1972 FLH
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 2,172
From: australia
Looks like I will be doing a complete restoration.
aint it the way, take off the tank pullout the plugs, next thing you know its a full resto job
keep us informed of your progress with pics
aint it the way, take off the tank pullout the plugs, next thing you know its a full resto job
keep us informed of your progress with pics
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I would like to only have real Harley parts......but in some case I may have no choice. And.....my personal experience with aftermarket parts is that most of the stuff is often better than Harley parts...especially from the AMF years. I have been looking for nice NOS front and rear fender tips....and I did find some new in the box, Harley NOS rear fender tips.....the the quality of the real Harley parts is kinds of marginal. I found it to be true with the NOS mufflers I found.....not as nice as the Aftermarket repros. So.....I have to decide what is acceptable to me and what I want the bike to be in the end. Originally.....I wanted the patina of an old bike....and try very hard NOT to over-restore.....but, that is now up in the air. What I will NOT do is turn this shovel into a MODERN Harley. NO UPGRADES. Did that before....big mistake. It just engineered the COOL right out of the bike. I already have a 2004 Road King that is plenty good.....but it will NEVER be a SHovel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I would like to only have real Harley parts......but in some case I may have no choice. And.....my personal experience with aftermarket parts is that most of the stuff is often better than Harley parts...especially from the AMF years. I have been looking for nice NOS front and rear fender tips....and I did find some new in the box, Harley NOS rear fender tips.....the the quality of the real Harley parts is kinds of marginal. I found it to be true with the NOS mufflers I found.....not as nice as the Aftermarket repros. So.....I have to decide what is acceptable to me and what I want the bike to be in the end. Originally.....I wanted the patina of an old bike....and try very hard NOT to over-restore.....but, that is now up in the air. What I will NOT do is turn this shovel into a MODERN Harley. NO UPGRADES. Did that before....big mistake. It just engineered the COOL right out of the bike. I already have a 2004 Road King that is plenty good.....but it will NEVER be a SHovel.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I have never had any problem stopping my Shovels.....but then again I drive responsibly on the streets, which means at or below the speed limits. Most Harley guys I have had the displeasure to ride with aren't happy unless they are doing 80 mph.......and I simply have no interest in that. In Western PA where I live, with the curvy poor condition two lane roads.....60 MPH is max speed, and then you better be paying attention. And frankly....my idea of riding is to enjoy myself, not racing. So.....I guess it depends on what you consider fun. Modern Harleys might be "better".....by some definition, but not mine. OH...and by the way.....because of the speeds most Harley guys ride.....I ride alone, and like it that way. And....I probably have at least 300,000 miles of riding in my lifetime.
Last edited by Shovels & Vettes; Mar 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I have never had any problem stopping my Shovels.....but then again I drive responsibly on the streets, which means at or below the speed limits. Most Harley guys I have had the displeasure to ride with aren't happy unless they are doing 80 mph.......and I simply have no interest in that. In Western PA where I live, with the curvy poor condition two lane roads.....60 MPH is max speed, and then you better be paying attention. And frankly....my idea of riding is to enjoy myself, not racing. So.....I guess it depends on what you consider fun. Modern Harleys might be "better".....by some definition, but not mine. OH...and by the way.....because of the speeds most Harley guys ride.....I ride alone, and like it that way. And....I probably have at least 300,000 miles of riding in my lifetime.