1975 Shovel - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

Autotec · 09-21-2009, 08:22 PM

Guys and Gals,

Here's the story, My brother in law has a shovel sitting in the back of the garage that he bought new. It hasn't run for about 7 years and I think it just became my winter project lastnight over way too many Bud Lights. The engine and trans are fresh, but I figure all of the gaskets and seals should be replaced. Other than that and the common wear items, what do you guys suggest? Are there any upgrades that have come around in the last decade that anybody recommends? He has a budget of 5-7K to rebuild his youth.

Justin

MrMarty51 · 09-21-2009, 10:29 PM

First off I`d get it fired up and see how it runs/leaks then do a good tuneup on it.
If it needs internals I would go with 20 over 9.5 to 1 pistons and an andrews B grind cam or if You want to stay with the Hyd. lifters then go with the BH cam and add on an S&S super E and You will have a powerhouse.
I had this setup on Mine old 76 FLH and run the tallest gears I could get on primary and secondary drives and that baby would fly.
Also the 20 over pistons give You the best bang for the buck as they turn it into a 76 cu.in.
Now that is just My opinion and there are probably a lot more out there than Mine.

Autotec · 09-22-2009, 12:39 AM

Thanks for the reply. Right now it is a 80ci. The trans is fresh with a close ratio gear set. It also has a Super E already installed. I'm not sure about the cam, but i can bet there is something in it.

The bike has a 70's "outlaw biker-chopper" look to it that I'm going to try to keep. But the problem is, it has been touched by a fair amount of people who should never hold a wrench. I have to start from scratch on almost everything.

Think of it as a restoration. New rims, tin, seat, shocks, forks, wiring harness, ect..

**Dave63** · 09-22-2009, 05:37 AM

Rebuild carb, change fluids and see if it fires. The gaskets and seals should be fine, if they were fine when it was parked. You might want to retorque the top end, though.

vlade · 09-22-2009, 05:55 AM

Run now, restore later.

sirbOOm · 09-22-2009, 06:22 AM

Well you're up in WI and I'm in Chicago, so if you need someone to hand you some tools during the build... LET ME KNOW!

Rockerbox1 · 09-22-2009, 07:42 AM

if nothing else do as Dave says, rebuild carb. then don't even hesitate, change fuel filter, flush out gas tank if it had anything in it when parked, and check for rust in tank if it was parked empty.
other than that, check brakes, clutch and cable, change oil, filter, plugs, wires, and fire the bizitch up

Badassbrutus · 09-22-2009, 07:54 AM

80ci is plenty fire it up and run it.Freshen the fluids and check the brakes and chain,a couple electrical tests and Ride it.

SCHMIDTYS · 09-22-2009, 08:32 AM

Bring it over and let me get a looksee . West Allis to Port Washington ... 20 minutes !

Autotec · 09-22-2009, 06:15 PM

sirbOOm Well you're up in WI and I'm in Chicago, so if you need someone to hand you some tools during the build... LET ME KNOW!

SCHMIDTYS Bring it over and let me get a looksee . West Allis to Port Washington ... 20 minutes !

I should have the bike at my house in a few weeks. By brother-in-law wants the frame powder coated and all of the chrome redone, so it's going to be apart for awhile. I plan on getting in started before I start ripping it apart just to make sure all of the mechanicals are ok. It sat in a climate controlled garage this entire time, so I'm expecting the engine and trans should be good. ( still going to reseal both though )

Anybody close is welcome to stop by and have a few with me during the build.

I can't drink alone.

I'm kinda looking foward to this project, finally I don't have to spend my money to have some fun.

I'll take some pictures as soon as I pick it up.

Justin