I have a chance to buy a 1971 FX super glide that is plumb stock. Needs lots of TLC mostly cleaning and small repairs.
Now for the question:
I have been told that it is very difficult to tunea shovelhead so that they run right. What I mean is, I have been told that to get it to start you need to retard the timing. then it won't run well and if you advance the timming so that it runs well that it won't start worth adarn. Is this true?

Thanks,
Roach

 

it is a FXE not FXR.

the person who told you that was talking probably about a magneto/distributor.

this is a cone motor with advance weights under the points plate. do you want to sell the bike?

 

It would be an FX, not an FXE. Was the 71 kick only? Does it still have the boat tail rear fender?
The timing issue shouldn't be an issue.

 

Roach..as mentioned it would be an FX model and would only be a kickstart. Couple of quirks - shift pattern on the first FX models was as follows: first was up and the other three were down. if your bike is stock it has the boattail fender. The plastic rear fender seat combination was only around for one year and is now quite a collector's item. BTW, if you have one they only made 4,700 for the entire 71 year.

 

Thanks for the replys. Yes I do have the plastic rear finder (boat tail) as far as the FX vs FXR I'm getting lots of conflicting information. Yes it is the Red, white and blue model, some sourses refer to it as an FX others as a FXR. Not sure which one it really is. I will post a few pictures in the next couple of days. Please feel free to add any and all information as I'm still in the research/learing phase on this project.

Roach

 

I believe the first year for the FXR model was 1982.

 

Man, what you bought is a real piece of history (You did buy it, right?). I'd think seriously about restoring it.
I don't care for the look of 'em, but they're quite rare now.

 

Megawatt,
no I haven't bought it yet. Still trying to determin for sure just what it is. Is there a way to run the VIN or something to find out for sure what it is? I know with some classic cars you can find out make, model, original color scheme, and options.

Roach

 

roach - an FXR has a different frame designed for a rubber mounted engine. It didn't exist till around 1982, I believe.
If the bike has the boat tail fender you can feel pretty confident it's a '71 FX - as mentioned they only made them one year with that ugly rear fender.
Everything you're describing supports the above. Throw up a picture and let us have a look.

 

here's a link to a pic of an FXR frame:
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Au...581a13839.html