Hola. What are the differences of 1970-1980 Shovelheads engine and transmission? Is there any changes that I should pay attention to avoid or insanely look for.

I have plans to do hand shift with foot clutch hard tail one. This is pretty much what I am after: http://www.shovelhead-bobbers.com/sh..._by_Duncan.php

I have notice, that how gear lever it attached to gearbox, varies.

 

Avoid the 79 and later maytag trannies , they had a goofy linkage setup that won't play well with your bobber project you need an earlier ratchet top trans for a hand shift , the gearing ratio's are the same in both so no differences to worry about there . Motor wise the later 80" are preferred but any shovel will do nicely I put a LOT of heavy mile on old 74" motors with no complaints . With shovels there where no weird years to avoid like the all the new bikes .

 

The black 1970 Shovel seems to have ratched but what is the red one, and what is the black thing on the back of primary front side of clutch?

Is there always possibility to have mid controls on shovels? One of these candidates have the axle going through primary, one of these not.

E

 

Most FX models had mid controls stock , the red one is a mid 70's I'd say a 77 or 78 by the tank and color and it came with mid controls still has the setup if you look at the center inspection cover on the primary where the shifter came through , I think the black thing your asking about is the starter solenoid , the black one doesn't have it so that tells me it's kick only and you want the button if you can get it , takes time to learn the bike and a good tune to be able to kick one regular and each bike is a little different . Can't tell from the pic what tranny is on the red one but if its a 78 or earlier it's a ratchet top .

FLH models where all forward or floorboard front loaded controls . Thing with a shovel is all this stuff is interchangeable and lots to be had at swap meets cheap .

 

Thanks for input. Well I aim for kick start, you must earn the startup . Wondering the conversion costs for having this as kickstart. I may not have open belt primary, so I would need new inner primary case (not the cheapest replacement part) and kickstart on top of other parts.....