Thinking about a shovel : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

ianz83 · 09-20-2009, 11:58 PM

Just after some advice.
I'm thinking of selling my twin cam and getting an older bike, like a wide glide or similer. just not sure if it's a good idea. I like the older bikes more, although some people say I'm mad.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Ian

springer- · 09-21-2009, 12:05 AM

I have 2 shovels and no complaints. If you are looking for something to put some mileage on with, I recommend a 1980-1983 FLT or a 1982-1983 FXR. Both rubber mount, very good handling and reasonably reliable for the long haul. I own a 1983 FXRT and love it.

This is not knocking any other FL/FX shovel as I also own a 1981 FXS as well. And it is a great bike as well, note my avatar. But for overall ridability, I have to give it to the rubber mounts. JMHO

strokerjlk · 09-21-2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer-

I have 2 shovels and no complaints. If you are looking for something to put some mileage on with, I recommend a 1980-1983 FLT or a 1982-1983 FXR. Both rubber mount, very good handling and reasonably reliable for the long haul. I own a 1983 FXRT and love it.

This is not knocking any other FL/FX shovel as I also own a 1981 FXS as well. And it is a great bike as well, note my avatar. But for overall ridability, I have to give it to the rubber mounts. JMHO

the only thing is.....that FXRT always wheelies on take off!

rosascycle · 09-21-2009, 06:22 PM

In the past 35 years I have logged more that 250K miles on shovels and getting off a T/C for a older shovel a word of caution . Keep the T/C and use the shovel as a second bike shorter rides solo riding. As much as I enjoy the shovel motors in NO way can you compair 30yrs of technology from the two bikes with todays highway speeds of 80 to 90 MPH you are giving up a lot of comfort, speed, reliablity, with an older bike. When was the last time a pan or shovel passed you on the highway ? Shovels gotta love em

Y2K · 09-21-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosascycle

In the past 35 years I have logged more that 250K miles on shovels and getting off a T/C for a older shovel a word of caution . Keep the T/C and use the shovel as a second bike shorter rides solo riding. As much as I enjoy the shovel motors in NO way can you compair 30yrs of technology from the two bikes with todays highway speeds of 80 to 90 MPH you are giving up a lot of comfort, speed, reliablity, with an older bike. When was the last time a pan or shovel passed you on the highway ? Shovels gotta love em

Wise words indeed,gotta love the old bikes but.....they're just that old,if you want to ride a lot of miles and do road trips with no drama stick with a modern bike.
I have 160,000 miles on my twincam,runs like a scalded dog,still on the original clutch and trans,motor work has been mostly elective for more power,the thing will run 90-100 miles an hour all day long.
You just can't do that on a Shovel.

springer- · 09-21-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y2K

Wise words indeed,gotta love the old bikes but.....they're just that old,if you want to ride a lot of miles and do road trips with no drama stick with a modern bike.
I have 160,000 miles on my twincam,runs like a scalded dog,still on the original clutch and trans,motor work has been mostly elective for more power,the thing will run 90-100 miles an hour all day long.
You just can't do that on a Shovel.

While I don't completely disagree with you and what you are suggesting, I do that on a shovel.

I only have roughly 70K on my FXRT (bought it used), but I would jump on it and go anywhere. I ride with Bean mostly and he rides a 06 Buell XB12X. I know he can leave me if he wants but I am never far behind and we regularly run "up there".

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosascycle

...When was the last time a pan or shovel passed you on the highway ?

If you ride around here, there is a good chance it will happen. I pass Twin Cams and anything else going slower than me.

No offence and again I don't completely disagree but it is not so black and white as the picture being painted here. IMO.

ianz83 · 09-21-2009, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the advice. It does sound like a good idea to keep the TC and get a shovel for the more local trips.
I'm going to check one out either today or tomorrow so i'll try to post up some pics.
Cheers

ianz83 · 09-22-2009, 12:51 AM

Here's a few pic's of one I looked at today.
It's an '82 FXE apparently 15kAUD

Y2K · 09-22-2009, 01:30 AM

Great looking bike,somebody loved it lots.

springer- · 09-22-2009, 10:09 AM

Looks like a good bar hopper type bike. Definately a vibration machine being a FX frame. 15K AUS, not sure what that translates to but here in the US I would guess the value of the bike to be about 5K.

Keep in mind stuff like the front brakes are no where near what you find on bikes today. It will be a "mechanics special" so get a manual.

Good luck with it.

ianz83 · 09-23-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer-

Looks like a good bar hopper type bike. Definately a vibration machine being a FX frame. 15K AUS, not sure what that translates to but here in the US I would guess the value of the bike to be about 5K.

Keep in mind stuff like the front brakes are no where near what you find on bikes today. It will be a "mechanics special" so get a manual.

Good luck with it.

15k here is about 11 or 12k us. I think bikes over here are a fair bit more costly than over there unfortunanty

Dr.Hess · 09-23-2009, 10:00 AM

I don't think you can compare an FXRT to other shovels. That one was actually built for high speed cruising.

I'd have to go with rosacycle et. al. Keep the twinky for a bike to ride. Get a shovel for something to look at and keep you busy wrenching on and occasionally take to the beer joint, unless that's all you do anyway or want out of a bike. Back in the shovelhead days, I found that for every 10 MPH over 55 MPH I cruised at on the highway, I had one extra hour wrenching that evening. Got old real fast. With my Evo, I just ride as fast as I want, change the oil and put gas in.

springer- · 09-23-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

I don't think you can compare an FXRT to other shovels. That one was actually built for high speed cruising.

Read post #2 ... http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/fl...ml#post1677634

I didn't compare them to other shovels, I specifically singled them out. Now read the other posts that say "you can't do that on a shovel". They grouped them all together. I was trying to show that they shouldn't all be grouped together.

sag57 · 09-24-2009, 06:18 AM

l'am sorry l find the new 09 electra standard as boring as hell , l look at my 78 FX and it all happens , its got balls , two blips on the throttle , couple prime kicks , turn the key and a way we go , sure you gotta play with it occasionally but all and all l,ve done thousands of miles at 75 mph and smiles to go with it . lt takes you back when we were all a tad younger and getting there was half the fun. The 09 sits there to but the cook wreckons her hips are way past there use by date as far as the shovel goes.