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My 93 FXSTS for a 78.
It's the 74" inch which I believe was the anniversary edition.
The guy says it has some buggered up wiring but it all works.
He has a new bendix but hasn't installed it yet and says it is mechanically sound.
He said it has some shade tree splicing and such which I don't have a problem with as long as All I need to do is replace and not figure out what it's for.
I never owned a shovel but worked on a lot of them 30 + years ago.
What can you all tell me about a 78 that I might need to know?
1. Those pipes are going to be loud a hell. If you think an ironhead with drags is loud, you and everyone else in your neighborhood are in for quite the surprise.
2. At some point shortly after you buy that bike, I'm betting you're going to be chasing wiring issues.
I have the same pipes on my 78 shovel 74cu. Yup you need to wear ear plugs when you start and ride it but they sound nice.
Your service manual will frequently reference early 78 and late 78 parts and methods of repair. AMF changed a lot of the build on the 78 models halfway through the year. IT’s not really a big deal but it’s a bit weird. I’m guessing you know all this since you’ve worked on them but I’m just sayin’ Once you go through it and get the bugs out, it’s a hell of a fun ride.
As far as wiring goes. You will want to go through every wire and every circuit as time permits. If anything, for piece of mind. If you know your circuits are all sound, you won’t have to worry about it.
They certainly have a good vibration in that motor at high RPM’s. I love mine and prefer it over my 2014 Ultra-limited for short rides around town for ice cream.
Tom
Last edited by Lowoilpressure; Jan 12, 2022 at 07:25 PM.
I think the 74 cu was the standard motor but they went with the 80cu to try to increase sales. At least that’s what I was told. Bigger motor= more *****= more sales. My 74cu has enough ***** for me. Besides, I don’t ride it too hard.
You can tell the motor size by the number of fins on the jugs. Google or the forum folks can help with that cuz I don’t remember the numbers.
I can't help you determine if that's a fair swap, but if you buy it, after you bring it home, take out the plugs, insert a plastic drinking straw in a cylinder and slowly turn it over with the kicker to measure the stroke. I did that with my 79 FXS and was pleasantly surprised. The VIN said it was originally 74", but someone in the past 40+ years changed the guts to 80".
ps. it would be worth your time to go thru the whole wiring harness and fix what's wrong now, not on the side of the road.
Thanks for the responses so far.
The only thing that makes me hesitant is the wiring. I hate wiring and I would try to bribe guys to take over any bike I was assigned that had a electrical issue.
Normally no one would take me up on my bribe offers and I'd muddle through it but sure didn't enjoy it. They say doing is the best way to learn something, that however wasn't the case for me.
Value wise, probably a fair trade. Is the Shovel cooler, oh yeh all day long.
BUT
You are going form a stone cold reliable as can be Evo that I assume you have fully sorted to a bit of a mess. Wiring can be fixed, but it takes time and patience. Changing carbs takes time, patience and tuning. Tires cost money. Just go into it with your eyes open, she will probably take a full season to become reliable and trust worthy, unlike your current ride. Bike is not stock, so you are not buying into a gold mine.
To quote John, "nice second bike".
If you have the means to buy it and keep your current ride, it gives you the ability to be far more patient. Good luck.
Bit of advice, shovel should be your second bike at our age not your primary. Like a high maintenance woman they like and require regular attention. Wiring isn't that big an issue, replacement harnesses are available or if you have the mindset and the time you do your own, I do with no issues.
You'll pick up vibrations you haven't dealt with before and handle bar buzz can be a bitch on old hands and contrary to what everybody is saying those pipes are baffled, Cycle Shack turnouts, I used to run them in 2" , my issue was with my riding habits I keep grinding the lower lip on them so I went to the tapered version instead.
You don't mind life at 60-65 once cleaned up, tuned and tweaked in a shovel can be a very reliable bike but they do shake.
As someone who got screwed buying a bike without a test ride, I would tell the guy, Ill make the trade with you when you get that bike in running condition.
Dont go from a bike thats rideable to one that might be a good bike. IIRC you are busted up from previous accidents. You should probably be going in the more reliable direction, not less reliable. YMMV.
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Considering a trade.
