Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

FLH Project Consideration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 20, 2024 | 08:07 PM
  #201  
Maxacceleration's Avatar
Maxacceleration
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 195
From: PNW
Default

A little more progress… Coated exhaust & floorboards mounted.
Finishing the wiring and many details yet to be done.



 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2024 | 01:09 PM
  #202  
Maxacceleration's Avatar
Maxacceleration
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 195
From: PNW
Default

The right side of my bike looks pretty much like a completed bike. The left side an unfinished, not yet wired bike. What it will look like is obvious. Classic FLH IMO.
My refurbish guy and I have been on the same page since the beginning on the outcome of this bike. He improved my ideas and made it a better bike than what I would have done. Modern controls, integrating the exhaust into the ride height of the bike (pipe pulled up and in) and the belt drive/dry clutch. My primary was chunked & repaired... Not sure if it would of held oil so well. I guess this clutch setup may reduce drag also.
The wiring is (will be) custom in a stock fashion & sheathed but very basic. The forks and front caliper & disc is better than I hoped for and refurbished. The 19" front wheel is, to me, is a good modern twist. Maybe not the purist look of 16/16" wheels.
So certain good ideas (in my mind)... No regrets right now. I have a lot to learn, and when it gets to riding stage this spring should be quite the experience. It has a way to go yet for that.
My bolt on and light mods style of bikes, required a refurbish on this bike, a basket case not so long ago.
I have two close riding buddies to go hit the roads for breakfast & lunch rides. We'll see how a 150 mile day goes. Can't wait.



 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2024 | 01:26 PM
  #203  
AJSHOVEL's Avatar
AJSHOVEL
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,511
Likes: 13,826
From: Pa.
Default

Very nice and tastefully done!!!
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2024 | 06:10 PM
  #204  
Maxacceleration's Avatar
Maxacceleration
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 195
From: PNW
Default

Originally Posted by AJSHOVEL
Very nice and tastefully done!!!
Thank you AJ. My vision was pretty much this, but it has come out much more finished than I would have expected. I wanted new bolts throughout, so mostly fresh bolts.
Wanted to keep the juice brake in back, and it cleaned up very well.
Initially I was thinking to go with the stock drum up front, but I hear how horrid the front drum is... Glad there is a disc up front.
Luckily the tins are in OK condition. And surprising the tins that came with this bike - totally off the wall.
Other than that, a pretty basic bike with no excess.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2024 | 07:27 PM
  #205  
Maxacceleration's Avatar
Maxacceleration
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 195
From: PNW
Default

Just to throw some progress pictures together on the left side of this bike. A pretty decent timeline I think.
From barely a roller to just about ready to roll. I could see the stance in it from when I initially bolted it together, but kind of 4x4-ish. I knew what I wanted to do.
Now a stock height in front and low in the rear to get the stance.
I have plenty to do in life, but I am getting anxious to see this bike completed. My friend who's Dad owned the bike is pretty pleased to see his Dads bike come back to life.
He is the only one other than me to have the opportunity ride this bike (oh and my refurbisher lol). I have some great breakfast & lunch rides lined up. ...Local shake down rides first.

Fun comparison...








 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2024 | 09:11 PM
  #206  
Berock's Avatar
Berock
Advanced
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 56
Likes: 27
From: Oliver, BC, Canada
Default

Hey Maxacceleration...

You're my Gasbox exhaust brother... Did you find that the ceramic coating interfered with the slip fit of the rear exhaust pipe at the collector? How did you deal with that? I have flat black VHT waiting for spring... but ceramic is an idea.

I can't wait to hear this exhaust. I'm a big fan of a fully baffled muffler. I can't believe there is so little (like no) information on this system online.

I plug welded the rear clamp directly to the muffler to make it way easier to assemble it all without trashing the finish.

Also: What size 19" front tire is that? Months ago I found that same Japanese FLH custom that inspired your 19" front idea. I had exactly the same thought. Are those 8.5" spokes? I have read a few takedowns of 19" wheels under FLH front fenders, but I don't see the problem. 4.00-18 is also an idea.

Thanks man. Great bike to have there.



 

Last edited by Berock; Mar 1, 2024 at 09:24 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2024 | 12:20 AM
  #207  
Maxacceleration's Avatar
Maxacceleration
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 195
From: PNW
Default

Berock... I have a refurbisher gentleman doing the work on my bike, so he has been the hands on guy. The fitment due to paint was not mentioned other than a superior pipe to the Paugcho pipe. My fitment issue was it wasn't a squish pipe & the floorboard mount had to be modified for the floorboard to fit properly.
Ceramic coatings have been known to be a long lasting finish, I've used it before. Go for ceramic if you can.
The stock cigar muffler sounds pretty oem stock quiet, but apparently the Gasbox version is less baffled... we'll see. Hope it has a bit of note.

Front tire is a 130/60-19. I use a tire comparison chart that works for autos/trucks as well as m/c's. Either a 18" or 19" tire can be found in the proper diameter matching stock diameter and width. V-Twin built my wheels. No other info than that.

I went through dozens of bike photos to get where I did. Ideas brought together. Did not really see a 19" Shovelhead FLH, unless a more chopped bike & no FLH fender. I'm sure they are out there... The idea came from Street Glide sizing.
Mine should be an overall sleeper unless you look it over more. That your bike? ...Looks good.
Thanks for the interest.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2024 | 01:08 PM
  #208  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,442
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by Berock
Hey Maxacceleration...

You're my Gasbox exhaust brother... Did you find that the ceramic coating interfered with the slip fit of the rear exhaust pipe at the collector? How did you deal with that? I have flat black VHT waiting for spring... but ceramic is an idea.

I can't wait to hear this exhaust. I'm a big fan of a fully baffled muffler. I can't believe there is so little (like no) information on this system online.

I plug welded the rear clamp directly to the muffler to make it way easier to assemble it all without trashing the finish.

Also: What size 19" front tire is that? Months ago I found that same Japanese FLH custom that inspired your 19" front idea. I had exactly the same thought. Are those 8.5" spokes? I have read a few takedowns of 19" wheels under FLH front fenders, but I don't see the problem. 4.00-18 is also an idea.

Thanks man. Great bike to have there.



What are you doing for the rear support for that pipe set up ? Looks good by the way.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 5, 2024 | 02:35 PM
  #209  
john lee's Avatar
john lee
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 435
From: australia
Default

Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
What are you doing for the rear support for that pipe set up ? Looks good by the way.
dont like the pipe. is that the stock rear master cyclinder/ looks a fx one
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2024 | 06:15 PM
  #210  
Berock's Avatar
Berock
Advanced
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 56
Likes: 27
From: Oliver, BC, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by john lee
dont like the pipe. is that the stock rear master cyclinder/ looks a fx one

You "dont like the pipe". What? Were you born in a barn? Try to get along with people.
 

Last edited by Berock; Mar 5, 2024 at 06:34 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:22 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE