Hello I have just joined the forum. I have a 74 fxe, passed down from my late father. The bike has been sitting for a few years, and I don't know a lot of details of what has been done to the bike. I remember my dads old buddies always asking or comenting about how strong it ran. It has some "custom" road side repairs goin on, mostly electrical stuff. From what I could gather he stoped ridding it before he died because it needed some work, started smoking I think.

So basically I want to keep it how it is, just get it healthy again. I have no idea how many miles are on it, no odomiter. My biggest worry is the bottom end needing to be rebuilt. I guess the reason for my post is to see if the is any good info or resources anyone can recommend. I don't have much money or experience with Harley's. I plan on doing as much of the rebuild as reasonably possible.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum from Oklahoma.
You can get help here and you can checkout the all Shovelhead forum. It's Shovelhead.us/.

 

First off, Welcome. Second, post some pictures. Third, when you ask for advice, come back and let us know how things are going, and we can guide you through the process. Fourth, get a factory shop manual. It will answer 90% of your questions, and we can answer the other 10%.
Now, whats up, dude?

 

Plus 1 on what previous folks have said. With that in mind, any of your dad's old buddies around that can give you some history on the bike. Any receipts around for any work done?

You say it has been sitting for a few years..."few" as in how many "few".
Change oil, definitely clean carb and gas tank, probably needs a new battery. You should be able to turn the motor by engaging the kicker. Need to make sure cylinders are not froze up.

Find a friend who has some expertise in shovels. Have him help you. That plus a factory manual goes a long way.

Depending how long it sat you might need to remove the plugs and squirt a little bit of WD40 into the cylinders. If it was smoking it could be valves or rings. First start it will belch and probably puke some oil (if it contineus to puke, shut her down and inspect the oil pump check ball).

Oh and be sure you are in neutral.

Lokking forward to seeing some pics...

 

Thank you guys for the the replies. As of now I live in Boston, in the process of movining back home to California where the bike has been sitting for a little over 10 years.

The main reason for my post was to get as many resources and education as possible before I get back and start wrenching' on this old shovel. So as soon as I get back I will post some pictures.

 

Lower end where pretty durable on those old beasts unlike today's bikes . Like been mentioned a couple times already get the factory manual don't cheap out on a Hayes or Clymers . Read it the older ones had good solid tech tip that didn't take a 4 year degree to handle .


I'm bay area Cal been dealing with shovels boocoo yrs , get settled in please post back I may be able to lend a hand depending on where you are . Advice is free .

 

I've just spent three weeks troubleshooting a problem that turned out to be a "NEW" part that i bought. Looked everywhere else until i got back to it.

If i can offer you any advice it would be to purchase quality parts if needed. Don't waste your time with the cheap stuff it will get you in the end.

Good Luck

 

Alright first step get a manual.

I really appreciate the help. I am determined to get her back on the road. Its good to hear about the durability of the bottom end, I would prefer not to have to crack open the case if I don't have to! I have a little mech. exp due to my first car (still own it) '64 Chevy Nova, but I have a ton to learn. This is my first HD, of more to come, but I doubt I will own an evo. I was raised around this bike and every time I hear a shovel fire up it takes be back.

I will be picking your brain often Twizted. I am going to be staying up in Redding, but originally from the bay/ centeral valley. So I might have to hit you up for spare parts.
Hate to keep you guys waiting on the pics, ASAP!

 

I whole heartedly agree.....between the manual, the Forum and my ridin' brothers you can get great advise. Hope you got tools and some mechanical knowledge. That always helps, too. Good luck!

 

Turns out you do have to get into her I do lowers and true the wheels down to .000" when I do them . Keep it mind I'm a hell of a lot cheaper that the shops and I know several places to ship out work to about 1/3 or less than most want today .