I have always fixed my own cars since high school. Preventive maintenance and basic fixtures at least (nothing major). I'm just now getting into motorcycles and this video is one of the best breakdown videos I've seen. Thanks for making this video. Two thumbs up
As a fellow Newfoundlander who also loves old bikes, I never heard of Matt until now… I’m super bummed cause he seems like a chill guy, man you’re living my dream
I’m in the process of de constructing mine to have frame powder coated. Because of the rush to get it tore apart, I wasn’t able to memorize where what went, so this video is very detailed and helpful. Thanks Matt for the time you have spent to make this video.
Just FYI: The tool used to remove the inner primary case is actually a tool to remove/replace hubcaps/wheel-covers on cars (Way back when cars HAD hubcaps/wheel-covers). The rubber part is used to hammer them on, usually without damage. I'm old so I have used one for it's intended purpose.
The most mind blowing thing about this video is that it took 22 minutes to strip a bolt!! This is also the best video on youtube! Thanks so much for your attention to detail.
Excellent video, i love working on my harley with my manual, i have worked on everything on the bike, but only one problem at a time. I have never torn down a bike piece-by-piece, you my friend have made a learning video for all the garage mechanics like me, thank you Matt for posting it. I wish you-tube was around when i was growing up, fixing things would have been so much easier. lol I would love to see the rebuild! Take care :)
Matt says in the video the compensator nut is reverse threaded. Hes wrong there. The only left handed (reverse threaded) nut on a shovel is the Clutch Hub Nut.
I have a 1972 FLH police special that was an old Tampa PD bike sold at auction. I got it as a basket case in 89 and spent a year rebuilding it. It is factor correct to include the old buddy seat except the leather bags I have on it that came off my 55 when I sold it. I love the iron Heads they are simple. I just bough my first bike that I could just get on and ride without rebuilding it this fall. I picked up a one owner low mileage garage kept 2002 FLSTC that is all chromed up . It has a lot more pep the my 72 FLH but after I rode it a while I like my old FLH better. Great video thanks.
Simplicity, beauty, and function. The way machines should be. These are without a doubt the best motorcycles ever made. Everything breaks eventually, the difference is that most bikes today are disposable while older ones such as the Harley's were meant to be easily repaired and rebuilt when needed and kept for a lifetime.
18:54 the crank sprocket/compensator is NOT reverse threaded. The transmission sprocket nut is the one that's reverse threaded. Unless I'm totally insane. This is a cool video though and everything else I saw seemed accurate and the mechanic seems like a cool guy. I see a lowbrow customs hat in the background too.
Content like this should have had millions of views by now. But nooooo, it isn't mumble rap or dumb cat video so it's relegated to a fringe content. I hope the producers aren't discouraged! There is still some of us who love and appreciate everything about this video. Keep it going ....please please! oh and I just subbed to WIRED just for this series :)
So glad to find this video. Just got a 76 in boxes. Its my first bike and this video is helping me identify parts already. 👍 Like that black bar that looks to be an exhaust bracket, even looking thru a manual I was having a hard time figuring out what that was
Question for any mechanics here. I just got a 1976 electra glide that hasn't been started in 10 years. It's been partially disassembled (clutch assembly, motor, and transmission are about the only things left on it) and some parts are missing. Where do I start? Do I need need to reassemble the bike and flush the whole thing out to take out the gunk or do I continue the disassembly and just replace what may not be salvageable? This whole process didn't seem like such a nightmare when I got the thing.
I would say just let the thing die... :( The 70's weren't the greatest HD's. If you want to do it as a perfect to learn, then yeah, deconstruct it further to learn more, but don't be sad when you can't put it back.
If you are unfamiliar with Harleys suggest finding a friendly independant shop to help you. Plenty of info on the web to research too. Sounds like a great project to me, good luck!
First bit of advice, get off RUclips and go to Harley FORUMS instead. There isn't room to answer you fully here and no one is gonna type out the internet. Forums, not RUclips, which is best viewed as a supplement. www.shovelhead.us/ www.chopcult.com/forum/ (especially Dragstews threads) harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php
All vehicle manufacturers make a service manual for their vehicles. It is way more efficient than googling and will tell you the proper way the manufacturer states to repair just about anything on the vehicle. They are normally available to the public and can be purchased at a dealer for the manufacturer. NOTE...I am talking about Service Manuals...not Owners Manuals. If you go into the service center of any dealership they will have some sort of library of these books for all cars, bikes, etc. for that brands spanning back a number of years. Now a days that might be an all digital library.
I took my Ironhead completely apart in 10-12 hours and I mean trans out and cylinders off, heads off, pistons out, starter and generator out...putting it back together is another story :)
@@BrettBernier Not all the specifics in the service manual or parts catalog! Know the difference and use BOTH. BTW internet forums are much more useful than RUclips for working on Harleys, but no one under 70 knows anything other than RUclips. Expand your resources and you'll get better results.
That's ok,Brother. Every time I buy a bike I buy at Least, a Clymer manual. Around $12 bucks at a lot of Auto Zones,etc... Every one who knows me knows any manual goes WITH EACH BIKE! PLUS ANY RECEIPTS.😎🇺🇸
Just getting to this, nice bike, and good job. At 60 yrs old I just bought my second shovel, 1970 flh. Getting ready to do pretty much like you did and put her back together to my liking. Nothing else like em!!!! And I can say that cause I rode Brit bikes, and Harley's all my life. Ride safe, Ride strong, and have a little fun along the way. Cheers !! Guy aka (bsaguy) Speight
Growing up in the 50s buying my first motorcycle a 55 Norton Road Atlas when I was 14 got me addicted 2 motorcycles I've always loved the shovels and the old iron heads never have lost the love for them. That is a nice looking what I can see 74 AMC HD I'm sure it will be a nice build.
I learned a lot watching this. Even though I have an EVO and not a shovel a lot of the things you mentioned translate over to my bike too I appreciate you taking the time to make this.
My Dad had a bad stroke and is leaving me his bike. It's a custom bike with the shovel head engine and it's all in parts. I've been trying to start learning more about bikes and hopefully get it back together last time it was together I was a kid and it was a beautiful bike. Wish I knew someone knowledgeable about custom bikes to help out on this project I'll be starting hahaha
My 20 year old has a soft tail and a 80 shovel head. I’m am going to learn to ride so we can have something in common. I’m 53, hope it’s not to late for me. But I am excited. Love watching you break down this bike.
Solid video. I just bought my first bike and I am mechanically inclined. This bike was so basic that everything you showed would apply to any modern bike. They might be more complicated but all the basic parts and their locations are similar to this harley.
This is the easy part. Please disassemble the motor for the next video. I wonder how true the crank is running. I enjoyed this video of my favorite H-D so thumbs up.
WIRED!! This was brilliant. Harley Davidson, and American legend. I’ve ridden bikes since about 10, nothing has the mystique of a Harley. These Shovelheads have that sought-after sound. Please do other mechanic videos!! Maybe even a late model and show the electronics.
I have an 80 Shovel and wondering if it's a good idea to rubber isolate the gas tanks? I've put on two sets of aftermarket 5 gal fat bobs and they seem to develop leaks near the mounting tabs, even though I coat the inside with a good tank sealer. Any advise? Thanks
Exactly! You can clearly see him turning compensator sprocket nut anti clockwise at first. I trusted video and been fooled. Don't listen to that bs about nut self tightening. Otherwise video is very informative!
Late to the game , but my first Harley was a 1975 FXE Super glide AMF . This break down brings bad a lot of memories .Ride a 99 EVO Softail now . Owned newer bikes but went back to the EVO era . There is not that much difference between shovelhead and the Evo , Evo has less problems . Shovelhead had more power . Nice thing is that just about every guy with something between his ears could rebuild that era bike .
You are wrong about the voltage regulator... the alternator sends AC to the rectifier which is a series of diodes in most cases only then does it change to DC and go to the regulator then the battery. In most cases it's called a rig/rec they are assembled together but it is very important to know what's going on.
It's a pushrod motor. The two chrome tubes on the side of each cylinder contain the pushrods. The cam/s are in the lower part of the motor under the cylinders.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Tight!
what up
@@lewey5456 o
How can I become a motorcycle mechanic for Harley Davidson
I watch endless motorcycle content - This is the greatest video I've seen for learning lots of bike basics. Thanks so much Matt and WIRED!!!!!!!!!
Theres a muchos better oné Sum Weár ôf a Hondá CT 110 disambleis
Do you have any motorbike chanel to recommend? What is your favorite?
@@annonymous498fortnine is great, dandanthefireman is amazing for motorcycle safety, squidtips is good too
This comment made me commit to this video.
This is the most comprehensive all around explanation I’ve watched ever. Great for newbies like me.
I have always fixed my own cars since high school. Preventive maintenance and basic fixtures at least (nothing major). I'm just now getting into motorcycles and this video is one of the best breakdown videos I've seen. Thanks for making this video. Two thumbs up
As a fellow Newfoundlander who also loves old bikes, I never heard of Matt until now… I’m super bummed cause he seems like a chill guy, man you’re living my dream
Please follow-up with this guy and film the custom re-build process.
This Is like Beautiful Butcher by Bon Appetit but with bikes
Masterofpuppets and they have to put it back together afterwards
that's what's in my head
I’m in the process of de constructing mine to have frame powder coated. Because of the rush to get it tore apart, I wasn’t able to memorize where what went, so this video is very detailed and helpful. Thanks Matt for the time you have spent to make this video.
Just FYI: The tool used to remove the inner primary case is actually a tool to remove/replace hubcaps/wheel-covers on cars (Way back when cars HAD hubcaps/wheel-covers). The rubber part is used to hammer them on, usually without damage. I'm old so I have used one for it's intended purpose.
The most mind blowing thing about this video is that it took 22 minutes to strip a bolt!! This is also the best video on youtube! Thanks so much for your attention to detail.
Thank you for including the detail about using hand tools so you can feel tension on the fasteners! Awesome job on this video!
Excellent video, i love working on my harley with my manual, i have worked on everything on the bike, but only one problem at a time. I have never torn down a bike piece-by-piece, you my friend have made a learning video for all the garage mechanics like me, thank you Matt for posting it. I wish you-tube was around when i was growing up, fixing things would have been so much easier. lol I would love to see the rebuild! Take care :)
I just got a complete 71 shovel head kick start clear title and all Don’t know where to start You my young brother are a blessing Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to show each part. Must have taken you 10x longer to get the job done, but I appreciate the detail.
Matt says in the video the compensator nut is reverse threaded. Hes wrong there. The only left handed (reverse threaded) nut on a shovel is the Clutch Hub Nut.
The power stroke crank goes counterclockwise. This would loosen a left-hand nut in no time.
And the drive sprocket nut.
I have a 1972 FLH police special that was an old Tampa PD bike sold at auction. I got it as a basket case in 89 and spent a year rebuilding it. It is factor correct to include the old buddy seat except the leather bags I have on it that came off my 55 when I sold it. I love the iron Heads they are simple. I just bough my first bike that I could just get on and ride without rebuilding it this fall. I picked up a one owner low mileage garage kept 2002 FLSTC that is all chromed up . It has a lot more pep the my 72 FLH but after I rode it a while I like my old FLH better. Great video thanks.
We definitely need more than two episodes of this
now deconstruct a car, boat, computer, radio, etc. i want to know more!!
Simplicity, beauty, and function. The way machines should be.
These are without a doubt the best motorcycles ever made. Everything breaks eventually, the difference is that most bikes today are disposable while older ones such as the Harley's were meant to be easily repaired and rebuilt when needed and kept for a lifetime.
18:54 the crank sprocket/compensator is NOT reverse threaded. The transmission sprocket nut is the one that's reverse threaded. Unless I'm totally insane. This is a cool video though and everything else I saw seemed accurate and the mechanic seems like a cool guy. I see a lowbrow customs hat in the background too.
This is huge for someone like me diving head first into motorcycles.
Hey Matt, if you're ever thinking about teaching a chop class please do so. The way you explain things is excellent.
Content like this should have had millions of views by now. But nooooo, it isn't mumble rap or dumb cat video so it's relegated to a fringe content. I hope the producers aren't discouraged! There is still some of us who love and appreciate everything about this video. Keep it going ....please please! oh and I just subbed to WIRED just for this series :)
is there anyway we can see, the rebuild?
Watch it in reverse 😅😅😬😬
Thanks Matt, trip down memory lane. Besides the wishbone frame , the duo glide frame is a thing of beauty!!
This will be my new "Go To" video when someone asks me about my Harleys. Matt has a soothing voice and the video is very informative. Thanks.
So glad to find this video. Just got a 76 in boxes. Its my first bike and this video is helping me identify parts already. 👍
Like that black bar that looks to be an exhaust bracket, even looking thru a manual I was having a hard time figuring out what that was
just started, for the first time, the 1979 FXE I have been putting back together for 6 months.
Good show!
Pretty cool. I work on trucks and know nothing about motorcycles. This was cool to watch
Question for any mechanics here. I just got a 1976 electra glide that hasn't been started in 10 years. It's been partially disassembled (clutch assembly, motor, and transmission are about the only things left on it) and some parts are missing. Where do I start? Do I need need to reassemble the bike and flush the whole thing out to take out the gunk or do I continue the disassembly and just replace what may not be salvageable? This whole process didn't seem like such a nightmare when I got the thing.
I would say just let the thing die... :( The 70's weren't the greatest HD's. If you want to do it as a perfect to learn, then yeah, deconstruct it further to learn more, but don't be sad when you can't put it back.
If you are unfamiliar with Harleys suggest finding a friendly independant shop to help you. Plenty of info on the web to research too. Sounds like a great project to me, good luck!
Get a shop manual. replace all gaskets, seals ect. I just flipped a bike because I did it the "EZ" way of just a flush..
Great bike. Don't let dickheads like skyerzen put you off the project , they are invariably jealous.
First bit of advice, get off RUclips and go to Harley FORUMS instead. There isn't room to answer you fully here and no one is gonna type out the internet. Forums, not RUclips, which is best viewed as a supplement.
www.shovelhead.us/
www.chopcult.com/forum/ (especially Dragstews threads)
harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php
Getting to a point where this is a lost art. Most people (including me) would be looking stuff up on google every few steps.
All vehicle manufacturers make a service manual for their vehicles. It is way more efficient than googling and will tell you the proper way the manufacturer states to repair just about anything on the vehicle. They are normally available to the public and can be purchased at a dealer for the manufacturer. NOTE...I am talking about Service Manuals...not Owners Manuals. If you go into the service center of any dealership they will have some sort of library of these books for all cars, bikes, etc. for that brands spanning back a number of years. Now a days that might be an all digital library.
almost anything you want to know is on youtube.
I took my Ironhead completely apart in 10-12 hours and I mean trans out and cylinders off, heads off, pistons out, starter and generator out...putting it back together is another story :)
@@BrettBernier Not all the specifics in the service manual or parts catalog! Know the difference and use BOTH. BTW internet forums are much more useful than RUclips for working on Harleys, but no one under 70 knows anything other than RUclips. Expand your resources and you'll get better results.
That's ok,Brother. Every time I buy a bike I buy at Least, a Clymer manual. Around $12 bucks at a lot of Auto Zones,etc... Every one who knows me knows any manual goes WITH EACH BIKE! PLUS ANY RECEIPTS.😎🇺🇸
The best video on you tube concerning older Harleys.
That was awesome, seems like a really good guy who built his own way in the world.
Just getting to this, nice bike, and good job. At 60 yrs old I just bought my second shovel, 1970 flh. Getting ready to do pretty much like you did and put her back together to my liking. Nothing else like em!!!! And I can say that cause I rode Brit bikes, and Harley's all my life. Ride safe, Ride strong, and have a little fun along the way. Cheers !! Guy aka (bsaguy) Speight
Growing up in the 50s buying my first motorcycle a 55 Norton Road Atlas when I was 14 got me addicted 2 motorcycles I've always loved the shovels and the old iron heads never have lost the love for them. That is a nice looking what I can see 74 AMC HD I'm sure it will be a nice build.
I learned a lot watching this. Even though I have an EVO and not a shovel a lot of the things you mentioned translate over to my bike too I appreciate you taking the time to make this.
Wow! It's so analog and modular... great footage!
My Dad had a bad stroke and is leaving me his bike. It's a custom bike with the shovel head engine and it's all in parts. I've been trying to start learning more about bikes and hopefully get it back together last time it was together I was a kid and it was a beautiful bike. Wish I knew someone knowledgeable about custom bikes to help out on this project I'll be starting hahaha
i just bought a 81 shovelhead this was very helpful! thank you
Excellent cinematography, lighting, sound, pacing & content…performance art.
My 20 year old has a soft tail and a 80 shovel head. I’m am going to learn to ride so we can have something in common. I’m 53, hope it’s not to late for me. But I am excited. Love watching you break down this bike.
Solid video. I just bought my first bike and I am mechanically inclined. This bike was so basic that everything you showed would apply to any modern bike. They might be more complicated but all the basic parts and their locations are similar to this harley.
Brilliantly clear explanation. I feel like I could assemble a bike with just this video
Fascinating...even though this bike is 44 years older than my Harley, they're not that much different...
I ride a 78 FLH Shovel wide glide, love that bike, nothing sounds like a shovel!
I know this video is a few years old, but it is a great video. I have a 1981 Shovel and I would love to see the rest of this series
Like a service manual with pictures, good job Man!
Matt is great, this was a very interesting and helpful video. Nicely done, thanks Wired and Matt!
This is the easy part. Please disassemble the motor for the next video. I wonder how true the crank is running. I enjoyed this video of my favorite H-D so thumbs up.
if you sold all the removed parts, approximately what would be the dollar value of all the parts, frame and engine combined.
That "oops" moment when the frame almost fell off the stand after you pulled off the left fork leg 😬
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Cool video! Appreciate all the time you guys put in to make this video!
Great show and explanation. Very impressed. I would love to see the finished product when reconstructed
WIRED!! This was brilliant. Harley Davidson, and American legend. I’ve ridden bikes since about 10, nothing has the mystique of a Harley. These Shovelheads have that sought-after sound. Please do other mechanic videos!! Maybe even a late model and show the electronics.
First video I found that explains the whole process. Great Video!!! The only other thing I was looking for was content on the wiring harness.
Great video, but can someone explain what is the purpose of the drumming sound in the background of the entire video.
ambiance
@@BrettBernier annoyonce
it's a shop, probably leases space with another mechanic working
Not likely, the sound is at precise intervals for the entire duration of the video.
Yeah, it’s annoying...
compensator bolt is absolutely NOT reverse threaded, the clutch basket nut IS.
Too bad you didn’t get James May to host this
but then the video would have been even longer...
They're going to fly the bits over to England so he can put it back together.
Why? He did fine
That's the cool thing about bikes. Super simple, gets as far as you can imagine
This was great to watch. More videos like this, please!
Excellent video! Im now wondering if theres a reconstruction video of this bike...I’m off to have a look for it.
I have an 80 Shovel and wondering if it's a good idea to rubber isolate the gas tanks? I've put on two sets of aftermarket 5 gal fat bobs and they seem to develop leaks near the mounting tabs, even though I coat the inside with a good tank sealer.
Any advise?
Thanks
Excellent video. Thanks for explaining the entire process.
The compensator nut is right hand thread and the clutch hub and rear sprocket nuts are left handed.
I didn’t see much on the wiring harness, I gotta do my 68 FLH and looking for help?
“U dont need a impact for anything else”
Starts drilling tf out of the clutch hub puller*😂
Please tell me that there is a reassembly video for this.
Compensator right hand thread. Clutch left hand
Exactly! You can clearly see him turning compensator sprocket nut anti clockwise at first. I trusted video and been fooled. Don't listen to that bs about nut self tightening. Otherwise video is very informative!
Late to the game , but my first Harley was a 1975 FXE Super glide AMF . This break down brings bad a lot of memories .Ride a 99 EVO Softail now . Owned newer bikes but went back to the EVO era . There is not that much difference between shovelhead and the Evo , Evo has less problems . Shovelhead had more power . Nice thing is that just about every guy with something between his ears could rebuild that era bike .
Now I want to see him put it back together with any changes he's planning to make.
Those things run so loud that i swear they could alter your heartbeat
And it is awsome
I ride a 78 Shovel, love this
will we get to watch what he is going to do next on this?
Great video, ive got a 69 Genny Shovel and i want to rebuild and strip down. Is there much difference in the bikes?
How long dose it take to take one apart ? And how long to putt back together ?
Bro appreciate the content your delivery of the information is on point hope its going good out there
Do the Harley Davidson spark plugs light up simultaneously or individually?
Every so often the RUclips algorithm accurately guesses what I like. This was one. Thanks Matt and Wired.
Thank you for such a thorough explanation. 🖤
That engine makes me glad I learnt to rebuild with 70's Japanese bikes. Are current Harleys still OHV? Do they still have an external transmission?
Wouldnt it be a good idea if torn apart that far to reove the reaer swing arm? If not just to clean it up and properly grease it for leace of mind.
No NETFLIX? What year is this? I ❤ it (and you). Keep them coming.
You are wrong about the voltage regulator... the alternator sends AC to the rectifier which is a series of diodes in most cases only then does it change to DC and go to the regulator then the battery. In most cases it's called a rig/rec they are assembled together but it is very important to know what's going on.
by what are the valve timings and openings determined? is there no cams and timing chain/belt?
It's a pushrod motor. The two chrome tubes on the side of each cylinder contain the pushrods. The cam/s are in the lower part of the motor under the cylinders.
When do the next episodes air?
What did it look like when you put it back together? That's the part I enjoy....customization!!
As soon as i seen him with the allen key on the ratchet top i was like thats going to strip, did the same thing my first time.
How do I change a clutch cable on a1991 softail
You should do one for the '74 Sportster, explaining the transmission and solutions to the problems of it.
What bars/controls/grips are THOSE? I just inherited my father-in-laws shovel head and am going to change these out. ???
I wish Victory would come back. When Harley copies the competition you know you are doing something right.
I would want you working on my scooter. Great explanations of every move.
great to see your doing well Matt
Is there a video for reassembly bike back together? I’m all hooked on video now
Cripe! Did I hear you say "accelerator pump" feature on a super B? Gotta have one! Now I have something to search for today
This was just what I needed in order to get my bike deconstructed. I got stuck at the transfer case .
Could you show a video of taking the cluster apart please thanks I got a basket case
Good job on the video. Everything about it was on point
I hate being dyslexic. I’m sitting there looking at the thumbnail going that’s not a knucklehead that’s a shovelhead.