What to look for ???
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 156
Likes: 83
From: Indiana
What to look for ???
I'm looking at an 83 flh. What do I need to be checking out on this thing ? I have a twin cam, but have no experience with a shovelhead. What issues or problems are there with them. This is going to be a Sunday cruiser, but I still want to make it sound. Not afraid to put time and money in it, to make sound. Not worried about everything being period correct.
Note: not dead set on this particular bike. Looking for a non-AMF shovelhead.
TIA,
Pop
Note: not dead set on this particular bike. Looking for a non-AMF shovelhead.
TIA,
Pop
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 2,173
From: australia
probably first thing is to check if the frame/vin and engine numbers are the same, or does it have a title? next would be has it been modified or is it stock, if not what has been done to it? then see how easy it starts, does it settle into a nice idle without constantly blipping the throtle and does the engine respond to the throttle with out hesitation. Does it blow blue smoke?Do all the electrics work? Next thing i do is check out the overall condition of the bike, rounded off nuts and bolts and mangled up screw heads are a bad sign. look into the inside of the tank, is it rusty? what does the oil look like? Check out mag wheels for cracks. Be prepared to walk away if any of these are not 100% unless you have a good bank manager. Best of luck with it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
My top 4........
There are a few States where frame and engine do not have to match to be roadowrthy and pass DMV check, but most require that in order to avoid having to register the bike as a "special construction" motorcycle, the frame and engine must match the title. So first and foremost for me is the title and VIN# match (1970 and up models).
What does the seller know about the history of the bike.
What modifications have been done.
Does the seller have receipts for the work done.
Lastly you state that you want a non-AMF bike....because why..........Think about it for a minute. The last AMF Shovel came off the assembly line in what 1981 ('82 moCo bought the company back). If an AMF bike is still on the road it is because there were no problems or there were problems and the issues were corrected. If you want a Shovel you are limiting your search to a very narrow field (1966-1969 and/or 1982-1984). Just something to consider is all.
There are a few States where frame and engine do not have to match to be roadowrthy and pass DMV check, but most require that in order to avoid having to register the bike as a "special construction" motorcycle, the frame and engine must match the title. So first and foremost for me is the title and VIN# match (1970 and up models).
What does the seller know about the history of the bike.
What modifications have been done.
Does the seller have receipts for the work done.
Lastly you state that you want a non-AMF bike....because why..........Think about it for a minute. The last AMF Shovel came off the assembly line in what 1981 ('82 moCo bought the company back). If an AMF bike is still on the road it is because there were no problems or there were problems and the issues were corrected. If you want a Shovel you are limiting your search to a very narrow field (1966-1969 and/or 1982-1984). Just something to consider is all.
Last edited by panz4ever; Oct 3, 2019 at 01:30 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,577
Likes: 7,954
From: Long Island, New York
All good advice provided so far. I will add, 40 year old motorcycle, or even a 40 year old car, you are way better off with as close to stock as you can find or afford. I know a guy with an '82 that is immaculate and bone, drop dead gorgeous, stock. It was basically in a dealership museum up to about 4 years ago, then he got her road worthy and has been using her around town. He had her on the Bay early this season, could not get the $12k he wanted for the bike. That bike is the one I would go buy if I was looking for your year range (never mind the AMF stuff, all BS) So I guess your budget is also an issue.
My advice without seeing anything, a $5k Shovel will cost you another $5k to be a safe and reliable rider, even for just around town. Good luck.
My advice without seeing anything, a $5k Shovel will cost you another $5k to be a safe and reliable rider, even for just around town. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
As Panz stated, any AMF bike on the road today has worked through any problems it may have had. We all know AMF cut some corners in the production process but to discount a whole decade of motorcycles because of the management is uninformed IMHO.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 240
Likes: 90
From: Pittsburgh
As stated above and I totally agree. You buy one for five grand expect to put another five into it. I could never recoup the money invested into my shovelhead, but honestly that's not why most of us do it. Good luck
"Still here"
"Still here"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,610
Likes: 3,378
From: Cental, MI
I'm looking at an 83 flh. What do I need to be checking out on this thing ? I have a twin cam, but have no experience with a shovelhead. What issues or problems are there with them. This is going to be a Sunday cruiser, but I still want to make it sound. Not afraid to put time and money in it, to make sound. Not worried about everything being period correct.
Note: not dead set on this particular bike. Looking for a non-AMF shovelhead.
TIA,
Pop
Note: not dead set on this particular bike. Looking for a non-AMF shovelhead.
TIA,
Pop
Who designed the Late [much more oil tight] shovelhead?? who designed the RubberGlides?? including the Vaunted FXR??
Who Designed the EVO??? [and the Nova BTW]
Gonna need a Generator Bottom shovel to fullfill yer self imposed Criteria!!!!
Believing that after the Buy-Back the Bikes Miraculously transformed into ???? Chevy's is ludicrous.. the folks in the buyout couldn't afford to continue the Nova project, let alone change a Damn thing!!!! Oh... except whose hand the Money went into...
Last edited by Racepres; Oct 3, 2019 at 09:09 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 156
Likes: 83
From: Indiana
Ok, as I initially stated, I am not familiar with shovelheads. Wasn't trying to torque anybody off. I figured newer would have more improvements, refinements. The 83 looks pretty stock. I will check on the matching numbers. I didn't think about the AMFs having the bugs worked out. Wasn't sure what all to look for on one. Just had always heard AMFs had issues.
I asked questions, because I genuinely want to learn.
I appreciate any help/ guidance.
Pop
I asked questions, because I genuinely want to learn.
I appreciate any help/ guidance.
Pop
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
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From: la la land jerzey
a real FLH has more value then an FX of a converted FX to an FLH
read up on issues like clutch - smoaking engine - trans ;leaks = oil leaking = this will give you an idea what a great 3rd bike a shovel is
read up on issues like clutch - smoaking engine - trans ;leaks = oil leaking = this will give you an idea what a great 3rd bike a shovel is
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Ok, as I initially stated, I am not familiar with shovelheads. Wasn't trying to torque anybody off. I figured newer would have more improvements, refinements. The 83 looks pretty stock. I will check on the matching numbers. I didn't think about the AMFs having the bugs worked out. Wasn't sure what all to look for on one. Just had always heard AMFs had issues.
I asked questions, because I genuinely want to learn.
I appreciate any help/ guidance.
Pop
I asked questions, because I genuinely want to learn.
I appreciate any help/ guidance.
Pop
If there's any oil present at all and the bike has been sitting a long while it's a pretty safe bet when you start riding it those old dried out gaskets will start failing badly.
Pretty safe bet you'll need the top end freshened up if it's been parked a long while anyway.
Look close at the exhaust pipes coming from the heads for signs of oil and damaged header bolts.
The old dry clutches don't like long term storage either,I'd want to seal off the primary and get a wet clutch pack for it,most guys just let the crankcase vent hose hang under the bike with a small paper filter on the end of it plug off the hole and run enough oil in the case to keep the chain lubed with the chain oiler line and return plugged off.
That also helps keep primary case junk out of your engine oil.
If it hasn't got one already I'd go to an o-ring drive chain when the time comes,if you replace it do the sprockets too,check what's there for wear it may have some life left but if the sprockets are sharp replace them and the chain together.
The wheel bearings are not sealed so I'd highly recommend pulling the wheels to clean and re-grease or replace them and maybe do fresh brake pads while you have it apart.
Fresh brake fluid would also be a good idea and doing a lube on the throttle and clutch cables.
How old are the tires? Good tread may not mean good tires,if they are 5 years old or older get new tires they're not safe .
Last edited by Y2K; Oct 3, 2019 at 08:56 PM.