I bet you could find someone with a Shovel that would trade straight across for yours.

 

This is the God's truth....If mine was paid for I just might do that. Not because I don't like mine. It is more dependable then any Harley I've ever had. I just miss the personality and soul of the older ones.

I don't expect you to understand that and if you don't that s fine....you really don't need to.. If I could find another 84 Softail in stock configuration I would probably do whatever I had to so that I could buy it. I've been looking for one for a few years now and have only found one and just couldn't swing the deal.

 

I love the pan myself. A guy at work had a knuckle and thinks they are the best.
I wouldn't trade my dependable 08 for a pan, but would love one to ride around on.

As to whether the newer ones aren't real Harleys, thankfully the buying public doesn't hold that view or Harley would have went under long ago.

 

My 1st one was a Pan (see below). Got it when I was 15 and kept it for 15 years. I think the two happiest days of my two wheeled life were the day I bought it and the day I sold it. Of course I wish now that I had kept it but it was not a good long range platform....Not even close to being one.

The guy on the left in the pic is my Ole Man sitting on the Suzuki i sold him to get the balance of the money I needed to buy the Pan. The year was 1969 and the Harley cost me $1,400.00. I paid $900.00 for the Suzuki and had it less then 6 months. He gave me $500.00 for it but I didn't care, that's what I need to get the Pan and was happy to get it. Besides....I still had use of the Suzuki if I got the urge to go fast.

 

Looking back on all the engines they made, what is your engine of choice and why, if you could have any for daily riding?

 

The problem is in your grip. You are obviously holding the club wrong. Move your right thumb three degrees to the left, extend your elbow, LOCK IN that wrist. Now breathe, hold the club softly - like a bird... think smooth thoughts

 

Take a look , this has been my daily for 28 yrs now and that includes more 2000+ miles trips than I can remember . She started life as 74" hard tail for 5 yrs , to a swingarm frame @ 80" for 10 more , grew to 88" for the next 11 yrs and is out to 93" now .

I've never had a mechanical problem that couldn't be fixed on the side of the road with her , worst was a blown head gasket . Changed that in a parking lot in a few hours and was gone on a road trip .

There's well over 500,000 miles on the old girl through 4 rebuilds . I'm happy if there's a mod or change I want I do it . They told me at Indy shop one time you couldn't put a rear belt drive on an early shovel with a ratchet top trans , there wasn't a kit tot do it . He might have wanted to look at my bike first , I had been Running dual belts for years without Stugis parts involved .

The Shovelhead motor just has that sound none of the later motors can get and it just looks like a Harley should to me . Everything since looks too import .

Ps Shovels were the last of the old school bikers bikes . Meaning you the owner probably built and maintain the thing and it doesn't require a shop to fix just tools & common sense .

The new twinkies , while good bikes they have become too cookie cutter and aside from bolt on pipes , seats , overpriced bling & do dads the mod-ability is getting smaller & smaller by the year.

Harley doesn't want you change things they want you to buy another new one .

Same bike just 27 years & 500,000+ miles apart .

 

Up here they can`t give Victory's away.......I`d buy a jap crap long before I`d spend one red cent on a fugly Victory.... American made or not.

 

Quite impressive!

 

That is awesome. I have been looking for an older one myself, although my uncle, who knows them inside and out is telling me stick with an evo. He says they too can also be worked on very easily if you can fix a lawnmower. I keep looking but there are not allot of old ones to be found around here.

Are you now running inverted forks?