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Shovelhead Harley - reliable?

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#42 ·
I've owned my 76 FXE since new, kidnaped my first wife with it...A few things I've learned, if they're built right to begin with, use an updated oil pump, velva touch drive train w/roller rockers, good elec. ignition, c/v carb and ride um like you have a brain (ride um often) they are as reliable as any EVO. I still put 9k a year on her and own several other bikes, the Shovel is the only one that speaks to me...
 
#43 ·
Shovelheads are as good as you built them to be.
I have put a few quality aftermarket parts on mine and she rides like a queen. I did 20k miles since the last freshen up and you wont find a drop of oil underneath her.

Joe
 
#44 ·
HI all! One thing to watch out for with a shovlehead for sale is 8 outta 10 times theres going to be something wrong with it. The person normaly has no funds to fix it. Or the wife wants it gone. Becuase most shovelhead riders are obsessive with their shovelhead motorcycle. I pushed mine home a few times lol.. and moaned the whole time about., but by next morning the tools were out puttong the love back into her "pinche shovel".
and im not a great mechanic but its like working on a 350 chevy engine from back in the day where say like your average joe could replace a altenator or remove valves you know. Its a badass caveman of a motorcycle! Its raw harley! Its the motor that evos turn their head to! GO SHOVEL!! lol
 
#45 ·
I still dream about my 1974 74" FLH. It rode great.
The 1982 FXR Shovel was easy to work on. I had it blow a head gasket when over 500 miles from home. Because the frame was designed for the EVO, there was great clearance between the heads and the frame. I was able to pull the front head without removing the fuel tank. I replaced the head gasket in a motel parking lot and rode home without any problems.

Boy, I miss the easy time I had to work on my Shovel.
 
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#46 ·
re

I bought my lowrider new in 78. It has 77,000 miles showing on the speedometer right now but actually has substantially more than that. (speedo was disconnected the first year that I owned the bike and speedo drive has been broken and broken cables etc.) I've been throught 13 states and 2 provinces. The bike is still a daily rider (weather permitting). I can count on one hand the number of breakdowns I've had and most of them have been failures of aftermarket parts. Not the sign of a lemon.
Any vehicle you buy over 25 years old is going to need work. But one of the great things about an old Harley is that is repairable.
 
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#47 ·
I bought my shovel for $4,500. What a deal! Then it took about $3,000 to get is up to roadworthy status. I have pushed it more than once but it always turned out to be something that I should have had handy. Now that all is up to snuff, I ride it regularly to work and everyplace else. I check it over about every third time I get on it, and it is amazing how many surprizes I find. Gotta bring those tools.
 
#48 ·
if you don't have mechanical ability's ,stay with a evo or a twink,if your the type that doesn't like to get your hands dirty stay with an evo or a twink..shovelheads are more a way of life to some people evo and twinks are for the enthusiast
 
#49 ·
I had a pan and now ride my third Shovel. Never owned anything newer. The thing I love about the pans and shovels is that you don't have to be a rocket scientist or have specialized tools to maintain your scoot! I wrench in the winter and ride in the summer. My winter wrenching I enjoy almost as much as riding in the summer! If it wasn't for my shovel, what would I do in the winter? Torment my wife?? Kids are expensive!!
 
#51 ·
I wouldn't use my Shovel as my daily ride. That said, whenever I have a choice I'd pick it in favour of my other 6 bikes (Hondas, BMWs, HD Twincam). Riding it just makes you feel in Heaven! You don't go fast and still have oodles of fun! Reliability is up to your skills, better have some otherwise you pay a lot for probably mediocre work. Tinkering and study is required. Parts are CHEAP. Very rewarding ownership. Girls will be jealous! My rule for Shovels: you gotta love it to like it. A friend's wisdom: Shovels are like people - flawed, that makes them loveable. Go for it mate - you only live once (at least on this motorbike planet). Jim V


atengnr said:
OK, I hear that these bikes need lots of attention. Im thinking of getting one this summer, but would like to know how reliable they are. My riding would be mostly a few miles here and there in town, but also an occasional ride about 150 miles. Would a shovel be OK for this??

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
#53 ·
Just purchased a '72 Super Glide from an HD dealer for $4800. OTD.
Was a 2 owner, well maintained, mostly original, included was the original parts that had been removed.
Runs great, really fun to ride.
Over the years I've owned 2 other AMFs, a '76 & '78. Never really had any issues with them.
Was doing some web surfing and came across this post. Lots of great info, thanks to everyone who's replied.
 
#54 · (Edited)
Don't let all the naysayers dissuade you from owning a Shovelhead. I've ridden mine as far south as the southernmost point in Key West and as far north as Nova Scotia. As far east as Long Island Sound and west to he Wasatch Mountains in Utah. I'm a total shovelhead junkie and one thing I've learned it's that it's not what you do to a Shovelhead that matters, rather it's who does it that matters. I bought my 1977 FXS in 1980 and if it wasn't for my current arthritis issues it would still be my primary ride and the newest bike I ever owned. All motorcycles break down. It just seems like Shovelheads break down more because their owners ride them more than the average new bike owner. Shovelheads Rule!
 
#56 ·
It's no contest. The Shovels are a very old design and not very technical. They vibrate and they run hot. The heads are oversized and they can sometimes be difficult to tune. With that being said, nothing sounds better and they can be very reliable given you put in time on preventative maintenance. Bolt checks for sure. If you don't like to go thru the paces, buy a new one. They are not without inherent problems but a favorite of mine.
 
#57 ·
Had mine since 2001. Only left me on the side of the road once. Electronic ignition failed. I didn't have my points and plate with me at the time. But I also do regular maintenance on it and they will buzz the hell out of you on long rides.
 
#58 ·
gary 80 said:
Had mine since 2001. Only left me on the side of the road once. Electronic ignition failed. I didn't have my points and plate with me at the time. But I also do regular maintenance on it and they will buzz the hell out of you on long rides.
Click to expand...
The only time my old 80 FXE left me on the side of the road was the same thing. Got it home and pulled the cover off and found a magnet for the magnetic pickup on the bottom. Super glued it back in place and it fired right back up!:clap:
 
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