I am planning on trading my 2003 softail deuce for a 1972 FLH from pictures and in talking to the dealership the 72 is in top notch shape. I would like some opinions from you guys. It will be a bike for bike swap would this be a fair deal I know it is kinda like comparing apples to oranges. When I look at this bike are there any tell-tell signs I need to look for major problems that stand out. I have never owned a shovel. Thanks

 

Have them give you a 1 year warranty ! 1972/73 shovels were problem years (such things as pinion shaft oiling etc etc Another problem would be who at an HD dealer could work on a shovel ! or an EVO ! Just say no

 

Thank you! I do have some background in mechanics and I have a local mom & pop shop that works on all the older bikes. I appreciate your comment.

 

you might get better info on www.shovelhead.us

I have a nice shovel but would consider a trade on a soft tail

 

Shovelheads are great bikes but you should know what you're getting into if you decide to trade. If you plan to ride it, you better have wrenches, a good shop manual and a fair amount of mechanical know how because you will be working on it often. It requires a lot of TLC to keep them running. Someone suggested getting a one year warranty. Trust me, that ain't gonna happen. There are people who work on shovels but you will have to go and search for them. Shovelheads are great bar hoppers and make fun side projects but are not practical as a primary bike for most of us.

2010 Ultra Classic
1973 FLH Electra Glide

 

their have been fixes developed for the typical shovel problems. Most of the "nice" bikes that have been rebuilt have these upgrades. Stuff does vibrate loose since they shake so much. I like mine since it stands out from the sea of tc's.

 

What kind of shovel do you have model etc....my email is glydinrn@gmail.com if you want to send some pics. Thanks for the website.

 

I have a 07 streetglide and my wife rides an 08 road king. I just was looking for a older bike I could work on and enjoy bar hopping on. I feel like my bikes are lost in a sea of TC's as well.

 

Yea the 72 would be just that a bar hopper I have a 07 street glide and the wife rides a 08 road king. I was just wondering was I totally shafting myself by getting rid of my softail. I like it but it looks like every other deuce from 2003. The FLH is actually at a Harley dealership they said the engine has been rebuilt etc etc and they say they checked it out and charged the battery and I quote them 'it purrs". The bike is 700 plus miles from my house so I have to go on words and pics until I see it.

 

ehhh go for it,shovelhead is a basic engine to work on you wont need to be a computor technition to figure out whats wrong with it,like every one says there like a women they need there attention,treat it rite and it will take care of you too,and about bar hopping it will go alot farther than the local bar,people didnt just start rideing across country since evo's or twin cams came out they did it on shovels too