im looking to buy a shovelhead but i was woundering what year models were rubbermounted, can any one help thanks.

 

Sure.

the 1980 FLT Tour Glide led the way - first Harley with rubber-mounted engine and 5spd gearbox.

So, 1980 through 1983 Tour Glides and the Classicvariants...but NOT the FLH Electra Glides (They still had 4spd tranny and the Shovel motor through 1984.)

Of the non-baggers, in 1982 the factory introduced the 'Super Glide II' range but that name did not last long. Now they are known as the first FXRs (R for rubbermount.)

In 1982 and 1983 the FXR and FXRS were rubber-mount 5spd Shovels. In 1984 the FXR series got the Evo motor.....

The Shovel FXRs arefairly rare bikes today. Shovelhead purists disliked the 'Jap' frame-style intently at the time.....so they never sold that well.

Parts are OK-ish to get, but beware cracked inner primaries. They are a tough find.

Note also that the enclosed final chain on the FLT has few friends for its difficulty of access/maintenance.

For years the 1980-1983 FLTs have been the very poor relations in terms of second hand values of any 'modern' Harley. Kinda unloved....none of the heritage of the FLH line.

The 1982-83 FXRs are sought after as oddballs, combining Shovel class with the highly-regarded FXR handling.

 

I still own the 1983 FLHS that I bought new 25 years ago and its the sheit. The handle bars had big black rubber grommets to obsorb vibration through the handle bars and which I've tossed a while ago. Don't remember the motor being rubber mounted. The ones I've seen while parked and idlling look like the motor wants to jump right out of the frame.



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Kiwidave hit the nail on the head. The FLT's have pretty poor resale in the stock configuration compared to a same year FLH.

This actually opens some opportunities to get a piece of classic iron and play with it without breaking the bank. I have an '82 FLTC that has been customized qute a bit. I would have never had been able to do some of the things that I have done, ifI had been in deep to start with.