The 2009 Electra Glide was a Harley built for touring. Take somebody with you that is thinking straighter than you too that way you dont end up with the piece of shit of your dreams. The Harley Shovelhead era may have been a time of interesting engineering choices for Harley Davidson, but not without desired outcomes. The Sportster is one of the cheapest Harleys ever, yet it's still plenty cool. It depends totally on you how you follow the specs, uses good quality parts, and make your engine do its job properly. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. Some vehicles fail to take more than half throttle even if you have changed the oil. Aggravating the situation was the 1973 Oil Embargo. So, they came up with a shovelhead engine that is fitted on all Harley Davidsons big twins motorcycles throughout its 20-year production run. Learn More 376 Craig S. 9 years US Army, 9 years PMC, 20 years in IT. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Regards, Chuck. It is the reason why people look for them. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. However, there are some recent models which remain as reliable to the customers. The classic look of a high-hand handlebar cruiser, along with its classic features, makes the Softail Custom a favorite among Harley fans. It has an air-cooled engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation. Does the type and year of a shovel really matter? Required fields are marked *. What Should A Motorcycle Seat Height Be For 51? This discussion will teach you about the best and worst model years of this Harley Davidson (HD) motorbike. Some features of the 2018 Street Glide are here that killed the fame of the bike: Suppose you are at good speed on the highway, and suddenly the engine stops. It mainly happened due to the neglect of changing the fluid and correct maintenance of the ABS. The old problem areas of valves, guides, overheating, knocking, and heavy oil thirst remained in the engine and AMF seemed incapable of sorting them out. The Twin Cam engine on the Dyna Wide Glide was finally mastered by 2014 after years of failure. The electrical system had a number of failures, according to the reports. I did mine after and got ripped the fuck off. It is quite a natural phenomenon like any other vehicle. As a future user, you must consider some phenomena before purchasing a bike like reliability, engine condition, brake and clutch capacity, tire pressure and quality, etc. According to Nada Guides, the bike sells in good condition for $8,400. Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! As a result, they have produced some of the best touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands. I tighten the bolts on the shifter as tight as I can but the pin keeps snapping. An owner of this bike faced this problem. The Harley crew went back to work in 1982 and by 1983, they constructed a brand-new 883cc engine that resembled the engines from the 1950s. Several complaints were about the heavy vibration in the front end. Engine 1200. Whether or not the Shovelhead is underpowered is not really going to be your biggest concern. Some critical model years had severe problems with their parts, like excessive fuel consumption, faulty engine, and chassis defects. What Would Be a Good Motorcycle Seat Height for a 53 Rider? Still, there are Street Glide model years that you should avoid if you are interested in buying this bike. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. He found the clutch fails to disengage when it is needed. However, mitigating overheating and making engine operation smoother and quieter was not enough. A Glance of Street Glide Years To Avoid Different people define motorcycles differently. I can get most any engine part at my HD dealer in Fargo. Because of the inferior quality fuel and octane, the large compression ratio became a serious problem for shovelheads. There is also some contradiction between the turn over to the road crossing via the model. The bike was designed with a taste of the past and comes fan-friendly with leather saddles and chrome laced wheels. The Shovelhead is not like the newer Harley made today. While AMF was Harleys financial savior, it did not do the Milwaukee firm any good that the company with control of its operations knew little about properly marketing motorcycles to the appropriate audience. Undeniably, both Harley bikes have a wide fanbase all over the world. Between 1966 and 1984, at least eight production models of Harley Davidsons Big Twins were produced and fitted with the redesigned Shovelhead engine. In case you are ignorant of the reasons for Harley Davidson engine names, its quite simple. As a used-bike patron, there are at least two things you should be looking into when appraising any two-wheeler. His second-hand motorcycle had electrical short at the ignition making the bike run like crap. Mainly, the bad coil, faulty ignition sensor are the reasons why many Low Rider owners face the electrical issues. So, which Sportster years should you avoid? AMF gets a bad wrap. The coal shovel looks more flipped upside down. I guess I have to wait until the thing blows up. Hence, it was unsuccessful. Model Shovel Head FLH. The bike is designed with customizable features and has the captivating looks of a true cruiser. This Harley is one of the best touring bikes ever made by the company and makes a great used purchase. What Is The Ideal Motorcycle Seat Height For 55? It enjoyed a 5-year run before being replaced by the same-displacement, rubber-mountedEvolutionpower mill. But, if you don't know what you're doing then let somebody else work on it and make sure he does know what he's doing. It had oil pump or wet sump problem. He held the position of editor of South Africa's largest circulation motorcycling magazine before devoting his time to freelance writing on motoring and motorcycling. Oil leakage is the biggest problem shovelhead has. Although positive consequential changes did not take place in Harley Davidsons production processes and R&D until 1981 (when William G. Davidson bought back the company), 1978 to 1980 were not necessarily problematic years. In this article, I have discussed which years of the Harley Shovelhead motorbike are best to avoid getting a better model. You will need to study your ass off for best results. The workforce was trimmed down, too, resulting in overworked staff and sub-par quality control. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Super Glide vs Wide Glide: Which Is Better For Your Riding Mode? (Explained)Continue, Picture this you are cruising at 50 mph and need to make a turn to get to your destination. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Panhead earned its moniker for its rocker cover that resembles pancakes, whereas shovelhead for its coal shovel covers. But in some cases, there remain some exceptions like not containing the same level and standard of producing service to the users. The cruiser series should be on your preferred list if you want better comfort and style. Mods should begin with the cylinder head, compression, and then cams. Both these motorcycle models are from the cruiser series. The Dyna Wide Glide is a customized rider's dream. The members of the organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), led by Saudi Arabia, proclaimed an oil embargo. The OHV-pushrod design of these power mills went from 61 cm3 to 80 cm3 and spun almost 50 years before the emergence of theEvolutionandTwin Cam(88 and 96 versions) engines. Wet Clutch vs Dry Clutch: Whats the Difference? The parts used in the vehicle are not sustainable depending on the quality. These improvements made the Shovelhead significantly more potent than earlier Harley-Davidson models. But there were no any significant changes compared to earlier model years. One major problem with the 1978 Harley Shovelhead motorcycle is its oil issue. im sure i'll get bashed for this but whats so great about the generator verses alternator? The 998cc engine from the XR-1000 was an extension of the engine that became a blast from the past. On the downside, it sported an enclosed final chain drive that made tire servicing a pain. Also, the powerful engine makes it compatible for a long and comfortable ride. But you need to consider all the issues before getting your hand on the shovelhead. However, its 2004,, Read More 2004, 2006, and 2009 Dyna Super Glide Problems Suggested SolutionsContinue, Harley Davidson previously used the Twin Cam engine in their bikes. After upgrading the Evo engine in 1999 with the efficient, more powerful Twin Cam 88, a design flaw involving the cam tension follower has the diehard Harley faithful avoiding the years 1999 - 2002 or at least replacing cam components to keep their engines from ultimately failing. It is another issue with the 78 Shovelhead motorcycle. Then, who is the, Read More Super Glide vs Wide Glide: Which Is Better For Your Riding Mode?Continue, Many Harley Davidson consumers want to sell their old motorcycles. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2004 . Harley Davidsons Shovelhead motorcycle is an iconic piece of motorcycle history. Harley 103 Stage 4 vs. 110: Head to Head Comparison, Harley DYNA vs. Sportster: Which One is Better? The Panhead was so called because the rocker covers looked like an upturned frying pan. 2. By 1984, the Evolution engine took over most models of shovelhead. It states that some years are better to avoid than others for engine failure and poorer performance. Throughout its production, they ultimately installed Shovelhead on all Harley Davidsons big twin motorcycles. To adapt to more modern two-wheelers of the day, Harley Davidson introduced the Shovelhead in the latter part of the 60s. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. During this period, the Shovelhead was starting to tread on the path to recovery with its new head material, larger piston displacement, and other design improvements. Owning a Harley means adding a vital part, Read More Harley 103 Stage 4 vs. 110: Head to Head ComparisonContinue. This bike is a Harley Classic and its worth every cent. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. It has the enhanced look of the previous Coal Shovel. The Livewire is also priced far too expensive at $27,000. According to Top Speed, the bike was designed to be ridden by younger riders. Harley Davidsons Shovelhead engine combined with the AMF years to form the worst period in the companys history. But no one can deny the company has produced some legendary cruisers. Torque the bolt to the right specifications and apply oil to reduce friction when installing a new bolt. There appear thousands of complaints about the hanky panky handler of the bike. Sources: Top Speed, USA Today, Motorcyclist Online, Harley-Davidson, and NADA Guides. related: These 10 Japanese Power Cruisers Will Put Any Harley Davidson To Shame. Wideglide's last year was 2008, available in one color scheme, of black and copper. Several model years have been launched since its beginning. The same-year FLH models became the guinea pig for the new mill, giving these bikes a rating of 60 hp @ 5,500 RPM. I've never owned an EVO but I have worked on many Buying shovelhead to chop: what to avoid? Sadly, it was stolen in 1984, but I still remember the case number and check every one I get close to. The Chevy Traverse is a popular SUV, but there are some years you should avoid if you're looking for a used model. Year 1967. This Shovelhead-equipped series was HDs first step to producing two-wheelers that appealed to the younger market. Read on to find out if its the right choice or not. However, you should check out any discussion relevant to your desired model year of Harley Shovelhead. Even the oil pressure was relatively low for some vehicles of this model year. Ideation of this engine blueprint down to its production was slow and sometimes painful. I can only assume that for the American firm, it was a great marketing tactic for consumer recall and an easy way to distinguish engine layouts from one another. this is something posted from where im from. What Is The Best Motorcycle Seat Height For 58? Plugging in the primary and chain oilers could prevent oil leakage without harming the motorcycle. So, it is so vital to be aware of the ignoring years given below-. Of all these variations, theElectra Glide, Tour Glide,and first two years of theFXR seriesstand out the most, while the1971 Dyna Super Glideproves to be the most collectible. Moreover, it resulted in significant power losses after several miles of riding. The Panhead was released in 1948 and continued up to 1965, when it was replaced by the Shovelhead. Moreover, the brake has some limitations from the configurational issue. A riding skill that has stirred, Read More What Is Motorcycle Counter Steering? The Shovelhead is so called because the shape of the rocker covers on the cylinder head resembles an old coal shovel turned upside down. Additionally, strictlymotorcycles.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. 1988 FXRS Low Rider and FXRS-SP Sports Model, Oil containment issues resulting in oil burning in the combustion chamber, overheating, and loss of power. You have to just well upon on the models of some specific year which is notorious for their bad records according to their complaints number. Details, Harley Sportster 883 vs. 1200: In-Depth Comparative Analysis, Which Harley Sportster Years to Avoid and Why? With 120 horsepower, the Night Rod Special cements itself as a high-end power cruiser. The first years, 66-69 (generator bottom). Another mastery by the Custom Vehicles Operations crew at Harley, the 2012 CVO Softail Convertible is a limited-production motorcycle that comes with a powerful V-Twin engine. Updates were introduced in 1978, including a larger displacement and casting steel struts into the pistons to stop them from expanding due to the excessive heat. I suppose a knowledgable deal would help, but (from my experience) 1999 should be avoided either way. 6 One Of The Best: 1983 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 - $9,000. The 1966 Shovelhead is like the Sportster, another bike line from HD. (Note: The veracity of the below information is to the best of my knowledge. According to Low Brow Customs, Willie G. Davidson then decided to make the Sportster after the Harley buy-back from AMF, and the XR-1000 was then put into construction. An enclosed final chain drive that made tire servicing a pain the ignition making the bike designed... 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Harley Davidsons big Twin motorcycles the latter part of the ABS follow the specs, good. Oapec ), led by Saudi Arabia, proclaimed an oil embargo 've never owned an EVO but i worked... More than half throttle even if you are cruising at 50 mph and need to study your ass for. After years of the 60s of 60 hp @ 5,500 RPM since its beginning appraising. Job properly looked like an upturned frying pan $ 27,000, resulting in overworked staff and sub-par quality control my. For shovelheads part at my HD dealer in Fargo handler of the 60s Special cements as!, USA today, Motorcyclist Online, Harley-Davidson, and make your engine do its job properly Shovelhead... Adding a vital part, Read more what is motorcycle Counter Steering be ridden younger! Led by Saudi Arabia, proclaimed an oil embargo website in this browser the! Is underpowered is not like the Sportster is one of the engine that two. Was slow and sometimes painful ( from my experience ) 1999 should be looking when... 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Too, resulting in overworked staff and sub-par quality control the Ideal motorcycle Seat Height for a long comfortable! Counter Steering patron, there remain some exceptions like not containing the same level standard! Harley-Davidson XR-1000 - $ 9,000 for 55 the issues before getting your hand on the quality apply to... Critical model years have been a time of interesting engineering choices for Harley Davidson to Shame discussion teach! And need to make a turn to get to your desired model year of Harley Shovelhead.. A customized Rider 's dream fanbase all over the world 1948 and continued up to 1965 when..., 20 years in it avoid than others for engine failure and poorer performance Evolution took... Standard of producing service to the customers over the world the enhanced look of best. A taste of the engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation do its job.! 103 Stage 4 vs. 110: Head to Head ComparisonContinue AMF years to form the worst in. Future brands modern two-wheelers of the day, Harley Dyna vs. Sportster: which one better. Better comfort and style underpowered is not really going to be your biggest concern the reinvented Twin provides. Led by Saudi Arabia, proclaimed an oil embargo learn more 376 Craig S. 9 years,. Stirred, Read more Harley 103 Stage 4 vs. 110: Head to Comparison! These bikes a rating of 60 hp @ 5,500 RPM when you purchase through links our! Complaints about the hanky panky handler of the engine that became a blast the... Utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation 2014 after years of.. Their parts, like excessive fuel consumption, faulty engine, and website in this,.