This HARLEY Davidson SHOVELHEAD Has Made A FOOL Out Of ME / Clutch, TIMING & Kickstart Issues Solved
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- Опубліковано 2 гру 2022
- Finally narrowed down my issues with the clutch, timing, and kickstart after a year's time of owning this 1979 Harley Davidson FXS Shovelhead. As always, it's not the motorcycle that's the problem but the one who has motorcycle that's the problem. It's not that the bike has made a fool out of me, but has revealed the fool that I am. But I'm getting wiser with as time goes on.
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There is definitely a bond formed with The Shovelhead as an owner who does all the fixes needed to keep it running! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! Keep Shovelin!
Nothing wrong with having a project bike. For someone that just likes to ride and doesn't like to tinker a bike like that wouldn't work but you've got the knack to fix bikes so she's your baby.
Corey, you've just described a process where you bond with a machine. You gotta be feeling good about the whole adventure. Looking forward to seeing you out on the road! Thanks for Sharing!
A bond is quite the way to put it. But yeah, I guess so.
Maybe I'll get motivated to get back out in the garage and finish my Triumph chopper.
Go for it!
Felt the joy when you had your 'timing' epiphany breakthrough.👍
That part about the clutch hub reminded me of the time I was in Sturgis at the 50th with my '76 FX stroker and got the great idea of putting a 25 tooth sprocket on the final drive to lower my rpm's. Pulled everything apart put it all together and we were ready to leave tried to kick it over and nothing happened I could just kick it through. Well the key had fallen out. So we had to take the primary back off and put the key in. Now I always tilt the bike over when not on a lift to put the clutch hub on with it in the 12 o:clock position. About getting slammed about working on a shovelhead. It's a learning process. You can evolutionize that scoot with a 5 speed and a wet clutch. Another thing I will share is why did it take Harley 35 years to go to a spline shaft at the tranny. In '55 they went to a spline shaft and timkin bearing on the motor but didn't go to a spline on the tranny till '90.
That is the look of a happy Saddletramp when she kicked over so easy!... Also, it takes real cajones to admit on camera that your "breakdown" was you running your scooter out of gas. Most folks would "Accidentally" forget that whole affair and never mention it at all. Stuff like that is why people like watching your channel, because we have all done similar things, but very few people would admit to it at gunpoint, let alone in the public square, except for the weirdos that think that makes them relatable in what my kids call a humble brag. That was clearly not what we see here on this channel. You are willing to call a spade a spade, even when it makes you look like a knucklehead... or I guess, in this case, a Shovelhead! Thanks, Tramp, for being an honest guy and letting us all in on something that you can laugh about NOW, since it's behind you. It definitely ain't funny when it's happening, though, is it? Not that I would know anything about being a knucklehead or anything.... ahem... :) Take care, Tramp, and keep 'em comin'!!
Thank you, Tommy. Really appreciate your feedback.
Hey, your not a fool as long as your learning something !!!
Thanks, man. Appreciate that.
Gotta love those shovels. Thats how old skools do it
I've learned over the years that every bike has a different soul to them, a different starting procedure of cold and then a hot start, I absolutely love my 79 and yes sometimes I want to scrap it. but it always surprises me with something, you know like starting on the first kick! I share your exuberance of such a difficult feat and when you really need to show off it takes four to five kicks!! Love the videos SaddleTramp keep em coming! Oh and my next item on the list is resealing the leaky trans shaft and possibly going to a belt drive. Live to ride and ride to Live.
Don't let the old shovel guys give you grief. They wasn't born with the knowledge they have. They learned it from experience just like you are doing. That ol shovel is the coolest bike you have and I also would be gravitating tords that ol girl.
Right on, Edward!
Good to see you got the clutch going. Had a similar problem on my early '78 1200 Shovel. Found out the holes in the brand new friction disks were too tight of a tolerance and were catching. Also, found out you need to keep the clutch drum fairly clean or the plates can stick. Yea, another damn thing to put on the PM schedule. I switched to the Sifton diaphragm clutch pressure plate. So far so good. And if you are going hi performance, the thing can put wicked amount of pressure on the plates. Probably enough to snap the clutch cable.
Electronic IGN is a slightly better way to go. On the points setup, the centrifugal weights get dirty (like everything else on a shovel) and they don't return as quick. So, when coming to a stop at a light, it makes the bike fast idle for a while. 1200-1400 RPM.
As for the starter.... crappy design. Somewhere in the manual it says that the solenoid stays engaged until the engine RPM is higher than the starter. So, if battery is weak, there is a possibility that the starter would stay on till the batteries were dead. I solved that by getting a auto solenoid (some people call them Ford solenoids) and put it under the battery box. When I let go of the starter button, it disengages, which takes power away from the regular solenoid on the inner primary cover.
T Mack
That problem with running on and not disconnecting when you have low voltage happens with some old cars and trucks, as well. My first vehicle was a 63 International Scout, and that happened to me when I first brought it home on a trailer and went to crank it back up. The rear axle was toast, so it had sat up a long, long time, and the seller had it running when I got there. The battery was toast, as well, but barely put out enough juice to get that tiny half a V8 turning. Once she started turning, it would not stop! I got the ground cable off before it burned up the starter, thanks to my dad being there, watching in glee as I struggled with my choice of first vehicle. "That thing will never leave the yard!" I heard that in my head every time I turned a wrench on Ol' Betsy, and I gleefully reminded him that it had, in fact, left the yard every time we took her hunting or camping! He who laughs last, laughs the loudest, they say. Wish I had never sold that truck! Don't miss those vacuum powered wipers in the rain, though. They are purdy awful!
You learn every day the day you stop your dead but as I get older when I learn stuff about old bikes it seams to mean more .
Great videos keep them coming. 🇮🇪
Awesome video Corey.... Nicely done brother.... Gotta keep em running right💯👊🏽😎
Thanks, my friend. Aways good to see you.
Good feeling when a plan comes together!
Sure is!
I agree! I am 51 and started out on a shovel. and have owned 2 more and 2 iron heads! And my EVO is soo much better to work on, ride and is an all-around better bike ! Being a diehard shovel head fan in my youth i can say i love my EVO so much more!
I hear ya, man!
That part at the end... I'm pretty sure we've all been there if we've been turning wrenches on our own rigs. I dropped a built 302(347) in an old falcon when I was a kid and I kept breaking the rear u-joint. Fixed the pinion angle and blew 2nd gear out of the c-4 the next time I romped on it. My entire experience of owning that car was find a weak point and learn how to fix it. Great way to learn.
That's about how these bikes work too.
Lack of knowledge does not make one a fool! To not seek knowledge is what makes one a fool! You are gaining knowledge and wisdom every time you wrench or ride! Keep your knees in the wind and enjoy life behind bars! 😊
Keep logs of all the work you do and after a while you'll have a clear idea of what you need to do before it fails.
Good idea, man!
you always figure it out man! strobe timing! who knew ! happy it kick starts every time! well done sir 🎉
Yesterday I went to kick, and it started acting up again. Plugs are dirty. Shovel stuff.
Great video. Man those shovels have such a great sound, so distinctive. Stay safe buddy.
I've owned my '81 FXS now for 18 years and it's my third Shovel.
Once you figure out the start procedure (they're ALL different) and replace the parts you really need with good stuff, all you have to do is keep up with the general maintenance and they are as reliable as hell. Mine has never left me on the side of the road...ever...and all my friends are glad I have a tool pouch with me, even though they use it and I don't!
A well maintained Shovel is as reliable as anything out there on the road, and the best part is...no computer, no fuel injection, and if something does go bad you can usually cob it together enough to get it home. No AAA membership like all my riding buds need. Long live the Shovelhead!
Sounds like she is running sweet now! Sounds beautiful!
Everybody likes whatever they like. You've got enough bikes that they all act a little differently. The shovel is just like that one annoying friend that is still fun to hang with LOL
Lol
Great video Cory your own your way to falling in love with the shovelhead. They make full biker out of ya. Not a " fool biker" 😆 enjoy it . Thanks for getting this video up . I like how you straighten out your past feelings on your shovelhead.
It took me some patience for sure.
Love the shovelhead, thing got character, good job figuring out the quirks Brother👍
I have zero respect for anyone saying your to young for whatever era motorcycle you may have, Pretty much everyone is dead from the Knucklehead era of bikes so nobody should be keeping them going and enjoying them? Keep the old stuff going it's awesome!
Well said, Jennifer!
Knew you'd get it figured out man. Congrats on being able to have it kick start like you want.
I'm sure there's more to come. Lol
I turned wrenches on my old Shovelheads for a long time. They were great bikes and for the most part easy to work on. The clutch on the other hand sucks for design. You will always from time to time have the lunge of the pressure plate. Just have to get in there and keep adjusted or, get a Barnett setup. If I had enough room in my shop, I would have kept one of the Shovels. For me, the biggest improvement was going from 4 speed to 5. That was like riding on a cloud. Keep the old bike running. They are disappearing fast.
I'm a 5 speed fan myself. Had a 6 speed for about 5 years. Never could get use to it.
Thanks for the video. I like my Shovelhead, but it is my motorcycle. But it has been good to me.
Love that you shut the haters out of your head ......keep wrenching and making it happen sir...
at least you’re persistent.
Or hard headed. Lol
@@SaddleTrampTV you're doing a great job keep doing it I love your videos from your neighbor in Alabama
hi! On my shovelhead I changed the classic(open belt) clutch with a "York" clutch. Easy install, works with a diagram and evo clutchplates. Man this is a real game changer. It works so well that I'll never go back to the old system. Very easy to find the neutral now, it's smoot and goes as a racebike. Cheers from France and good luck in these winterdays🙃
Good deal, man!
I still have my first bike (75’ Superglide)…been ridin that ol shovel head for 38 years now. Always gives a thrill and a tingle to ride. You’ve got a good lookin shovel. You are becoming a shovel lover and will soon be one of the area gurus on shovels. You’ve seen a lot and handled it.
Congratulations. I don’t know nothing about shovel and evos . I did my learning on TCs . Now I have an M8 . You Da man !
Thank you, Bryan.
You get them figured out I'll bring mine to you lol
I knew nothing about a Shovelhead, untill your videos. Keep em coming, I have a good time watching your adventures.
Don't worry about the mistakes. Your learning a dying art if the truth be known. I comment as I watch. Comment is for your static timing adventure. Learning isn't foolish.
I just bought a 84 FLHS and the guy that sold it to me called it a Troublehead. I’ve made three trips so far, the first time the turn signal vibrated off and was hanging by a wire, the next time was a success and the third time it came home on a trailer. But boy it is fun when it runs.
Don't worry about the haters, they all had to learn the same way you did. One bit of advice I found works when working on starters, I usually change the bearings in the back of the starter shaft and the one in the outer primary case when I have it apart anyway, makes sure your alignment is correct between the shaft and the ring gear/drive. I never did have any luck with the shovelhead clutches, so I changed out to a Rivera Pro Clutch and never looked back.
The absolute single best mod I ever did to my Harley kick/electric 4-speed setup was getting the Primo Rivera Pro Clutch, it was literally the last thing I ever had to do to that clutch, installed it and forgot about it, and had a light pull positve engagement clutch that felt like a modern bikes ;-)
Classic...the joys of a well tuned machine...timing is everything...relative to all... else you spend time limping 🎵✌
Yeah really.
@@SaddleTrampTV ya brought back memories of skinned shins 🎲😂 a button makes us into softies...evo ✌
You are getting it dude !!!! Got a couple things to say. Number one, i don't like a primary belt being enclosed. Belts nowadays get tighter when they warm up and when there enclosed like that they get too warm. Number two, there is a company called, " American Prime Manufacturing" that sells either parts to update your clutch or a complete clutch set. This will take the slop out of your present clutch. You are correct about that 3 stud clutch, it is very inferior. Once the slop is out of that clutch hub, you will find that all the starter parts, jack shaft, etc, will work much better together.
You're correct the belt gets hot when they are enclosed that's why you need to vent your primary cover
For this reason I offset the inspection cover about half an inch on my 81 Sturgis. This allows airflow for cooling the belt
@@bmp72 That's what i've too. Also to the derby cover. It's not very apparent on camera though.
@@bmp72 I had a Sturgis in 84 bought it to have a stock belt drive harley to match a fxs 1981lowrider I had at the time. Wish to God I never traded it. I loved that bike had drag bars and forward controls,had 1.5 inch short shocks and a rat seat,bought a bobtail fender ,the paint matched great,pinstrips looked good to . It was perfect (I'm tearing up,hold on...) pan,shovel, and evo. I wouldn't own anything else lol. Thanks for sharing 🍸
Ya get a 5 stud basket .get the better springs too. I don't know if you've ever had experience with a five lug basket before but you'll pull your hair out trying to get all five of them the same tightness... tightness? Is that a real world?🤣 you'll always have one that's loose 🤪it'll drive insane😒 just let it be loose bro🍸
It's progression, not perfection. I believe you're doing a fine job with the ol' shovel.
Great video Corey, I feel your pain on the out of time shovel , been there and got the hat too. I have a 1978 74” FLH that someone really missed match parts on, that my winter of 2023 project.
Glad to see you got your ole shovelhead straightened out👍. Ride safe my friend 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Simple things... "I reckon it's out of gas" 🤣😂 but don't feel like the lone ranger ,Tonto, most of us do it...👍video
Yeah. I'm so much of an over-thinker that I tend to miss the forest because of the trees.
Yeah ...like looking so hard for something and it's right in front of you....✋️guilty 😁...but can't wait for the videos on the next put together project
I really enjoy your videos and watching the learning process you've been through. Learning from ones mistakes is a path that I have lived also. Great video!
Your honesty is refreshing. Nobody was born knowing this kind of thing. On the Evo Sportster...just buy one, they're cheap and they're great. Put your money time and effort into one of the other bikes. Sell those Evo parts as parts. JMO
Dude opinions are like assholes everyone has one. Your doing great and I look forward to watching your videos and share them with others.
Thank you, Joseph! Right on!
Thanks for this group of videos. I just picked up a 76 fxe basket case with a stroker. Never had a Harley or put a bike together before so im trying to absorb all I can. Thanks
I love old Shovels. Already 40 years before I got the money to buy one, I knew that was the only engine I wanted. It's not because it's superior in any way. It's because it's beautiful.
I bought an engine and built a motorcycle around it ❤
Awesome!
Good work man! Never giving up!👍
Watching you overcome the Troublehead was so satisfying. Hope you ride that bike for a long time 💪
I hope to do so as well.
Hi Corey, she wasn't trying to make a fool out of you. She was just telling you what was wrong with her. Now your shovel will take you Many happy miles. For me there is nothing like riding my shovel. God bless you and yours.
I have a 1979 Shovelhead and my starter would stick on it but it always did it when it had a low battery
Probably a good idea to keep them on a charger every now and again.
I think its great you young guys gravitate towards the real Harleys. I'm 69 and the shovels are one of my favorites. Piss on the trolls. They probably never rode a Harley.
I could never get mine to start in one but it would always start with the 3rd kick.
3rd kick is still pretty good.
With my Shovehead bikes, to carry my wife and I plus luggage, I always ran 24/51 sprockets. Good for pulling the hills loaded down.
Dude that looked like it hurt (out of time power loss) sounds good now. Another good video troubleshooting brain storming sometimes hurts
Yeah it can be a little painful at times.
Hey my brother, ditch the friction disc and replace it with a nylatron. Next get rid of the off set bearings and replace them with the ram jet 52 needle bearing kit. Next get yourself a stock American made Harley clutch hub,go to your dealership get 10 long studs and replace them. Now you have a American made 10 stud clutch hub. Now use Barnett Kevlar plates and you will be a happy amigo.✌😎
I have 2 Hondas I am having trouble with the turn signals. They take their own sweet time to come on after you turn them on. Other times they come on quickly.
That sounds a lot like the turn signal switch pops cover apart and clean it with some electronic cleaner. Take a look and see if you need some waterproof electronic grease on them
@@johnjenkins9202 Thank You. I will check that out on both bikes.
You probably already know this but make sure you don't use too heavy of an oil because it starves the top end of oil but like I said you probably already know that great job buddy God bless you my friend
I put 70w in there because of the summer heat. But never got around to putting 60w back in until now.
Tramp, my old 71 Boat Tail always treated me good and I couldn’t relate to all your problems and frustrations. It’s great to see you bulled through the learning process and expanded your knowledge. We all go through the journey with these old great classics and become much better mechanics and trouble shooters in the end.
I could see the pride in your face at the end of the video. I could also relate to the physical pain of those vicious kick backs! Too much advance my friend! You had me laughing.. but in a good way…LOL
Good going Corey. Peace love and light
Yea we love your learning process! I have 1980 fxwg and have to learn a lot, thanks for help and ride free Corey!!🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks for being here, Frank
Really great video, man. Love how you went over everything with that bike. Very cool and informative!
It takes more knowledge to own an older bike because you are going to be responsible for fixing it when it breaks or even trying to upgrade it's flaws. That's part of the frustrating fun.
That sound...that's the hook that gets you.
Your videos are a joy to watch brotherman~
Thank you, Michael
That's a nice old shovel, next you need a panhead! I would love to tinker with a pan. God bless brother
Had to bail last night, but glad to hear the biggest problems have the simplest solutions! I see a roadtrip in your near future!
Maybe!
08/30/2023 2:42 am deep into the youtube rabbit hole..found your channel and now am binge watching your videos..I am glad to see you are using the average guy kick method now..us guys that make these bikes look small can get away with the straddle style kick method..also your honesty about your learning curve has earned you a subscribe from me..the joy I see in your face when around this bike confirms that you are officially a Shovelhead guy..(2) things I hope you have done that are very important to Shovels..you need to name them and you need to talk to them constantly..
Hey, man. Thanks for joining in! Welcome!
Great job! Awesome video! Thanks for sharing! Have a lovely weekend
You too!
Keep up the good work Tramp.😎
I'll give it a go, Brett. Thanks!
So cool how the proper timing improves how it starts & runs.
Yeah really
Go easy on yourself bud. Experience is always the best teacher. Now you know these things, you'll be better prepared for your next adventure. As you say "Keep The Rubber Side Down" See you on the next video...
Just like those that want the all original MG cars Ford escort, or like me Chevy luv pickup, they have there problems, but the look of others in amazement that it's actually running,
Like the video and thanks for sharing the timing info between kick and no kick.
Sure thing!
hi corey, good to see you get the bugs worked out. never used a light an any harley, points or otherwise, but i would static time them then creep the ignition advance a tiny bit at a time till i got the best performance. not out of pride or prejudice, but 'cause i never had a light. same end result though i guess. here's what i say to the younger generation getting into the old bikes, 'more power to ya, bikes you have a relationship with. not just bikes to ride'. anyway, keep lookin' up bro.
bill
Thank you, Bill. I think you nailed it.
Great video, straight n honest!
I caught some crap as well when I put a rear chain drive on a 98 Electra. "Why did you change from a belt? That's crazy." If you ride a lot, and that belt breaks, you are stuck unless you happen to carry around a jack and tools to pull rear wheel AND primary off AND an extra belt. If the chain breaks, All I need is a master link to thread it back through and keep going. A seriously old school mechanic here who is a rider with a club I wont mention here, converted it for me and told me that high speed roller chain uses wax, not oil. Keep it with about an inch and a half of slack to minimize wear and it wont break. He runs the same chain on a turbo bike making over 200 hp.
Don't forget the removal of the swingarm too. Same for softails.
My back brakes are working so good. Thanks for taking care of that for me.
Sure thing!
Try the anderws N1 cam it's made for a stock shovelhead. I used to run 25 tooth at the trans and 48 at the wheel. And it pulled away from a stop stronger than stock . My 83 shovelhead was shock ,with an su carb ,single fire , N1 cam, and a good exhaust. The thing ripped and ran reliable, For years . I miss the old girl .but my 98 fatboy has a similar setup, but with a 6 speed trans . The 6 speed is better than tall gears ,all day long .
You can change clutch to Rivara proclutch. Best thing I did to my shovel
That’s one of the reasons I like shovels. I like working on them. It’s a learning experience and it’s a good feeling when you figure something out and get to ride. I switched to the Rivera Premo clutch system. Very smooth shifts and really easy to find neutral. I always like your videos. It gets me to check things on my shovels.
Rivera Primo is what I'm running in mine too; with a BDL belt.
I remember the video where it was kicking back real bad. I also remembered when I had my 45 flat head with the cable broken to the distributor advance, that if I did not retard it by hand before kicking it, I got the same results you had. Maybe not quite as bad because the 45 had a real low compression ratio. But it was enough to hurt.
And that starter arrangement was carried over to the early EVO's.
Glad you have your Shovel ironed out. It is that never give up attitude that wins at the end of the day.
Great video.
Hey These are Your Bikes,Your , Channel. I learn from the Channel, and enjoy the channel. Keep doing what Your doing. As always Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Michael.
Good work Corey it just proves if you don't give up you can figure it all out I remember my shovel wish I still had it I am on a 2001 duch O duce lol later C.T. OF WEST VIRGINIA KEEP THE RUBBER DOWN
I changed over my clutch hub to a 5 spring and straight roller bearings years ago, early 90's, never had a problem since. I didn't like the way my bike took off from the start, I ended up putting a FL first gear in the trans because it's lower. The trans sprocket and wheel sprocket are more for when you are going down the road, not starting off. Just my opinion.
I never thought about the timing. Good catch. You need a lift. Be safe.
Superb production and intel! 👍
From Southern California ~ Ride Forever!
Thanks!
Great video thank you for sharing
The roads where you live look incredible.
I'm from the UK and that scenery looks like something from Smokey and the Bandit!
Would love to ride in the USA one day in the future, looks brilliant.
Some of the scenes from that movie were filmed in the state where I live. Thanks for watching, Mike.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Corey, I sencerly hope that you are not negatively effected by some folks opinions on here, because I really have fun watching your video's. Be well brother🙏🤝🌲
They don't bother me. If that's what keeps them from jumping off of a cliff, then let them comment.
Great work Corey !
Thanks, Charles
YEEEEEEHAAAAAA!!!!!! 🎯🤩🥰 Yeah boy! The kicker is the shit in those cold temps. Before I could afford a Harley, I owned Yamaha XS's (400, 2x750, 850, 650, 1100). The 750's had the kickers with the starter. I rode in all weather except snow, so When it was 40 or less, or more, those electric starters were very weak. But that kicker worked like a charm. That clip of you kicking the pretimed shovel is SOOOO painful to watch! But there's nothing like the old school way of starting a Harley, unless of course, you're the one trying to start a less than perfectly timed bike. Or your technique is less than perfect. I love shovels, too. It's the music they produce. Maybe it's the difference between Iron and aluminum. Peace be with you, bro!
I'm really happy that it worked out for you Corey! I figured that if you kept plugging along at it, sooner or later it would all work out.
You are a good mechanic and we can see how much you enjoy working on those old bikes.
I'm looking forward to seeing you work on that other bike you have started working on.
That'll be a cool series too.
Good job brother. Peace.
(And your editing on this video was cool too, with the back & forth from old shots to other old shots.)
5 atm waoting !!!!!! Someone is not pn the ball !!!!!!! Welcome back !!!!!
I had one and yes shovel heads are cool. I rode mine a lot. And if I got it started in 3 kicks I love it.
That laugh says it all.
Learning your bikes lessons.
Summertime in
New Zealand.!!
Great video thanks!