shovelhead question
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Southern IN.
So I'm new here, names Eddie from Colorado. QUick question for you all... G have been looking at some shovelheads years ranging from 70-82, all different models. A friend of mine keeps telling me to stay away from them cause of the whole amf thing. I like tIe prices and the style of the bikes, is the shovel a good motor? and would you recommend not looking that way. I have a 95 sporty 1200, just looking for something bigger. Thanks for the help in advance.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: New York
Go for it. Cone motor shovelhead bikes are cheap and among the easiest motors to work on. In my 40 years of riding Harleys I have owned 2 shovels, a 1967 and a 1970. I owned maintained and rode the 70 for over 15 years and think it might have been the best engine I have ever owned. I rebuilt the motor twice in 15 years and did all the work myself with the exception of the boring of the cylinders. BTW no god damned cam chain tensioners, cheap compensators or flywheel problems like the twin cams have. My brother-in-law still rides his 1975 (bought new) with an S&S sidewinder stroker kit. The bad news is most shops today don't want to work on these old motors. But if your mechanical they are really very simple.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 3
From: Tucson, AZ
I also say go for it. See the shovel in my sig pic? It's a '71 and my Dad bought it bone stock in '73. I got it from him in '85 and just 3 weeks ago it got it's first top end. Now, for you who says that's because it hasn't been used, your wrong. It's been across this great land of ours several times and gets ridden nearly daily. TLC, that's the secret.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: aurora, co
Hey guys, I can't thank you all enough for the info. A lot of friends ride the newest and most expensive bikes out there. I on the other hand don't have that kinda money, kids wife you know the drill. I like to ride, most if their bikes sit in the garage all the time. And I love working on them and learning. I really appreciate it. I do believe a shovel is in my futosture. Probably gonna wait til it turns colder here in Colorado, prices drop a lot. Once I find some ill post some pics for discussion lol.
QUick question for you all... G have been looking at some shovelheads years ranging from 70-82, all different models. A friend of mine keeps telling me to stay away from them cause of the whole amf thing. I like tIe prices and the style of the bikes, is the shovel a good motor? and would you recommend not looking that way. I have a 95 sporty 1200, just looking for something bigger. Thanks for the help in advance.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
I had a 1200 '78 1/2 FXE Super Glide back in '82, STAY AWAY from that year. BIG time bendix issues. It didn't leak oil because it burned a qt every 2 fill ups and that was using straight 80 wt. When it ran it felt great, however it left me stranded at least 3 times a month for the 3 months I had it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 53
From: WA State
Raising the BS flag. 
I have a Brother that rides his '74 everyday. He makes every club run from here to timbucktwo. Granted we have to stop to pick up pieces, safety wire parts and etc. But it's still his everyday ride.
I have a Brother that rides his '74 everyday. He makes every club run from here to timbucktwo. Granted we have to stop to pick up pieces, safety wire parts and etc. But it's still his everyday ride.
Last edited by SgtMic; Aug 1, 2011 at 11:46 PM. Reason: Found a couple pics
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 128
Forget about any AMF crap you hear. As far back as that was, any AMF issues the bike may have had are long since resolved. Shovels are great motors, but they are NOT for the mechanically challanged. It will require regular work and care. I loved every minute of shovel ownership. Having said that, I'd prefer a good evo over a shovel any day of the week simply for the greater reliability, and added power, but I'm not about to be to negative about a shovel because it represents one of my fondest bike ownership experiances. They leak, they shake, they require a lot of TLC, but they're great.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 720
Likes: 3
The only thing I would add to what's already been said is that if you are looking for something bigger, avoid the older shovels, which were 74cid (74ci = 1200cc, same as you have now!). The 80" motor started getting phased-in mid-year in 1978, and by 1980 model year they were all 80cid (~ 1340cc).
My bike is only a .010 over 1200 and I recently blew away a hopped up 1200 Sporty and left a 113" Big Dog strugglin' to keep up. Gotta love a light weight bike. Also have a friend with an 88" shovel and another with a 93" shovel and neither one can keep up.
