Shovelheads, high maintance???
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Southeast
Shovelheads, high maintance???
I have been a motorcycle owner and rider for 40+ yrs, but have never owned a Harley. I recently purchased an 81 sportster ( running bike) but must confess my total ignorance with regards to reliability of the shovelhead motor. I have read that the breed is high maintance. Is this true, and if so what are the general ( most often encountered ) issues with this motor?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
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From: SoCal
If you have a Sportster it is not referred to as a Shovelhead.
What you have is referred to as an Ironhead.
The last Sporty I owned for any length of time was a 1971 XLCH and it was a fine motorcycle.
I cannot speak to common issues an '81 Sportster. Sorry.
The name Shovelhead applies to the big twins of that engine family.
There are similarities between the two engines, Ironhead and Shovelhead, but they are very different upon closer inspection.
Sportster's are a blast riding around town. I was never enamored with the bike on extended trips at highway speeds though. They run at higher RPM for any given speed compared to a big twin. Many folks love 'em anywhere they take 'em and they are fully capable of long trips.
I hope that Sporty treats you well.
What you have is referred to as an Ironhead.
The last Sporty I owned for any length of time was a 1971 XLCH and it was a fine motorcycle.
I cannot speak to common issues an '81 Sportster. Sorry.
The name Shovelhead applies to the big twins of that engine family.
There are similarities between the two engines, Ironhead and Shovelhead, but they are very different upon closer inspection.
Sportster's are a blast riding around town. I was never enamored with the bike on extended trips at highway speeds though. They run at higher RPM for any given speed compared to a big twin. Many folks love 'em anywhere they take 'em and they are fully capable of long trips.
I hope that Sporty treats you well.
Last edited by megawatt; Jul 26, 2009 at 08:25 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Most people have trouble with Sportster electrical systems and transmissions. As megawatt stated it is a different animal than the 1966 to 1984 Big Twin also known as a Shovelhead. Sportsters in 81 still used a generator for charging rather than a Alternator that the Shovelheads went to in 1970. The problem with Generators is that they are much more mechanical with more parts to wear out. Sportsters are as the name implies are hotrods compared to a Harley FLH and as such they were usually rode hard which puts stress on a lot of parts. The transmissions are not as robust as the ones on a Big Twin Shovelhead. Sportsters are fun bikes and if you get the factory service manual and parts manual and keep up with the maintenance it should provide you with good service. A minor complaint with Harleys is that if allowed to sit for too long, oil will leak past the check valve and fill the crankcase. On starting it will blow the excess oil out of the breather tube making a mess. It usually stops after a few seconds.
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
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From: Southeast
Thanks for the input!
Thanks to the fine folks who responded to my question. As the sporty is not my main two wheel transportation. ( I normally ride my 06 Vulcan Classic 1600) I can afford for it to have some issues. I am a firm believer in prevenative maintanance, and will try to bring the sporty up to top condition. I think the sporty will be a fun bike to tinker with and use for short trips. Ride safe.
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