Buying a Shovel??
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 12
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Buying a Shovel??
Hey guys. I am in the process of buying a 78 Super Glide. The bike has about 34 thousand miles on it and it looks to be in good shape. I currently own a 86 xl and really like the Evo alot. Evo's just seem bulletproof, they just keep on running. I guess what I am asking is, will I be happy with the Shovelhead, or after owning a Evo bike will I start to bang my head against the wall owning a Shovel. I ride about 2-3000 miles a year, and like to tinker with my bikes, but don't have the cofidence to tackle the really big jobs?
Let me know what you guys think.
Scooter
Let me know what you guys think.
Scooter
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 583
Likes: 5
From: Maine
RE: Buying a Shovel??
I think you are buying an antique. I love my shovel but I also work on it. If you want something that you are just going to get on and ride, I would look at an EVO or a TC. That doesn't mean that a shovel can't provide you with the same but I wouldn't expect it.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Florida
RE: Buying a Shovel??
There are more maintenace issues with Shovels, but a respectful owner can get thousands of miles out of one with out spending time on the side of the road. Get on good terms with local repair guys and have it checked out. Read all the service books on that bike. It is not a very complicated machine. Tinkers can do most adjustments and light repairs. Like springer_ said, If you just want to jump on and ride, get the newest bike you can find. A low mileage, 20 year old bike has lots of life left. Years of non use may lead to some leaking gaskets. If the price is right tell me where I can go get it 
!
!
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
RE: Buying a Shovel??
I own an AMF 81 FXE...... biggest piece of crap that ever got crated.
However...... after a lot of breakdowns (I don't know what they're teaching the kids these days at motorcycle repair school?) I finally found a "shovel mechanic", and take my word for it, you need to have a shovel mechanic, someone who loves them as much as you. After a major teardown, balanced and trued I wouldn't trade it for any evo on the street. There's just something about the shovel that is hard to put into words. I've ridden ironheads and evos, but nothing "feels" like a shovel.
My two cents!
Mikey
However...... after a lot of breakdowns (I don't know what they're teaching the kids these days at motorcycle repair school?) I finally found a "shovel mechanic", and take my word for it, you need to have a shovel mechanic, someone who loves them as much as you. After a major teardown, balanced and trued I wouldn't trade it for any evo on the street. There's just something about the shovel that is hard to put into words. I've ridden ironheads and evos, but nothing "feels" like a shovel.
My two cents!
Mikey
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
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From:
RE: Buying a Shovel??
XL;
The Shovels take some special people to ride them. If you had to pay a mechanic to maintain it it just might bury you. There are a lot of first steps if you plan to take it apart and start over. Special steps to insure that you won't be breaking down. If you want to just put in a few seals and ride it to see how it does, take your sell fone. It might go like a scalded dog or it might be a real slug.
As long as it has all of the right numbers on it itz worth fixing up but you gotta' love em' to own em'..If you build a fast one, it will cost U some jingle but if indeed you do everything RIGHT, The evo guys might comment on your "Trouble Head" but iffin' itz done right you can give em more trouble that they think..A good Shovel can spank just about any stock evo (Be it twin cam or evo..Stock evo's seem to run better than the TC), quite badly.
Hawgley
The Shovels take some special people to ride them. If you had to pay a mechanic to maintain it it just might bury you. There are a lot of first steps if you plan to take it apart and start over. Special steps to insure that you won't be breaking down. If you want to just put in a few seals and ride it to see how it does, take your sell fone. It might go like a scalded dog or it might be a real slug.
As long as it has all of the right numbers on it itz worth fixing up but you gotta' love em' to own em'..If you build a fast one, it will cost U some jingle but if indeed you do everything RIGHT, The evo guys might comment on your "Trouble Head" but iffin' itz done right you can give em more trouble that they think..A good Shovel can spank just about any stock evo (Be it twin cam or evo..Stock evo's seem to run better than the TC), quite badly.
Hawgley
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
RE: Buying a Shovel??
1100...if you have a wrench that knows shovels take him/her w/ you when you check out the bike. For a 78 34k is low miles. Ask if they are original; if the answer is yes can he prove it. Ask for receipts for any/all work done on the bike. Do not take someones' word that "my best friend did the work" or some other lame *** excuse. Can the person give you any history on the bike...previous owners/names that you can contact. If he gives you the name of the wrench that did the work on the bike ask to speak to the person.
There are a lot of very good shovels, pans and knucks still running the two lane blacktop (and I am sure there are some junk ones as well). The key is to check it out completely before you lay down the mean green. You say it looks to be in good shape. That is a pretty general term. A good steam cleaning can erase a lot of leaking oil spots until you start it up, ride it 10 miles and every place there is a hole spews gobs of 60 weight oil. And...because he has a lot of chrome don't mean sh*t. My daddy always said chrome don't get you home (but he said it might get you laid!)
Been riding the same 65 pan since 1970. I am the second owner. She has never left me stranded....anywhere. The key is regular inspection before riding and regular maintenance. The Motor Company has staked its current reputation on bulletproof bikes that go far and require little to maintain (check out the 07 models as proof).
Remember...a shovel is not an antique...it is just an older bike that need a lot of personal attention.
Final thought....besides the parts book and service manual (buy HD..not Clymers), you should pick up Tom Murhys book titled "Harley Davidson Shovelheads". Good book with a lot of general information on models from 66-84, and a lot of really cool color pics.
There are a lot of very good shovels, pans and knucks still running the two lane blacktop (and I am sure there are some junk ones as well). The key is to check it out completely before you lay down the mean green. You say it looks to be in good shape. That is a pretty general term. A good steam cleaning can erase a lot of leaking oil spots until you start it up, ride it 10 miles and every place there is a hole spews gobs of 60 weight oil. And...because he has a lot of chrome don't mean sh*t. My daddy always said chrome don't get you home (but he said it might get you laid!)
Been riding the same 65 pan since 1970. I am the second owner. She has never left me stranded....anywhere. The key is regular inspection before riding and regular maintenance. The Motor Company has staked its current reputation on bulletproof bikes that go far and require little to maintain (check out the 07 models as proof).
Remember...a shovel is not an antique...it is just an older bike that need a lot of personal attention.
Final thought....besides the parts book and service manual (buy HD..not Clymers), you should pick up Tom Murhys book titled "Harley Davidson Shovelheads". Good book with a lot of general information on models from 66-84, and a lot of really cool color pics.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Buying a Shovel??
Some shovels run very well while others are a nightmare.Alot depends on who has owned it before and who has worked on it.With that mileage both ends of that engine shouldve been into by now.Evos are pretty tough,except for base gaskets.
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19
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From:
RE: Buying a Shovel??
My 2 cents:
Very honest answers from everyone. A Shovel-lover like me will say go for it 100%. Your satisfaction will be measured in your ability to keep an old classic on the road. Now, if you want it to be a daily ride, you have to get it set up right. It may be that way now. 2-3K a year is not even a issue. These bikes are very dependable, but you are buying a 28 year old bike.
Know the history of the bike and its current condition. That is the starting point for price negotiation. A stock bike fetch get more money. Now, 1978 was another retooling year for Harley, but those bikes have held up well.
What's the asking price? May give you better advice on good buy or not. It's the adventure that counts and you will be joining a closer group of Harley owners.
GO FOR IT
Very honest answers from everyone. A Shovel-lover like me will say go for it 100%. Your satisfaction will be measured in your ability to keep an old classic on the road. Now, if you want it to be a daily ride, you have to get it set up right. It may be that way now. 2-3K a year is not even a issue. These bikes are very dependable, but you are buying a 28 year old bike.
Know the history of the bike and its current condition. That is the starting point for price negotiation. A stock bike fetch get more money. Now, 1978 was another retooling year for Harley, but those bikes have held up well.
What's the asking price? May give you better advice on good buy or not. It's the adventure that counts and you will be joining a closer group of Harley owners.
GO FOR IT
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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From:
RE: Buying a Shovel??
Buying a shovel will give you a whole different outlook on riding and becoming one with your scooter, the understanding of being a biker and not just a rider.
As was mentioned by several others, take along someone who understands shovelheads when you go to look at it before buying, pick up a HD service manual and also a parts manual. If you understand the basics of a 4 stroke motor, you'll do fine. A shovelhead is a durable and forgiving motor.
Oh yea.....be prepared to have some doo-fuss who doesn't understand the history of HD come up and ask what yr is your ride? After you tell them 1978. They'll look at you with a puzzled look and say, "Ohhhhhh.... an AMF ?!?! Just tell them, if it wasn't for AMF you'd be riding a "Hawlee-Daybiz-Zoon".
As was mentioned by several others, take along someone who understands shovelheads when you go to look at it before buying, pick up a HD service manual and also a parts manual. If you understand the basics of a 4 stroke motor, you'll do fine. A shovelhead is a durable and forgiving motor.
Oh yea.....be prepared to have some doo-fuss who doesn't understand the history of HD come up and ask what yr is your ride? After you tell them 1978. They'll look at you with a puzzled look and say, "Ohhhhhh.... an AMF ?!?! Just tell them, if it wasn't for AMF you'd be riding a "Hawlee-Daybiz-Zoon".
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, NC
RE: Buying a Shovel??
What has the top end been worked on? If it hasn't, it's getting around time.
Is it a 74 or 80 cubic inch?
The top end will need work more often than an evo, but the bottom end should hold up almost as well.
IMHO, shovels look and sound better.
Is it a 74 or 80 cubic inch?
The top end will need work more often than an evo, but the bottom end should hold up almost as well.
IMHO, shovels look and sound better.