1978 Shovelhead restoration advice

[Zooligan]

Hi guys!

I'm new to the forums. I signed up specifically because I recently came into what I think is a 1978 SuperGlide (my father-in-law's before he passed).

Here's the deal -- he was a tinkerer and had the bike more or less apart when he died. This thing is your classic basket case, except the stuff's in boxes.

I'm looking for advice on how I might go about restoring this bike. I'm not looking to go showroom, but would like to get things somewhat historically accurate, or at least historically plausible.

Any ideas where to start?

Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance!

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Zooligan

Any ideas where to start?

Without knowing your mechanical experience, or your personal familiarization with shovelheads, you may be better off selling it, or buying something that doesn't need to be put back together.

This isn't a bicycle.

At a minimum, you'll need a boatload of tools, a factory manual and maybe some help from friends and a good indy shop close by.

Oh....and money helps too.

Good luck.

[Ultra89Rider]

The first thing you need is the Service Manual and a Parts Catalog. It will help to putting the bike back to proper order.

[Zooligan]

Originally Posted by Dave63

This isn't a bicycle.

But its got handlebars and a chain...

Originally Posted by Dave63

At a minimum, you'll need a boatload of tools, a factory manual and maybe some help from friends and a good indy shop close by.

Got access to most of that, but I can always use an excuse to buy tools!

Good sources for factory manuals, anyone??

Here's a good starter question -- is there a serial number database I can check to see what model this bike rolled out of the factory as, before wrenches got put to it?

[Badassbrutus]

send it to me Ill put it together for ya....On the serial number what does the tittle say??

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Zooligan

Good sources for factory manuals, anyone??

..is there a serial number database I can check to see what model this bike rolled out of the factory as?

Manual: Factory.... Haynes, Motor and Chilton are ok in a pinch, but not great.


VIN:


You can even go to the HD site and insert your VIN and it will tell you the model of your bike and what maintenance id needed at that particular mileage.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/EX/M...bmLocale=en_US

OR

Frame ID Numbers - 1970-1980
Motorcycle Serial Numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) is located on the
engine crankcase and is the same as the number located on
frame steering head.
Example: 1A 13478 H7
1A = Model Designation
1A = FL-1200 6E = FXEF-80
2A = FLH-1200 7E = FLHS-1200
3A = XLH-1000 9E = SS-250
4A = XLCH-1000 2F = FXS-1200
5A = GE-750 3F = SXT-125
6A = SS-350 Sprint 4F = SS-175
7A = SX-125 6F = SS-125
8A = M65-S 7F = XLCR-1000
7B = ERS 2G = XLT-1000
8B = MSR-100 3G = FLH-80
2C = FX-1200 5G = FLT-80
3C = SX-350 Sprint 6G = FXE-80
5C = MC-65 7G = FXS-80
6C = SR-100 7T = SST-250
1D = LE Sidecar 8F = SST-350
2D = X-90 9F = SX-350
3D = Z-90 9G = FXWG-80
5D = SX-175 1H = FXB-80
6D = SX-250 2H = CLE Sidecar
7D = MX-250 3H = FLH-80 Classsic
9D = FXE-1200 5H = FLHS-80
4E = XLS-1000 6H = FL-80
5E = FXEF-1200 7H = FLH-1200 Police
8H = FLH-1200 Shrine
9H = FLH-80 Police
1K = FLH-80 Shrine


13478 = Sequential Number

H = Decade Code
H = 1970 thru 1979
J = 1980 only

7 = Model Season
0 = 1970
1 = 1971
2 = 1972
3 = 1973
4 = 1974
5 = 1975
6 = 1976
7 = 1977
8 = 1978
9 = 1979
Crankcase Identification Numbers
Numbers located on both left and right crankcase halves.

Big Twin: Left Case - Outside, Lower Front
Right Case - Inside, Gearcase Compartment

XL Models: Left Case - Inside, Primary Compartment
Right Case - Outside, Near Oil Pump

Stamped at Capitol Drive Facility
Used to identify engine and track production changes

Example: 1588 321 007

15 = Engine Designation
1 = 1200cc Shovelhead
7 = 1000cc Iron XL
14 = 1340cc Shovelhead
15 = 1340cc Evolution
16 = XR-1000
17 = 883cc Evolution XL
18 = 1100cc Evolution XL
19 = 1200cc Evolution XL
20 = 1340cc Evolution, California (1988 - *)
21 = 883cc Evolution XL, California (1988 - *)
22 = 1200cc Evolution XL, California (1988 - *)

88 = Model Year

321 = Day of Production
001 = Jan. 1st 182 = Jul. 1st
032 = Feb. 1st 213 = Aug. 1st
060 = Mar. 1st 244 = Sep. 1st
091 = Apr. 1st 274 = Oct. 1st
121 = May 1st 305 = Nov. 1st
152 = Jun. 1st 335 = Dec. 1st

007 = Number That Day




Frame ID Numbers - 1981 and Later

Example: 1HD1AAK11BYO13478

The frame number is broken
down like this:

1 HD 1 AA K 1 1 B Y 013278

1 = Made in U.S.A.
HD = Harley Davidson
1 = Weight Class
1 = Heavyweight
4 = Lightweight
8 = Sidecar
AA = Model Designation
K = Engine Displacement
K = 1340 Shovelhead
H = 1000 Ironhead XL
L = 1340 Evolution
M = 883 Evolution XL
N = 1100 Evolution XL
P = 1200 Evolution XL
1 = Introduction Date
1 = Regular Introduction
2 = Mid-Year (January)
3 = California Special
4 = Daytona (March)
1 = Check Digit
B = Model Year
B = 1981 C = 1982
D = 1983 E = 1984
F = 1985 G = 1986
H = 1987 J = 1988
K = 1989 L = 1990
M = 1991 N = 1992
P = 1993 R = 1994
S = 1995 T = 1996
U = 1997

Y = Plant of Manufacture (York, PA)
T = Plant of Manufacture (Tomahawk, WI)
J = Plant of Manufacture (Milwaukee, WI)

013278 = Sequential Number

FL/FX Models
AA FLH - 80
AB FLHP - 80 Chain
AC FLH - 80 Shrine Chain
AD FLH - Classic
AG FLH - Classic w/ sidecar
AH FLHP - 80 Belt Deluxe
AJ FLH - 80 Heritage
AK FLHS - 80
AL FLH - 80 Shrine Belt
BA FXE - 80
BB FXEF - 80
BC FXS - 80
BD FXB - 80
BE FXWG - 80
BF FXSB - 80
BG FXDG
BH FXST
BJ FLST/FLSTC
BK FXSTC
BL FXSTS
BM FLSTF
BN FLSTN
BP FXSTSB

FLT/FXR Police Models
DA FLHTP - Windshield 1984 and later
DF FLHTP - Fairing
ED FXRP - Windshield
EF FXRP - Fairing
EK FXRP - C.H.P.
FLT/FXR Models
AE 1981 FLT
AF 1981 FLTC
DA FLT 1982 and 1983 only
DB FLTC
DC FLHT
DD FLHTC
DE FLHTC w/ Sidecar
DG FLHTC Shrine
DH FLTC w/Sidecar
DJ FLHTC 1986 - present
DK FLTC Shrine
DM FLTCU - Ultra
DN FLTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DP FLHTCU - Ultra
DR FLHTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DS FLTCU - Ultra Shrine
DT FLHTCU - Ultra Shrine
EA FXR
EB FXRS
EC FXRT
EE FXRDG
EG FXRS-SP Sport Edition
EH FXRD
EJ FXRC
EL FXLR
EM FXRS - CON
FA FLHS
FB FLHR-I Injected
FC FLHTCU-I Injected
FD FLHR
FE FLTCU-I Injected
FF FLHTC-I Injected

Dyna Glides
GA FXDB-D Daytona
GB FXDB-S Sturgis
GC FXDC
GD FXDL
GE FXDWG
GG FXDS-CON
GH FXD

XL Models
CA XLH
XLH 1000cc 1981 - 1985
XLH 883 1986 - 1987
XLH 883 Deluxe
XLH 1100
XLH 883 1988 - present
XLH 1200
CB XLS 1981 - 1985
CC XLX 1981 - 1985
CD XR-1000, 1983 - 1985
CE XLH 883 Hugger 1987 - present
CF XLH 883 Deluxe 1988 - present
CG XLH 1200 Custom
CH XLH 1200 Sport

Sidecars
SA CLE Purchased w/FLH
SD CLE Purchased w/FLH
SE CLE Separate
SF TLE Purchased w/FLTC/FLHTC
SG TLE Separate
SH CLE Purchased w/FLHX
GX TLE
HX RLE
KX TLE Ultra

[ARBY]

Bunch of good info in your post, thanks.

[Zooligan]

Thanks Dave63. Looks like I've got an early 1978 FX-1200. With the dual tanks and low seat height, I'm guessing its a low rider model.

Step 1 -- determine exactly what you're lookin' at -- check
Step 2 -- ??

Maybe complete the strip-down that was in process, see what parts are good, bad, duplicate, or missing, and start working the chassis and powerplant/drivetrain?

[trobbins]

arby i enjoyed your site ill be back like your stories and your facts fla is loaded with 1% also not just north and west there nation wide lol latter

[ARBY]

Originally Posted by trobbins

arby i enjoyed your site ill be back like your stories and your facts fla is loaded with 1% also not just north and west there nation wide lol latter

Thanks for stopping by. Yea, we got a bunch. Everywhere ya go there they are. And more coming I hear.