Thinking about a Shovel...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 7,749
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
My Shovel is my primary ride. It's my daily driver a lot too...I take it to/from work, and...for my work...I ride to my clients offices for onsites.
For the past month...it's been almost every day, I think I've taken my truck to work just 3 times in the past month....been such a dry sunny August.
I live in New England. So I deal with all 4 seasons.
My Shovel, with its S&S carb, actually usually fires up quicker than my '06 Dyna Twinkie with FI did! Not that the twinkie had problems...it's just it took at least two revolotions or so while the Shovel seems to fire off before the first spin completes.
Warmup? Meh..sometimes I give it a minute. I'm not big into warming her up...but I'm gentle riding her for the first bit until she does warm up.
Basic maintenance..most stuff old tech and easy to wrench...you own a Corvair...you'll be fine. Owning a 60's vintage car shows you're already in the frame of mind. You're not a slave to labor, you wont be wrenching more than you ride. But...you can appreciate the fact that you need to just check on her every now and then. Lots of knowledge here in these forums of members very generous with their help.
Considering selling mine soon only because I'm really craving an Evo vintage Heritage Classic Softy. Not because she gives me grief...I love her...and she's been reliable for me. heck last weekend she had over 10 hours of riding put in. Today a small group of us Shovel owners (plus my wife on her Sporty) and heading over into Rhode Island for a shore run up its coast.
For the past month...it's been almost every day, I think I've taken my truck to work just 3 times in the past month....been such a dry sunny August.
I live in New England. So I deal with all 4 seasons.
My Shovel, with its S&S carb, actually usually fires up quicker than my '06 Dyna Twinkie with FI did! Not that the twinkie had problems...it's just it took at least two revolotions or so while the Shovel seems to fire off before the first spin completes.
Warmup? Meh..sometimes I give it a minute. I'm not big into warming her up...but I'm gentle riding her for the first bit until she does warm up.
Basic maintenance..most stuff old tech and easy to wrench...you own a Corvair...you'll be fine. Owning a 60's vintage car shows you're already in the frame of mind. You're not a slave to labor, you wont be wrenching more than you ride. But...you can appreciate the fact that you need to just check on her every now and then. Lots of knowledge here in these forums of members very generous with their help.
Considering selling mine soon only because I'm really craving an Evo vintage Heritage Classic Softy. Not because she gives me grief...I love her...and she's been reliable for me. heck last weekend she had over 10 hours of riding put in. Today a small group of us Shovel owners (plus my wife on her Sporty) and heading over into Rhode Island for a shore run up its coast.
Last edited by YeOldeStonecat; Sep 7, 2015 at 06:06 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, MI
Yes, I did have to change my riding style. It has been years since I had to kick start a bike, it does have drum brakes, and it shifts backwards but I'm getting used to it. It's still so damn fun to ride!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,133
Likes: 2,528
From: CT/FL
If you are going to customize it, there is no reason to buy a cherry bike. Buy something cheap, then use your long winter to tear it down to the frame and re-build it correctly, addressing the 40 years of bad owners decisions. When you are done you'll have a bike you know inside out and is as reliable as your skills allow.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
The idea that a shovel cannot be completely reliable as a daily driver is complete nonsense... but when you get it reliable it won't be completely stock either...so you will not be winning any bike shows for a 100 point restoration. 99% of the oil leaks on shovels didn't come from the motor...it came from the primary and trans. Doing a frame up with modern parts and gaskets... you can have a shovel that is leak free, and reliable as anything else on the road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,448
From: la la land jerzey
no fair you cheated \
the rocker boxes are blown aluminum not the original sand cast-ted
if the heads are OEM they are NOS as the exhaust ports are perfect
S&S pushrod tubes lends it self to S&S jugs maybe thicker bases maybe
the oil pump is of the best available in consistent flow and scavenge
shovel never had an ignition as good as the one in the cone
the lifter blocks if they are for not oem maybe jims
so in the end you are correct you can make one reliable and dependable / thanks to cometic's leak proof tech -- my point was aimed at a guy with limited funds look to buy a dream bike selling the one that works to get it -- i get that
the rocker boxes are blown aluminum not the original sand cast-ted
if the heads are OEM they are NOS as the exhaust ports are perfect
S&S pushrod tubes lends it self to S&S jugs maybe thicker bases maybe
the oil pump is of the best available in consistent flow and scavenge
shovel never had an ignition as good as the one in the cone
the lifter blocks if they are for not oem maybe jims
so in the end you are correct you can make one reliable and dependable / thanks to cometic's leak proof tech -- my point was aimed at a guy with limited funds look to buy a dream bike selling the one that works to get it -- i get that
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
i have a new dyna as my "main bike" and i had been wanting something older because i think they are just so cool. I bought a 80 ironhead for $1,000. It hadnt run in a few years and i have had alot of fun working on it, learned alot and have not really spent too much money on it. I have made a lot of mistakes on my "customising", but the bike is a blast and yes sometimes i want to push it off a cliff
Im not telling you to get an ironhead, im just saying if you want to keep that bad *** dyna it might be something to look at.
Im not telling you to get an ironhead, im just saying if you want to keep that bad *** dyna it might be something to look at.
i have a new dyna as my "main bike" and i had been wanting something older because i think they are just so cool. I bought a 80 ironhead for $1,000. It hadnt run in a few years and i have had alot of fun working on it, learned alot and have not really spent too much money on it. I have made a lot of mistakes on my "customising", but the bike is a blast and yes sometimes i want to push it off a cliff
Im not telling you to get an ironhead, im just saying if you want to keep that bad *** dyna it might be something to look at.
Im not telling you to get an ironhead, im just saying if you want to keep that bad *** dyna it might be something to look at.
It might take awhile, but someday I'll have its older brother parked next to it in my garage. Something like this would be perfect.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
I recently picked up a '72 FX from our local HD dealer. It was a 2 owner bike, very well maintained. I got it OTD for $4800. I feel I got a great deal. I also have a '14 Slim, which I don't plan on selling.
Honestly, buying the '72 was a strain on my budget, but I look at it as an investment, like money in the bank, that I can ride.
Although I'm not much of a mechanic I feel pretty confident that I could handle the basic maintenance that will be required.
This thing is a blast to ride and I have no plans of selling it.
Do what you can to keep your current ride and find a shovel, you'll never be sorry.
Honestly, buying the '72 was a strain on my budget, but I look at it as an investment, like money in the bank, that I can ride.
Although I'm not much of a mechanic I feel pretty confident that I could handle the basic maintenance that will be required.
This thing is a blast to ride and I have no plans of selling it.
Do what you can to keep your current ride and find a shovel, you'll never be sorry.
If anyone can recommend a good source for an original 16 x 3 rear wheel it would be appreciated, it's currently got a mag type wheel on it.
-- Andy
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,326
Likes: 56,888
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
There's a lot of good advice and some good points made too. Mechanical skills and aptitude will go a long way in operating, maintaining and enjoying a Shovel. And for what it's worth, if you take the time to correct/rectify the problems that contribute to a Shovel "marking it's spot" ( as Tom mentioned most of the leaks are not from the engine ) you'll be assured of a "dripless scooter" . Mine doesn't leak a drop.
Stage II
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Los Altos
Shovels are good bikes and easy to service
I'm not a mechanic by anyone's definition but a properly maintained shovel can be plenty reliable as a daily rider. I inherited a mostly stock 1984 fxwg from my uncle about 5 years ago knowing absolutely nothing about it. With a basic set of hand tools I've been able to keep it roadworthy and dependable. I did a few minor tweaks like cv carb, new ignition module and isolated the primary and she's been pretty much rock solid. The biggest help for me has been the guys over at shovelhead.us.
Agreed, I have owned my 1980FXE (w/kick) for the last 20 years with no mechanical problems. A very reliable sled for daily driving to work and around town. I suggest going to a 47 tooth rear sprocket from the stock 49. She'll do 65 all day long without any problems. Most people are quick to notice Shovels over the newer models and will ask you about them. Mine is essentially stock with a few chrome replacement parts.