Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

71 FLH Shovelhead

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 20, 2018 | 09:52 AM
  #11  
Racepres's Avatar
Racepres
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,608
Likes: 3,375
From: Cental, MI
Default

Originally Posted by not_so_newb
you're welcome ! i really don't know about bag and seat colors , my vague recollection is they were all white , but that wasn't a detail i was interested in at the time .
Don't remember when the MoCo Began offering Painted Fairings/Bags... but Not till at least mid '70's..
hscic; Commuting Huh???
Pardon me... but, I'm Betting there are Better choices for "Daily Transportation" But... Have ya some fun!
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 09:58 AM
  #12  
panz4ever's Avatar
panz4ever
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Default

Think you are comparing apples to oranges on the ratings. It is definitely not junk. It is a nice looking custom so that earns it the 7-8 on looks. On the other hand the seller is way off on the estimate of being 7-8 as far as originality. Think it is closer to a 5 rating.

Need to add that the exhaust and poorly done recovered tractor seat are the first two items that I would address as far as looks.

If you are looking to buy you need to ask for receipts for the work done. Lacking that I would ask for information so that I could talk to the builder.

Noticed you mentioned it is in another part of the state that you are in. Frankly, I would not but this bike without closer inspection, watching it being started and watching it run and shift through the gears. Seems like a road trip could save a lot of buyers remorse down the road. And I would definitely take someone with m me that knows more about them.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 12:35 PM
  #13  
Frog Nuts's Avatar
Frog Nuts
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 219
Likes: 41
From: Seagoville,TX
Default

4 spark plugs,stroker,hum...
S@S wheels or T and O?
Wondering if She might try to keep up with Your Ironhead.
What ignition system does She have..what cam..primary chain er maybe a belt system?
She sure looks nice
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 01:03 PM
  #14  
hscic's Avatar
hscic
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by Architect
My 2 cents as the owner of a 1970.

Bike is far from original. But a nice bike regardless. Using John's pic as reference you can see the multitude of non-original parts. And they all cost money to replace. Obviously not original paint and like John said, if original tins, someone welded all the holes closed for the badges, reflectors etc. If you want an original bike, 1971 is out there for about $12k to $18k depending on condition. If you just want a cool Shovel to ride around on, this one could be it for the right price, which to me would be under $10k based on pics.

Get the VIN# and call Harley Museum, they can tell you what the bike started life as, FL, FLH, FX etc. And the numbers on the frame and motor must match, or now it is worth way less, get a pic of both for yourself.
Thanks I am asking about what is original or not....NOT because I do not trust the seller...I do and the people who know him. It is because I need to know which parts are needed IF I want it closer to original. It will never be original since I will not remove the performance upgrade unless I have mechanical issues with the motor.
 

Last edited by hscic; May 20, 2018 at 01:39 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 01:19 PM
  #15  
hscic's Avatar
hscic
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by Racepres
hscic; Commuting Huh???
Pardon me... but, I'm Betting there are Better choices for "Daily Transportation" But... Have ya some fun!
Yes for commuting...I have other transportation but a motorcycle can use the contraflow lane or the express lanes with no stop and go...so an easy ride to work with no traffic stress.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 01:31 PM
  #16  
hscic's Avatar
hscic
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by panz4ever
Think you are comparing apples to oranges on the ratings. It is definitely not junk. It is a nice looking custom so that earns it the 7-8 on looks. On the other hand the seller is way off on the estimate of being 7-8 as far as originality. Think it is closer to a 5 rating.

Need to add that the exhaust and poorly done recovered tractor seat are the first two items that I would address as far as looks.

If you are looking to buy you need to ask for receipts for the work done. Lacking that I would ask for information so that I could talk to the builder.

Noticed you mentioned it is in another part of the state that you are in. Frankly, I would not but this bike without closer inspection, watching it being started and watching it run and shift through the gears. Seems like a road trip could save a lot of buyers remorse down the road. And I would definitely take someone with m me that knows more about them.
Thanks for the input. The seller did not rate the bike. An experienced person from the dealership who knows the seller gave it that rating so it is his honest assessment....he has nothing to gain by inflating the rating. He was assessing overall condition of the bike especially if it ran well...not if it were all original.

I am working with knowledgeable people at the dealership to get information on the bike.... those that know shovels, pans, and kuckles and have been in the industry for decades.

Yeah I plan to replace the exhaust because it is not chrome lol. I also plan to replace the seat since pogos sit high and I am vertically challenged but need to look more closely when I get it.
 

Last edited by hscic; May 20, 2018 at 01:50 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 01:52 PM
  #17  
hscic's Avatar
hscic
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by Frog Nuts
4 spark plugs,stroker,hum...
S@S wheels or T and O?
Wondering if She might try to keep up with Your Ironhead.
What ignition system does She have..what cam..primary chain er maybe a belt system?
She sure looks nice
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 03:01 PM
  #18  
Frog Nuts's Avatar
Frog Nuts
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 219
Likes: 41
From: Seagoville,TX
Default

Both great bikes.
Find a way to keep both of them then buy another.
Ive heard there's a great deal on a 80 Low Rider somewhere close
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 20, 2018 | 04:56 PM
  #19  
hscic's Avatar
hscic
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by Frog Nuts
Both great bikes.
Find a way to keep both of them then buy another.
Ive heard there's a great deal on a 80 Low Rider somewhere close
Yes great price if you want an 80 Low Rider...you probably can turn it for 2-3x more depending on condition.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2018 | 05:22 PM
  #20  
johnjzjz's Avatar
johnjzjz
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Default




hear is a few i did and owned the black and white is a 1969 X police just sold for 17, the light blue is a 1965 i did last year and is in for some service , the darker blue is one of mine i did years back and preparing for sale its a 1976 FLH
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE