Earliest Evo Frame?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 2
From: Olympia, WA
Earliest Evo Frame?
I want to build an Evo with a 4 speed style frame. I have a titled ‘76 but would rather not do all the cutting needed to fit the motor in it. Motor is stock sized 80” evo with S&S heads.
Ideally I’d find something like an ‘85 lowrider frame but wasn’t ‘84 sized for Evo as well? I thought it was available as an option.
just wondering if any earlier back than that the frames were sized to fit the larger evo motors.
i’ll be running sportster rockers to get a little extra room, and a 5 in a 4 trans.
Ideally I’d find something like an ‘85 lowrider frame but wasn’t ‘84 sized for Evo as well? I thought it was available as an option.
just wondering if any earlier back than that the frames were sized to fit the larger evo motors.
i’ll be running sportster rockers to get a little extra room, and a 5 in a 4 trans.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,608
Likes: 3,375
From: Cental, MI
It is the 4-speed frame that is gonna throw ya.. All 5-speed frames will accept an Evo Engine!
As Said.. the '84 Softail??? Maybe I never seen one, with a 4-speed!!!
certainly the 1985 and 1986 FXB and the FXWG... tho they command a Premium...(except If I own it of Course)
S&S built an Evo Mill, specifically to go into the Typical (pre 1985) 4-speed frame...
At this Juncture, I would Not modify any Shovelhead, nor Shovel Frame to accept an Evo... you will Loose Money....Period.
But... Yer bike... Cut 'er Up and the rest of us with Survivors, Benefit!!!!
As Said.. the '84 Softail??? Maybe I never seen one, with a 4-speed!!!
certainly the 1985 and 1986 FXB and the FXWG... tho they command a Premium...(except If I own it of Course)
S&S built an Evo Mill, specifically to go into the Typical (pre 1985) 4-speed frame...
At this Juncture, I would Not modify any Shovelhead, nor Shovel Frame to accept an Evo... you will Loose Money....Period.
But... Yer bike... Cut 'er Up and the rest of us with Survivors, Benefit!!!!
Last edited by Racepres; May 19, 2023 at 01:45 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 2
From: Olympia, WA
Yeah I saw the softail years, but I’m an FX guy. Just dreaming of a badass custom evo swingarm bike with a classic cast frame look, especially since I have the motor ready to go.
Love my dyna but want to go in a different direction looks wise. Might just end up getting an aftermarket SA frame. Unless someone wants to offload an early FX Evo frame! Not likely.
Love my dyna but want to go in a different direction looks wise. Might just end up getting an aftermarket SA frame. Unless someone wants to offload an early FX Evo frame! Not likely.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
My buddy rides a 84 Softail, 80" Evo with a 5 speed and tapered shaft for the clutch.
Harley-Davidson introduced the 1,340 cc Evolution engine in 1984, and when the Evolution was used in five of the company's big bikes, the five-speed transmission was used along with it. The base model FLH was the only FL bike to retain the four-speed transmission in 1984; and even that changed the next year, when the FLH was modified to use the rubber-mounted Evolution and the five-speed gearbox. The Evolution engine debuted in the Sportster line in 1986, but the five-speed transmission wouldn't be used on a Sportster until 1991, when the four-speed gearbox was replaced by the five-speed on all models.
Copied this but also believe Harley used the remaining Shovel & 4 speed surplus in the 84 Softail until gone.
Harley-Davidson introduced the 1,340 cc Evolution engine in 1984, and when the Evolution was used in five of the company's big bikes, the five-speed transmission was used along with it. The base model FLH was the only FL bike to retain the four-speed transmission in 1984; and even that changed the next year, when the FLH was modified to use the rubber-mounted Evolution and the five-speed gearbox. The Evolution engine debuted in the Sportster line in 1986, but the five-speed transmission wouldn't be used on a Sportster until 1991, when the four-speed gearbox was replaced by the five-speed on all models.
Copied this but also believe Harley used the remaining Shovel & 4 speed surplus in the 84 Softail until gone.
Last edited by 1997bagger; May 19, 2023 at 08:56 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Yeah I saw the softail years, but I’m an FX guy. Just dreaming of a badass custom evo swingarm bike with a classic cast frame look, especially since I have the motor ready to go.
Love my dyna but want to go in a different direction looks wise. Might just end up getting an aftermarket SA frame. Unless someone wants to offload an early FX Evo frame! Not likely.
Love my dyna but want to go in a different direction looks wise. Might just end up getting an aftermarket SA frame. Unless someone wants to offload an early FX Evo frame! Not likely.
Good luck finding that needle in a haystack.
Those transition years '84 & '85 saw some rare bikes like the '85 FLHP Shovels and the aforementioned '85 Evo Superglide.
I had one of the first Evo bikes an early '84 FXRS,chain drive and dry clutch like a Shovel.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 41
Likes: 18
From: Seaford, NY
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,608
Likes: 3,375
From: Cental, MI
Yup... 1985 and 1986 FXWG and FXSB (I believe was the Letters), were E-Motor 4-speed chassis...modified by MoCo...to accept Evo Mill..
is most Likely where the MoCo used up any surplus 4-speed trannys..
One aside... the Late 1984 4-speed (like the 5-speed) , got the Tapered shaft... but Not the "good" one... like the Shovelhead Clutch
I despise the Late 84 clutch, and would Gladly trade it out for the Good Ole Shovelhead Clutch... I think Only the Mainshaft changed, except there were 2... Chain drive and Belt drive... Complications abound
Back on track...Earliest Evo Motor Frames from the MoCo were 1979 for 5-speeds, and 1985 for the 4-speed... Softails???? IDK I guess I thought they were All Evo's
so 1984???
is most Likely where the MoCo used up any surplus 4-speed trannys..
One aside... the Late 1984 4-speed (like the 5-speed) , got the Tapered shaft... but Not the "good" one... like the Shovelhead Clutch
I despise the Late 84 clutch, and would Gladly trade it out for the Good Ole Shovelhead Clutch... I think Only the Mainshaft changed, except there were 2... Chain drive and Belt drive... Complications abound
Back on track...Earliest Evo Motor Frames from the MoCo were 1979 for 5-speeds, and 1985 for the 4-speed... Softails???? IDK I guess I thought they were All Evo's
so 1984???
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,535
Likes: 34,723
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
The backbone of the frame needs to be raised to accommodate the taller Evo engine, even with the Sportster rocker boxes.
