Hey everyone. My name is Patrick and I live in Baton Rouge, LA. My friends call me Patrick, Pat, PJ, Paddy and even PaddyCake thanks to my wife. I've ridden motorcycles for about 25 years. My first Harley was a 1998 Sportster Hugger bought new while working at the Mobile, AL Harley shop (Patton HD at the time). I owned it for about a month when it was stolen from in front of my apartment. I used the insurance money and purchased a 1992 FXRS-Conv which I rode for the next 4 years. I sold that bike to pay off some debts. I still regret that to this day. A few years ago I picked up a dream bike for me. A shovelhead. It's titled as a 1971 Harley FXE, but in truth it's a hodgepodge of parts sitting in a vintage Santee frame. I will be keeping this one for sure. I've actually already started on this, but here are the pics of what she looked like when I got her. I'll be posting some updates over the next few days to bring this thread current to where she is now. I hope you enjoy the ride as I make her my own.

-P

EDIT: I'm adding my goals and to do lists. Some of these are already done and I will go ahead and mark them off as completed.

Green = Completed
Black = To be Done
Red = Other

1. New Tires - Front and Rear
2. Rebuild or Replace rear Brake Caliper
-Tried to rebuild-Totally shot-Ordered and replaced new set.
3. Rebuild or replace rear brake master cylinder.
-Rebuild did not work - Replaced
4. Check Drive Chain and sprockets - Adjust
5. Clean Refurbish Fuel Tank
-Tank was rusted out inside and had a terrible "Cream" job. I scre
6. Change in line fuel filter
7. Change Oil and Filter
8. Change Trans Oil
9. Change Points and Condenser
10. Change Spark Plugs and Wires
11. Set timing
12. Change Air Filter
13. Order New Fuel Tank
14. Clean and Prime New Fuel Tank
15. Order and Install new PetCock
16. Check Primary Chain - Adjust
17. Adjust Headlight
18. Figure out Rear Fender
19. Install new Tail Light / License Plate Bracket
20. Acquire and Install Springer Front End
21. Rebuild S&S Super E Carb
22. Order / Install New Throttle Cables
23. Swap to S&S Super E Shorty Carb
24. Figure Out New Bars for Springer
25. Figure Out New Seat Configuration
26. Replace Rocker Oil Lines and Push Rod Clips - Brass
27. Header Wrap Pipes?
28. Brass Exhaust Tips?
29. New Brakes For Springer Front End.
30. Order/Install Light Bucket for Springer Front End
31. Frame Off Paint Bike
32. Rewire Bike during Frame Off Paint
33. Change Starter



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame. Looks ok in the pic, but the Yellow is hideous.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame. Dry clutch.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame. Too large of a gap between the rear wheel and rear fender.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame. Old Harley Chicken air cleaner on an S&S super B.



'71 ish FXE in Santee Frame. Kick and electric start.

 

You got to start somewhere ... I particularly like the "vent hose" ( maybe a return line? ) coming out of the oil tank cap.

As long as you own a Shovel you'll always have something to keep you busy. Ride On !

 

LOL yep... I'll explain that in a later post. Unbelievable what P.O. will do.

-PJ

 

Hi Pat, I'm in St.Francisville and just singed up today also, I'll be watching as you change her up, I've got an 81 FXWG I'll start on soon, right now I trying to put a Friends 79 FX back together and make it an FLH, Later.

 

Should be very interesting.... Thanx for the opportunity.....

 

Look at the oil in the pipes, motor has enough blow by I'll bet money it popped that cap like a champagne cork without that tube.


OP, you got yourself a project alright and trust me what I see rigged on that one is nothing to some I encountered over the years. They can say what they will about the old shovels but they were the most forgiving bike ever made for the average clueless broke owner.

 

looks like a fun project, but you probably know there isn't much if anything 1971 about that bike... looks like a lot of FXS Low Rider parts on it. enjoy and thanks for the pictures that I can see at work!

 

Hi There,

Subscribed to this thread! Looking forward to watching your progress.....

I'm building a 1980 FXWG, so enjoying all of the shovelhead build threads and learning opportunities here.

 

You definitely got your work cut out for ya. I anxious to see what you do with her. Have fun.

 

Good on you for tackling "Tweety" there...following along for the transformation. Good luck & enjoy wrench'n on that sweet ride!