Last of the Shovelheads

[vstevens]

XL or XLCH?  Could be the points were closing up.  They were notorious from closing the gap because of the vibration.

Dave.....good looking restoration.

I don't know... don't think I ever knew the difference.  The letters never made sense to me.  It was a sportster with push rods that i had to adjust every time I rode it.  It was cherry red with that tiny peanut tank.  I had zero mechanical ability, no garage and no money.  It looked cool.  When it ran, it was an awesome feeling.  I sold the bike for 500 dollars to a navy buddy.

[Lannis]

I bought one of those brand new in 1984. Your restoration reminds me that I should never have sold it. It was really a nice bike.

Lannis

[Dave Swanson]

Dave, just curious. If you used all H-D internal parts, why did you use the S&S roller rockers???

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It's a superior system,  but quite a bit more expensive.

[groundhog105]

That is one nice restoration Dave.  The 1984 was the best of the shovels.  I almost bought one but after reading the article on the Jerry Branch hop up of the 85 FXRS I jumped on the 85.  The evo motor was just a substantial improvement. 

[Dave Swanson]

The evo motor was just a substantial improvement.

Yes it was. In every way except coolness :)

[leafman60]

It's a superior system,  but quite a bit more expensive.

I've had no problems with the stock rockers on those bikes.  No hi-lift cams etc. 100,000+ miles and still going fine.

Again, beautiful bike.   I think the Shovelhead motor looks better than the subsequent iterations.

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[Rough Edge racing]

 That bike looks just like new....   5 miles down the road from me is an independent Harley shop. There's usually a few Shovels parked in front, bobbers and baggers ...

[guzziart]

Nice bike Dave!

I had two....'781/2 Superglide and an '80 80CI Low Rider, bought them new.  I had problems with both within the 1st month of ownership but after a tow back to the dealer they ran great, no leaks or reliability issues.  In retrospect, I should have made more of an effort to keep them because they were left stock accept for pipes/carb jetting and I had hung on to the oe exhaust systems.

These days, too many of them are hacked up or "personalized" beyond my taste.

Anyway, nice job, thanks for sharing!

[Jim Rich]

Very nice and respect for the amount of work you put into it.  Truly an icon of the motorcycle world.

[larrys]

She’s a beauty! I wrenched many a Shovel, none were ever all stock...
A shop I worked at part time had an engine special one winter to get some business, discounted labor rates for engine rebuilds. All the big twins we took in were tired but running, every Shortster was grenaded...
Larry

[Dave Swanson]

I've had no problems with the stock rockers on those bikes.

Either have I, but I like the concept of the roller rockers.  I consider it a piece of superior engineering vs. the rubbing rockers.   

[kingoffleece]

Just saw great examples of first and last Shovels yesterday.  Buffalo H-D has a wonderful display/museum at their shop.  I was over for the demo truck and visit with my long time friend who owns the place. Besides those bikes he has a one of a kind dead nuts repro of the Then Came Bronson XLH complete with the exact canvas bags!  Kinda cool if you ask me.