I'm new to the forum, but have been riding for 25 years. I'm currently trying to decide whether to buy a completely rebuilt 1979 FLH 80" with only 6,300 miles and 3rd owner who's owned it since 1987 or buy a 2003 Super Glide with 13,000 miles. I average at least 5,000 miles a year, a lot of highway miles. I've owned many Shovelheads and Evos, but I'm having a very hard time deciding. They're both like new, so which way should i go? Please feel free to add your 2 cents worth. Thanks

 

You're talking apples and oranges with these 2 completely different bikes.

What is your preferred style of riding? Superslab/ backroads?

How good a wrench are you. Shovels set up properlly and maintained will give you great service and durability. They do need more routine maintenance however.

How stock is each? You mention the milage on the 79 at 6300 miles. Are you sure it is a "stock" speedometer. A pic and we would know for sure. "Completely rebuilt" means many things to many different people. What's the seller's definition? Are there receipts for the work done. Can you talk to the wrench who did the rebuild.

Can't provide any input on the twin-cam model because i have never owned or ridden one.

Others here will have additional thoughts for you as well.

 

I know this. I ride both highways and back roads. It's not the original speedo on the 79. I talked to the mechanic today and he replaced pistons, rings, seals, bearings, cam. I'm going to ask him about oil pump and what else was replaced. I've seen pics of the bike, motor and trans completely torn down, rebuilt, painted and put back together. It's 6,300 on rebuild. I've never owned or ridden a twin cam big twin. My dad owned a 77 FLH for over 20 and never had to do more than change oil, plugs and add gas. It was rebuilt before he bought it, so that's why. I can work on and fix anything, so the wrenching isn't a problem. Any other input would be appreciated.

 

Highway miles you say? Go with the super glide

 

Pic's and pricing on both? I'm partial to older bikes and really want a Shovel. A 79 with 80" is a nice package if you like 4 speeds...

 

If that shovel has the stock gearing and you're planning on a lot of hwy miles I wouldn't want to be running the interstate on it. My shovel likes 60mph and will be happy to run all day long at that speed. I wouldn't want to be pounding down the interstate on it though.

If you can swing the money and the space, I would get both. I ride my EVO daily and put 12k a year on it. The shovel is for Sunday afternoons out in the County. And right now the Shovel is down for some clutch work.


carl

 

I'm not sure the gearing, but before the rebuild they did a lot of traveling on it using the sidecar. There's only 6,300 miles on it since the complete rebuild of the bike. I'm not in the situation to buy both bikes right now. The best of the best parts were used on this bike when it was rebuilt, so I'm pretty confident that it'll run 60-65mph consistently. I hope so anyway. I'll post if it doesn't make it, but I'm gonna ride it until it quits, then fix it and ride it some more. I take great care of my bikes and regular maintenance is key.