Shovelhead Future Value : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

atengnr · 03-29-2009, 01:56 PM

I have little knowledge on antique Harleys, but it does seem that shovels currently have far less value than previous models - pans, knuckles. Do you think that 10-20 yrs down the road, the shovels will have begin to gain value, similar to these older bikes today?

Thanks.

springer- · 03-29-2009, 02:22 PM

IMO, it is like anything else... as more people cut, chop, take apart, let rot and destroy the old shovelheads, the ones that remain in good stock condition will increase value.

FLHtoFXD · 03-29-2009, 02:51 PM

All I can say is there must be alot of old shoves in garages eveywhere in various stages of disrepair. I kinda drool thinking about it as I have a soft spot for shovels after riding one for 23 years.

atrick · 03-30-2009, 07:41 PM

I hear shovels are in demand in Japan and the Japanese, that they are looking for stock shovels

claydbal · 03-30-2009, 07:52 PM

i have a 1974, 74 inch fl that is stock except exhaust. even have the buddy seat , luggage rack, windshield, etc: make me a big offer and its yours.

77Ironhead · 03-30-2009, 08:27 PM

and the number built in the seventies don't necessarily make a Shovel head a Pan head. That said, they'll get there as collectible's.
In fact they may, based upon price, already be there. A seventies Shovel head that's whole and not totally molested commands 2- 2.5 or more of it's original value. That ratio isn't going to go south going forward.

geoff1200 · 03-31-2009, 05:50 PM

It is getting VERY difficult to find unmolested Shovels, I run across at least 2 near original Pans a year and recently picked up a 100% original FXRS-SP for $3500.00. They are out there...somewhere...

claydbal · 03-31-2009, 06:40 PM

my shovel is almost unmollested. looking for stock headpipe to get the duals off. whoever put duals on a 45 hp bike needs his neck rung.

atrick · 03-31-2009, 06:43 PM

They're out there, I got one, my 78 which I bought new in 78, have every stock part that came with in. Motor was rebuit once when the cams were put in but still got the stock ones. I'm waiting for someone to make me an offer. Two guys I know were down Datona and said a couple of Japanese guys were making offers on stock shovels to take back with them

Hillside · 04-01-2009, 06:44 AM

I have a 1967 FLH.
Certainly has increased in value over the years.
Scott

kink04fxd · 04-09-2009, 05:08 PM

I traded my stock 77 FXS Lowrider for an all original 69 FLH back in 1985. When I sold it in 2004 to buy My FXD I had more than doubled my money. I see a few around here but most have been well used.

shovel wrench · 04-11-2009, 09:23 PM

I don't think the shovels will ever catch up to the "collector" prices of Pans. The Evos hurt the price of shovels, and now the twin cams with their high production numbers have really hurt Evo prices.

I really don't understand why the shovel prices don't go up, when they are still a very ridable older bike, and still a few folks are around that know how to work on them. And, you just cant do anything to make a twin cam sound like an old shovel. I have 172,00 miles on an '84 FLHX, 11,000 on a '99 Evo soft tail, and 6,000 on a 2007 FLHX. Easy to see which one I have been riding the most over the years. But, I gotta admit the 96" 6-speed is really a great highway bike. doesn't use any oil, and starts just bumping the button. No cantankerous carb or choke to mess with. The FI tolerates the ethanol gas real well compared to the older carbs too. I was suspicous about the rear belt on the old shovel, but have only changed it once in its life time, hopefully my suspicion on the new electronics etc get proved wrong, and I can save the old shovel for parade duty, and hope one day she is worth a furtune. Sad part is that these FLH sold for 8k new, and sell for less now, while a pan was 4k new and may sell for 20k now.

byaffe · 04-19-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atrick

I hear shovels are in demand in Japan and the Japanese, that they are looking for stock shovels

Where would I find a place to market my Shovel in Japan?

I have a beautiful 1984 FLHS all number matching bike that I would like someone to bail me out on!

Ol'Bagger · 05-18-2009, 10:35 AM

I have a 1965 Pan Shovel... yup - stamped 1965 ( 65FLHxxx64 ) base and 1966 cylinders and heads - apparently a pieced together issue by HD that may have been truth in those years but I can't find any reference to match the facts. Its been completely customized from the engine case up... you can't find parts that are OEM that aren't made in the US... Taiwan repros just suck !
I have more value in the custom job than busting my head looking for the OEM stuff besides it looks amazing - just like a hot rod '57 Chev... my scoot is a hot rod '65.

Ol'Bagger
Montreal, Qc, Canada

route66paul · 05-18-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol'Bagger

I have a 1965 Pan Shovel... yup - stamped 1965 ( 65FLHxxx64 ) base and 1966 cylinders and heads - apparently a pieced together issue by HD that may have been truth in those years but I can't find any reference to match the facts. Its been completely customized from the engine case up... you can't find parts that are OEM that aren't made in the US... Taiwan repros just suck !
I have more value in the custom job than busting my head looking for the OEM stuff besides it looks amazing - just like a hot rod '57 Chev... my scoot is a hot rod '65.

Ol'Bagger
Montreal, Qc, Canada

I would bet that someone put that top end on the 65 bottom end. HD was doing fine in those years, Idon't think that they would have put that out stock. It was a common fix for cracked pan heads. They did offer elecrtic start on 65 pans, though.