Shovelhead? Should I?

[djl]

I appreciate all the input but, to be clear, I don't care what others think and I don't need anyone to tell me what or what not to buy.  I posted because I wanted to learn from Shovel riders as much as I could about Shovelheads to educate myself so I could make an intelligent search and purchase should I find the one that I like.  What I have heard so far has been helpful and is appreciated.

I own two TCs, both older models with built engines.  Neither of my bikes has seen the inside of a dealership. I do my own maintenance, build my own engines, make my own cam changes, tune my own carbs, repair my own inner primary issues, etc. Getting ready to gut and rebuild a transmission which I have not done before but know I will get it done. The only thing I am weak on is the electrical stuff; mystifies me and I struggle with it.  I know Shovels are different animals but I don't have any issues with maintenance and/or repairs; I enjoy working on my bikes.

I really do appreciate all the input; just want to clarify the intent of the OP.

[smokedyvr]

No disrespect intended! If you can wrench your own then you will have no issues with the shovel. I wrench my own Evo's short of machine work and I find shovels just as easy if not easier. I think as posted your going to find out that every bike has it's own personality and they are truly a joy to wrench. If you go to the shovel forum you'll find that they all share some of the same issues as the EVO's and TC's. The very first shovel I ever wrenched on was the very one I am buying. Good luck brother in your quest!  o

[hbkeith]

I  own two TCs, 2005 FXSTD and 2002 FLHT; both built up a bit from stock.  Don't know why but I have recently been thinking of acquiring a shovelhead; can't explain the sudden attraction but it has taken hold.

I am thinking later model FXR or FXS with 84" engine.  Am I nuts?  What's the down side?  I don't mind working on my bikes when something breaks or pulling regular maintenance or installing an upgrade but I don't want one the needs constant attention or one that I can't rely on to make a 400 mile ride without breaking down or requiring that I carry a toolbox to make sure I get home.

ansewer to your quotes , yes they need constant attention, yes carry lots tools on 400 mile trip, you have to keep up on them , go over bike before & after 400 miles and tighten what came loose and enjoy the ride

[motorplex88]

Every person that is a true motorcycle enthusiast should own an old/antique bike at least once in their life [shovel or whatever]. They can be truly rewarding and a helluva alot of fun. Once ya get em lined out they don't take that much to be a reliable unit. They also make a good conversation piece in most any crowd.

[djl]

Every person that is a true motorcycle enthusiast should own an old/antique bike at least once in their life [shovel or whatever]. They can be truly rewarding and a helluva alot of fun. Once ya get em lined out they don't take that much to be a reliable unit. They also make a good conversation piece in most any crowd.

I agree. I guess that is the attraction. I get all excited about the whole idea, you know, the search for that bike that sort of speaks to you when you are looking at it and finally getting her home.  I just can't get excited about buying a new Harley and having never owned or ridden a shovel head am pretty keen on owning one.  I just want to get the right one for me.

Thanks again for the encouragement and advice.  I have been traveling but the bike pictured in my previous post has not sold and Bastrop is about a leisurley two hour drive from San Antonio and I will be getting over there ASAP to take a look. 

yes carry lots tools on 400 mile trip, you have to keep up on them , go over bike before & after 400 miles and tighten what came loose and enjoy the ride.

Carrying tools is a given, don't know why I even brought it up.  I carry tools when out on either of my bikes, knowing that the chances of a breakdown are about nil but a flat can happen anywhere.  Last time out on my '05 Deuce, I had a foot peg come loose on the brake side; it started rotating on the mount 200 miles from the house.   I would not have made it home with that footpeg without the allen wrench I needed to tighten it up.  No big deal with tools but without tools and no brake side foot peg, the ride home would have been miserable.

[djl]

No disrespect intended! If you can wrench your own then you will have no issues with the shovel. I wrench my own Evo's short of machine work and I find shovels just as easy if not easier. I think as posted your going to find out that every bike has it's own personality and they are truly a joy to wrench. If you go to the shovel forum you'll find that they all share some of the same issues as the EVO's and TC's. The very first shovel I ever wrenched on was the very one I am buying. Good luck brother in your quest!  o

I didn't read disrespect into your post; just wanted to clear up the intent of the OP.  We are in agreement and I appreciate the feedback.

[jmorton10]

This guy was 113 cubic inches with custom made barrels & a 5" stroke.

http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/image/22635542

I drag raced it with a slick & wheelie bars, but I also rode it from upstate NY to Sturgis and back & never broke down once.

~John

[Brrrap]

This guy was 113 cubic inches with custom made barrels & a 5" stroke.

http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/image/22635542

I drag raced it with a slick & wheelie bars, but I also rode it from upstate NY to Sturgis and back & never broke down once.

~John

WHOA!  Nice bike!

[Old Crow]

I'd gladly spend a week in traction just to put a couple of hundred miles on that bike.  Nice job. 

[djl]

Here is another one I am looking at; farther away and a plane ticket would be required to kick the tires.  It's a '79, 74" engine, clean, very low mileage and the guy has done some custom upgrading.  Kind of torn between the 74" and 80" engines and the 4 or 5 speed trans.

IMG_1667.MOV

[Dresser]

I rode a '74 Superglide for 17 yrs. Shovels are good bikes if as stated quality and regular maintenance is kept up. The first couple years of the 80ci had some problems. I would avoid a 78-79 model year but other than that they can be great bikes. Last word on it "GET AN ELECTRIC START MODEL". Mine was a kicker & when it's 30deg F out with 70 weight oil they can be hard to start.

[djl]

I jumped over to the Shovel section; still reading, learning and looking around.  Every so often I get this urge for  third bike in the garage; last one was a Ducati Multistrads, the 1200 S Touring model.  A guy I ride with occassionally (BMW/Triumph guy) bought one and I got interested but I have found that if I wait long enough, the urge burns off, I settle down and return to normal.  It has been nearly a month now and the urge for a Shovel hasn't started to burn off but I need to give it another couple of weeks to be sure it won't before I get serious and make an offer.  In the meantime, I am in a learning mode and the guys in the Shovel section (some have responded hear) have been very accomodating in providing counsel to a newb.  So, signing off here and thanks for the input.