New member with a burning question!
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: California
New member with a burning question!
First off hello! New to the site. Have owned my Harley (72 Glide, rebuilt ground up, 3k miles on new motor) for about 6 months and contemplated joining this site. Winter weather set in here in Nor Cal and don't ride as much.
My question is, I have a really nice bike already. I was thinking of selling it to put towards something new and more reliable, still a Harley. This guy wants to trade me a 98 sportster with 18000 miles and a few extra's including new paint and a 2003 Kawasaki z1000 with 10,000mi (which I will sell immediately for about 4-5 grand). My Shovelhead is beautiful, horrible gas mileage, takes forever to start sometimes and you have to constantly play with the choke to keep it running on rides. Also recently, it misfires under a load. Never at idle. Wonder if it is just fouled plugs. Less than 200 miles on these plugs.
Should I make the trade? Value wise, am I getting the better deal or not? Also, within the community and a advent rider, would it be better to keep my classic glide?
Please share your thoughts!
Thank you!
My question is, I have a really nice bike already. I was thinking of selling it to put towards something new and more reliable, still a Harley. This guy wants to trade me a 98 sportster with 18000 miles and a few extra's including new paint and a 2003 Kawasaki z1000 with 10,000mi (which I will sell immediately for about 4-5 grand). My Shovelhead is beautiful, horrible gas mileage, takes forever to start sometimes and you have to constantly play with the choke to keep it running on rides. Also recently, it misfires under a load. Never at idle. Wonder if it is just fouled plugs. Less than 200 miles on these plugs.
Should I make the trade? Value wise, am I getting the better deal or not? Also, within the community and a advent rider, would it be better to keep my classic glide?
Please share your thoughts!
Thank you!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: virginia
trade for what???
trade a shovel for a porkster and crouth rocket - I wouldn't even think of doing it . I would keep working on shovel and buy a newer big twin - every one should have more than one harley in there garage
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
There is nothing more "reliable" about the newer iron. Just look at how every magazine has 2 or 3 articles about how to fix all the stuff that's going to go wrong with your Twin Cam.
If your bike runs like you describe it has some problems. You need a good Harley mechanic who understands Shovel speak. You shouldn't have to do anything to a properly set up Shovel other than push the starter button (or kick it) and ride.
That said, the two bikes he wants to trade you are worth more than the '72 Glide, especially one that runs that bad. If you make the trade sell them both and get another big twin.
If your bike runs like you describe it has some problems. You need a good Harley mechanic who understands Shovel speak. You shouldn't have to do anything to a properly set up Shovel other than push the starter button (or kick it) and ride.
That said, the two bikes he wants to trade you are worth more than the '72 Glide, especially one that runs that bad. If you make the trade sell them both and get another big twin.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
I have a really nice bike already. I was thinking of selling it to put towards something new and more reliable, still a Harley. This guy wants to trade me a 98 sportster with 18000 miles and a few extra's including new paint and a 2003 Kawasaki z1000 with 10,000mi...
No way I would trade a shovel for a late model Sporty and a crotch rocket.
My Shovelhead is beautiful, horrible gas mileage, takes forever to start sometimes and you have to constantly play with the choke to keep it running on rides. Also recently, it misfires under a load. Never at idle.
Gas milage is poor? What do you consider bad? MIght be the carb
Takes forever to start/ screwin around with choke to keep it running? Timing/ manifold leak/ carb not properly set up?
Misfires under a load? See above.
What kind of carb you using? Did you set it up properly?
Would it be better to keep my classic glide?
The pic you posted is the size of a peanut shell but it does not look like the bike is in stock configuration, but it is still a shovel. Properly set up it will get you miles down the road. Just requires more frequent maintenance. If you cannot do the basics you should either learn or sell it cuz paying someone else will cost a lot of green
No way I would trade a shovel for a late model Sporty and a crotch rocket.
My Shovelhead is beautiful, horrible gas mileage, takes forever to start sometimes and you have to constantly play with the choke to keep it running on rides. Also recently, it misfires under a load. Never at idle.
Gas milage is poor? What do you consider bad? MIght be the carb
Takes forever to start/ screwin around with choke to keep it running? Timing/ manifold leak/ carb not properly set up?
Misfires under a load? See above.
What kind of carb you using? Did you set it up properly?
Would it be better to keep my classic glide?
The pic you posted is the size of a peanut shell but it does not look like the bike is in stock configuration, but it is still a shovel. Properly set up it will get you miles down the road. Just requires more frequent maintenance. If you cannot do the basics you should either learn or sell it cuz paying someone else will cost a lot of green
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 799
Likes: 2
From: WyoBraska (Western Nebraska)
HELL NO !! My last shovel, a '71 FLH was an awesome dependable machine and I wish I still had it. Sounds like you just need someone to fine tune yours and your golden ! And if your "rebuild" is recent, it will need some TLC for awhile (used to carry 3 sets of plugs while breaking in a new shovel rebuild)
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Joe Kucinski
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,131
Likes: 51,465
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
First off welcome to the forums , second the old shovel just needs attention sounds like an intake leak that's all . I've been riding the same 72 shovel for 30 yrs now and it's been all over this country at least a half dozen times so I don't know what could be more reliable than that .
The shovel is going up in price as we speak other bikes are not , keep it she's a decent investment if she's reasonable shape right now and don't even think about trading for a sportster you'll hate life in short order if you do .
Where you at in Nor Cal ? I'm out of the bay area I do shovels all the time here , their my specialty .
The shovel is going up in price as we speak other bikes are not , keep it she's a decent investment if she's reasonable shape right now and don't even think about trading for a sportster you'll hate life in short order if you do .
Where you at in Nor Cal ? I'm out of the bay area I do shovels all the time here , their my specialty .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Dec 9, 2011 at 05:28 PM.