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Yes, I'll admit it. I'm jealous!!!!! Wish someone would give me a basket case with a rebuilt motor!!!!
Depending on where and how big the crack is the tranny case can be welded. If the crack is across the seal face it may be better to get a new case. I see this as being your biggest money pit for now. You need the tranny so this should probably be your first priority.
The sky (and bank book) is the limit for you. Build what suits you. There is so much you can do with this. Set the frame up somewhere you can start hanging and mocking things up.
Start with the stock parts you have. See what works for you, what looks good. Make an inventory of serviceable keep parts/not serviceable not keep parts. Then divide the not serviceable parts into two piles of garbage and trade/sellable.
Make a list of the bike swap meets and start haunting the bike shows you can get to find/trade parts. (you might want to shop that cracked tranny around and find someone who needs one)
An old shovel is never really done. You will find yourself wanting to add/subract things over the years. They are the Lego Blocks of Harley.
I would caution you not to modify any stock parts such as the frame, forks and motor. Hot rodding the motor is one thing, but throwing out cylinders, cases, etc is something else. (unless you have to)
Your bike looks awesome!!!! I would definitely keep the old brakes. Just my personal preference as I love the look. The forks look like late model Showa, but i"m not sure. They look good. Old style swingarm, definitely cool.
Enjoy this bike, it will give you decades of pleasure as mine as given me. Of all my bikes, my nearly 50 year old shovel is my favorite. Just walking over to start her up knowing I"m going for a ride puts a smile on my face.
PS, those are two piece bars on my bike to give you an idea of the look.
that would be nice to ride. im glad it has mid controls. i didnt know flh had mids. are they stock ?. what model is it ?
Well the engine numbers match the frame! I am kind of surprised with all the mix of parts this bike has.
I have the swingarm on but am not sure of the orientation of the axle. Does it insert from the right, or the left?
Oh, I have a pretty nice speedo... And an S&S Super E too!
A lot of cleaning coming up...
Last edited by Maxacceleration; May 12, 2023 at 10:13 PM.
I got the frame VIN# today
2C = FX1200?!? Production number 68xxx H3 = 1973?!?
Looks like a nice project. Two frames for 1973 Shovels. Yours appears to be the later version and that would be consistent with the VIN, provided of course it is authentic. (No offence meant.) Im not sure why 1973 Shovel VINs went that high but Ive seen several at 63+++ thru 71+++. And a few at 91+++ which may have been on replacement cases.
Id expect the lower left rear forging number to be 47654-73 and the lower R-H rear forging number to be 47652-73.
I imagine the gusset plate in front of the left rear downtube is original to the frame. It was fitted as original as of about mid-68 models but it was available as repair part #47261-68 for frames back thru 1958 models.
Blocks at the back of the rear downtubes are not original. H-D attached rectangular two-hole blocks in that area as of 1977 models and they were a bit lower than those.
Swingarm is 1963 or later. Ill guess somewhere from 63 to about early-67 judging by the position of what may be a hose clamp screw? Forging ID may be on both axle clips. For more info about round swingarms heres a link to a thread I started on the Panhead and Flathead forum in 2016.
Regarding the one-piece handlebars you already bought, you could cut them in half to suit the handlebar clamp that came with the bike. Ive done it with several bars over the years.
Eric
Thank you for your knowledge Speeding Big Twin (and everybody's knowledge). I will research. Oh I cringe at the thought of cutting bars in half!
I am collecting a few parts atm, and will be cleaning & scouring what I have. Slow going for a while...
I will keep pics coming to show what I have and for identification.
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