Purchasing First Shovel
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
Purchasing First Shovel
Hello, I am about to make my dream of owning a shovelhead come true. I am going tomorrow to look at a 78 FLH. This is my first shovel. Is there anything specific I should look for when checking out this bike? Any deal breakers? The guy is asking 6000.00 for it and said it has 2000 miles on a rebuilt motor and trans. He should be sending me some pics today and I will post them up. Thanks very much!!!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
lhgdale, good luck! My suggestion is take someone with knowledge on old iron. The will size up bike in minutes. Check frame-engine-tranny #s. You could post pictures here and have the experts give you an idea as to what its going price may be. Any leaks-any current-past receipts-have independent shop or old school repair shop look it over. Remember, you will be riding it and you want to be safe and reliable. Looking forward to the pics, I owned 1977-1980 shovel back in the day. Great bikes! Now I ride 1960 Panhead, would like to have an old slab side shovel also..
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Make sure the neck and the numbers on the case in front of the lifter block match both in correct numbers and the style , getting to the tranny numbers isn't worth it . If you have a buddy who know something about older iron take him with you .
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 6
From: AZ
lhgdale, curb your excitement until you have completed deal. There is the asking price-what would you like to have price-what will you accept price! Be sure and check the title and names and numbers very close. If you are too excited you may overlook something that will or may be costly.. If you are in need of extras, you may walk away with those also. You can never have too many helmets-jackets-gloves-spare parts-tools-fluids-manuals. I have bought and sold many bikes. I always pay a fair price and have walked away making a friend from the deal. I drove from Phx., Az. to Quincy, Washington for deal on Ultra Classic. To me the deal was that good. I hope all is good and you make your dreams come true!!
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Graysville, AL
Talked to the guy on the phone a little while ago. He said all #'s match frame, trans and engine. He has had the bike for 15 years, title is good and bike has less than 29K miles on it. Here are a few pics I got off craigslist. He said he will take some more this evening and I will post em.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Fort Worth, Texas
lhgdale, That looks like a good shovel. Can't remember what rpm they run at speed but if I remember right that year had a 4 speed rachet top. My guess would be about 3200 @ 70mph. just a guess. I'd say look for any broken fins or cracks on cases but that bike looks pretty clean I'd be surprised if you found any. Ask how far it's been bored out. That amount of miles I'd say it should be only .010 over maybe .020. If it's more I'd worry about how it's been riden. Like I said looks like he kept it in good shape I'd be suprised if it's over .020 much less .010. Can't tell from the pic but the brake set up was the old banana clip, they tend to ride on the disc wearing out the rear pad pin, easy fix put a spring under the caliper at the axle, they sell them aftermarket. It's going to leak oil, it's a shovel. Definately check the numbers to the cases and the title for peace of mind. Had a friend years ago had a 68 FL but the title was 68FLH so it registered fine. He got pulled over by a Louisianna State Trooper and the he ran the numbers off the cases which were 68FL**** and they came back hot. Took him a little bit but he did get it straighten out, extra headaches and cash. Good luck. You'll love the sound of a shovel.