Hello, New guy here with need of build advice
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Hello, New guy here with need of build advice
Hello All Fellow Shovel Owners,
I am new to Shovelheads but an old rider. I am attempting a build with the tech help from a HD mechanic who I work with and owns a Shovel.
I have a titled 78 FXE frame and a set of bare 1980 FXEF 80 cases. My fantasy idea is doing a drop seat castings conversion for 58-64 seat height, I want to sit in the bike not on top. The motor will be 80 8:1, I do have a NOS 87A set of flywheels and have read with a pinion shaft + rod change they could fit in the cases. I would prefer a ratchet top with a kicker, but open to a push button combo with low ratio gears. Telescopic 41mm new style lower legs and 16x3 spoke wheels 130/150 with chain and 11-11 1/2 shocks also with 2 risers and FLSTC 13 bars, so bar height and seat drop mimmic 16 Apes (15) roughly 5 gallon Fatbobs and either a S&S Super E or a Mikuni 42mm.
My travel to/from work is 60 miles round trip highway or through town.
This is the idea, ANY pros or cons are welcome.
Thanks
I am new to Shovelheads but an old rider. I am attempting a build with the tech help from a HD mechanic who I work with and owns a Shovel.
I have a titled 78 FXE frame and a set of bare 1980 FXEF 80 cases. My fantasy idea is doing a drop seat castings conversion for 58-64 seat height, I want to sit in the bike not on top. The motor will be 80 8:1, I do have a NOS 87A set of flywheels and have read with a pinion shaft + rod change they could fit in the cases. I would prefer a ratchet top with a kicker, but open to a push button combo with low ratio gears. Telescopic 41mm new style lower legs and 16x3 spoke wheels 130/150 with chain and 11-11 1/2 shocks also with 2 risers and FLSTC 13 bars, so bar height and seat drop mimmic 16 Apes (15) roughly 5 gallon Fatbobs and either a S&S Super E or a Mikuni 42mm.
My travel to/from work is 60 miles round trip highway or through town.
This is the idea, ANY pros or cons are welcome.
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,569
Likes: 3,324
From: Cental, MI
For Starters the '58 to '64 Drop "Link" frame never came with a frame mounted seat...and I know of None aftermarket... would need to make a Seat that follows the Rails from scratch...and Might gain 1/4 of an Inch...at the back of the seat... nothing at the front!!!
Get a Genuine Harley Mechanic to help ya with an Engine... I use Shovel stuff in My Shovels
Transmissions are Not rare either Ratchet top or Cow Pie... But, Baker makes the most Premium of Ratchet Top Trannies!!!! Get yer Moldy Money out!!!
Finally short shocks will eat your Electric start Housing in short order.. Or...Kick Only...agin for Kick, O.E. or Baker... Chiwanese **** is for looks!!!!
see if you can get JohnJz to help ya...
Get a Genuine Harley Mechanic to help ya with an Engine... I use Shovel stuff in My Shovels
Transmissions are Not rare either Ratchet top or Cow Pie... But, Baker makes the most Premium of Ratchet Top Trannies!!!! Get yer Moldy Money out!!!
Finally short shocks will eat your Electric start Housing in short order.. Or...Kick Only...agin for Kick, O.E. or Baker... Chiwanese **** is for looks!!!!
see if you can get JohnJz to help ya...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
frame idea - not going to happen
the flat lay down in the pocket seat - mustang and others will fit the bill - search the net seats shovel / pan
the front trans sprocket is the killer in lowering the bike BUT your disc braking the rear so small rear small front will get you in the right gearing - to be discussed
87 does not have a removable sprocket shaft shovel primary's are going to be a thing unless you belt drive the front -- start over what the bike in the drive line going to look like all of it
evo rods are different then the shovel - because the piston design is completely different - dome verses flat top verses open combustion chamber verses semi hemi
some stuff can be mixed some things just cant for design reasons
lay out the entire machine everything the guys will getyou straight in what does and what does not work
the flat lay down in the pocket seat - mustang and others will fit the bill - search the net seats shovel / pan
the front trans sprocket is the killer in lowering the bike BUT your disc braking the rear so small rear small front will get you in the right gearing - to be discussed
87 does not have a removable sprocket shaft shovel primary's are going to be a thing unless you belt drive the front -- start over what the bike in the drive line going to look like all of it
evo rods are different then the shovel - because the piston design is completely different - dome verses flat top verses open combustion chamber verses semi hemi
some stuff can be mixed some things just cant for design reasons
lay out the entire machine everything the guys will getyou straight in what does and what does not work
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
frame idea - not going to happen
the flat lay down in the pocket seat - mustang and others will fit the bill - search the net seats shovel / pan
the front trans sprocket is the killer in lowering the bike BUT your disc braking the rear so small rear small front will get you in the right gearing - to be discussed
87 does not have a removable sprocket shaft shovel primary's are going to be a thing unless you belt drive the front -- start over what the bike in the drive line going to look like all of it
evo rods are different then the shovel - because the piston design is completely different - dome verses flat top verses open combustion chamber verses semi hemi
some stuff can be mixed some things just cant for design reasons
lay out the entire machine everything the guys will getyou straight in what does and what does not work
the flat lay down in the pocket seat - mustang and others will fit the bill - search the net seats shovel / pan
the front trans sprocket is the killer in lowering the bike BUT your disc braking the rear so small rear small front will get you in the right gearing - to be discussed
87 does not have a removable sprocket shaft shovel primary's are going to be a thing unless you belt drive the front -- start over what the bike in the drive line going to look like all of it
evo rods are different then the shovel - because the piston design is completely different - dome verses flat top verses open combustion chamber verses semi hemi
some stuff can be mixed some things just cant for design reasons
lay out the entire machine everything the guys will getyou straight in what does and what does not work
Why not the frame mod? It only drops seat height .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,054
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
You would need the drop link forgings and seriously cut the frame apart. The upper shock mount is at that forging so it needs to be strong and done right and you'll need to replace the two upper tubes that run from the seat tube forging to the drop links.
Probably better off back halving the frame with a weld on hard tail.
Probably better off back halving the frame with a weld on hard tail.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
one of 6 things to consider - bringing it up if your using fat bob tanks - are you -- reason you need to set in motion the entire bike you have not done this before and I hate to type words
the top frame bar angle will become different enough that the dash will not fit to the top of the gas tank it will stick up
the back bone cross top clamp and the top tube becomes shorter to the up right tube -- I could continue but you need a frame machine to correct what is not effed up until you start cutting
but hey go for it just send pictures we love pictures especially hack saws and frames
the top frame bar angle will become different enough that the dash will not fit to the top of the gas tank it will stick up
the back bone cross top clamp and the top tube becomes shorter to the up right tube -- I could continue but you need a frame machine to correct what is not effed up until you start cutting
but hey go for it just send pictures we love pictures especially hack saws and frames
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Frame mod
The drop seat idea is for to use a set of castings and tubes to drop the angle where it starts to wishbone into the seat rails with added length to compensate for the drop at the rear with the shock and fender mounts an 1-1. 1/2. Nothing forward of the seat and an adjustable swing arm mounts that will be welded up after finding the level stance. This only drops the seat height nothing else.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,569
Likes: 3,324
From: Cental, MI
The drop seat idea is for to use a set of castings and tubes to drop the angle where it starts to wishbone into the seat rails with added length to compensate for the drop at the rear with the shock and fender mounts an 1”-1. 1/2”. Nothing forward of the seat and an adjustable swing arm mounts that will be welded up after finding the level stance. This only drops the seat height nothing else.
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