Would appreciate feedback on pros and cons of a Harley vs. S&S motor. Example: if building an old school Harley chopper, what are the pros and cons of using an original Shovelhead motor vs. a new (or used) S&S. Thanks in advance.

 

In my humble opinion I would go with the S&S. You get the looks of a good ole shovel with updated technology

 

That's my thought as well. Removing and replacing (for example) an Evo motor from a Softail opens up lots of bike buying options, which leads me to my next question: how involved is it to remove and replace the motor? I know the Evo has a great reputation but I'm looking for that classic 'David Mann' Shovelhead look.

 

Questions like that are above my paygrade, lots of smarter what fits what folks on here that will give better answers.

 

S&S is way better quality then anything else out there.

 

Do you want dependability or the ability to say it has a Harley motor to the tow truck driver?

 

S&S shovel motors at least the hipo 93" ones only look like a shovel the guts are all newer high tech like roller rocker arms and two piece rocker covers , very good hydraulic lifters and evo cams, even the flywheels are upgraded later model stuff. Heads are better ported with several other upgrades. Cases are much heavier castings and gaskets don't leak like the originals.

Bone stock 74's & 80's can be be built to be reliable and about as long lived as any evo so don't let the shovels are nothing but trouble knuckleheads scare you. Finding a decent motor guy who knows his business on the old ones can be a hunt so do your homework. It's all about money ( S&S engines go about $6k now ) and what you want and how your state handles home built bikes, sometime the path of least resistance is buying rat or complete basket case with good paper and numbers and building verses dicking with special construction titles and the finding insurance.

 

Nothing wrong with using the HD cases/heads/cylinders or other component parts to build a good reliable S&S stroker, or Sidewinder.
Built more than I can recall.
Favorite is to use an S&S 4 3/4" stroke wheel assembly, with a 3 1/2" bore,(91") and cam/compression as needed for the build.
Have a beautiful, completely black powder-coated, 4 1/2" stroke, 3 5/8" bore 93" Sidewinder getting picked up next week.
The downstate NY shop wanted outside oil drains on this one, and, we used the .514 cam that was supplied in the kit.
Good, solid, reliable, fun engine.
Scott

 

That's a great alternative; what do you think a fair price is to rebuild a shovel?

 

I love S&S parts, BUT when going w/ one of there full engine setups I don't like that they don't have the rights for internal oiling system. I believe it's something Harley patented or whatever, but you have to run external oil line.

...so saying that it's kinda nice building the sh$t out of your bike using HD cases, boring them out, adding timken for that stealthy custom setup.