1979 Harley Davidson FXE

[Jalopyshoppe]

This bike has an interesting tale attached. It belonged to the man my father named me after. I don't know how he came to own it, but it was in his possession until he passed 4 years ago. As old friends sometimes drift apart, my father and Dennis were not as close as they were in the 70's and 80's. My dad learned of Dennis's passing about 6 months after it happened. Dennis left this bike behind, in hopes that it would eventually be mine.
Dennis stopped riding the bike in 2006 or so, and it had been stored in a barn in Florida. When my dad flew down to prepare it to be shipped home, it was a sad sight. Nonetheless, he loaded it on the truck and flew back to Oregon to await the bike's arrival.
Once back in Oregon, the bike sat in my dad's garage for another 2 years.
Crusty doesn't even begin to describe it.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

I eventually went to Oregon and picked the bike up, for no other reason than to make some room for my dad. It sat around my house for another 8 months before I got really sick of looking at it. I have to be honest here, I think owning a Shovelhead is worse than walking, so I am far from keen on owning this bike. I felt like I should do something with it, so I brought it into my shop to check the state of things.
First off, the forks are shot. The tubes are beyond rusted and there is no way they'll hold oil. The chain is rusted, the brakes have no fluid in them at all. The fuel line has liquefied and reconstituted as a pile of soft goo on the primary case. The heads are coated in powdery corrosion. I'm hoping I can recondition the wheels and sell them, and just scrap the rest. The demand for AMF Shovelhead parts is pretty low, and the only people who would buy anything are likely hipsters that I'd rather not sell to.
On a lark, I decided to pull the carb and throw a kit in it. The S&S Super E has some value, so cleaning it up and kitting it makes sense.
When I finish that, I decided to reinstall it and drop a battery in the bike to see if it runs.
Much to my dismay and surprise, it fired up. Running well, not smoking or puking oil out of any sealing surface, I am completely floored.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Since the bike runs, I'm now obligated to repair/refurbish it to rideable condition. First obstacle is the tanks, which were lined and sealed at one point. The liner has flaked and tired into potato chips. I've been soaking them with acetone, and have a Kreem kit to re-line it soon.
The brakes were the next possible concern, so I filled the cylinders with brakleen and flushed them. Light application of acetone freed them up, so I cleared them out and added some DOT 5 fluid. Again, the unbelievable happens and the brakes pump up and build pressure. They're completely fine with no leaks and no problems so far after a week with fluid.
The next step is the oil lines, which are rock hard. The primary case has a pump in and out system to oil the chain, and those lines are cracked and dry. Replacing them means removing the whole primary, so I am in the middle of that currently. While I'm in there I'm replacing the shift linkage, as this is a known weak spot on these bikes, and this one is worn out.

 

[SFMCjohn]

shovel-head and locomotive technology, forever!

does is say “Super Glide” on the triple-tree?

:ride

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

It does indeed say SUPER GLIDE. That 35mm fork and dual 11" brake rotors really inspire super feelings, too.
I suppose my EVO bias is showing.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I can't wait for the build piece in CityBike, Should be a good read.
......oh, wait.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

I can't wait for the build piece in CityBike, Should be a good read.
......oh, wait.

Don't you fret too much. I have something up my sleeve.

I'll admit that I'm not taking quality pictures of this for now. Maybe if I ever restore it, because nothing makes more sense than spending $20k to build a $10k bike...

Current status: assembling the primary after replacing the shift linkage and oil lines. New gaskets, seals, and bearings so I can pretend that it will leak less oil.

 

[cheez]

Great story behind the bike, I can't wait to see how the rebuild comes out.

 

[FLH03RIDER]

Sweet deal!! Looks like your having fun getting the 'ol 74ci Shovel back on the road. :thumbup
Now that S&S Super E might run a little "fat" on a stock motor unless the jets (pilot, main) have been tweaked a bit, or there's been a cam, lifter, push rod upgrade.

Even if it's a stock motor a nice "wake-up" for the Shovels is adjustable pushrods with solid lifter adapters.

If your looking for a bit more freeway performance (without sacrificing around town cruising) swap out the stock 22 (might be a 21) tooth tranny gear for a 23 tooth. A 24 tooth is going to be a bit too tall for running around in town. IMHO

Since the bike has been sitting for some time check/change the tranny fluid. Also, the seal on the kicker, and the ones on the oil pump may start to leak. Errr... start marking their spot.

Enjoy!

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

It's currently got a 22t trans sprocket, and I think it'll be fine for my use.
It an 80", not that makes a hill of beans difference. The S&S has a 295 pilot and a 72 main currently. Standard for one without an anular insert. When I install those, I drop the pilot to a 280 and go to a 74 main jet. The insert makes a big difference.

My dad re-did the heads on this bike in 1992 before Dennis rode it to Sturgis. When it was apart he installed the Crane pushrods and changed it to o-ring style pushrod tubes to get rid of the godforsaken cork stuff. I don't think I'd ever put solid pushrods in a shovel because of the whole remove the heads to access the rocker box design. The tappets and pushrod tube seals are so unreliable that I never want to add.complexity to that job.
I've got an Andrews A grind to toss in if I want to, but until that cover starts leaking, I'm not turning any fasteners on it. The idea is to make this thing start and run and ride, and drain the tank and carb to store it away until I can get rid of it guilt free.
I spent my youth being cursed by these turds, I'll never consider owning or riding a Shovelhead as fun.

Funny you mention the trans, that oil looks brand new, and the Clutch is brand new. It must have been the last thing Dennis did before he parked it. I do enjoy the mystery of tearing it down and getting a peek at what he was up to. The rear fender has a pretty serious wrinkle in it that wasn't there when my dad last saw the bike. I'll never know what happened there.

That said, I'm at least getting a reminder of why I like my Buell and FXR so much.

 

[Pushrod]

Dirt bag challenge candidate?

 

[SFMCjohn]

outlaw dirtbag, ftw! :laughing:thumbup

always makes me happy to see a shovel head on the road these days ... :ride

super glide super glide super glide

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Dirt bag challenge candidate?

I have a 46 BSA that is slated for the Dirtbag this year, if the scheduling works out. Dirtbag needs more flathead bikes.

 

[SFMCjohn]

I have a 46 BSA that is slated for the Dirtbag this year, if the scheduling works out. Dirtbag needs more flathead bikes.

had to google that ... very cool! :thumbup

 

[auntiebling]

Dirt bag challenge candidate?

no harleys allowed

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

no harleys allowed

I've already built a bike, I can show up on whatever I want!

I prefer to build that ridiculous BSA. We'll see how that pans out.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Progress update:
Primary is reassembled and ready, front wheel bearings re packed, wheel is on the bike, new brake M/C gasket installed (stopped the wet brake lever, meaning the M/C is sealed), I replaced the oil lines and the "T" fitting for the crankcase vent. Last items are installing new indicator lights for neutral and oil pressure (original ones turned to dust), installing the battery cover and hold down, installing the fuel tanks and gauges, remove the rear wheel, repack the bearings and mount a new tire up. The chain should be replaced, but I'll save that for when I actually ride the bike.
Future mods include quieter exhaust and maybe a 39mm fork upgrade, only because I feel like the 35mm is just too small and the 10" brakes are pretty pathetic.
One thing that speaks to me is the timing cover. Not to my taste at all, but I cleaned it up and it will definitely be part of the bike, as it's what Metz wanted.

 

[augustiron]

I'm diggin this.

 

[wilit]

I spent my youth being cursed by these turds, I'll never consider owning or riding a Shovelhead as fun.

Man, I love the look of Shovels. Are they really that bad? I've always wanted to build a chopper with a Shovel or Ironhead because of their lower cost.

 

[augustiron]

Haha. Lower cost.

Evo is the way to build a cheap fullsize these days. Dime a dozen now.