Looking at a 1979 Shovelhead

[Axe56]

Originally Posted by SCHMIDTYS

Axe56 , FYI top end on a 74ci 4 spd shovel is only about 90 mph ! If you plan on pushing that thing 80 - 90 mph on the freeway I think you'll be breaking things !
I've got an 80ci 4 spd shovel with a few mods and when I get it up in the 80 - 90 mph range it feels and sounds like things are coming apart ... needless to say I don't ride it that fast often !

Thank you. That is somewhat of a concern.

[SCHMIDTYS]

Originally Posted by Axe56

Thank you. That is somewhat of a concern.

Didn't mean to pop a bubble there . There are ways to get more top end out of a shovel and keep the rpms down so it won't feel like it's coming apart at speed . Still some of the better ones I've known ( not racers ) top out at about 110 .

[Axe56]

No bubble. That was a concern. And the more realistic I look at this bike the better. Right now I've got a good dependable bike that can make those few trips with no problem. And with no need to constantly wrench. We will see what happens when I go to look at the bike.

[SCHMIDTYS]

It would be nice if you could hang on to your current bike and get the shovel too ! If I could go back in time and start over I would try to find a way to hang on to every bike I've owned to date . I'd store 'em , keep 'em at the uncle's farm , stick 'em in the corner of the bedroom ... whatever it takes ! I guess I could say that about the cars I've owned too ! Seems money was always the deciding factor ... a couple of wives too !
Good shovels are getting rarer every day !

[Axe56]

Originally Posted by SCHMIDTYS

It would be nice if you could hang on to your current bike and get the shovel too ! If I could go back in time and start over I would try to find a way to hang on to every bike I've owned to date . I'd store 'em , keep 'em at the uncle's farm , stick 'em in the corner of the bedroom ... whatever it takes ! I guess I could say that about the cars I've owned too ! Seems money was always the deciding factor ... a couple of wives too !
Good shovels are getting rarer every day !

I would love to hold onto the one I've got. Bit like you said $ is the deciding factor. If I didn't owe anything on the bike now I would. But if it is as nice a it seems I just can't turn it down, even if it is going to be somewhat of a pain in the arse.

[SCHMIDTYS]

Originally Posted by Axe56

I would love to hold onto the one I've got. Bit like you said $ is the deciding factor. If I didn't owe anything on the bike now I would. But if it is as nice a it seems I just can't turn it down, even if it is going to be somewhat of a pain in the arse.

If ya buy it don't look back ! Just take a good look before hand , ya know .

[Dave63]

I gotta ask, Axe56......why do you need to ride 80-90 mph on the highway?

[Axe56]

Originally Posted by Dave63

I gotta ask, Axe56......why do you need to ride 80-90 mph on the highway?

ROFL. Well, I don't need to. But the road captain determines speed and direction. I'm sure my brothers would be willing to slow it down a bit. Also, keep in mind speed limit here is faster for the most part.

My day to day riding is much slower.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Axe56

Also, keep in mind speed limit here is faster for the most part.

The National speed limit is 65 mph.....unless you're in Arizona, hence my question. You may have to bump it down a notch or two, if you wanna ride a 30 year old scooter.

A good road Captain also has to take an inventory of his bikes, and pick a speed that's suitable for ALL the bikes, and not just the guys riding new ones.

I ride a 15 year old bike. Not stock, nor speed-shy, but I still don't push my luck, or the limits of what I know the bike is safely capable of.

[Badassbrutus]

a bike is only as safe as its riders capabilitys.

My Pan all day long 80 just cruisin do i do it all the time no.dont have to had it way above 110mph...lol you bike is only as good as you mechanical abilitys as well.HAHA DAVE My bike got yours on age by 30yrs...