im going to look at a 79 FL? later this week. the motor is from a 76 that is in poor condition. the 76 motor is freshly rebuilt and runs strong he says

so the numbers dont match (belly and frame) is this a big deal or is it only an issue when you go to sell it

he has the motor for the 79 but says it is in need of being rebuilt

what else should I be looking at
he said it has a belt primary, aftermarket ignition and coil

the 79 bike is titled and registered currently

 

Think you mean the frame and the engine number are not matching (belly numbers are just production numbers).

In some states frame and engine do not have to be matching in order for it still to be reigistered as a harley davidson motorcycle. In California (can't speak to other states) non-matching means it is registered as a SPCN (special construction) motorcycle and is no longer considered a Harley Davidson. A blue tag is applied to both the frame and motor and the bike becomes the year it was taken to DMV to be reigistered.

 

Yes I mean the frame and engine numbers

 

Take both engines in the deal. Run the '76 while you rebuild the '79 then swap them and sell the '76. Matching numbers are desirable and will command a higher price down the road. If you don't care and you're going to hang on to it then it really doesn't matter much.

 

That is basically my plan.

 

All depends on how much? '79 Shovel in running decent shape is only about $6k, assuming overall appearance is less then stellar. So what does this guy want? To rebuild the '79 motor is going to be about $5k, plus whatever the purchase price etc, etc. Unless he is willing to give it up for $2k or less, you may be opening a can of worms. Good luck with your decision.

 

also to consider - the 1976 is a 74 inch engine - the 79 is an 80 inch motor and yes t makes a difference if your a HWY guy

gearing up a 74 to do hi speed only works as a bobber not a dresser

 

thanks for the info and advise everyone

I am going to look tonight. I am considering making an offer on both bikes if they are like he says. So one is a 79 fl with the motor from the 76 installed, this bike apparently is in road worthy condition. The other bike is a 76 that is complete except for a wiring harness and ignition system and sounds like it hasnt run in a while. Then there is the original motor out of the 79 that needs rebuilt. I am thinking of making an offer on all the listed parts.

 

well im now a shovel head owner

Purchased the 79 fl. I rode it home and it ran really well. It does has the motor from the 76 installed. It has a rivera primo primary belt and the clutch feels great, dyna ignition, big corban seat pillow seat, S&S super E. Runs and shifts really well.

It does have a lot of surface rust and chrome piting (but more than likely I am going to take a lot of that stuff off anyway). It has an exhaust leak from the rear cylinder <where the pipe bolts to the exhaust port (single bolt) and the carb feel good when riding but it has some minor hickups when returning to idle after hot.

Here is the rest of the story, I ended up getting the motor from the 79 and the almost complet (maybe) basket case 76 fl

i will post up some pics later, super excited.

 

oh yea, and it has gma brakes which seem to work pretty good