Finally rode a Shovel for the first time & Queries

[Simon_Y]

The states flipped over to lead free petrol long before the UK and europe so I woudl guess that your shovel will be OK When I last opened my 79 FLH 1200 cc top end the valve seats showed no evidence of regression after several thousand miles running on lead free.

As Kev pouints out modern fuels start to go off after only a few months and you may have some varnish in your carb that could cause some problems, that said, whenI got my shovel I rode it down to the south coast from the midlands without missing a beat howver it had not sat for as long as the one you are looking at. If you have the chance I would drain the fuel, & look at changing the tranny and engine oil, if the thing is in standard trim the primary will be lubed from the engine system which is one of the 1st things you should look at modifiying . welcome to the world of shovel ownership!


Simon

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by Simon_Y

The states flipped over to lead free petrol long before the UK and europe so I woudl guess that your shovel will be OK When I last opened my 79 FLH 1200 cc top end the valve seats showed no evidence of regression after several thousand miles running on lead free.

Same with my 72 Ironhead; roughly 30,000 miles, heads had never been off and no seat recession. The advice I received from Matt's Engineering concurs with Simon's comments. Shovels and the like are designed to burn a bit of oil anyway, that should compensate for the lack of lead in the fuel without additives.

[Strawhead]

Thank you for all the words of wisdom.

In an earlier post Phild said that the bike was registered in the states in 1981, I have been lead to believe that the bike was completely overhauled two to three years ago so I would HOPE! that it is all set up for unleaded.

When I am off to get it I will take the following

1) Engine oil
2) transmission oil
3) new fuel
4) some redex just in case

plus the normal allen keys and a set of imperial spanners that I have always carried on my evo.

I know nothing of how to drain fluids from a shovel, so any words of advice (read idiot guide) would be helpful. needless to say once i have my grubby hands on it i will try and do most of the essential services myself with the aid of the HD manual for the relevant year. and any issues i will be asking you kind people people for assistance

very many thanks again

Andy

[Panhead Boris]

Andy

I strongly suggest getting a good manual e.g. Clymer before you go. Fluids are dead straight forward on a shovel....I am prettty sure WG has the older style filter that drops in the top of the oil tank after removing the seat

I bought a previously unknown high mileage 1977 shovel a year ago and did 270 mile ride home. It hadn't been serviced at all in 3 years.I took virtually every imperial tool I own plus engine oil (gearbbox is the same oil), petrol, and brake fluid, also Loctite, new plugs, points and condensor, length of wire andd electric test meter just in case and MANUAL (second hint you should buy one!)....complete overkill!

I checked the basics for tightness / safety before setting off, and am paranoid about the exhaust bolt into the cylinder head which always seem to give problems. I only had 2 actual probs on the way home:

1. I lost the right hand filler cap as I had undertightened when refilling, Bought a universal tapered plastic car one...better fit than the original.

2. After 30 miles I lost the small rubber covered part of the gear lever that left foot touches. Discovered it is the same thread as the mirror! I bodged it with mirror, and freaked a few people out at a filling station!

I gave it a very thorough service the next day for peace of mind. It has been utterly reliable since, and is now my main ride. Big prob is that my other bikes have been gathering dust all summer!!!!

Good luck, and have fun!