I think I want a shovel. To me, they are the coolest bikes. However, to get one I'd have to sell my 95"06' fx springer, which I also love. I like to think I'm somewhat mechanically capable, but I really don't have the tools or set up to do much work, and in the end I usually decide to leave stuff to professionals who really know what they're doing. I'd guess I could find someone within reasonable distance to work on a shovel, but I'm not really sure. But aside from repair issues, I've never ridden a shovel, and I'm not sure how it would compare to my bike. That is, on my bike I feel like I can go as fast as I want, for as far as I want. I could put up withless power. I could also put up with a little more vibration, but not really too much. I know it ultimately comes down to my decision and all, but I'm interested in anyone's comments and advice. Thanks.
[/align]
Sponsored Links
This ad is not displayed to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on HD Forums!
I would suggest that you take one of your buddies Shovels for an extended ride. Not a trip around the block, but a ride. There is nothing wrong with Shovels. I have riden them for many, many years. I have rebuilt more of them than I can remember. Built them from the frame up and restored a bunch of them. They do not ride like your06 does. The entire machine is built different than your 06. Frame, engine, trans, drive, forks, swing arm style, brakes,all will feel a lot different. Technology has come a long way. There will be a lot more vibration than you are used to. Less power too.
If you like to wrench more than you ride, they typical Shovel that you will find on the market is a bike just for you. They are now 20+ year old machines that usually need at least a little TLC to keep them going.
__________________
2000 Road King Classic. Andrews 26G cams, SE Stage I, DFO, V&H True Duals with Samson Fishtail Mufflers.
Looks to me as if you are trying to talk yourself into it rather than trying to talk yourself out of it....meaning to me that a shovel is probably not for you.
And, I do not necessarily agree with the assumption of "wrenching more than riding" when owning an older bike. Been riding the same 65 pan since 1970...never left me stranded. Just bought a bone stock 76 FLH that that will be my daily rider when I tear down the pan for a complete rebuild. Older bikes require routine maintenance and service at more regular intervals than the newer evos and twin-cams.That being said,an old or new bike will perfom as expected if they are properly seviced and maintained and not just ridden into the ground and abused.
To me they are no harder to keep up then any other Harley. If you get one that is 30 years old, it won't be any different than if your Evo was 30 years old. Take good care of it and it will go any where you want to go. In the 13 years that I've owned my 69 when we are riding and we have a breakdown, it's usually an Evo that's let someone down. It is a totally different ride though.
Take good care of it and it will be a pleasure to ride for many years to come.
Myself I think the older Harleys are built much better than the new ones. They're just old already.
Buy one that's in good shape and keep it that way.
The old bikes have class.
Thanks to everyone for their comments. Hard decision. I don't know anyone with a shovel to ride. Scooter, you mentioned it's a different ride, could you describe how so? Thanks.
Thanks to everyone for their comments. Hard decision. I don't know anyone with a shovel to ride. Scooter, you mentioned it's a different ride, could you describe how so? Thanks.
Well the engines aren't as smooth, that's a good thing to me, they are solid mounted to the frame, so you loose a bit more smoothness. You feel the engine running through the whole bike.
Also the older pre-disc brake models like mine, don't exactly stop on a dime. Don't tailgate the newer bikes with triple disc brakes. Mine has hydraulic rear drum brakes in the rear and cable operated drum in the front. If you go even older some of the pans had maunual front and rear drums. Don't get me wrong I don't have any problem stopping, but I don't ride just behind a newer model with lots of disc brakes. If I do and they do a quick stop then I have to take evasive measures to keep front hitting them.
The older models, yah either love em or yah don't. They are where the name Milwaukee vibrator came from.
They don't have fuel injection and the pre 78 or so don't have electronic ignition. But then they don't have an expensive electronic control module to worry about either.
To me if it was made after 69, I'm really not interested in them. After they came out with the Evo then I really lose my interest.
It's just a whole nother class of Harly to me. The old girls have soul.
Theyto me are also a lot easier to work on but that's all I've ever worked on, except for my neighbors two Evo's.
A real nice shovel or pan gets a lot ofattention also. It's kind of like riding into a car show sporting a 69 Camaro or a Hemi Cuda.
if you have to think about gettin a shov you shouldn't.. you have to like the old-stuff they run fine and any other bike .. as for long trips you can run andrews short gear ratio and change the sporkets you can go from mi to cali with no problems...
I think Shovels are great and always have been my favorite Harley. They rattle, shake, leak, break and are loud as hell!! That is what a harley is and will always be in my mind. I love the shovels, however, if you are going to run tons of miles per year I would get a Evo or something newer.Theare very simple machines and arerathereasy to fix if needed.I use mine on shorter rides (under 100 miles) to bar hop and run around. You have to respect the shovels are25-40 years old in some cases! How many 25-40 year old cars do you see on the road....none. The best part is the old time HD riders will walk past 100 Twin cams to see one shovel. They are GREAT conversation peices. You can get nice shovels for $6K-$9K now days. Go to the dealer and say "I have $6K to spend for a Big twin" and watch the stealers think you are jokeing.
I think one of the coolest things HD could do is make a "old time" bike line. I would love to buy a 2008 model, Pan or Shovel with all the orginal specs. These bikes could be made with todays technology, but they would still be the same bikes made decades ago.
Thanks to everyone for their comments. Hard decision. I don't know anyone with a shovel to ride. Scooter, you mentioned it's a different ride, could you describe how so? Thanks.
I would describe the ride a "rickety". The shovels vibrate more and they just dont feel "tight" like the new bikes. I am not sure how else to describe this. However, you get used to it and I prefer the old girl much more now.
I get people that walk up to me all the time and ask me "how much I want to sell it". I say it is not for sale. So buy one, if you dont like it you will not have muchproblem getting your money back on it. There are just not that many of them left and many people still want the old HDs.
Should I buy a Shovel?
