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1981 Super Glide
odo says something like 9k
A gentleman and his wife hauled it down from AZ in their travel trailer.
Thank you all for your help in choosing.
I like the way it rides and sounds . Have many questions.
Will post a video later.
Mentioned this in another thread, only thing you need is put the air cleaner back on and change the drags out to a set of Cycle Shack or Paughco tapered duals and just ride the crap out that bike as it is, think you'll find it'll grow on you qiuck.
You want the air cleaner to protect the engine and the pipes will give you much better a low end power band and torque, drags look and sound good but a shovel loses low end and has flat spots with them.
Why I quit my little side business and the old bikes, got tired of the dewey eyed rolling in with serious problems always telling me all about what their buddies say is best or having a stack of magazines with page makers to make things more fun. Hand holding just got too much. Younger they were the worse it was too, the old hardheads I could deal with.
Not the sharpest when it comes to the bone stock factory always correct stuff, I'll be the first to admit that. But I am the guy you want if it's been neglected and backyarded to tears with the usual assortment of aftermarket stuff of which half never worked right without serious mods or tweaking.
After I spent 15 days in Europe, and 30 more days traveling around the country in late 1999, I said screw it, quit my job and worked 2 lifts in my garage for almost 2 years. Made plenty of money but I was real picky. Just because you had a bike and money wasn't enough. My rule was, bring the bike, tell me what you want, and leave. I will call you when its done. No hanging around, no partying, nothing. I warranted all work. I totally stopped working on bikes for money side or otherwise in 06. But I do understand why people don't want to work on the older stuff. The garbage work and parts some people use and do is insane, and some people think you are responsible for all the years of neglect because you worked on their bike. That didn't work with me though.
1981 Super Glide
odo says something like 9k
A gentleman and his wife hauled it down from AZ in their travel trailer.
Thank you all for your help in choosing.
I like the way it rides and sounds . Have many questions.
Will post a video later.
Looks like a great find. I wouldn't change a thing yet besides
1. getting an air filter on there asap.
2. Check all fluids, tires, wiring that you can see, give it a good once over checking bolts and for anything out of place
3. Get a Factory Service Manual and a Factory Parts Book
Doesn't take long to warm up. Start it up, make sure nothing is puking, burning or making obvious mechanical failure noises. Once the rocker boxes get warm to the touch go out for a gentle ride for a few miles before winding her good thru the gears (and dont be afraid to wind it out.... NEVER lug the engine!).
Get some miles down. Try and get her up on the interstate for a bit too to see what the "sweet spot" is for your particular bike (no two Shovels are the same even with the same gearing)..... for some it's 60, 65, or 70 etc.... you will know what the "sweet spot is when you are in 4th gear and the bike is humming along at its smoothest. This speed/rpm is a good thing to know for your particular bike.
Take note of how it runs/rides/stops... take note of clutch action. If it's a good one (which it appears to be)... there won't be any major surprises on your first good ride.
After some miles you should do a more thorough inspection. Checking for leaks, any other issues that may pop up after your ride etc.
Once you get even more comfortable with the bike then it's a great time to really look at things like what ignition does it have, popping the spark plugs to have a look at its state of tune, opening up the pushrod tube covers to see whether you have solids or hydraulics, seeing wiring integrity more thoroughly (popping the headlight out and taking a look inside the bucket, taking a look at the wiring under the seat). Getting to know the bike more... learning its quirks, the "sweet spot" etc.
Everyone here will have an opinion on this/that when it comes to things like bars, seats, pipes, forks, controls etc etc etc.... those things are all subjective because those are items that are "beauty in the eye of the beholder".
Last edited by garystaven88; Nov 29, 2022 at 08:51 PM.
First thing I noticed so far... shifts dont "clung" into gears like my 48 or Dyna. It's much smoother and quiet. It has the 4 gear tranny. But it idles louder than the other two and those both have Bassani two into ones.
Looking for an air filter..A minimalistic one that looks closer to what's on it.
First thing I noticed so far... shifts dont "clung" into gears like my 48 or Dyna. It's much smoother and quiet. It has the 4 gear tranny. But it idles louder than the other two and those both have Bassani two into ones.
Looking for an air filter..A minimalistic one that looks closer to what's on it.
Don't choke it with a little clown filter, the classic teardrop S&S for that carb will only add to that bike looks wise.
Suspect that bike a decent runner, add to that with whatever you do.
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First Shovel
