Is there anything specific I should look for in this year. Any known issues beyond the normal stuff?


Thanks

 

Suggestion....take someone with you that knows something more about Shovels than you.

It probably will have had at least one top end done (depending on total miles).

The usual things include matching VIN# and frame, maintenance records, history of the bike, ease of starting (electric and kick), wiring isn't all boogered up (might be hard to ell because the majority of the wiring is stuffed in the headlight housing).

Price depends on condition and originality, the closer to stcok, the higher the price (usually).

Is the speedometer original? Lots of sellers calim a bike as low miles by pointing out the speedometer to you. Aftermarket speedos do not have "Harley Davidson" anywhere on them.

Good luck on your pursuit.

 

I appreciate the comment. I have had some experience with old bikes, but no shovels.


I guess I am more asking about things that are model year specific like the whole lifter, twin cam deal or other weird stuff like weaknesses in the cases, specific bearings that are known to die if not upgraded. That sort of crap. I figure by 1980 they pretty well had that stuff worked out of the shovels.

 

All year shovels had quirks, early years just had a few more is all. Lets face it unless you find one thats been sitting in someones garage covered the last 37 years chances are all the little stuff has been addressed. Do a thorough look over and inspection and expect to do some work on the usual wear & neglect items, engine & trans wise it depends solely on past owners, miles and care.

 

If it's a 4 speed check for leaks at the main shaft. Mine currently is under the knife getting a new bushing. I only had it out once since I bought it, for a 5 mile ride and parked it for a few minutes and had a puddle on the ground the size of a grape fruit... Was qouted $1000 to r&r and make a new bushing..... Not what I wanted to hear....... It's a 77 FXE.

 

Now that I have owned a few shovels after owning and building about 50 ironheads over the last 40 years - I would not buy a 79-up shovel - the bikes are cobbled up right from the factory - even the frames are slight of build (IMHO) - I am particularly unhappy with the setup for the tranny - with the double link shift levers - and even with re-engineering the shift cover bushing and improvements the tranny is still not as smooth or user friendly as the ratchet top - it seems like HD started adding "improvements" in about 1979 that were NOT improvements but a cobblers brew of quick fixes or attempts to move the engineering forward - you've got to see the long cable around the rim of my 20 pound rear rotor to stop "squeal" - it is a masterpiece of nonsense. hope that cable dont snap and get caught in the hub on the hiway - do yourself a favor - buy a 1973-1978.5 bike - they are cheap - great to work on - and are pretty consistent in parts and engineering - ferg

PS - hgere's my 81 FLH - rebuilt from the crankpin up - 4 grand if you want to buy it - no leaks - clean - belt drive - and all original belt primary specific parts