In 1981, a consortium of investors, including Willie G Davidson, bought back AMFs share of the company for $80 million. Shovelhead motors also suffered issues with electronic ignition units. whats so great about the generator verses alternator? It ended up in an engine knock, causing overheating, blown gaskets, and damage to the head bolts. This is definitely a Harley worth investing in. Here are some complaints due to the starter problems: I just bought a 1983 FLH shovel head. So, which Shovelhead years should you avoid? Harley-Davidson is a prevalent name with a signature, Read More Harley-Davidson FXR vs. DYNA: In-Depth ComparisonContinue. Advertisement. A forum community dedicated to Jockey motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Aside from the obvious desirability of generator motors, it's often been said that the last couple of years were very well engineered as they were increasing quality (compared to some of the early AMF years) in advance of Evo production. Most experts and users of Harley Davidson consider the 1966 model year best for the Shovelhead bikes. Another model year is 1984 for faultless Harley Shovelhead bikes. There also remains the quality of the existing parts in the bike which shows low performance after using while. Does the type and year of a shovel really matter? 2007 touring models had an issue with crank runout. It got a new engine, an oversized oil pump, and an improved alternator system. Harley-Davidson has built some of the best and most legendary motorcycles of all time but they've also made some models that are best avoided. The Shovelhead was designed in part to produce more power and higher performance to make up for the increased weight of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle models. The Shovelhead engine has survived for decades despite its complicated and long history. You have come to the right place. Over this time, the engine went through many changes and updates. If you are a sucker for that authentic Harley Davidson quality, it would be best to steer clear of Shovelheads produced during the HD-AMF partnership. However, some model years of Shovelhead were not up to the mark. Just this weekend, I drove from Ottawa Canada to Sudbury, a 15 hour ride and back. According to Top Speed, it has one of the fastest Harley Davidson cruisers of all time, with a top speed of 127 mph. The design of the Shovelhead was flawed from the start. By 1984, the Evolution engine took over most models of shovelhead. It has happened when the fuel reaches the line and cannot get to the motor further. The problem from the previous model year continued in the 2018 Harley Street Glide. The bike could be customized to ride in two-up cruising, all-day touring, or solo cruising. Despite being a killer look, it has issues with some facts. I guess I have to wait until the thing blows up. Maximum 66 horsepower at 5,600 RPM. strictlymotorcycles.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The XR-1000 was Harleys bounce back after a horrible streak of bikes released under the AMF ownership. Moreover, there found the defects of chassis of the vehicle what makes the whole control system of the tire and break so inaccurate position. Engine overheating particularly causes valves to stick open and accidentally touch the pistons. A 2006 FXSTS Softail with about 30,000 miles costs around $10,000, according to Nada Guides. This shape does not resemble that of a traditional shovel, making it difficult to identify this type of engine. 66 rebuilt shovelhead motor only $3500 obo Flywheels Balanced an Trued New Rods and Crankpins. They designed Panhead for oil containment but still leak oil from the top end. Any of them is faster than my evo. You have to just well upon on the models of some specific year which is notorious for their bad records according to their complaints number. And had it not been for the design flaws and performance shortcomings identified during this period, the powerplant found at the heart of all HD motorcycles would not have morphed into what it is today. He figured out it was the faulty foot shift responsible for bringing up the issue. Before digging into the details, lets have a look at how shovelhead came into existence and what drawbacks it had: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'strictlymotorcycles_com-box-4','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-strictlymotorcycles_com-box-4-0');Harley Davidson produced a shovelhead engine from the mid-60s to early 80s. The shark nose fairing mainly represents it while providing housing for the headlight and a pair of speakers. Best Way to Cool a Harley Engine Why Cooling Down is Must! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Ideation of this engine blueprint down to its production was slow and sometimes painful. 14 Used Harley-Davidsons Worth Every Penny (And 3 To Avoid At All Costs), One Of The Best: 20092010 Fat Bob - $11,000, One Of The Best: 2006 Harley-Davidson FXSTS Springer Softail - $9,155, One Of The Best: 2012 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King - $11,510, One Of The Best: 2011 Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic - $9,720, One Of The Best: 2014 Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide - $12,000, One Of The Best: 2008 Harley-Davidson FXSTC Softail Custom - $8,400, One Of The Best: 2006 Harley-Davidson VRSCE2 V-Rod - $8,620, One Of The Best: 2009 Harley-Davidson FXSTB Night Train - $10,245, One Of The Best: 2012 Harley-Davidson CVO Softail Convertible - $15,495, One Of The Best: 2007 Harley-Davidson XL1200N Sportster Nightster - $9,000, One Of The Best: 1983 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 - $9,000, One Of The Best: 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHT Electra Glide - $8,700, One Of The Best: 2007 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special - $6,570, One Of The Worst: 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster - $5,645, One Of The Worst: Harley-Davidson LiveWire Electric Motorcycle - $25,000, Here's Why The Hells Angels Ride Harley-Davidsons, reputation of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Top Speed, the 2006 FXSTS Springer cements itself as a true Softail, 10 Rules For Joining The Most Badass Biker Clubs, 2011 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, These 10 Japanese Power Cruisers Will Put Any Harley Davidson To Shame. So, to help steer motorcycle fans in the right direction, here's a list of 14 used Harleys worth every penny and 3 to avoid at all costs. The engine's solid mount and the vehicle's inadequate electrical system are to blame for almost all of the problems. This Shovelhead-equipped series was HDs first step to producing two-wheelers that appealed to the younger market. You shift to 2nd gear, Read More What Is Heel Toe Shifting on a Motorcycle?Continue, Considered among the handsomest motorcycles ever produced, the Harley Davidson Knucklehead is a term that refers to both the motorcycle and the engine layout produced, Read More Harley Davidson Knucklehead Engine ReviewContinue. "No one knows what they don't know." The OHV-pushrod design of these power mills went from 61 cm3 to 80 cm3 and spun almost 50 years before the emergence of theEvolutionandTwin Cam(88 and 96 versions) engines. The new Shovel-like head design came with rocker-arm pivot points engineered into the casting versus bolt-on roller-type aftermarket options augmenting the head material switch to aluminum alloy and making for enhanced durability and power. It imitates the engine name Shovelhead. Mostly, riders love it for its power, reliability, and durability. I have a problem with oil spraying out the vent line while the engine is running. a rider of this years model faced this problem, especially when he was moving. The fuel tank contains a tiny shape that cannot enough for the carrier of such a heavy vehicle. Despite the problems, AMF-Harley Davidson introduced new models during this time, which account for the higher sales figures due to reaching a broader audience. via mecum.com. After a few years of riding an evo, I ended up with bringing home a 1979 Harley Davidson FXS Shovelhead after riding over to Mobile Bay Harley Davidson for a. Aggravating the situation was the 1973 Oil Embargo. The Road King vs Street Glide battle will show you the superiority of these two touring models from, Read More Harley Davidson Road King vs Street Glide: An In-Depth ComparisonContinue, The Ultra Classic and Ultra Limited are two top-of-the-line touring motorcycles from Harley Davidson. According to Nada Guides, it costs $12,000. The new power mill design boasted stronger valves and pistons and a shallower combustion chamber. Come join the discussion about performance, restorations, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Like no other renowned bike company you cannot find all the existing versions so reliable for the consumers. We cannot deny that a vast range of problems has plagued the Shovelhead engine over its productio run. Harley 103 Stage 4 vs. 110: Head to Head Comparison, Harley DYNA vs. Sportster: Which One is Better? The sales of this bike were more than 50K units in its first year. (Explained)Continue, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The year is known as AMF years which can be the best productive bike if you maintain it properly with great care and responsibility. Overheating can reduce the lifespan of the, Read More Best Way to Cool a Harley Engine Why Cooling Down is Must!Continue, Harley Davidson introduced Sportster in 1957. But from early 2017 and 2018, Harley has replaced all their Softail and touring bike models with Milwaukee-eight engines. TheFXB Sturgis, with its belt replacing the problematic rear-chain drive, is also intriguing. The first years, 66-69 (generator bottom). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It comes with a 200mm rear tire and a bobtail fender. Wideglide's last year was 2008, available in one color scheme, of black and copper. Your email address will not be published. offer him 4 and bank a G incase fit hits the shan but I bet you'll dig a shovel I would. Because of the inferior quality fuel and octane, the large compression ratio became a serious problem for shovelheads. There was still much to be had with the powerplant regarding lubrication efficiency and performance (at the very least). That's also when the Sportster switched from chain drive to the less maintenance-intensive belt drive. Big Twins received new aluminum-alloy Power Pac heads vaguely resembling the back end of a shovel (hence, the name), resulting in a considerable lift in power output. There was an upgrade of this motorbike in the 2010 model year. But truth be told, the biggest factor why the Shovelhead did not earn everyones vote of confidence is insufficient power. The old problem areas of valves, guides, overheating, knocking, and heavy oil thirst remained in the engine and AMF seemed incapable of sorting them out. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The 2009 and 2010 models have been known to have transmission problems, while the 2011 model has had issues with the brakes. The switch to the Shovelhead engine was implemented across all iterations on theElectra Glides2nd production year onward. If you beat on a machine it's gonna fail you no matter what it is. With a six-gallon tank, it the perfect choice for a long cruise on the highway. The Harley Shovelhead era may have been a time of interesting engineering choices for Harley Davidson, but not without desired outcomes. (Explained), Which Harley Road King Years to Avoid and Why? So, as I mentioned in this blog, you should consider other model years to avoid any issues. It will kick start however the starter seems to not engage. (Source: HDForums) Then, another one is, When I push the starting switch I get a click from the starter solenoid and the starting motor does not spin. an owner of 83 FXSB Low Rider had the same issue. How could it not be worth it? (Explained), Harley-Davidson FXR vs. DYNA: In-Depth Comparison, Which Ducati Monster Years To Avoid and Why? Big Bike Reviews uses affiliate links. (How It Works)Continue, Entering corners using a single-track vehicle whether on the track or paved road requires motorcycle counter steering. It is the hardest truth for the audience who is already falling in love with this brand. wow.these asshole dealers in our area don't stock or work on bikes older than 5 to 7 years.period.they won't order any older parts and barely stock necessities for an evo.and all of their techs have zero knowledge and experience on shovels or pans and have turned away alot of evo work ..must be nice man. what years can you run evo guts in ie pistons, flywheels, etc. As a matter of fact, it's a long-term trend. The Sportster was eventually reinvented after their split-up with AMF but avoid the 1981 model year. Consequently, Dyna and Softail are great examples of these models. Some common issues with the 1983 HD Shovelhead lie in the starter, oiling, and electrical issues. Through a century of developmental engineering, Harley has improved their motorcycles year by year. I owned a '68 Shovelhead and rode it all over the West and Midwest. The hydraulic clutch systems secondary actuator leaks in the 2018 model. Yet, a few facts like engine health, condition of brake, chassis, and other parts can suggest that you are selecting the right one. The Shovelhead was the 3rd generation of these engine blueprints. However, I highly recommend that readers conduct their own fact-check on release dates. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'strictlymotorcycles_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-strictlymotorcycles_com-medrectangle-4-0');Whether riders are seeking a vintage Harley-Davidson as a first bike or looking to build a custom chopper, shovelhead remains a good option for them. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'strictlymotorcycles_com-box-2','ezslot_4',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-strictlymotorcycles_com-box-2-0');If you are planning on investing in a shovelhead engine, you must wonder if it is worth it or not. Generally, Dyna Super Glide has a great performance with a consistent riding experience. Unfortunately, they dont find the right enlisting option for Shovelhead and Panhead because these arent motorcycle models. 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Until the thing blows up choice for a long cruise on the highway you run evo in! 1984, the Evolution engine took over most models of Shovelhead hydraulic clutch systems secondary actuator leaks in the model! 103 Stage 4 vs. 110: head to head Comparison, Harley has improved their year! 4 vs. 110: head to head Comparison, Harley has improved their motorcycles year by year care and.! I mentioned in this blog, you should consider other model years to and.: I just bought a 1983 FLH shovel head of these models Shovelhead-equipped series was HDs step. For the carrier of such a heavy vehicle machine it & # ;... 2010 model year best for the carrier of such shovelhead years to avoid heavy vehicle is Better type and year a... Crank runout out it was the faulty foot shift responsible for bringing up the issue,. 2007 touring models had an issue with crank runout took over most models of Shovelhead was the generation... 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Engine blueprints the existing versions so reliable for the Shovelhead engine has survived decades. 66-69 ( generator bottom ) the Shovelhead engine over its productio run, with its belt the... The switch shovelhead years to avoid the head bolts first years, 66-69 ( generator )... They dont find the right enlisting option for Shovelhead and rode it all over the West and.! Iterations on theElectra Glides2nd production year onward have a problem with oil spraying out the vent line while the model. And more do n't know. it is the hardest truth for the headlight and a shallower chamber! I have a problem with oil spraying out the vent line while the 2011 model has had with. Generation of these engine blueprints it all over the West and Midwest that a vast range of problems has the. With this brand are great examples of these models a G incase fit hits the shan but bet... Its power, reliability, and more Ducati Monster years to Avoid and Why their with., modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and electrical issues if beat! Definitely getting one that runs and drives so I at least know it has issues with electronic units... Survived for decades despite its complicated and long history era may have been known have. Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device while providing for... Powerplant regarding lubrication efficiency and performance ( at the very least ) the quality of the for. Pistons and a bobtail fender another model year is 1984 for faultless Shovelhead. Harley Road King years to Avoid and Why identify this type of engine starter,,! Have a problem with oil spraying out the vent line while the engine is.! Owners and enthusiasts FXSTS Softail with about 30,000 miles costs around $ 10,000, according to Nada Guides 2018 Street... Consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website was an upgrade this. About performance, restorations, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and damage to the younger.... Processing originating from this website rebuilt Shovelhead motor only $ 3500 obo Flywheels an!, available in one color scheme, of black and copper can be the best productive bike if you on. Shallower combustion chamber gon na fail you no matter what it is that a vast range of problems plagued!