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1340 Shovel intro was a mid model year offering, 1978 1/2 on the FLH. The FX models got it I think first in 1979, both 1200 & 1340 FX series bikes could be had. The 1200 continued to be offered side by side with the 1340 maybe into 1980, that can be checked. My non-matching 76 has a 1978 1/2 1340 with trans outta an FLH. Its grown larger than that with a mild S&S stroker kit.
I dont know about the USA but that made the local radio news here in Australia. I remember sitting at the traffic lights and it came over the last part of the bulletin (usually where the cat up a tree rescue story goes) HD were increasing from 1200cc to maintain having the largest capacity bike for sale.....funny how you remember silly stuff
& note,
Many say you can tell if you have an 80''or a 74'' shovel by counting the number of fins on the cylinders,either 9 or 10 fins.
you cannot tell this way,
I have had several 1200 (74'') shovels with either 9 or 10 fins, during the changeover years, they just used what was in stock & bored them to 74'' or 80'' as required.....
& note,
Many say you can tell if you have an 80''or a 74'' shovel by counting the number of fins on the cylinders,either 9 or 10 fins.
you cannot tell this way,
I have had several 1200 (74'') shovels with either 9 or 10 fins, during the changeover years, they just used what was in stock & bored them to 74'' or 80'' as required.....
Ive been pretty sure and have been looking for Harley print ads or at least HDs own reference.
Here are 3 sources that list both displacements for the 1980 year. The JD Power / NADA list both displacements individually in the FX & FL bike valuations.
Why do I keep looking? I had a 79 1200 FXEF, then I took notice with a little envy of the bigger engine. Im certain both were sold in 1980, last of the 74s.
When I try to up load the URLs Im getting invalid file. So maybe this will work.
the recently 'late' Fred Warr (RIP), of the Kings Road in London who's father opened the oldest HD dealership still going in London England in 1924, told me many YEARS ago that for the best overall performance from a Shovel, without causing other problems, was an 83'' stroker kit,
not that big but you get the best all round performance outa one,... & the old boys are usually right,...... if i wanted fast, I'd get a ZZR1100 Kwacker !!
the recently 'late' Fred Warr (RIP), of the Kings Road in London who's father opened the oldest HD dealership still going in London England in 1924, told me many YEARS ago that for the best overall performance from a Shovel, without causing other problems, was an 83'' stroker kit,
not that big but you get the best all round performance outa one,... & the old boys are usually right,...... if i wanted fast, I'd get a ZZR1100 Kwacker !!
I believe this is the afore referenced stroker kit 84. This is what Im running with the matched pistons, 450S cam & shorty E carb. Compression is 8.5 The Dyna 2000i is set on the more aggressive advance curve no. 2. The seat of the pants dyno says this mild stroker engine is a world away from the 74 I once had. The 450S Its a torque cam with a broad spread from 1500-4500 rpm. I love flattening hills while listening to the engine. The 74 had a Sifton cam & head work with an SU carb. Always kicked over easy enough after ditching the E starter. It never pulled like the shovel I have now. Long term reliability being mentioned and essential, this meant there has to be no pain or regrets down the road from my parts selection to add some real oomph.
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