Need help! Can't decide what to buy!

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Mar 12, 2016 | 10:44 PM

hadleesdad0823

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Joined: Mar 2016

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From: Covington, KY

Need help! Can't decide what to buy!

I'm new to the forum, but have been riding for 25 years. I'm currently trying to decide whether to buy a completely rebuilt 1979 FLH 80" with only 6,300 miles and 3rd owner who's owned it since 1987 or buy a 2003 Super Glide with 13,000 miles. I average at least 5,000 miles a year, a lot of highway miles. I've owned many Shovelheads and Evos, but I'm having a very hard time deciding. They're both like new, so which way should i go? Please feel free to add your 2 cents worth. Thanks

Mar 12, 2016 | 10:53 PM

Prot

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Lafayette, Louisiana

The 79 is a shovel.

The 2003 is a twin cam.

Between those two, I would go with the Shovel.

I still think a better buy is a mid 90's Evo.

No, mine is not for sale and never will be.

Or you could buy my dad's Road King for $10K or $12K for the bike and enclosed trailer to haul it in.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...1015760&page=1

Last edited by Prot; Mar 12, 2016 at 11:00 PM.

Mar 12, 2016 | 11:10 PM

hadleesdad0823

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From: Covington, KY

Nice bikes, but not looking to spend that kind of money. I'm leaning towards the Shovel myself. As long as you treat the shovel right, it'll treat you right, but I do agree with the 90s Evos being about the best.

Mar 13, 2016 | 12:57 AM

Prot

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From: Lafayette, Louisiana

Maybe something like this Wide Glide since you mentioned interest in a Super Glide.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/272158856297

Mar 13, 2016 | 03:08 AM

hadleesdad0823

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From: Covington, KY

I'm not crazy about the appearance of these bikes, but I've heard they'll run forever. The 03 Super Glide I'm looking at is only $4500 & the 79 FLH is $5000. The only hesitation I have on the FLH is that it really hasn't been ridden much in the last 15 years. It's always better to ride them. I've attached a picture of each

Attached Thumbnails

Need help! Can't decide what to buy!-screenshot_2016-03-12-11-42-05-1.png

Need help! Can't decide what to buy!-screenshot_2016-03-09-18-14-04-1.png

Mar 13, 2016 | 09:29 AM

yzergod

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,553

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From: Four Corners

Ah, but I have to ask... why post this question in the Softail section?

Here's a good guide...

Mar 13, 2016 | 11:34 AM

hadleesdad0823

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From: Covington, KY

Aren't they both soft tails? That's why and I posted in a couple of different forums to get different opinions. Have one?

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Mar 13, 2016 | 12:23 PM

Six862m6

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Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 107

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From: Greenwood, IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by hadleesdad0823

Aren't they both soft tails? That's why and I posted in a couple of different forums to get different opinions. Have one?

They're "softails" in the old way of thinking in that they have rear suspension and not hardtails with spring seats. However Softails as listed in this forum is in relation to a family of bikes that Harley started with the Evos, other families being the Sporsters, Dynas, Tourings, Vrods, and now Streets. The Softail family is signified by it's frame and swingarm being made to LOOK like an old school hard tail but that actually has a hidden set of shocks mounted on the bottom side of the bike that runs parallel with the ground. Bikes in this family include the Fatboy, Heritage, Softail Standard and Custom, Deluxe, Night Train, etc. Also distinguished in the Softail family, our engines are the "B" series Twin Cams meaning that they are internally counterbalanced (and therefor do not vibrate like most Harleys) and hard mounted to the frames vs. the rubber mounting of engines to the frame in other families. Softails are the only family to do this. Neither of the bikes you are listing are part of this family. The Shovels didn't really have families like this to my knowledge, it was just the sporsters and big twins back then and the glide is part of the Dyna family (which is signified by having the big twin engine with standard, exposed rear shocks).

This is a Softail style frame and swing arm (though not actually a Harley brand, it is a custom frame maker but was the best picture to show what I am trying to explain):