me. 1950 Pan-Shovel here
Amazing sound and idle in these. Hope you best with the project.
Shovelheads all my life. S&S 96” G Carb. Coast to coast. Always Loctite.
Take that homemade shift linkage off and put a jocky shift on it.
Nothing like a shovel. Ain't quiet, not smooth and requires four points of contact to operate. Wrestle the bull, turn a wrench. It requires shovel love.
Welcome to the tribe.
Thanks Bill
I think he's off his meds again 🤔
That’s crazy, I just picked a 83 fxsb the other day and it also had some homemade aluminum forward controls
What are the chances of that 😂
Kool score mate just found ya channel 👍 hear in Australia ya can't even get running shovel for under 15grand I spent all summer daily riding mine to work on 79 flh as got new job at dealership man she stands out around all new ones 😂
Yeah definitely the old bikes stand out in a crowd of "look alike" new ones!
Shovelheads ,cone, have no number above timing plug.
I think that's what he was getting at. He said this thing was thrown together back in the 90's.
He is stupid.
Love that idle sound.
Thanks
If I ever buy another HD, it will be another Shovelhead. Loved my '76 FX and an XLX Sportster I had.
nice find had a shovel for years
Think you got a hell of o deal loved the bike when you got it!
👍😎👍
Nice bike ..
Some 0000 steel wool..and a whole day worth of rubbing and wiping ..she'll be nice and shiney..
Yup plenty of scrubbing to do but I think it'll clean up nice
Beautiful machine
Thank you
If you want that thing to move go get an Andrew's F grind cam and the correct valve springs to match. It will increase power greatly and still keep it streetable. It's the biggest cam without having to do extensive head work. Get rid of the S&S carb and go find a Kline and jet to match cam. Good red light racer bar hopper
What's a "Kline" carb?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with an $&$ Super E, it just needs to be tuned properly.... I run a G model on my '68 FL with no issues....
....RooDog....
That's pretty sweet for the cheapest shovel!
Why would you think he's lying about out running Corvettes? Just guessing but he's probably talking about the early 90's. And it's not hard to believe anything could outrun an early 90's Corvette. I had a coworker that always thought everyone was lying. Once you got to know him you realized it was because he was a liar himself.
Kool sounds like a fun project
I actually love the paint.
I had a "83" FXWG shovelhead
I loved that sled, I traded her in for a "85" FXWG EVO. I still own it
As one that grew up on these bikes, I love the AMF bikes, but they run rich at low RPM's, I think it's just the carbs back then, they always lean out over 1k. does it still use points?
looks like it has been sitting awhile , but still nice
I like it! Without the skulls and beer can artwork of course.
The paint job looks very cool on video, how is it in person?
I think I would put an oil pressure gage on it before anything else. Check the clutch wear, the lifters for slop in the blocks, go over the wiring for fire hazards, etc.
If you don't like the tee bars, I am in need of those exact bars for my '72 Sporty. I have them and like them but mine are tweaked and I want to replace them before handing the bike off to my son.
Looks like a fun project.
Good luck and ride safe.
Jerry, the paint is actually one of my favorite parts. Looks pretty good in person, obviously chipped around the gas caps.
I definitely have a little list of stuff I've been slowly working on to get the bike road worthy, and I'll be putting out a few videos about fixing it up.
I'll probably ride the t bars for now but eventually they'll come off
@@buttcrackcycles
When I first started riding the Sporty with the tee bars, I didn't think I would like them. I had taken off 16" apes, that I didn't like, and the tweaked tees were the only thing I had to replace them with and found I really liked them.
I've always liked the look of drag bars on tall risers, and the pull back of the tees just looks and feels really good to me, and my son likes them also.
I'm currently riding a 2000 Heritage that is stock except for custom paint, hi flow air filter and V&H Shotguns. Just bought it last month and am loving it.
Ride safe
@@jerrylong381 I'm gonna try them just because I don't feel like dealing with pulling the electrical through the bars and redoing that right now. Maybe they'll grow on me?!
I run s&s b carbs on all my harleys ..they are the only way to go
Awesome machine dude. Tatro Machine could get that thing dialed man...
Yeah, like he's going to take it to California 😂 I think Buttcrack will do just fine.
Was gonna say, if you yank that eagle backrest, I'll buy it to hang on my wall!
It's definitely grown on me! I think I'll keep it
Shovel head, pan head, motorcycles….I know some of these words 🙃
Great find
what a music for ears
The sound of straight pipes on a Shovelhead nothing like it
I gave 1,500 for my 70 police dresser in 79. Sold it for 2k in 81. Now I ride a 2001 kaw. 800 vul class.
Good luck I think that is the only kind of controls for that year they came with mids. I have an 1980 I looked into them I didn't like them earther . I just put foot rests up front an kept the mids
Aint no iron like old iron
Good $400 dollar score.
You got your work cut out for you definitely on this find, But it has good bones it seems, I think it was will worth 4800 buddy.
Shrunk in my old age I'm only 6 ft 1 in and you know what they can have them stupid forward controls what a stupid concept.
Shovels rule! A shirt lol my whole back is a shovel.
I absolutely cracked up when the blue service truck pulled in when you fired her up had to be clickbait right?
S&W for the WIN!!!
good luck on this cool project bike ur thumb looks like it got blasted- pain level on impact ? 9.5 ? on a scale to 10 ?
4lb mini sledge right to it! "Thumpa thumpa heart beat in your thumb" as an old marine I used to work with once said
So your transmission is from an FL model. You can tell me where the linkage connects to the rotator on the trans. FX trannys have the linkage tab on TOP of that rotator. FL trannys are on the bottom, like the one you have. I think that may be why someone homemade the rest of the linkage to shift it.
Try high test for the first tank it will clean everything out
no numbers on the alternator side of the case, normal. the engraved numbers on the right side vin boss is pretty ghetto but it is what it is. 4800 is a good price though, people get so scared of titles and stuff. cone shovels are titled to frame anyways. i have a frankenshovel too but in alabama its easier to register. no titles for 30+ year old vehicles. my understanding is SC is pretty anal about that stuff. good luck with the bike!
Listening to the video I think we had similar introductions to the world of shovelheads, coming from ironheads. It was always weird to me that my ironhead was faster than my shovelhead. I bought my shovel unseen out of state and it came to me with house wiring and no brake pressure. People swear by s&s super e carbs but I really love mikuni vm38's , both on ironhead and my shovel. Makes for a really easy to kick bike.
Yup, the title situation isn't a big deal really, but I have had some trouble in the past with GA how they don't issue titles for old stuff.
Slowly working my way through my laundry list of repairs to this bike to get it road worthy!
Sweet running shovel,she's oil tight too
Well, it's getting there at least!
Rear tire was almost completely locked up trying to come off the trailer.
Nice- sounds good! looks like a GMA rear brake setup?
shovelhead case,won't have factory no.# on the left hand side in terms of early swing arm models.
Very Cool !!
It just needs a few “adjustments “.
Nice Sound
Hope you kept the backrest
Nice shovel. How much for the Ford van?
Definitely sounds like a Shovelhead to me.
Are there certain things to do to a Shovelhead if its been sitting for a while?
Pretty much anything rubber will be shot, same as any other old bike or car. Other than that, just maintenance items and anything safety. Going is good, stopping is better!
what was the chirping sound when bike was running ? still nice find
That would be the starter engaging
Cool bike
don't ride that to sturgis, that number engraved on the vin pad that has obviously ground down will get that bike taken by the law.
You have to get forward controls immediately the rest can wait ride the thing
Nice bike
Brings back memories…not all good. Terrible rear brake caliper design, terrible battery/oil tank mount, horrible clutch, slow ass hell…
I had an 80' with 80cu. motor. Caught shit all the time because it was an AMF, everyone telling me they were junk. Every spring I took it to the dealer and told them to check every nut and bolt and adjust everything that needed it, caught shit for that too. Not once did I need to get a repair done, rode that mfkr for almost 20 yrs. and only thing I did was change oil, replaced plugs if needed and replaced a weather checked front tire. Can't tell you how many times I went to a friends house to see if they wanted to ride with me, but they couldn't because their bike was down lol. Even their ol' ladies would laugh and shake their heads.🤣🤣
Shovelheads were AMF from 1969 to 1982
FLH ? Looks like an FX pal
If u ain't wrenching on it ain't no harley
well my 1969 shovel has been parked since 1973 and my old ultra classic shovel been parked since1976 harley were chaning on a rapid basis back then so better to park them and get something new.hell mine havent been ridden in years. i do now prefer my new boss hoss trike faster and a whole lot more fun
Just found your channel, like the content. Not trying to piss on your parade but maybe you should have saved some more money and purchased one of the other shovels you mentioned. I've had my shovel for over 30 years and it's great but I think you got a can of worms. Good luck, looking forward to what comes next.
I like projects. I'll probably put another 1000 into this one to get it road ready, and there's a very good chance I would've spent 1k on any of those more expensive bikes too!
Just a little work on her and it’s going to be nice! Heck of a deal
Yup it's coming along! New video will be out soon, I've been working on it here and there the last 2 weeks