going to look at an 81 STURGIS. the owner told me the bike has 100 miles on a rebuild(motor & tranny) every nut/bolt,hose,belt,gasket & bearing have been replaced.the frame has also been powdercoated,20G's total.I think I can get it for 12. I also plan on putting miles on this bike not just bringing it out for show twice a year. any thoughts or suggestions ? what possible problems can I expect from a shovel ? any help is greatly appreciated !! THANX

 

Think that with the market today even at 12 it is an overpriced bike. By owner's statement it is not original (can only be original 1X). 20 very large for what? I say bull$****...

Ask for receipts...make sure the vin matches (frame/motor), decide if you are willing to pay what is being asked, and if you get it - ride it do not make it a trailer queen (which you appear to agree on).

As far as problems? Hell you are looking at a bike that is some 30 years old and gaining in age and reputation. Got to believe that most of the gremlins were driven from it long ago; otherwise how did it survive so long?

If done correctly it will easily give you 60-80K problem free miles with normal servicing of the bike.

 

Hey Panz , are you for real about these shovels going 60 to 80 thousand miles trouble free with proper maintenance? I just got myself a 1980 shovel that was also rebuilt and I was led to believe they were good for about 25 thousand miles. I like your estimate better but I just want to confirm that what you posted is what you meant. Thanks.

 

Like anything else you take care of it , it will take care of you . Bone stock and not a lot major hot rodding a 74 will go a long time with no issues . Valve job maybe between 25 to 40k broke in right and no cylinder wall scoring the lowers will turn over 100k no problem . Had the bike in the sig for 28+ yrs now over 500K miles easy and I just did the third motor . I beat the hell out of the girl she loves it .

 

Sorry Gentlemen, it's not just the servicing. The motors literally rattle because their tolerances are so loose. ( That's how they can run 60W oi.) lThe heads won't give you 60,000 miles, ever. The bottom end, maybe.

I've owned a pan and a Shovel, and I'll keep my TwinCam for the serious miles.

 

They ran heavy oil because of the crappy hyd. lifters the older engines had . All the spec's inside those motor are damn near identical , in fact they were tighten in the shovels . HD loosened the lower specs way up on evo's . I've rebuilt over a hundred engines over the years , I don't where you got your info but they lied to you .

Bone stock valve job would go 40k plus with seals installed . If somebody sold you the fast and easy brass guides and stainless steel valves then your right those were gone in 25k . From the factory shovels had teething pain's , if someone who knew what they were and did it right that motor was good for the long run same as any other .

 

Good to know that I can run my bike for a long long time. Just gotta hope they didn't put brass guides and stainless steel valves on the re-build. I just did the 500 mile service and put synthetic oil in for the first time. The stuff kind of looks like transmission fluid because it had a red shade to it.

 

Syn oil and shovels don't do well together , it's great stuff but it wants OUT . It will find any weakness and seep or leak , even the new bikes weep the stuff a bit . My bike was never a leaker , when to syn oil and couldn't it clean . Back to 50 or 60 dino clean again . Plus it costs too much .

 

TwiZted, I wish I'd of known that before I spent all my money on that expensive oil. My bike already leaks a bit as expected. We'll see what happens now. Just changed it last night, damn.

 

Look at it this way you get hands experience with the differences between the two products and how the bike reacts , learning something is never a waste .