1972 FLH Part II
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I have been collecting some nice NOS parts for the project. I now have, a set of NOS original, never used and correct mufflers.....bought seperately. I will sell the aftermarket versions that were on the bike.
I also have found a left handlebar,...NOS, still in original paper wrap. Now I need a right side. The originals on the bike were OK, but he had mounted some accessories that put deep scratches into the metal.
I bought a nice set of new and correct wheel rims....supposedly made in Italy??? They look nice, but not TOO nice....i.e. look very original looking. I will try to salvage the spokes on the rims on the bike. The rims on the bike have pretty deep pitting from rust.
I now have both the Road King and my 77 Vette back roadworthy....so I can start working on the Shovel project.......when I am not out on the road driving / riding. I kinda have a goal of getting the Shovel ready by next spring. We will see....it all depends on lots of things. And I enjoy the project phase....so no rush.
My speedometer has arrived at John Bordas location for rebuild.
I also have found a left handlebar,...NOS, still in original paper wrap. Now I need a right side. The originals on the bike were OK, but he had mounted some accessories that put deep scratches into the metal.
I bought a nice set of new and correct wheel rims....supposedly made in Italy??? They look nice, but not TOO nice....i.e. look very original looking. I will try to salvage the spokes on the rims on the bike. The rims on the bike have pretty deep pitting from rust.
I now have both the Road King and my 77 Vette back roadworthy....so I can start working on the Shovel project.......when I am not out on the road driving / riding. I kinda have a goal of getting the Shovel ready by next spring. We will see....it all depends on lots of things. And I enjoy the project phase....so no rush.
My speedometer has arrived at John Bordas location for rebuild.
Last edited by Shovels & Vettes; Apr 13, 2025 at 05:28 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Just a thought on the spokes...you might consider going to stainless spokes instead of plated ones. Not sure when HD went from cad plating to zinc plating spokes and nipples (my 76 and 78 were zinc plated) but both types suck bilge water. Buchanan sells stainless spokes and nipples.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,158
Likes: 2,565
From: CT/FL
Just a thought on the spokes...you might consider going to stainless spokes instead of plated ones. Not sure when HD went from cad plating to zinc plating spokes and nipples (my 76 and 78 were zinc plated) but both types suck bilge water. Buchanan sells stainless spokes and nipples.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Spokes
Just a thought on the spokes...you might consider going to stainless spokes instead of plated ones. Not sure when HD went from cad plating to zinc plating spokes and nipples (my 76 and 78 were zinc plated) but both types suck bilge water. Buchanan sells stainless spokes and nipples.
I have bought and used Buchanan stainless spokes before,....so they are very nice as well. We will see. One problem I have is the entire idea of lacing wheels....I have never done it, don't have the tools, and also don't know ANYONE locally who does it. Its a problem to solve.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I have ZERO concern about winning any AMCA contests about originality., as I will never attend any judging, or any meets....but I do want the bike to look mostly original. But not a fanatic about it. If I can use the originals that are in the wheels on the bike, I will probably do that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Yeah the plating corrodes way too easily. I cad plated the spokes on my 49 EL, but used Buchanan stainless on the chopped 50 and my 65 FLH.. Whole lot easier to maintain.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I think you guys are right about using Buchanan stainless spokes. There is no doubt about their longevity and lack of corrosion / rust. Maybe I will do it......its only more money!! I just keep trying to resist "upgrading" this bike.......it starts out small, and next thing you know you killed the character of what I love about Shovels in the first place....at least for me.
The best example AND my first experience was my first Shovel, a 1973 FLH......I bought it for nothing and it was beat, and I "upgraded" so much, that it cost me more than a new Harley at the time,....S&S 93 inch engine, all new Andrews gears in the transmission, Softail fuel tanks adapted to the old frame, Barnett Scorpion clutch, Corbin seat, Buchanan rims and spokes, late model Harley handelbar controls......etc etc. It was a great running and reliable bike, but I would go to bike shows and come across an old original FLH, and would think to myself.......MY bike was no way as cool as that old Shovelhead....even though on paper it was a 1973 FLH. I will NOT do that again on this bike, and in fact, I will work hard NOT to do that. Thats where I am coming from......keep the character of what it was in 1972...the way Harley built it, accepts its flaws and weaknesses,.......and I will be much happier with the bike.
The best example AND my first experience was my first Shovel, a 1973 FLH......I bought it for nothing and it was beat, and I "upgraded" so much, that it cost me more than a new Harley at the time,....S&S 93 inch engine, all new Andrews gears in the transmission, Softail fuel tanks adapted to the old frame, Barnett Scorpion clutch, Corbin seat, Buchanan rims and spokes, late model Harley handelbar controls......etc etc. It was a great running and reliable bike, but I would go to bike shows and come across an old original FLH, and would think to myself.......MY bike was no way as cool as that old Shovelhead....even though on paper it was a 1973 FLH. I will NOT do that again on this bike, and in fact, I will work hard NOT to do that. Thats where I am coming from......keep the character of what it was in 1972...the way Harley built it, accepts its flaws and weaknesses,.......and I will be much happier with the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,570
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From: Long Island, New York
As stated by someone else, if you take the stainless steel spokes and sand them or sandblast them before installation, you can take down the shine and from 2 feet away they look like CAD. I did a half *** job of sanding them on my original Flathead front wheel, didn't do enough but at least they were not shiny. On the Shovel I wanted the shine so I left them alone. So much better than rust.
