Shovelhead Years / Models
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 452
Likes: 228
From: Northford, CT
Big draw back to the old 4 speed belt drive is lack of ratio options. 33/70 is the highest you can get with it. No shorter belts available from the stock 126 tooth so you aint gonna be able to use 65 tooth pulleys. Chain offers much more flexibility with ratio changes (and ease of changing).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
OddJack don't take this wrong but you have no business around a shovelhead at where you are experience wise.
Go get yourself a twinkie or if you are really feeling frisky an old Evo and get a few years under the belt learning the bare basics about these things and some basic mechanic skills or you are going to find yourself seriously way over your head broke and getting screwed royally.
Only so much the internet can do for this, go meet some people and be around the bikes for a while before getting busy.
Go get yourself a twinkie or if you are really feeling frisky an old Evo and get a few years under the belt learning the bare basics about these things and some basic mechanic skills or you are going to find yourself seriously way over your head broke and getting screwed royally.
Only so much the internet can do for this, go meet some people and be around the bikes for a while before getting busy.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 874
Likes: 159
From: FLORIDA
no not a 68 the 68 is a pan-shovel pan head bottom end and a shovel top, that's a cone motor it came after the pan-shovel
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
OddJack don't take this wrong but you have no business around a shovelhead at where you are experience wise.
Go get yourself a twinkie or if you are really feeling frisky an old Evo and get a few years under the belt learning the bare basics about these things and some basic mechanic skills or you are going to find yourself seriously way over your head broke and getting screwed royally.
Only so much the internet can do for this, go meet some people and be around the bikes for a while before getting busy.
Go get yourself a twinkie or if you are really feeling frisky an old Evo and get a few years under the belt learning the bare basics about these things and some basic mechanic skills or you are going to find yourself seriously way over your head broke and getting screwed royally.
Only so much the internet can do for this, go meet some people and be around the bikes for a while before getting busy.
I know what you mean is getting familiar with mechanics and maintenance of these older engines first to save headaches later. But I dont see why if I get to find a shovel in good shape it couldnt run for couple of thousand miles a year with basic maintenance. The problem is not maintenance really, even if it needs some basic repairs I have no problem calling a mechanic to come over and fix it for me.
The thing I am trying to avoid is buying a shovel that 1- needs major repairs. 2- a shovel that is not what it claims to be by its looks.
You guys can help with #2 the most, Just like you did with the last bike I posted. (After I contacted him again he now says only the frame is 1968).
See I am not familiar with the models and how they look for each year and their differences. It doesnt mean I am a total noob. I crashed the 48 and rebuilt it myself. I do all of the maintenance and basic repairs on my motorcycles and cars myself.
You guys maybe help with #1 ( engine issues) if a video is posted. Many of you have seen and worked on so many of these and are familiar with the frequent issues and how they sound and that's priceless.
I do appreciate all of your inputs and I am learning and that's why I am here. I wish I could somehow compensate for your time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
I think if you get a cone shovel bike there's less to go wrong or maybe just different things but easier to fix and the bike costs significantly less to buy - don't know your budget. My current shovels are a 72 and an 82, the ones before that were an 83 and a 66. They all leaked to a certain extent putting stains where ever I go, especially my garage. You'll be able to resolve it for a while but it'll happen again and either give up trying or go crazy trying. Buying one with a rebuilt engine is a crapshoot at best and I would never buy one thats been stroked and modified extensively unless I knew the seller well and knew his abilities. Finding one that hasn't been thoroughly messed with is difficult but not impossible. And no matter what one you find, no matter how clean and unmolested it is, there will come a time when you have to take the primary off and you'll be up to your armpits in grease, grit, worn out bushings, leaking seals and cobbled repairs you couldn't see until you're in there. You might also question the decision you made to buy one of these bikes when you have more modern ones in the garage. The flip side is the sound and the smile you'll have because they're cool.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 2,564
From: CT/FL
You are lucky the Hidemo Shovelhead is a later cone motor, should be easier to find. FWIW, I bought both of my shovelheads (79 & 82) relatively cheaply ($3500ish) but tore them both down to the frame to fix things and make them reliable enough for long trips. I also bought an all original low miles 1998 EVO powered Dyna for $4000 that I had no problem riding to Florida a few weeks after buying it. There's a guy in Georgia called Joey the Trapper who is selling his low miles 97 Dyna for a good price if you want to go that way. He just dropped the price to $5500 and it's all original except SE exhaust.
Last edited by Joe12RK; Oct 9, 2022 at 08:32 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
You are lucky the Hidemo Shovelhead is a later cone motor, should be easier to find. FWIW, I bought both of my shovelheads (79 & 82) relatively cheaply ($3500ish) but tore them both down to the frame to fix things and make them reliable enough for long trips. I also bought an all original low miles 1998 EVO powered Dyna for $4000 that I had no problem riding to Florida a few weeks after buying it. There's a guy in Georgia called Joey the Trapper who is selling his low miles 97 Dyna for a good price if you want to go that way. He just dropped the price to $5500 and it's all original except SE exhaust.
I had an Evo FXR and sold it. Bought a Shovel FXR and wished I hadn't sold the Evo FXR. Sold the shovel FXR and then I went out and bought the 72 FX for no logical reason whatsoever.
Last edited by hellonewman; Oct 9, 2022 at 08:51 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,604
Likes: 3,375
From: Cental, MI
In my response above I originally suggested he get an Evo but I didn't want to talk him out of a shovel so I edited it. Sometimes you just need to have a shovelhead in your life.
I had an Evo FXR and sold it. Bought a Shovel FXR and wished I hadn't sold the Evo FXR. Sold the shovel FXR and then I went out and bought the 72 FX for no logical reason whatsoever.
I had an Evo FXR and sold it. Bought a Shovel FXR and wished I hadn't sold the Evo FXR. Sold the shovel FXR and then I went out and bought the 72 FX for no logical reason whatsoever.
the Evo is worth the Least...the '72?? the most.. the Shovel FXR will Always hold it's Own!!!
Having said that;
I ride the Evo FXR the Very Most.. maybe the Indian with Sidecar!! A close second.. Shovelhead?? certainly the Least anymore..
But... will Never be without one!!
Last edited by Racepres; Oct 9, 2022 at 09:32 AM.