Need some info!
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Need some info!
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1980 FLH Shovelhead with 16k miles for $5k.
Tires are good, has lots of extra chrome, S&S Super E carb wtih accelerator pump and solid lifter Cam.
The bike has been sitting for a few years. We went over put new gas in it and it started right up once we got it jump (needs battery). I know this bike is a shaker...
The tank has a small gas leak (cracked where it mounts) and a small crack in the rear fender. The bike comes with a new gas tank and rear fender. Obviously the bike will need to cleaning up with the carb and accelerator pump, plugs etc...
My questions are, do you think this bike is worth it??
Also, am always told people have to constantly wrench these old shovelheads, what exactly needs to be wrenced?? Do the bolts just come loose from shaking or do valves, carb or other parts needs to be constantly adjusted?
Over all the bike is very clean.... thanks for your input..
Tim
Tires are good, has lots of extra chrome, S&S Super E carb wtih accelerator pump and solid lifter Cam.
The bike has been sitting for a few years. We went over put new gas in it and it started right up once we got it jump (needs battery). I know this bike is a shaker...
The tank has a small gas leak (cracked where it mounts) and a small crack in the rear fender. The bike comes with a new gas tank and rear fender. Obviously the bike will need to cleaning up with the carb and accelerator pump, plugs etc...
My questions are, do you think this bike is worth it??
Also, am always told people have to constantly wrench these old shovelheads, what exactly needs to be wrenced?? Do the bolts just come loose from shaking or do valves, carb or other parts needs to be constantly adjusted?
Over all the bike is very clean.... thanks for your input..
Tim
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Need some info!
Looks like a good deal at that price. I'm a little skeptical of the mileage only because of the cracked tin. 16k is not a lot of miles to be stress cracking the tank/fender. I'm also not a fan of solid lifters, modern hydraulics are relatively maintenance free and were original on this bike. That being said, yes they shake but put together well with locktite blue, you shouldn't have things falling off. Do a compression test, test ride, and inspect well.I love shovels and at that price would definitely consider buying it. Looks well kept.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: S.E.PA
RE: Need some info!
ORIGINAL: Timboto
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1980 FLH Shovelhead with 16k miles for $5k.
Tires are good, has lots of extra chrome, S&S Super E carb wtih accelerator pump and solid lifter Cam.
The bike has been sitting for a few years. We went over put new gas in it and it started right up once we got it jump (needs battery). I know this bike is a shaker...
The tank has a small gas leak (cracked where it mounts) and a small crack in the rear fender. The bike comes with a new gas tank and rear fender. Obviously the bike will need to cleaning up with the carb and accelerator pump, plugs etc...
My questions are, do you think this bike is worth it??
Also, am always told people have to constantly wrench these old shovelheads, what exactly needs to be wrenced?? Do the bolts just come loose from shaking or do valves, carb or other parts needs to be constantly adjusted?
Over all the bike is very clean.... thanks for your input..
Tim
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1980 FLH Shovelhead with 16k miles for $5k.
Tires are good, has lots of extra chrome, S&S Super E carb wtih accelerator pump and solid lifter Cam.
The bike has been sitting for a few years. We went over put new gas in it and it started right up once we got it jump (needs battery). I know this bike is a shaker...
The tank has a small gas leak (cracked where it mounts) and a small crack in the rear fender. The bike comes with a new gas tank and rear fender. Obviously the bike will need to cleaning up with the carb and accelerator pump, plugs etc...
My questions are, do you think this bike is worth it??
Also, am always told people have to constantly wrench these old shovelheads, what exactly needs to be wrenced?? Do the bolts just come loose from shaking or do valves, carb or other parts needs to be constantly adjusted?
Over all the bike is very clean.... thanks for your input..
Tim
Sounds like a deal with 16k (make sure the speedo works : )
I don’t like solid lifters myself but that’s me, I want to ride more spend less time adjusting
Shaker ? I have a fxs never had any “cracks in my tank or fender”
Take out the oil dip stick, check for any gas smell, if it has any it has a miss and was most likely put anyway with it still not fixed.
If you still buy it dump the oil and take out that original lame oil (horse hair filter) cartridge in the oil tank, at least get a newer drop in cartridge without the original container bs unit, I don’t know for sure if HD used a spin off oil filter (mounted on the rear of the transmission mount and in front of the rear tire, but get one, approx $55 still available (believe it or not thru HD) or someone with new old parts.
What you will be wrenching with is first, is those solid lifters, loose them unless you want to race it : - )
Wrenching to me over the years was more like just keeping an eye on things, don’t let things go, there will be a time when things go like a clutch, this is the time to replace it with a good after market one as an example, but if the speedo is true it only has 16k on it, that means you have at least another 10 to 15k left before getting a top end job on it, you see in ’80 hd didn’t have the valves down right, it was a transition year where the federal government mandated a change from “lead” added gas to “non-lead” gas those “stock valves” don’t like non lead (non-lubricating) gas, sorta like what the freaking gov is doing now, with that crap added to gas called “Ethanol” we shouldn’t be burning freaking FOOD in our gasoline fired engines !
Anyway enjoy it and don’t beat it,
Good luck, ride safe,
cj
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RE: Need some info!
Actually the bike does have an oil filter relocation kit, oil cooler and Hi performace clutch...
Ok, I'll have to look into those lifters and see... maybe I'll change them out...
He said it is a screamer...
Ok, I'll have to look into those lifters and see... maybe I'll change them out...
He said it is a screamer...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Need some info!
Sounds like you are ready to get it. It has a lot of good options and seems to be in good shape.I'm a little jealous even though I have an Evo chopper I still have good memories of riding my old 80flt shovel I sold 12 yrs ago. Hope you have years of fun with it!
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RE: Need some info!
I would be all over that deal at $5K for a FLH that looked that good. My FXE has a rebuilt motor(Top end and bottom, Hydraulic andrews cam BH)in it and I got a great deal on it. They do vibrate a little more then the modern stuff, but I like it. I have put 1000 miles on mine and have not had really any problems. My advice is to take it for a ride and see if you can find anything wrong with the motor or tranny. Then buy it....or someone else will!
Some other things to watch out for.....Rubber. Time is really hard on rubber when these old girls sit. Check you hoses and tires good and replace. Mine broke the fuel line in the first 50 miles....the dealer gave me hose to replace (there are nice dealers out there). My back tire was also cracked some, so I got a new one put on a Dunlop 404 (which is a cheap/light tire but it works)and new HD tube.
Some other things to watch out for.....Rubber. Time is really hard on rubber when these old girls sit. Check you hoses and tires good and replace. Mine broke the fuel line in the first 50 miles....the dealer gave me hose to replace (there are nice dealers out there). My back tire was also cracked some, so I got a new one put on a Dunlop 404 (which is a cheap/light tire but it works)and new HD tube.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11
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RE: Need some info!
I can't really add to the already good advice I see here. Just have to agree and say I think it's a good deal. Yes they shake but it's a small price to pay for a shovel!
Gotta say to Dejavu, Amen to your thoughts about someone with akicker only bike! I've been left in the parking lot more than once!! Sucks!! Still don't have a starter button though!
Weeze
Gotta say to Dejavu, Amen to your thoughts about someone with akicker only bike! I've been left in the parking lot more than once!! Sucks!! Still don't have a starter button though!
Weeze