Sovelhead or no?....
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 979
Likes: 38
From: new orleans,la
51 panhead -- 16" ft and rear - they had a huge whitewall and a big oval that had "beck" in it -- the frame was black -- the tank was gold - the seat was gold/black--typical bob job with the rear fender being a chopped front fender -- home made round bar for a sissy bar and bolts for rear bitch pegs -- smoked like a choo choo train --
I was 14 and it was MINE -- lol leaked every where -- then you had to go to a VW repair shop to buy 70wt Pennzoil -- got rid of the linkert and got a bendix and a sifton 412 I waz a bad azz -- lol 135lb wimp --
I was 14 and it was MINE -- lol leaked every where -- then you had to go to a VW repair shop to buy 70wt Pennzoil -- got rid of the linkert and got a bendix and a sifton 412 I waz a bad azz -- lol 135lb wimp --
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,510
Likes: 13,800
From: Pa.
You might not get an unbiased opinion on here, lol, but there's just something about the look and feel and soul of an old shovel.
Yes, they're gonna be 30 + years old, so search wisely. You'll know when you find the right one. And don't worry if you don't like some of the features. Everything ,just about, is interchangeable between models.
Get a manual, find an indy and/or friends that know old iron to help you out. They're pretty simple but they CAN drive you crazy, but it a labor of love.
Heck, I'd walk past hundreds of 20-50 thousand dollar twinkies to check out the three shovels in the back row.
Yes, they're gonna be 30 + years old, so search wisely. You'll know when you find the right one. And don't worry if you don't like some of the features. Everything ,just about, is interchangeable between models.
Get a manual, find an indy and/or friends that know old iron to help you out. They're pretty simple but they CAN drive you crazy, but it a labor of love.
Heck, I'd walk past hundreds of 20-50 thousand dollar twinkies to check out the three shovels in the back row.
Last edited by AJSHOVEL; Jul 10, 2013 at 08:20 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: decatur texas
everyone above is right its a constant leak fight,an shake things loose or off, I ran a shovel 13 years make sure you locktite everything everywhere. im also surprised those invader wheels made it thru the yrs they would crack at the spokes on either end check it closely if you haven't bought it yet good luck bud
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
She'll shake rattle and roll , leave a spot here and there occasionally and likes attention . Shovels can be hell of nice bike with proper care and time but be aware you will get the hands dirty regular but they are the most forgiving harley ever built and nothing sounds like a well tuned shovel , head turner everywhere .
Howdy,
Been lurking and reading for a long time...trying to get my head around all the options when buying a Harley.
I'm still in the reading and learning phase. Will probably take the safety course in the next month or so since I haven't driven a street bike since college. I've been learning about the newer bikes, and as an old muscle car owner, I've bought my last project that needs any kind of real work.
Having said that, I cannot stop looking at the damn ad below. I can turn a wrench and read a manual. I've basically done the oil/sparkplug/filters/fluid/belt/bulb changes on my own cars for 40 years.
Question: I keep reading that the Harleys before the evolution engine are generally going to be a little more maintenance intensive. They will leak from time to time, and are seemingly a bit more finicky than the newer ones, and it helps if you can turn a wrench. I know anything that is 34 years old is naturally going to require more maintenance than a 6-7 year old bike.
However...I love old school machines. I will probably not put more than about 2-3k a year on a bike. I won't be taking any extended trips. This is a just around the town cruiser on early Saturday mornings. We have mild weather where I'm at so it will likely get ridden most months out of the year, a few times each month.
Am I getting in over my head here? I also have my eye on several 2005-2007 1200's that are in the same price range, and my head tells me to be smart about this. But that '79 is just an awesome looking bike.
Thanks for any input.
http://houston.craigslist.org/mcd/3851383751.html
Been lurking and reading for a long time...trying to get my head around all the options when buying a Harley.
I'm still in the reading and learning phase. Will probably take the safety course in the next month or so since I haven't driven a street bike since college. I've been learning about the newer bikes, and as an old muscle car owner, I've bought my last project that needs any kind of real work.
Having said that, I cannot stop looking at the damn ad below. I can turn a wrench and read a manual. I've basically done the oil/sparkplug/filters/fluid/belt/bulb changes on my own cars for 40 years.
Question: I keep reading that the Harleys before the evolution engine are generally going to be a little more maintenance intensive. They will leak from time to time, and are seemingly a bit more finicky than the newer ones, and it helps if you can turn a wrench. I know anything that is 34 years old is naturally going to require more maintenance than a 6-7 year old bike.
However...I love old school machines. I will probably not put more than about 2-3k a year on a bike. I won't be taking any extended trips. This is a just around the town cruiser on early Saturday mornings. We have mild weather where I'm at so it will likely get ridden most months out of the year, a few times each month.
Am I getting in over my head here? I also have my eye on several 2005-2007 1200's that are in the same price range, and my head tells me to be smart about this. But that '79 is just an awesome looking bike.
Thanks for any input.
http://houston.craigslist.org/mcd/3851383751.html
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
Sportsters for me are a blast at the stoplight drags but out on the freeway they leave me wanting. They are fine bikes and lots of folks love 'em and travel on them, they just work best for me on the surface streets.
I'd go for the Shovel. With time, money and the willingness to learn you will have a great time with it.
I'd go for the Shovel. With time, money and the willingness to learn you will have a great time with it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,154
Likes: 2,560
From: CT/FL
another biased opinion here (what did you expect?) - get the old bike. but I have other bikes to ride.
so, ask yourself this question: how are you going to feel if it's a nice saturday and you feel like a ride but the bike won't run? happy for the opportunity to work on it, or bummed because you just wanna ride?
so, ask yourself this question: how are you going to feel if it's a nice saturday and you feel like a ride but the bike won't run? happy for the opportunity to work on it, or bummed because you just wanna ride?
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Texas
another biased opinion here (what did you expect?) - get the old bike. but I have other bikes to ride.
so, ask yourself this question: how are you going to feel if it's a nice saturday and you feel like a ride but the bike won't run? happy for the opportunity to work on it, or bummed because you just wanna ride?
so, ask yourself this question: how are you going to feel if it's a nice saturday and you feel like a ride but the bike won't run? happy for the opportunity to work on it, or bummed because you just wanna ride?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Had mine now 31 years and well over a 1/2 million mile on her and 90% of the time if there was a problem it was me acting up and breaking stuff . Bike has hauled me loaded all over this country a few times over and I don't baby it .
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
If you get the electrical side of the bike straight, & the bike runs decent there really is little chance that you will be bummed. Most shovel issues have been electrical in my experience. Electrical components & wiring + age can = troubles......this is true with anything not just old Harleys.