Hi, I know this is probably in the wrong place but I'm hoping someone can point me to the more appropriate location.

I'm trying to decide whether I want to build a shovelhead based fx style bobber/ "chopper" from scratch using repro parts, or whether I want to buy an FXDB Dyna Street Bob retrofit it with all the stuff I would want.
I've never ridden a dyna or a shovelhead so I don't really know what to expect from each. My main interest are the feel of the frame.

Things get complicated since I wouldn't be building a stock Shovelhead. My plan right now is to base it around the S&S 93" Low compression engine, with a baker 6 speed. It would use good modern fork cartridges and great modern rear shocks. I would use a round swing arm. It would have 2.5"-4" over forks.

For the Dyna I would also be upgrading the front and rear shocks, as well as increasing them 2.5"-4". I would be converting it to an S&S T124 LC with a baker grudge box, and a carburetor. I would also utilize kinetic structures motor mounts. My goal would be to remove as much electronic stuff as possible.

In terms of priorities, I care first and foremost about reliability. I want I motorcycle I can ride anywhere and count on it to start. That being said I want reliability that stems from simplicity and maintaining my own ride. The kind of simplicity that comes from knowing every single part on a bike inside an out. I want a machine that's as simple (and simple to work on) as humanly possible, even if that comes with a few hiccups like dealing with clogged carbs ect.

After reliability/simplicity my second priority would be "feel". I don't know exactly what it is but I'll know it when I feel it. Ultimately I want to take it on journeys across the country, as well as use it every day for commuting, even in the cold 0 degree winter months. I don't mind a bit of vibration, but I also don't want to have numb hands/feet if I can help it. I'm used to finding the "sweet spot" in the rpm range and I have no desire to ride fast, so I'm not to concerned with vibrations. I'm more curious about how the chasis of the fx compares to the rubber mounted dyna frame. I know the dynas swingarm is only mounted to the transmission, and causes some problems. I would be planning on using kinetic structures wire mesh mounts if I went the dyna route. With that in mind what can those who have ridden both tell me about the feel department?

My final consideration (and probably least important) is power, by which I mean off the line torque. I like low rpm torque. It's fun. That's all I care about in terms of power. Like I said, I have no desire to go fast, but I still want to milk as much reliable power out of a setup as I can. I've heard shovels are pretty good for this, but then again a 124" crate motor would probably pull pretty strong.

One thing that greatly appeals to me about the shovel route (aside from the old school coolness) is that it would have a kickstart, which in my mind would aid the reliability standpoint by always having a way to get it home. Is this accurate?

In regards to twin cams, I've heard that as part of their design they beefed up the crankcases, as well as improved the oil pump. Would that still be true even when comparing two S&S engines? Is the design of the twin cam inherently more reliable/durable even if made by S&S? I know the Twin cam has those bad chain driven cam design, but a S&S wouldn't have that issue. One thing that I do wonder about is that it looks like the twin cams, being bolted together would be allot more difficult to work on/remove the engine to work on. Is this true? Given that theyre both made by S&S would people generally say their twin cam design is more reliable/durable than their shovelhead? Is it also easier to work on?

In regards to simplicity and having as few electronics as possible (very important to me), how would a shovelhead repro (with electronic ignition) compare to the dyna? How stripped down could I get the Dyna from electronics? I know that dynas have the Crank Position Sensor which is neccesarry for operation (or is it?) Is it comparable to the electronic ignition I would run in the shovel? Could I limit the Dyna to just the CPS and whatever cables the starter needs?

For those who have ridden both Dyna's and FX/FXE/FXS's How does the feel of the frame compare?

I know this is long and rambling but I'd love to get everyones opinions. Thanks for helping a young noob out!

 

Didn’t read the whole thing but my vote is for the shovel, I still like old school choppers never really got into the whole wide rear tire thing, they’re meant to be ridden not to compensate for whatever insecurities one has. Best of luck with your build, be prepared to spend much more than you planned!

 

I don't like wide rear wheels either. If I went with the dyna my plan would be to change the wheels to some custom stainless steel rims in 16x3.5 for the rear.

 

Go find a dyna, please do not bobber a decent shovel, they don't deserve that.

 

I don't know if you read my original post, but my intention if I were to build a shovelhead would be to use all repro parts, IE repro frame, baker trans, S&S 93" ect. So I wouldn't be destroying any original shovels if there are even any left.

 

Dyna. You said you don’t want heavy vibration so why would you get a paintshaker fx. Both bikes are so far apart from eachother.

kickstart doesn’t make it more reliable. Once voltage drops below a certain level a kickstart wouldn’t help either way.

leave the shovels for Sunday rides.

 

Not quite true, running a Dyna S ignition and S&S carb I used a 9 volt transistor battery jury rigged in and kicked her over on a road trip on time. You go a full electronic iggy with no advance unit your right, think 11v is the threshold.

 

While it's true that I don't want super strong vibrations, I should clarify that it depends on the type of vibration and intensity. I wouldn't mind a strong low speed vibration, it's buzzyness that makes my arms go numb that I'm afraid of. What I don't know is if I only took it at slow speeds (less than 75) and had a six speed, would that be enough to keep the vibrations from turning buzzy and numbing? Having never ridden one what do people with experience think?

Perhaps it would be helpfull if I ask, aside from fuel injection (I would go carbed) what electronics does a dyna have and or need to function?

thanks!

 

I have a 93" hipo shovel, balanced, blueprinted with every tweak and trick ever dreamed up to reduce felt vibration, I've spent the last 35 plus years dialing in and tweaking her to kill vibration. Mine pretty damned smooth for a shovel but there's still felt vibration and handlebar & footpeg buzz to deal with at today's highway speeds.

Here's the reality of things as long as the engines & trans are bolted directly to the frame you are going to have buzz. How bad and at what RPM ranges depends on many variables, build and component combinations. While you can reduce it some you'll never be rid of it, it just moves around the rpm/mph range where you feel it, always a trade off somewhere.

Dyna's a rubber mounted powertrain, whole different animal and ridability factor. You go carbed and use a stand alone ignition system the bike doesn't need any black box electronics aside from the charging system and the lights.

 

Thanks! that's informative.

you've obviously had the shovel a long time so there must be something you enjoy about it. How bad are the vibrations, do they make your hands fall asleep very quickly? Do you find you can generally find a speed or rpm where you can cruise comfortably?