old soul in a young body
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75
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From: pasadena, texas
old soul in a young body
i am only 21 years old and i am obsessive over the older Harleys from the flathead to the panhead, also i really like the bikes older than the flathead but ive only seen 2 and they were peashooter race bikes.
now the reason i have started making this thread is because i am a certified Harley Davidson techinician i work on them all from the flatheads to the vrod. i had gotten into a accident on my first Harley on March 1st, and ever since i was able to i have been trying to find a new bike.
A shop i used to work at has a late 30's to late 40's flathead in the back of the place, but it needs alot of time work and most of all money. my biggest question is how reliable can a flathead be? If i get a bike whether it be old or new i plan on riding it, unless its a rare motorcycle and there are very few left in the world i wouldnt ride it. i have been looking high and low for a flathead that would need some work to get it going, i know there is the 45, 74 and 80 flatheads. what motor is the most relaible and best for street use?
The one at the shop i worked at is a 45 i know that much but i cant remeber what year it is, it has a mikuni carb on it a hydra glide front end with some Harley bars on it i just dont know the style.
If there is anyone on here that might be able to shed some light on what size flathead motor is best and most reliable for street use along with what mods i might need to do to the bike to make it better for almost every day use i would greatly appreciate the help.
now the reason i have started making this thread is because i am a certified Harley Davidson techinician i work on them all from the flatheads to the vrod. i had gotten into a accident on my first Harley on March 1st, and ever since i was able to i have been trying to find a new bike.
A shop i used to work at has a late 30's to late 40's flathead in the back of the place, but it needs alot of time work and most of all money. my biggest question is how reliable can a flathead be? If i get a bike whether it be old or new i plan on riding it, unless its a rare motorcycle and there are very few left in the world i wouldnt ride it. i have been looking high and low for a flathead that would need some work to get it going, i know there is the 45, 74 and 80 flatheads. what motor is the most relaible and best for street use?
The one at the shop i worked at is a 45 i know that much but i cant remeber what year it is, it has a mikuni carb on it a hydra glide front end with some Harley bars on it i just dont know the style.
If there is anyone on here that might be able to shed some light on what size flathead motor is best and most reliable for street use along with what mods i might need to do to the bike to make it better for almost every day use i would greatly appreciate the help.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 18
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I dont have much time to respond now, but to answer your question quick, go with a 74, or an 80. As for models, you have the U,UL, UH, ULH. Any of these models run great. The U, and UH are low compression, and the other two are high compression. If I were you, I would look for a stock machine. I have a stock 38 ULH, other than it not being environmentaly friendly, it runs great. It offers a whopping 9.44HP, and will do 70mph no problem. As far as the 45 you were mentioning, sounds like a "bastard", and IMO, would not go near it. As far as working on them, they are simple, but seeing as you are a tech, you dont need advice on working on them. Eastern makes almost any needed part you could want. I've owned knuckles, pans, and shovels. Flats are by far the best every day rider, but i'm sure someone will **** on me for that. Good luck in your quest to find the "right" bike.
Last edited by FLat Head; Mar 31, 2011 at 03:18 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,378
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From: Macon, GA USA
Being you are in Texas I recommend a 74 inch. The only thing different between a 80 and a 74 is the bore. On the 80 inch the cylinder walls are much thinner and over heat easier. All so make sure you run aluminum heads as they cool much better. I built and rode a 1946 U for years here in Georgia where it gets very hot and learned the hard way. Here is a couple pictures of my 46u that I built many years ago out of pieces. It was in 14 shows won 22 awards been in 3 magazines and one news paper. It was my daily rider and I rode it on rode trips up to 1,800 miles.
Before I built my 74 I had a 45 which many say you cannot go far on them. Well I rode from Macon, Georgia to Richmond Virgina and back on it. You just have to run slower.
Before I built my 74 I had a 45 which many say you cannot go far on them. Well I rode from Macon, Georgia to Richmond Virgina and back on it. You just have to run slower.
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