Hi, I'm new to the site. I'm considering buying a 1977 FLH. The bike looks like it's in pretty good shape, but really can't see details by the photo sent. I was wondering, what sort of questions I should ask and things to look for. I haven't rode in a while and never really bought a bike this old. What's the history on a 77 FLH? Good/bad? Thanks, Pete.

 

This is a repeat of what I told someone else...some of the talking points are answered in that you have a specific model you are interested in.

LOOKING TO BUY
Determine what year(s) you are looking at
Decide what model you want
Stock or custom
How much money you are wiling to spend
How much mechanical knowledge do you possess for what you want
Do as much research as you can on the particular model (includes reading and talking to folks with good knowledgeable, not just rumors and innuendos, about the model/year you are looking to buy

WHEN YOU GO TO LOOK
Bring a friend with greater knowledge than you
Inspect the bike carefully (VINs as we have seen here can be pretty interesting; look for the obvious leaks that should not be there; road rash/damage/missing parts)
Have the owner cold start it; have him take it up and down the street; shift through the gears
Ask for receipts for all work done (no receipts and work done by his best friend Al who in no longer around simply doesn't cut it)
Ask for an inspection of his maintenance records (doesn't mean necessarily it is MoCo; lots of riders document their work. Yeah the $hit could be forged but...)
Does the owner have title (especially if the decision is a newer model)

WHEN/IF YOU MAKE AN OFFER
Don't make an insulting low ball offer; be respectful, this is his bike and not yours until the deal is done
If you make a reasonable offer, be prepared for a counter-offer on his end
The bike is worth what the owner is willing to sell for and what you are willing to pay (don't care about the craigslist stock 47 knuckle for 4K that you saw last week; guess you should have bought it)
Don't get caught up in the mentality that you have to have it at all costs (another reason to have friend there to knock some sense into you)
Stick to your budget (eliminates buyer's remorse)
Be prepared to walk away from the deal

I will save the comments on 77 models to Twizted. He has a LOT of shovel knowledge; I try to stick to pans. But you got to think that if has survived this long, some/all/most necessary changes have probably been done by now unless it is a true barn find.

 

All of the above. Check the vin should be in the format 2A12345H7 on both the motor and frame. 2A means it is an FLH , H7 indicates it is a 1977. It should be in the funny looking Harley factory stamps not hardware store stamps. I would stay clear of bikes that have extensive engine modifications. You don't know how well the work was done. Shovelheads are not for the week end rider. Expect to spend quite a bit of time working on it. Most shops won't touch a Shovel anymore so you will have to learn to do it yourself. Not hard but it will take a bit of study.

 

Shovelheads are for riders who enjoy working on bikes,they will be a handful,not for an enthusiast but for a biker,If you want to ride and not tinker buy new.

 

Sorry but bull-phukin $hit...old iron can be just as reliable as new bikes and are a lot easier to work on. The big difference is that maintenance schedules are more frequent.

And your basis of knowledge is?????????

 

My experience with shovels is most of the problems come from the hands that own them.

 

You must be new to this game. A Shovlehead is one of the most dependable engines Harley ever built. They have a big heart, excellent longevity and a sound like no other. All engines need maintainance from time to time!

 

I agree with Panz4ever and UncleLarry. All I know and ride are SHOVELHEADS! I'd rather carry a couple plugs, points,condenser,some wire in my toolbag than a handful of censers a computer dignos. machine extra fobs etc. etc. etc. As for the 77 FLH, you will know when you see it if it's the one for you. Have him fire her up,he won't let you ride her. You can always ride bitch. Have fun looking! SHOVELHEAD TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF!

 

I own a 77. Great bike. Reliable but it does take work. You can do a lot of the work yourself- there is a forum just for shovelheaders that can help.

Find an Indy that loves the old iron. Eventually you will hit a wall beyond your mechanical capabilities.

Like a good woman, she'll need regular attention and care for best performance.

 

I’ve owned 7 Shovelheads in my life, I totally rebuilt 3 from bare metal frame to finish. I do not see in your post if you are mechanically proficient or have a passion for mechanical hobbies, if you do not care to work on your own bike a Shovelhead may not be what you want.
A lot of people complain that shovelheads are high maintenance but the reality is - they are only as good as the guy that built it, there are a LOT of high quality (expensive) aftermarket parts available today that can turn an old bike into a dream machine.
I will give you one example of my engine upgrades (too many to tell here) - I bought a new set of S&S heads ($1200) and sent new heads to a head specialist out in California for porting, high performance valves and seals (added $700 to cost) then I installed new heads on my stroked polished rebuilt engine with Comtic gaskets and a new Mikuni carburetor etc etc.
you get where I’m going this ? A stock shovelhead in my opinion just wont cut it for most Shovelhead addicts.
the bike in my signature is a 77 FLH - well- it started out as one