im looking at buying a shovelhead but I've read ALOT of shovel hate. And how how often it's gonna break down or need rebuilt. So I'm wondering what the average maintenance schedule is for a shovelhead in good condition? How often do you need to rebuild? And what all is involved in that? I can wrench my own and love to wrench but I don't want to spend weeks wrenching and not riding.

I dont want want to be psyched out of buying this sweet bike but I want one I can ride without dropping 3k on it every year. Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

If low miles on rebuild or well maintained, just change your oil often, check for loose bolts and use blue Loctite everywhere and you are good.
If it needs a rebuild do it once, right, and you are good for a long time if you treat it right

 

Ah shovel hate...most of the shovels bad rep comes from the AMF days when the employees that were assembling them were very unhappy. I have seen pics of new shovels on the showroom floor with drip pans under them.

Whether or not the shovel you buy is "sweet" depends on who built it. With modern parts, gaskets, and oil it is very easy to build a shovel that is approaching EVO dependability, and leak free...most of the shovel leaks were from the primary/trans anyway.

 

Thanks for the responses! I'm going to look at it on Sunday. He said it was professionally rebuilt and has 29900 miles but didn't say if that was since the rebuild or not. What should I look/hear (not taste) for on it to see if it will need rebuilt soon or not?

 

If you have doubts try taking the bike to a reputable indy shop for an inspection. Worth an hour's labor. I have an 81 and an 83. Fun to ride and the novelty never wears off. Don't expect to haul down an interstate for hours on end at 70 mph though. They were never designed for that, particularly if 4speed. Best of luck!

 

What is your interstate speed? I don't do a lot of interstate travel but I wouldnt mind hitting 80mph when I did

 

I usually run at 65 and pass when I want but don't cruise at 75.

 

Once you've got the bugs worked out, a little TLC after each ride will ensure years of service. Shovels have a big heart!

 

If it's rubber mounted you can cruise 70-75

 

No rubber mounts on 81 FXB or 83 FXWG. Yes you could probably cruise at higher speed with the FL