My dad had a stroke and he can no longer ride. He gave me his 67 FLH that he has owned and ridden since returning from Vietnam. He started a MC 53 years ago that originally was pretty much all Nam vets. Lets just say I grew up around bikers my whole life and I can honestly say I know some of the best HD mechanics on the planet. The thing is they are in their 70s now and lets just say they have done their share of living. Ive always tried to learn as much as I can from the few of them that are still with us. My dads club brother and close friend of mine rebuilt my dads bike in 1994. Its a 88CI stroker now instead of the original 74CI. He dual plugged the cylinder heads, installed a Dynatek single fire ignition, replaced the camshaft, exhaust, and its running a S&S Super B carburetor. So that bike has been rebuilt one time in its lifetime and that was 30 years ago. Besides a blown head gasket and a primary leak i had to fix this bike runs like a raped ape. My dad was not one for doing much maintenance and this bike has never seen a trailer. He rode that bike to Sturgis and Laconia several times from Michigan. My point being is there are people who can make a Shovelhead a reliable, dependable bike. They have forgotten more about knuckles, pans , and shovels than most of us could ever learn. They have learned little things over the years that most people would never think of and thats especially true when building an engine. The sad thing is all that knowledge from the old timers is going to die with them. It seems that nobody really cares about the old bikes. Not everyone of course because here i am on this channel. Keep up the good work and lets keep these old bikes going. By the way i do have 2 other bikes with Evolution motors and its funny how you said people consider them old school. I consider the Evolution the best engine Harley ever built.
Similar upbringing here. Own a pan, a shovelhead, and an evo. I'm trying to write down what I do and how so when my boys get older they have reference material in addition to what I teach them. I'm not the biggest fan of the newer bikes and spend most of my time on the panhead. We take what we have learned and practice the craft so we can pass it to the next generation as best we can.
I’m just getting ready to start a shovel head project myself. It’s my brothers 1979 low rider that has been sitting for 23 years. Thanks for the video.
Heck ya man! Sadly the 53 pan I grew up with, dad's best friend/neighbors bike he saved from a rust bucket survivor, was sold by his son because he doesn't care about bikes. Now I'm building a shovel to replicate the style of the last bike he built himself when I was a kid. Bit of stretch, bit of lift, and a +13 girder front. Already have the perfect frame and front end for the build. Now I'm trying to find a low mile shovel that's sat for a long time to do my first harley engine build(done 2 trans for friends) Good luck man. Great to hear of more ppl saving shovels
Fixed up my 83 FXDG the same way after standing for 10 years. I did a carb rebuild. Mine was also puking fuel everywhere. And 3 oil leaks including a rockerbox leak. Brakes were fine, just new fluids. I put a dynatek in because with points the timing between the cylinders can be way off. And the bike needs a proud AMF sticker on it !
The ignition switch is wired like that on my 79 FXS. Position 1 is to start it w/o lights. Say if you're kicking it over. Then you flip over to the next position for your lights.
exactly, my 91' fxr had a three position starter switch. used to trip people out, (your head light is out) so i'd turn the switch on...my 82' shovel fxr's are the same way.
I feel so damn lucky. I bought a 75FL that the former owner died so it sat for a while. He had the motor rebuild and they replaced the 4 speed with an evo 5 speed. Everything works in the electrical and other than basic fluids i rebuilt the super e carb and now its a wonderful bike. Sometimes they are and seemingly endless set of challenges and sometimes its not that bad
Just seeing this on my feed. I agree with another comment that the turn signals look good. In fact, that style would look good on one of my old Hondas. I really like the old style of the engine, the Pan Heads, Shovel Heads but would want it larger CI. I rode a 114 the other day and the torque is great!
I picked up a 78 FXS in mostly stock form a few months ago. Many of our issues are the same as my bike also sat for a few years. I had to total rebuild the S&S carb and the front master cylinder. I got it started and road it around the block a few times and decided I hated the narrow glide front end. I looked around for awhile a found a early 2000's Wide glide front end leaning against a buddies shed wall which he gave me. A few hundred later and I have a complete front end with a 21" front tire, fender and 14" apes. It's still a work in progress as I have to now rewire front end controls that now no longer go into the newer model headlight. Yes there is a birds nest of wires in a FXS stock headlight housing. So I now have a complete stock 78 FXS front end with wheel, stock tank and tins up for grabs. It's funny you don't care for the forward controls and I don't care for the Mid controls. Hint hint. Hopefully will have this project ridable before the end of the summer. Good luck with it.
Note. When you took that derby cover off, oil should have been coming out. You needed to take the inspection plate off and check your chain tension and top that oil off until it runs out of the derby cover. someone may have plugged off the oil tank feed hose on the inner primary or if its still connected its clogged
When our motorcycles were in Japan, at night you had to shut your light off at a intersection. So , took the wire off the start run post , left on lights post. Mine is still that way.
78 FLH. A lot of problems with shovels running badly are carb related. Don’t listen to 99% of on line advice about which carb or what jets ‘work great’. Align the barrels and heads first so that the carb manifold and seals line up properly to avoid air leaks. With regard to that the whole design is crap so extra care needs to be taken. Temporarily use an aftermarket oxygen/exhaust gas sensor kit with a digital stoichiometric read out and jet what ever carb has a sensible throat size using that as your guide. Set you jet sizes in the order from largest throttle opening to smallest. A cheap carb correctly jetted is better than any poorly jetted expensive big throat performance carb. Better brakes can be had by using late model HD brembo calipers which are cheap from wreckers. My 78 FLH now has Kawasaki handlebar switches, an 08 complete front end with dual discs with the matching master cylinder. In hindsight ai probably would have used a points conversion instead of the electronic one I settled on as the original wiring was hard and cracked. Don’t make it original; make it better, is my advice.
Heres how to deal with a harley that is hell to roll back or walk and drags. Hit the rear brake caliper with a hammer several times. Those caliper pistons get to tight and dont release enough. If it still drags after hammer hitting, then take a flat screw driver and wedge between the rotor and pad and pry it inward. Thats why when any harley is sitting dont push on that rear brake pedal
Wide Glide front end with 21" spoked wheel. 16" spoked rear wheel. Buckhorn or 10" ape hangers. Master rebuild kit for the shorty E. Interstare battery. Pre calf slapper kicker arm. That is where I would start. If you are going to keep that Shovelhead, you need to disassemble it and bring it back up properly. There is just to much " not right" about that machine, but it isn't far away from being excellent.
@@buttcrackcycles now did i tell you about the time i was so young/poor i fitted 2nd hand brake pads, the caliper/pistons did not like that, spat me off within 1/4 mile; m/c's, separating the men from the bean heads for over 1oo years. ; D
I've owned my shovel for thirty years; it's never left me stranded. Putting things right, then keeping up on the maintenance is the key. Put in the time and put in the money.
Tatro machine will help you out with your bike if you need.....he has a treasure trove of parts at his shop.....he can help with the speed issue also, im certain he has a hot rod cam thatll be just what tha t turtle needs...honestly tho if u havemt heard of him, Keenan Tatro is his name in California, he will have what you need for any old harley...
My ignition switch is wired the same way on my shovelhead. One click over for ignition and the second click for the lights. I like to run mine without the lights during the day (I know it's not as safe) to save on the lifespan of the stator and regulator. It sounds like you might have a charging issue too being that the battery is good but keeps going dead.
Sounds like this actually is a pretty common thing on these bikes. Here in SC we are supposed to burn lights in the day though, so, kind of a moot point
I like your channel man, you got your work cut out for you with that shovel, cool project just the same. What are those 2 insulator looking things running up the front of the frame? They almost look like redneck oil coolers or something.
I have an 81 FXWG and just got it on the road. At first I could shift it through all 4 and now can't get it into 4th gear. I adjusted the shifter to no avail. Any advice would be greatly appreciated !
Good find , I could be wrong but I dont think thats an OEM frame ? Serial number , start with a number like 2A FX would start with 2C . Good luck with it . For earlier the first 2 numbers are the year . I think the fork stem neck part of the frame is forged .
Remember when a bike sits the gaskets try out leaves a space sometimes if tighten the base bolts it may cure the problem if the gaskets aren't to old but if its sat with original gaskets it may or not let me know if they also leak oil after sitting you your one way check valve sti k let me know
Good videos. I agree about replacing the Skull stuff, some people like it but not for me. Yeah, swap out those handlebars, maybe Z bars? I like your thoughts on fixing it up but not making a project out of it. Projects are for older retired guys with lots of money. Just fix it up and enjoy riding it. Two things I would like to advise, Get a good seat for your Shovel, one that is comfortable for your wife, and a nice padded backrest for her. Leave some time in your life for your family. Glad you like Ironhead Sporty's, this was mine until a few years ago. ://czcams.com/video/-jLchrzaulw/video.html
Most of the 'troubles' with Troubleheads happen because they've been 'worked on' by boneheads who should NEVER, EVER have tools in their dickbeaters around machinery!!!! I have a 1968 74in generator or 'slab-side' Shovelhead (68slab) which had 77k original miles on it before I rebuilt it with a 1980 '80in crank, freshened up stock heads, new cam and .020" over pistons. It now has an additional 63k since. Basic maintenance by someone who knows WTF they're doing.
I really like how you troubleshoot problems and explain as you go. Please keep it up.
My dad had a stroke and he can no longer ride. He gave me his 67 FLH that he has owned and ridden since returning from Vietnam. He started a MC 53 years ago that originally was pretty much all Nam vets. Lets just say I grew up around bikers my whole life and I can honestly say I know some of the best HD mechanics on the planet. The thing is they are in their 70s now and lets just say they have done their share of living. Ive always tried to learn as much as I can from the few of them that are still with us. My dads club brother and close friend of mine rebuilt my dads bike in 1994. Its a 88CI stroker now instead of the original 74CI. He dual plugged the cylinder heads, installed a Dynatek single fire ignition, replaced the camshaft, exhaust, and its running a S&S Super B carburetor. So that bike has been rebuilt one time in its lifetime and that was 30 years ago. Besides a blown head gasket and a primary leak i had to fix this bike runs like a raped ape. My dad was not one for doing much maintenance and this bike has never seen a trailer. He rode that bike to Sturgis and Laconia several times from Michigan. My point being is there are people who can make a Shovelhead a reliable, dependable bike. They have forgotten more about knuckles, pans , and shovels than most of us could ever learn. They have learned little things over the years that most people would never think of and thats especially true when building an engine. The sad thing is all that knowledge from the old timers is going to die with them. It seems that nobody really cares about the old bikes. Not everyone of course because here i am on this channel. Keep up the good work and lets keep these old bikes going. By the way i do have 2 other bikes with Evolution motors and its funny how you said people consider them old school. I consider the Evolution the best engine Harley ever built.
Similar upbringing here. Own a pan, a shovelhead, and an evo. I'm trying to write down what I do and how so when my boys get older they have reference material in addition to what I teach them. I'm not the biggest fan of the newer bikes and spend most of my time on the panhead. We take what we have learned and practice the craft so we can pass it to the next generation as best we can.
Those turn signals actually look good on that bike ...
I’m just getting ready to start a shovel head project myself. It’s my brothers 1979 low rider that has been sitting for 23 years. Thanks for the video.
Heck ya man! Sadly the 53 pan I grew up with, dad's best friend/neighbors bike he saved from a rust bucket survivor, was sold by his son because he doesn't care about bikes.
Now I'm building a shovel to replicate the style of the last bike he built himself when I was a kid.
Bit of stretch, bit of lift, and a +13 girder front. Already have the perfect frame and front end for the build. Now I'm trying to find a low mile shovel that's sat for a long time to do my first harley engine build(done 2 trans for friends)
Good luck man. Great to hear of more ppl saving shovels
Fixed up my 83 FXDG the same way after standing for 10 years. I did a carb rebuild. Mine was also puking fuel everywhere. And 3 oil leaks including a rockerbox leak. Brakes were fine, just new fluids. I put a dynatek in because with points the timing between the cylinders can be way off. And the bike needs a proud AMF sticker on it !
The ignition switch is wired like that on my 79 FXS. Position 1 is to start it w/o lights. Say if you're kicking it over. Then you flip over to the next position for your lights.
exactly, my 91' fxr had a three position starter switch. used to trip people out, (your head light is out) so i'd turn the switch on...my 82' shovel fxr's are the same way.
I feel so damn lucky. I bought a 75FL that the former owner died so it sat for a while. He had the motor rebuild and they replaced the 4 speed with an evo 5 speed. Everything works in the electrical and other than basic fluids i rebuilt the super e carb and now its a wonderful bike. Sometimes they are and seemingly endless set of challenges and sometimes its not that bad
Just seeing this on my feed. I agree with another comment that the turn signals look good. In fact, that style would look good on one of my old Hondas. I really like the old style of the engine, the Pan Heads, Shovel Heads but would want it larger CI. I rode a 114 the other day and the torque is great!
Never saw a master cylinder that bad! Totally agree with your de-skulling attitude.
I just picked up a 69 FLH with a 71 cone Shovelhead engine. I feel your struggle, and look forward to your future videos.
Looks like the bike has a awesome new owner who knows how to take care of it.
I picked up a 78 FXS in mostly stock form a few months ago. Many of our issues are the same as my bike also sat for a few years. I had to total rebuild the S&S carb and the front master cylinder. I got it started and road it around the block a few times and decided I hated the narrow glide front end. I looked around for awhile a found a early 2000's Wide glide front end leaning against a buddies shed wall which he gave me. A few hundred later and I have a complete front end with a 21" front tire, fender and 14" apes. It's still a work in progress as I have to now rewire front end controls that now no longer go into the newer model headlight. Yes there is a birds nest of wires in a FXS stock headlight housing. So I now have a complete stock 78 FXS front end with wheel, stock tank and tins up for grabs. It's funny you don't care for the forward controls and I don't care for the Mid controls. Hint hint. Hopefully will have this project ridable before the end of the summer. Good luck with it.
Troubleheads will always come with their own unique struggles
It's half the fun!
@@buttcrackcycles I agree! Think it falls into the category of nothing worth having comes easy
Note. When you took that derby cover off, oil should have been coming out. You needed to take the inspection plate off and check your chain tension and top that oil off until it runs out of the derby cover. someone may have plugged off the oil tank feed hose on the inner primary or if its still connected its clogged
Hmmm really? Do you own a workshop manual?
Learned a lot. Love the bike. Look forward to the next episode. Thanks~~
I just stumbled across your channel and I'm diggin it. You've got a new subscriber and I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Doing good job man
When our motorcycles were in Japan, at night you had to shut your light off at a intersection. So , took the wire off the start run post , left on lights post. Mine is still that way.
78 FLH.
A lot of problems with shovels running badly are carb related. Don’t listen to 99% of on line advice about which carb or what jets ‘work great’. Align the barrels and heads first so that the carb manifold and seals line up properly to avoid air leaks. With regard to that the whole design is crap so extra care needs to be taken. Temporarily use an aftermarket oxygen/exhaust gas sensor kit with a digital stoichiometric read out and jet what ever carb has a sensible throat size using that as your guide. Set you jet sizes in the order from largest throttle opening to smallest. A cheap carb correctly jetted is better than any poorly jetted expensive big throat performance carb. Better brakes can be had by using late model HD brembo calipers which are cheap from wreckers. My 78 FLH now has Kawasaki handlebar switches, an 08 complete front end with dual discs with the matching master cylinder. In hindsight ai probably would have used a points conversion instead of the electronic one I settled on as the original wiring was hard and cracked. Don’t make it original; make it better, is my advice.
Outlaw switch wit a bright paint job lmao
I really like this bike man
Looking for a project just like this
Crystalize breakfluid. Wow!
Yeah that's a new one for me 😅
My 1987 flhtp also has the separate light switch after ingtion on slot. That was changed someitme after that to lights on fulltime.
Points will never leave you on the side of the road.
Heres how to deal with a harley that is hell to roll back or walk and drags. Hit the rear brake caliper with a hammer several times. Those caliper pistons get to tight and dont release enough. If it still drags after hammer hitting, then take a flat screw driver and wedge between the rotor and pad and pry it inward. Thats why when any harley is sitting dont push on that rear brake pedal
Wide Glide front end with 21" spoked wheel. 16" spoked rear wheel. Buckhorn or 10" ape hangers. Master rebuild kit for the shorty E. Interstare battery. Pre calf slapper kicker arm. That is where I would start. If you are going to keep that Shovelhead, you need to disassemble it and bring it back up properly. There is just to much " not right" about that machine, but it isn't far away from being excellent.
I loved my Shovels,but there is a reason why we left those behind so many,many years ago.
didn't do what i did yesterday, pushing machine slipped on loose grit and did face plant on the bar riser, gotta peachy shiner this AM.
Pushing machine 😂 I almost ate it a few times out there on the wet asphalt with that locked up front wheel
@@buttcrackcycles now did i tell you about the time i was so young/poor i fitted 2nd hand brake pads, the caliper/pistons did not like that, spat me off within 1/4 mile; m/c's, separating the men from the bean heads for over 1oo years. ; D
Yea I’m watching and it’s almost midnight
pull the advance unit- clean and lube!!!! points or pertronix this is IMPORTANT!!
Great video, I really liked it. Better get used to pushing that shovel, lol.
I've owned my shovel for thirty years; it's never left me stranded. Putting things right, then keeping up on the maintenance is the key. Put in the time and put in the money.
Tatro machine will help you out with your bike if you need.....he has a treasure trove of parts at his shop.....he can help with the speed issue also, im certain he has a hot rod cam thatll be just what tha t turtle needs...honestly tho if u havemt heard of him, Keenan Tatro is his name in California, he will have what you need for any old harley...
da j0yz 0f 0ld bikes!!
🤘😎🤘
My ignition switch is wired the same way on my shovelhead. One click over for ignition and the second click for the lights. I like to run mine without the lights during the day (I know it's not as safe) to save on the lifespan of the stator and regulator. It sounds like you might have a charging issue too being that the battery is good but keeps going dead.
Sounds like this actually is a pretty common thing on these bikes. Here in SC we are supposed to burn lights in the day though, so, kind of a moot point
I like your channel man, you got your work cut out for you with that shovel, cool project just the same. What are those 2 insulator looking things running up the front of the frame? They almost look like redneck oil coolers or something.
They are oil coolers. They were actually a thing back in the day.
Carbie needle and seat not working properly, flooding carb/engine and puking out overflow tube.
Oil pump check ball.
I have an 81 FXWG and just got it on the road. At first I could shift it through all 4 and now can't get it into 4th gear. I adjusted the shifter to no avail. Any advice would be greatly appreciated !
Good find , I could be wrong but I dont think thats an OEM frame ? Serial number , start with a number like 2A FX would start with 2C . Good luck with it . For earlier the first 2 numbers are the year . I think the fork stem neck part of the frame is forged .
Not uncommon for brake calipers to freeze up if it sets for years.
Remember when a bike sits the gaskets try out leaves a space sometimes if tighten the base bolts it may cure the problem if the gaskets aren't to old but if its sat with original gaskets it may or not let me know if they also leak oil after sitting you your one way check valve sti k let me know
That is the way my ignition switch is I just bought a new one it says they used that switch from 1939 to 1996
Good videos. I agree about replacing the Skull stuff, some people like it but not for me. Yeah, swap out those handlebars, maybe Z bars? I like your thoughts on fixing it up but not making a project out of it. Projects are for older retired guys with lots of money. Just fix it up and enjoy riding it. Two things I would like to advise, Get a good seat for your Shovel, one that is comfortable for your wife, and a nice padded backrest for her. Leave some time in your life for your family. Glad you like Ironhead Sporty's, this was mine until a few years ago. ://czcams.com/video/-jLchrzaulw/video.html
Good advice Kevin thanks for the comment
2 kinds off bikes ones that have ran out of gas and the ones that WILL run out of gas
it's 10:29 pm , dude , you're way over thinking this .
What a weird comment to post on a video published 8 months ago. Lay off the weed dude.
Most of the 'troubles' with Troubleheads happen because they've been 'worked on' by boneheads who should NEVER, EVER have tools in their dickbeaters around machinery!!!! I have a 1968 74in generator or 'slab-side' Shovelhead (68slab) which had 77k original miles on it before I rebuilt it with a 1980 '80in crank, freshened up stock heads, new cam and .020" over pistons. It now has an additional 63k since. Basic maintenance by someone who knows WTF they're doing.
Really like dogging the previous owner, makes u sound like a little girl dog.