new bikes sound nothing like a shovel what is the real reason?

 

Many reasons, mostly because of the cast iron cylinders and heavier flywheels.

 

Wasn't it also because the cam timing between the front and rear cylinders was different as well?

 

But, going to, for instance, an Andrews cam... don't change the sound as much as a change to Single Fire ignition... IMO
so I'll say... "not so much"
Why does a Knucklehead and an Ironhead sound so Good???? Note that if a Panhead could breath just a bit better it sounds exactly like a Shovelhead, and an Evo with iron cylinders sounds like a very Healthy Shovelhead...

 

They idle at a slower RPM, without hurting themselves.

 

Yes low idle sound good,... but, it does damage... even to old Ironhead Sportsters.. But the young guys clamoring for Ironheads these days Know That...
In truth... a Shovelhead oil pump is about the worst...and lack of lubrication...especially at very low idle, is what does some of the damage... beating the bearings is the other thing... I does sound "cool" tho!!!!

 

Interesting to learn that the shovel pump is such an issue.

I spoke with an S&S rep about a replacement pump a while back who suggested that if the factory pump on my '75 was in good shape, replacing it with an S&S wouldn't be of benefit.

Not to sidetrack the thread, but is there anything that can be done to improve the stock shovel pump?

 

Check with Baisley-
I think they sell a kit for something that ups the ratio.

http://baisley.com/oil_pump_gears_product.htm

 

Thanks KG,

Just spoke with Ryan at Baisley, unfortunately they no longer have the higher ratio gears for the shovel pump, and low likelihood that they will produce any more.

A healthy stock pump is as good as its going to get apparently.

 

in 1973 to make this correct - they up the speed at the pump in a shovel so the drive and driven gear swap is a common thing we have done for 40 years - reason s&s said the pump they sell for a Early shovel is the same because it is the same

evo pumps can be a conversion to a shovel but too much oil volume can be as bad a not enough - evo has hi pressure and hi volume pumps available and the shovel and evo bolt pattern is the same till 1991 But the oil passages have to be modified to do that

remember too much is bad in another way then not enough - the stock gearing swap is 25 percent more oil then the early gearing