Looking at picking up a 1967 Shovelhead, BUT, current owner states the motor has NEVER been apart. Should I be concerned??? That means has been running on the original seals, bearings, etc.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Yes that would be reason for concern. But how many miles and how stock is the bike. I say this as I bought a 73 shovel all stock and original with about 25,000 miles. After a couple of hundred miles I heard a noise in the front cylinder so pulled it all down and rebuilt the motor and tranny now I know what I have ..

 

Yeah they'll be some work down the line, gaskets and seals at the minimum, what else depends on the miles and care. Like Capt. said you just do it and you know what have.

 

What "documented" history does the current owner have on the bike?

How many "documented" miles on the bike? (need to be sure the speedometer is absolutely original).

If low miles, maybe the cases have yet to be split, but the top end would be leaking or will be leaking soon.

Own an 84 FLH that I bought from the original owner several years back. At the time it had just about 60K on it. At the time of purchase it had never been apart (and at almost 70K now the cases still have yet to be split). Top end definitely needed redone. Gasket then just are not made as well as they are now and definitely pushed oil out of several places.

 

Another way of looking at it is no backyard mechanic has goobered things up. I'll take original and tired over worked on by some hack any day.

 

absolutely, for some reason even the properly done bikes are goobered up.

 

Post some pics if possible. Genny Shovels are become quite desirable and the more original, the better. If the price reflex the condition I wouldn't hesitate.

 

How long has he owned the bike? The only person that can tell you 100% that the motor has never been apart is the original owner. Likely not who you are buying from, so he is just guessing. The motor could have been apart 40 years ago, who would really know, again unless this guy has some kind of documentation.