Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Issue with 4 speed trans fitment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2021 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
Vec's Avatar
Vec
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 561
From: Kerrville, Texas
Default Issue with 4 speed trans fitment

Got a buddy having an issue with a basket case 67FLH he is building..

the Transmission case has no cutout notch for clearance of the swingarm..
Trans is supposed to be 1980 shovel 4 speed..

here are the pics he sent me, any ideas?

all the pics I have looked at there shod be a half moon cutout to clear the swingarm.








 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2021 | 09:43 PM
  #2  
Professor Fate's Avatar
Professor Fate
Road Captain
Veteran: Navy
5 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 521
Likes: 635
From: Gainesville FL
Default

Looks like that transmission has been repaired sometime in its life. Can't you just take a carbide burr and build a new notch?
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2021 | 11:11 PM
  #3  
Tee&Vee's Avatar
Tee&Vee
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
Default

Not the answer you're looking for but I much prefer the 1967 ratchet versus that cowpie.
I have a rotary in the basement, I can take a pic for you tomorrow.

The tapered shaft may be too long if it's stock to the yom of that tranny case.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 05:41 AM
  #4  
Vec's Avatar
Vec
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 561
From: Kerrville, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Tee⋁19882741
Not the answer you're looking for but I much prefer the 1967 ratchet versus that cowpie.
I have a rotary in the basement, I can take a pic for you tomorrow.

The tapered shaft may be too long if it's stock to the yom of that tranny case.
I know this is the only transmission he has to work with... can you elaborate on the tapered shaft ?

thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 05:47 AM
  #5  
oldbie's Avatar
oldbie
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 2,863
From: IL
Default

Swingarm on a 1980 is different than a 1967, so the swingarm mount may be too. If the half moon wasn’t necessary the factory would have eliminated it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 06:54 AM
  #6  
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

The early and late are the same mounting but not yours

what year engine 4 different shafts were used



 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 07:04 AM
  #7  
Vec's Avatar
Vec
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 561
From: Kerrville, Texas
Default

I'll check, but I'm pretty sure the engine is a pan/shovel
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 11:14 AM
  #8  
panz4ever's Avatar
panz4ever
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 3,729
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Default

That cut out remained even for late-model Shovelheads. Your case is 4/80 (April, 1980). Looks like someone may have cut the tabs off at one time (or they broke off) and then welded a plate back on. You are definitely going to have to notch it.

The back side would have looked like this




John's pics are perfect re: early and late model transmission cases using the e-start system.

Can you post a pic of the front side as well where the part was added?












 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 05:39 PM
  #9  
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

Flat side pan engine up to 1964 took the same shaft from 1936 on to 1964

then the flat side 1965 pan head and the 1966 to 1969 used the medium longer shaft then the early - then 1970 to late 1980 used the next size shaft

they do mix and match the engine that you have - you need some pictures of the left side case block off the numbers after the FL FLH what ever it has
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2021 | 06:51 PM
  #10  
Vec's Avatar
Vec
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 561
From: Kerrville, Texas
Default

Good info is coming I... I really appreciate the replies... his motor is a 67...

I am forwarding this info his way.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:06 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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