Getting first Harley
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Getting first Harley
Greetings from Maryland. I am looking for my first Harley, a shovel head. I prefer bike to be as origina as possible. I will be looking at bikes the next Few weekends and need help in what to look for. I’ve worked on bikes and know how to wrench a bit so can check the obvious stuff.
how to tell parts are Harley, does that even matter?
what to look for in the engine and transmission?
Any advice appreciated?
anything or mod to avoid?
how to tell parts are Harley, does that even matter?
what to look for in the engine and transmission?
Any advice appreciated?
anything or mod to avoid?
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
Well, the newest Shovelhead is now 39 years old. Finding one mostly original will not be cheap. Most will have had some changes through the many years. Look at some examples here on the forum and also search for brochures or manuals from the period to see what they look like. There is a lot to this: A guy who likes bikes buys a current model; a guy who likes to do everyday maintenance buys an Evo; a guy who truly likes to work on bikes buys a Shovel. There is virtually no support in many locations and parts are getting harder and harder to find, i.e. O.E.M. or Aftermarket.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
If possible, it would be helpful to take someone with you that is familiar with Shovels. They should be able to tell what is OEM vs aftermarket. As previously stated, these bikes are old and have gone through a few hands. Look for one that the owner has had for a long time and has receipts and service records of what has been done to the bike. Good luck in your search and post up pictures of prospects. Lots of knowledgeable guys on this site that can help.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,232
Likes: 6,168
From: Black Hills
I bought a shovel FXRT survivor this spring and the reality of it is many parts have reached the end of their life and just worn out or broken down by UV. Trying to find OEM parts (even thru the shop) has been a challenge. I decided I'd do whatever I can to preserve the original stock look but have had to go to re-pop parts if I want to get it done in a timely manner. Ted's V-Twin seems to be the best source but many of the parts are made overseas and are not of the same quality as OEM. We've found that to be true on the knuckle and flatty parts as well.
If you can find used OEM you may be ahead reworking them vs. re-pop. In the Hills we don't have many local options unless you happen to run into the right guy who might be willing to help you out with something from his parts stash. Post up what you find, this group always enjoys a build thread. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys around here and they won't steer you wrong.
If you can find used OEM you may be ahead reworking them vs. re-pop. In the Hills we don't have many local options unless you happen to run into the right guy who might be willing to help you out with something from his parts stash. Post up what you find, this group always enjoys a build thread. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys around here and they won't steer you wrong.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 435
From: australia
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 435
From: australia
as said. when i bought my first shovel i took my neighbour who owned 2 at the time to check it out lucky it was stock with low klms its a 80 lowrider bought in 84 and has only 17000 klms
Last edited by john lee; Nov 29, 2023 at 02:33 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
Greetings from Maryland. I am looking for my first Harley, a shovel head. I prefer bike to be as origina as possible. I will be looking at bikes the next Few weekends and need help in what to look for. I’ve worked on bikes and know how to wrench a bit so can check the obvious stuff.
how to tell parts are Harley, does that even matter?
what to look for in the engine and transmission?
Any advice appreciated?
anything or mod to avoid?
how to tell parts are Harley, does that even matter?
what to look for in the engine and transmission?
Any advice appreciated?
anything or mod to avoid?
Knowing what are harley vs taiwan parts are, you need to know what you're looking at which comes with experience (or we point them out).
matching belly numbers, an unaltered vin, a vin that matches the frame if its a post 69 bike. You didn't mention year or version such gen shovel or cone shovel.
Avoid a modified frame and a bored and stroked engine. Some period mods are cool and desirable so I wouldn't walk away from a tastefully modded bike where I could replace those parts if I wanted and do it over time.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 56
Likes: 27
From: Oliver, BC, Canada
Go for it!
I bought my first Harley three months ago... A very original, low mileage '80 FLHS... I have never had so much fun working (well, tinkering, fussing and exploring) on a bike. They are fun and easy to wrench on compared to any other bike I've had -- and you can easily find ANY part you need. I love that the parts manual describes many parts that fit from 1941 to 1984... or '63 to '84... The only thing I don't like is the number of nuts and washers used rather than captive nuts or threaded holes, but that's obviously an engineering holdover -- and engineering holdovers are what make Harleys so great... When I get frustrated (try taking the jiffy-stand bracket off a stock FLH), I remember that I'm really working on a 1940's bike and it's the price of admission.
Beware that it's remarkably easy to throw a few grand at a bike that is basically good... New shocks... upgraded fork internals... New clutch plates because the PO used too much grease on the bearings... etc, etc... You gotta buy just the right seat.... and... hey, what's this?... a brand new GMA rear brake caliper on FB Marketplace... etc, etc...
This economy is about to force a lot of toys on to the market. Hold out for the right one.
I bought my first Harley three months ago... A very original, low mileage '80 FLHS... I have never had so much fun working (well, tinkering, fussing and exploring) on a bike. They are fun and easy to wrench on compared to any other bike I've had -- and you can easily find ANY part you need. I love that the parts manual describes many parts that fit from 1941 to 1984... or '63 to '84... The only thing I don't like is the number of nuts and washers used rather than captive nuts or threaded holes, but that's obviously an engineering holdover -- and engineering holdovers are what make Harleys so great... When I get frustrated (try taking the jiffy-stand bracket off a stock FLH), I remember that I'm really working on a 1940's bike and it's the price of admission.
Beware that it's remarkably easy to throw a few grand at a bike that is basically good... New shocks... upgraded fork internals... New clutch plates because the PO used too much grease on the bearings... etc, etc... You gotta buy just the right seat.... and... hey, what's this?... a brand new GMA rear brake caliper on FB Marketplace... etc, etc...
This economy is about to force a lot of toys on to the market. Hold out for the right one.
