I have the opportunity to buy a 1983 Tour Glide Classic (shovel) and I wanted some opinions on it. Single owner (friends of mine), garaged or trailered, never seen weather unless it was under power when it happened. Just over 7200 miles. Very clean, paint and chrome still shine like new. The asking price is mid 8K, which I think may be a little high, but the buyer does have a strong sentimental attachment to it, which as a friend is hard to get past. What are your thoughts on the price?

I've owned many shovels before, but I know very little about the Tour Glide line, expect what I can read on the Inter webs.

 

They ride nice and they are the original "Rubber Glide". Those set the pace for todays Ultras and FLHTC Classic's and such. The only draw back to them are you can't change the looks like you can with an FLH.

 

The two major drawbacks are the exhaust system and the enclosed Chain drive.

The exhaust system is unique to the Shovel Rubber Glides. You do not have much of a choice in a new system.

The Enclosed chain does not have any new replacement parts. If you need new parts, you will need to search and hope you find some. No one makes new parts. It can not be changed to accept the Belt drive unless you change the entire inner primary. If you do this, you will need to change a lot of parts that are connected to them, Like the starters and such.

 

The price is right for the miles. I still have one & ride it daily and I always thought they sat up too high so I put Progressive suspension in mine (front & rear).The rear chain has good & bad points.The good is they last longer than a open air chain,the bad is working on anything with chain removal.It is a pain in the????
I also have changed the front fairing to a FLH headlamp assy with some modification and have found it is easier to just get used to the frame mount fairing like on the roadglides.All in All they are a comfortable Ride!

 

i just bought a '80 tourglide, can i go to a large shield and headlamp assy fairly easily?

 

The Windshield is the same from 1979 to 1996. The shields for FLTR Road Glide (1998-Present) are different and will not fit.

What do you mean? Headlight assembly??