Shovelhead I've had this bike for a little over 10 years. Built it from a wrecked
basket case. Actually the start of it wasn't even enough to satisfy true "basket
case" criteria. The lower end was together but the case was cracked. Frame was
trashed, no tranny or front end. Came with a box of odds and ends, no tanks
or fenders. Click on the image to display larger
graphics and press the [BACK] arrow to return
So a few years ago I decided to do a make-over! I had
rebuilt the old swing arm frame by then and also had aquired a "Little John"
5 speed transmission. For anyone who hasn't run across one, they were made in
Denver back in the 70's and early eighties. A newly cast casing that accepted
a new gear and counter gear and shafts set up that included a fifth, overdrive,
gear. The gears were all made by Andrews, who shaved them enough to only widen
the tranny 5/8ths of an inch on the kicker side. The lid is ratchet with an
extra driving dog and clutch fork on the lengthened shaft. Needless to say it
looks like a stock 4 speed tranny with a ratched lid. The main snag with bolting
it right on was having longer clutch rods made from stainless drill rod, and
the fact I had to give up my hand shifting after all these years. Left the motor
as it was, except I wound up gearing down to 22/51 because of the Overdrive
factor. Aluminum primary cover & headlight shroud, lowered swing arm, shorty
apehangers, new fenders, late model tanks and, finally, a sissy bar for Paula
changed the lines just right and dual straight pipes gave her nice gruff voice
to match the bite.
First I tried it without the windshield, bags and dual straight
pipes. Click on the image to display larger
graphics and press the [BACK] arrow to return
But that ain't the end of it, she's
going through another phase, where she'll be a nearly stock FLH w/ tour pak
and the whole works. There will be a few updates and performance improvements,
but stock dresser LOOKING. The last bike I had before building the Shovelhead, was the
Panhead you see below. I built this one as well and pretty well from scratch,
as well. And as with the Shovel, I bought a basket case that wound up being
a "build from scratch" project any way. I do really like classic old Harley
styling. This Panhead has lots of modifications, but still has that style, doesn't
it?
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© 1997-2001
Rusty
Savage All Rights Reserved.
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A Harley Legend: built from 1966 till 1984
On the left and above is what it looks like
now, but the photos below show how I originally put it together. Used a cherry
wishbone frame and original style fenders , oil tank, leather saddlebags, floor
boards, windshield and all.
The Chassis looked like a new old HydraGlide.
But it got major updates like disc brake on front w/dual piston caliper rear
disc, tricky hand/foot operated clutch w/hand shift set-up, dual plug early
shovel heads. (Branch flowed w/ hard valve seats, Manley nitrite valves and
Ampco 45 guides) Crane tappet rollers & pushrods, Crane single fire ignition
w/dual Accel coils, S & S "L" series carb and "B" grind Andrews cam. Gearbox
is late model 4-speed case w/ Andrews close ratio gearset, shafts and shifter
forks, Primo 11mm beltdrive & 25/47 gears. With mufflers on, all ya hear
is the Avons slappin and the wind whistlin by the windshield. I rode it like
this for a couple or so, maybe nearly 3 years. Thanks to Kenny and George at
Coos Cycles in Coos Bay OR, for putting together the lower end. Leroy at American
Iron in Eugene OR, laced and trued the wheels. Machine work and welding by Jim
Messler of Messler Products. Paint
& fabrication by yours truly in my Shop: Tattoo
Cycles, Eugene OR.
Tear 'Em Down, Then Build It Again
I like it better with them
If you are interested in checking out my
Motorcycle shop website for more information, Click
Here. Or go straight to a secure SSL ONLINE MOTORCYCLE PARTS STOREFRONT
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Here.
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