So I got my first Shovelhead yesterday. I do not know much about it but its title as a custom Built. Looks to have a 19?? Hyda Glide front end, 19?? shovelhead with a 93ci stoker kit installed. Custom tagged frame. I got it yesterday rode it for about 30mins at highway speeds and it got HOT started popping in the exhaust and losing power. We stop for about 15 mins and let it cool down (outside temp was 100*). Ran fine for another 20 mins then did the same thing. Got it on the trailer and came home. I rode it today for about 30-45 mins with no problems.

 

Nice looking bike! It could be the coil is bad ...

 

What kind of ignition do you have? Some "cone" ignitions cannot take the heat.

 

Check the fuel cap vent also

 

Thanks guys. As far a the ignition goes Im really not sure. I believe they call it the Points & Condenser but not 100% sure. It has a RevTech high performance coil and Accel 8.6mm stainless steel wires.

 

This bike has Paughco Independent Dual Headpipes and I need to find something to keep from burning my left leg. Any idea on what heat shield works best?

 

So after doing some more research on this bike it is a 1976 shovelhead .

 

Revtech coils have a high failure rate..check it and make sure it is good. Is it a 4.5 ohm coil? 2.8 ohms won't work long with points...nor will resistance wires or plugs...most stuff now days is made for electronic ignitions...you have to make sure you have the correct stuff for points ignition, or it will overheat the coil.

 

Well since I'm new to shovelheads and working on them. I took it to one of the best guys around (thats what Ive been told by many people) to fix it up. He replaced points and condenser, rebuilt and rejected the carb, tightened the primary chain, changed spark plugs and changed all the oils. I have the bike back but he still wants to change the Mechanical Advance, he had to order the part. I have learned a lot about the shovel heads just from listening to him. I might change out the coil just for piece of mind.


What other options do I have besides Accel 496 when I need to replace?
Anyone have a suggetion on what coil would work best for my setup?

 

I'm really liking the looks of the King and Queen seats. Do they make them for swingarm style bikes? Ive never sat on one so they might not be comfortable but they sure look cool. Maybe something like this.