A Shovelhead like any machine well maintained, will run a long time without problems.all my Shovels were trouble free,all the years I rode them.

 

Even if the thing needs work, it still seems like a deal cause it looks so pretty. I wish I had one.

 

That is a clean lookin bike... I wish it were mine. Like others have said, it will need tlc. A lot of h-d dealers wont touch older bikes, so dont look there for service. If you can find a grey beard indie, thats your best bet if you dont have the abilities to do it yourself.

 

Cool bike. If you have the dough and the time, I'd say jump on it. Plenty of ole indies out there can help you wrench it.

 

imho unless your in to older bikes that need TLC id look at adding a few shecles and try and grab something newer. i grabbed a 2001 low rider for 5300 with 11,000 miles on her. now maybe i got lucky but people are in need of cash.

good luck-

 

Had an 83 Tour Glide. It shook like a paint mixer at idle but it ran great at road speeds. I'd buy another in a hearbeat. Go for it!

 

looks like a nice bike if it runs out definitly worth the money. if you can wrench even a little you can handle it not that hard to work on. i've had a few in my day all very reliable just got my brothers bike running after not being started for 6 years. he lost interest in it, just cleaned everything up checked everything out and started kicking started on about the 5th or 6th kick. brothers back into it now.

 

if you decide not to jump on it let me know where it's located if close enough i wouldn't mind having another to play with.

 

I used to ride a '75 Shovel Super Glide back in the day. Great running bike, put a lot of trouble free miles on it. Left me by the side of the road one time, crap in the fuel tank from a gas station that had a load of rusty looking gas delivered to them. Had to adjust points now and then, replace condenser when you change points. (Don't remember if the '78s had points or not) Carry a few tools with you, those solid mount shovels shake things loose, especially the top engine mount under the tank. Other than that, wish I still had that bike. Oh well, life happens. Take care, ride that bike safe. Jr.

 

Think it is a bit of a buyer's market for shovels and evos right now. Think I would go the 4500-5000 range. Looks clean enough with a lot of modifications.

Just be sure the frame and engine are titled the same. Ask for receipts for work done. If you do not know what you are looking at, or have limited knowledge of older iron, take a friend along who does have the knowledge and knows the right questions to ask so you do not buy it, get it home, and end up with a 'box-o-rocks'.

And with routine maintenance, older iron performs just fine. If you do get it make sure to get a parts and service manual. Some folks swear by the OEM manuals and some swear at them. Others use Clymers; it's a personal choice. But get a manual.