Are Shovelheads good motors?

If you follow the specs in the book and use good quality parts and have your machine work done properly, the Shovelhead is as reliable as any other motorcycle, Otherwise, it will leave you by the side of the road every time.

What year was the best Shovelhead made?

1978 Harley-Davidson 74-inch FLH Shovelhead. The Harley engineering department had always been ploddingly methodical, taking care of problems as they arose, never rushing to be the firstest with the mostest.

What year was the pan shovel?

The Pan-Shovel was first made in 1966. Basically, it was a Panhead bottom end with a shovelhead top end. They were made from 1966 – 1969. The full fledged Shovelhead appeared in 1970.

What bikes came with a Shovelhead?

Harley-Davidson Shovelhead V-Twin Motorcycles – HISTORY OF THE BIG TWIN. 1966 Mainly to produce more power to maintain performance at the new higher weights of bikes with electric start, rear suspension, etc., the Shovelhead engine is introduced, produced 1966-85.

How much is a 1973 Shovelhead worth?

Values
Excellent $17,140
Very Good $11,330
Good $7,455
Fair $5,725
Poor $4,460

Are Shovelheads rare?

What is the most collectable Harley-Davidson Shovelhead? The most rare H-D Shovel and therefore the most collectable is the 1981 FXS Low Rider limited edition. Just 14 were made for the 13 executives that bought the company back from AMF plus one for John Davidson.

How heavy is a Shovelhead?

Figure on about 600 pounds. Seat height and seat width are a major consideration, even more than weight.

How much horsepower can a Shovelhead make?

Power. Early 80-inch/FLH Shovelheads produced a maximum 66 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. From 1970 to 1984, maximum horsepower dipped slightly to 62, peaking at 5,400 rpm.

What is a 1976 Shovelhead worth?

Values
Excellent $16,775
Very Good $10,975
Good $7,135
Fair $5,725
Poor $4,460

What came after Shovelhead?

Since 1936 engine designs released by Harley represented classic forms that the Big Twin has taken: Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution, Twin Cam, and the very large single-cam engines.

What CC are Shovelheads?

The 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead had a classic shovelhead engine. Harley-Davidson installed this engine on many motorcycles manufactured between 1966 and 1984. After 1978, the engine had a piston displacement of 80 cubic inches, or 1,340 cc.

What engine replaced the Shovelhead?

The Panhead Engine (1948 – 1965)

Panhead engines were produced from 1948 to the mid ’60s when it was replaced by the Shovelhead. Its inception was just in time for the postwar motorcycle boom.

What’s better Panhead or Shovelhead?

The Shovelhead essentially was an improved version of the Panhead. It featured 10 percent more power than the Panhead. Early Shovelheads kept the lower style of the Panhead engine but bolted on a new top end.

What’s the most reliable Harley?

Unfortunately, many past Harley-Davidsons suffered reliability and quality-control issues, which made them expensive to own and maintain. But there’s one used Harley that has a particularly bulletproof reputation: the Evolution-engine Harley-Davidson Sportster.

Which is the best Harley engine?

Harley-Davidson offers power-hungry street riders a new performance option with the introduction of the Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Crate Engine for Touring model motorcycles. The new 131 cubic inch (2147cc) V-Twin delivers the biggest, most powerful street-compliant engine Harley-Davidson has ever created*.

What year did Harley go to fuel injection?

2003 – 100 Year of Harley-Davidson

With all the changes in 1999-2000, things were quite at Harley-Davidson for a few years, though in 2001 they switched to a better, Delphi EFI system on the bikes that were injected. 2001 was also the first year the Softail line was available with a fuel injected motor.

What year did Harley not buy?

Personally, avoid 1972–73 early 1000cc models and 1979 specific and 1979–81 in general. Mostly has to do parts availability. So If YOU are committed to your H-D purchase, there are no bad years. (On the other hand What Harleys I would buy, IF Money is no object for a daily ride?

Why are Harleys so unreliable?

Another reason for Harley’s reputation for unreliability is the rigorous riding habits of owners. In riding motorcycles, no one comes close to Harley owners. Harley owners ride their bikes a lot. In fact, it is not strange to see a Harley with over 50,000 miles in a year after multiple cross-country runs.

What does 114 mean on a Harley?

Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 (114 cubic inches, 1,870cc) with liquid-cooled cylinder heads for the CVO Limited and CVO Street Glide models.