Author Topic: For Shovelhead Lovers (Read 5614 times)

Dave Swanson · « **on:** July 04, 2020, 09:09:09 PM »

An old buddy of mine is resurrecting a 68 FLH and has been bugging me to get my 69 out of hibernation so he can look it over as a reference. I had it so packed in with the other bikes he wasn't limber enough to look at it.

It took me half the morning to extricate it but I got it out, checked over a few things, gassed her up, and she fired right up after about 5 years in storage. This is the sweetest running bike! 100% original, 17K miles. I am going to have some fun with it again this summer! This is the best sounding HD that I have. I think it even sounds better than my 56 Pan which is hard to beat.

Here is a short video of my buddy riding it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jBnrB5TzvI

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2020, 09:25:02 PM »

Dusty

moto-uno · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2020, 01:43:57 AM »

Shovelheads and BSA's are pretty much responsible for my adult life being spent as a motorcycle mechanic

, Peter

cookiemech · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2020, 04:42:43 AM »

Just beautiful! Every day on my 4-mile walk I go by my friend's place, and if he happens to be in his garage, I have the pleasure of seeing his 1976 FLH and his 1958 Pan, both clean stock bikes (he has at least six other antique H-Ds). Nothing like that look, or that sound.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2020, 05:06:31 AM »

I had one shovel, an AMF, and it was fantastic. Rode it all over the east.

Ncdan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2020, 06:56:50 AM »

Here’s my first shovel head and the last HD WSPD ever has used on the street.

Sykestone8886 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2020, 07:09:13 AM »

Great looking bike !!! I have a73 Flh that I've ridden cross country a couple times with little to no problems. Nothing like the sound of a well tuned 74.

bsanorton · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2020, 07:13:29 AM »

Beautiful Triumph and K (?) model HD...The shovel was my 1st Harley in 1985', owned a 1978 1/2 FXS, mid year change from 1200 to 1340. Taught my a lot, had been riding Tridents and Norton's before that. Always had a Norton in my garage. My 2nd and much improved was a 83' FLHT, rubber mounted 5 speed.

pressureangle · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2020, 07:31:03 AM »

Best engine I ever built was an '82 FXR 5 speed shovel. 96" S&S kit, stock head and case castings; RHC extreme head mods, Andrews 'M' cam, Super D carb, home made 2-1 exhaust. 60 lbs-ft of torque by 1200 RPM, 113 RWHP @6500RPM.
I used to go out to the Saturday night street races, where the Jap bike guys would negotiate a spot with the H-D guys (because they had money to take and that required a spot) I'd tell them "When you see me go, you go. I don't need a length". (of course, that's at least a half-second) The bike would run 10:50s, so they had to run better than 10 seconds on a dirty street to win. Few with a bike that fast could ride it that well, and my tractor would do it on a dirt road carrying the front wheel through second gear. Good old days.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2020, 07:36:21 AM »

Quote from: Ncdan on July 05, 2020, 06:56:50 AM

Here’s my first shovel head and the last HD WSPD ever has used on the street.

Very cool picture! Winston Salem PD?

cliffrod · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2020, 07:38:35 AM »

That sure is a great looking bike, Dave.

I realize this would be cooler with a generator shovel like yours doing the honors, but here's a little entrance music....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6S6gY_njY

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2020, 07:50:46 AM »

Quote from: cliffrod on July 05, 2020, 07:38:35 AM

That sure is a great looking bike, Dave.

I realize this would be cooler with a generator shovel like yours doing the honors, but here's a little entrance music....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6S6gY_njY

That was great!

JJ · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2020, 08:11:10 AM »

Nice looking ride!

I have been told my several of my HD enthusiast riding buddies that, in the future, these old Shovelheads will appreciate in value like the Knucklehead's and Panhead's of today....but probably not in my lifetime...

Ncdan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2020, 08:33:17 AM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on July 05, 2020, 07:36:21 AM

Very cool picture! Winston Salem PD?

👍

JJ · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2020, 11:47:43 AM »

This ol' 56 Hydra-Glide Pan listed on BAT (Bring-A-Trailer) now appeals to me...

Lannis · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2020, 11:53:48 AM »

Quote from: JJ on July 05, 2020, 11:47:43 AM

This ol' 56 Hydra-Glide Pan listed on BAT (Bring-A-Trailer) now appeals to me...

I rode a '54 one of those for many years ... If you accept and work with the limitations of drum brakes and a rigid rear, there's not a thing they won't do or a place they won't go, as our parents and grandparents proved over and over again. Reliable, easy to work on, absolute conversation starters ...

Lannis

garbln · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2020, 02:33:51 PM »

What year is the KHK, 55 or 56? I have a 56 KHK a really fun rider and the best looking street Flathead they ever made!

Yeahoo Whoyah · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2020, 03:09:36 PM »

Years ago I bought a low milage 1980 FLH 80" from the original owner. Actually the widow of the original owner. I rode it for 6-months and sold it for more than I paid for it, which was common in the mid-1990's. I think it used about a quart of oil every 250-miles. I'm not a member of the "Shovelhead Lovers" club. The replacement Evo was a much better engine IMO.

GeorgiaGuzzi · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2020, 03:25:31 PM »

Not a HD anything lover by any means. (Except maybe a 1200xr)

Anyway, that doesn’t mean I shun all things HD. I even have a friend that loves them. Here is a pan/shovel (I think) he picked up yesterday. Traded a HD Hack for it.

RHAT · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2020, 03:33:19 PM »

My shovelhead has been covered in a corner since I bought the Norge.

Tom · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2020, 04:10:42 PM »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Shovelhead_engine

Tom · « **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2020, 05:06:02 PM »

Quote from: pressureangle on July 05, 2020, 07:31:03 AM

Best engine I ever built was an '82 FXR 5 speed shovel. 96" S&S kit, stock head and case castings; RHC extreme head mods, Andrews 'M' cam, Super D carb, home made 2-1 exhaust. 60 lbs-ft of torque by 1200 RPM, 113 RWHP @6500RPM.
I used to go out to the Saturday night street races, where the Japanese bike guys would negotiate a spot with the H-D guys (because they had money to take and that required a spot) I'd tell them "When you see me go, you go. I don't need a length". (of course, that's at least a half-second) The bike would run 10:50s, so they had to run better than 10 seconds on a dirty street to win. Few with a bike that fast could ride it that well, and my tractor would do it on a dirt road carrying the front wheel through second gear. Good old days.

Ncdan · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2020, 05:16:14 PM »

Quote from: Yeahoo Whoyah on July 05, 2020, 03:09:36 PM

Years ago I bought a low milage 1980 FLH 80" from the original owner. Actually the widow of the original owner. I rode it for 6-months and sold it for more than I paid for it, which was common in the mid-1990's. I think it used about a quart of oil every 250-miles. I'm not a member of the "Shovelhead Lovers" club. The replacement Evo was a much better engine IMO.

You are exactly right about the oil consumption. My police bike used a full quart every other day. We didn’t even change the oil on a regular bases as it always had fresh oil in her.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #23 on:** July 05, 2020, 05:23:15 PM »

Quote from: garbln on July 05, 2020, 02:33:51 PM

What year is the KHK, 55 or 56? I have a 56 KHK a really fun rider and the best looking street Flathead they ever made!

It's a 56. I restored it from the worst looking pile of rubble you ever saw. The pile had a few things going for it. It had a completely worn out, but not busted engine, the correct 1 year only frame, and a title.

It took 6 years of searching diligently for parts, but this is what it looks like today. And now has made it to AMCA Winner's Circle.

Sykestone8886 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2020, 05:30:51 PM »

She's a beauty !!!!

pressureangle · « **Reply #25 on:** July 05, 2020, 06:06:27 PM »

Quote from: Tom on July 05, 2020, 05:06:02 PM

Seriously?

Gappy · « **Reply #26 on:** July 05, 2020, 06:55:12 PM »

Smoothest bike I got, will take it anywhere 83 flht

JJ · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2020, 07:50:29 AM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on July 05, 2020, 05:23:15 PM

It's a 56. I restored it from the worst looking pile of rubble you ever saw. The pile had a few things going for it. It had a completely worn out, but not busted engine, the correct 1 year only frame, and a title.

It took 6 years of searching diligently for parts, but this is what it looks like today. And now has made it to AMCA Winner's Circle.

That is one stunning vintage Harley!!!

Ncdan · « **Reply #28 on:** July 06, 2020, 08:20:18 AM »

If any of you guys ever get to NC there is a Harley museum in the little town of Ashboro near where I live. It’s just a little dive of a building where one can go to get a burger or dog and the entire upper floor of the large building is full of old harleys, pans, knuckles, EVOs, parts and pictures. The cost, a bucket at the bottom of the steps for donations.
Contact me and I’ll be glad to ride with you to visit.

cliffrod · « **Reply #29 on:** July 06, 2020, 09:40:27 AM »

Quote from: Ncdan on July 06, 2020, 08:20:18 AM

If any of you guys ever get to NC there is a Harley museum in the little town of Ashboro near where I live. It’s just a little dive of a building where one can go to get a burger or dog and the entire upper floor of the large building is full of old harleys, pans, knuckles, EVOs, parts and pictures. The cost, a bucket at the bottom of the steps for donations.
Contact me and I’ll be glad to ride with you to visit.

That's good news. I didn't know they were still operating. when I went to Seagrove last fall, I saw their old service station location looked like it had been demolished & rebuilt into something else. 2-3 yrs ago, I thought one of the local amca members bought a nice 75 FLH that they had on display at their museum. That plus seeing the location gone/rebuilt led me to think they had just gone away. That was a bummer.

I had met them around 09 and invited them to our rally. Good folks. They came at least 1-2 times with their logo trailer and a few bikes.

News:

Author Topic: For Shovelhead Lovers (Read 5614 times)

oldbike54

GeorgiaGuzzi