sold my 02 softail this weekend and found a 77 flh in the paper and thought I would ck it out..I know only its a 4 spd, 1200 cc..knowing nothing about these bikes could you tell me what I should look for or what usually goes on on them?..also I take it this is a chain driven bike ..is there a kit to covert the final drive to belt? any info/suggestions or opinions would be appreciated

 

Hmmm......didn't AMF have 'em then? If so, ah wouldn't touch it on a bet...

 

If you like wrenching more than riding, a 77 Shovel may be just the bike for you.

 

Exactly why not? Give me someexamples why AMF bikes are so much more unreliable than pre or post AMF Shovels.

I've put 42k miles on my AMF bike. It now has 53k. It has been a good bike.

[IMG]local://upfiles/17633/025031E2A66142068C5460D7F013724C.jpg[/IMG]

 

Unless your buying it CHEAP and want to restore it for shows (God knows why??) And your Very Good with a wrench - Then Go for it...
If it's for riding... PASS - You'll spend more time on fixin' it then riding it...

 

Sorry, dude - nuthin' personal, but in my opinion AMF represented everything bad in Corporate America. It's jest a "thing" of mine, seemed like the pencil pushers came in an' took over an' fergot the bikers that kept 'em afloat.

It's nice that ya got a AMF bike w/53k miles. Ah've only done 170 or 80k since '96...don't even wanna think of the miles afore that.

 

If it weren't for AMF, Harley likely wouldn't be around today. AMF can be credited for the EVO, also.

 

Shovels require a lot of TLC, and you need to be a pretty good wrench if you are going to be doing much riding on it.

Bill

 

Sorry - but the Evo engine came out in '84, 3 years after the buyout by the HD folks from AMF, IIRC...

 

I have had both a 77 and 76 FLH and loved em both and yes they take a little more TLC.

A little history lesson about AMF and Harley...HD was on it's way out and would have just beena memory. AMF got controlling interest and decided to double production without anynew machinery or hiring more people. I bet you can figure out what happened then...they put out junk that the dealers had to fix before they could sell it. This went on for two model years before they figured out that wasn't gonna work. They got wise, slowed production and delivered a quality product but the AMF stigma would last forever. Now if you wanted a 68 or 69 Harley I might advise against it but buy the 77 and have fun with it because nothing rides quitelike a Shovel. And yes like XXX said AMF saved HD and we owe them a lot.

Both my Shovels were daily riders and I had much more time riding than wrenching. Unless these guys actually OWNED Shovels I wouldn't put to much stock in what they are saying.

As far as the belt kit goes...forget it. It can be done but it's too much trouble, just turn off the auto oiler and spay lube your chain.