My dog runs interference. If she likes you, you're cool. If I'm about to do something I shouldn't (whatever that could be), she can disapprove, and I trust her judgement. That's really all the keeper I need.
My dad was a retired Navy jet aircraft mechanic. He owned and worked on Harley's his entire life. I've not seen anyone lap valves like this in a very long time. Interesting note about my dad...after he died he was cremated and his ashes were put into a custom Harley gas tank and mounted on a wall in his old club house in north Texas. He taught us how to trouble shoot and work on so many different engines. I'm 58 and still wrenching to this day. Love what you do Mike...bringing back some very cherished memories indeed. You are very much loved by the UA-cam community to say the least! Wrench on my friend....we are watching. :)
Wow. Thank you so much. I get the feeling, being thought of in a conversation about your dad is quite a compliment. I would like to have met him. But, hopefully, I'll meet you some day.
@@pacificmike9501 ME TOO!... Mine has it's new 86 inch S&S stroker top end kit arriving today... Been a stroker for a while. Just getting a new jug job :)..new heads...new cam and a few other updates. BTW..my lil girl sleeps in the house...no lonely garage for her. LOL
Thanks for the videos Mike. I imagine it would be a blast to spend a day or two in your garage listening to your stories. You are passing along time-honored information that would be getting lost with newer generations.
I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know a method to get back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me
@Reuben Talon Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Hi Mike,these older videos are being very helpfull on the present time for me. Just bought a shovelhead that has been sitting for 15 years,just started tearing it down and it looks quite good till now,lets hope i dont find to much big problems.
I remember lapping the valves on my dad's old Ford Thames Van in the 50's & early 60's. That was my job. I still have his lapping suction tool. It must be about over 90 years old. Love your video's Mike. Thank you for sharing.
im 24, and have never touched a Harley, but these skills are the lost art of mechanics that need to be kept I take thousands of notes when I watch your videos... maybe one day ill tackle an old Harley just to see if im worthy!
Hi Mike love your videos , I had a1983 shovel head , had to sell it to fix our house I wish I had it today! I don't like the new engine. Now I'm retired so I just enjoy your videos. Thanks again
Back in the 70s, when i was a pup of 18, im 62 now...i met an old timer that took me under his wing and taught me how to work on Harleys....first time he showed me how to lap valves he made me do it with one of the suction cups on a wooden dowel just like youre using, but he made me use Pepsodent toothpaste instead of lapping compound.....took me hours to get those valves seated LOL Guess he wanted to teach me how to do things right, or he was just getting a good laugh out of it LOL....he taught me everything I know about building HDs....of course the next time we lapped valves he brought out his real lapping tools .....only took a few minutes that time LOL
I, being an "old geezer" have one of those crank lapping tools...needs a new suction cup, but the mechanism works great. Last time I used it was ten years ago. I'd happily give it to you, if you promise to use it in a video. peace-out..Tc
My Father was a die maker for lots of stuff during the war and after that he made dies for Craftsmen Tools. No CNC all hand grinding. He had a big family of 10 kids and a couple of times a year he would bring home a box of "seconds" tools. By the time he would bring home another box the previous tools were all lost! Anyway, I developed a love of tools and metal from him so I can really appreciate the love you have for your projects. Thank you for sharing!
One day on the job, my foreman said to lap the valves on an Alco locomotive in the roundhouse. Same as what you're doing here but on a larger scale. And yes it was by hand and hard work. I don't miss that job either but it paid well and had good benefits. Thanks for another excellent How To video.
Thank You. I grew up in San Bernardino,Ca. Field trips to the Santa Fe yard was awesome. I loved it. And the explanations were great. Lapping a valve that big must have been quite a chore. You have my respect.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you so much. I wasn't the only one doing it. Most of the time it was 2 on the job for a 12 cyl. loco. The Alcos we had were the 4 cycle type diesels.
Brother Mike, you’re a godsend for us novice/beginners need to shovels. I really, truly appreciate your videos man, love the detailed way you explain these procedures and the back stories and priceless gems of experience you drop!
I always get nostalgic lapping valves because my Dad used to get me to do that job in his motorcycle shop when i was a kid. Funny how these things stay with you. Thanks Mike.
@@pacificmike9501 It is a satisfying job! Working with my Dad was fun, its nice to use those skills in my own shop today. I like to think my Dad got lucky because im obsessed with old bikes... i could have gone the other way and been into computers or even worse modern cars! haha
@PacificMike. Thanks for showing the valve installation in the head. I am looking to get a Shovelhead and your videos are a great instruction tool for me. Shovelheads are my favorite as I grew up during the Shovelhead production run. Please keep the videos coming.
Very nice video. Like all the stories behind all the work and parts. Keep it up. I think you are getting us hooked with the reveal of parts for the build.
Mike have you ever went over the special tools required to do a Shovel and Evo motor . I had a lot of home made tools I had to come up with back in the 70's and 80's when I was doing basket cases . I couldn't afford to buy the real Harley tools or a running Harley so I had to use farm boy ingenuity. You by far have the best and easiest videos to follow thank you.
I could (okay, today that is more of a "want" thing...) never afford those ridiculously expensive fancy-pansy lapping tools/arbors for Harley bearing races. Since forty years I just use a (ultra quality "Hunger" one, though) adjustable line reamer I normally use to size kingpin and suspension bushing stuff. I put dull but straight blades in and simply use it with lapping compound. I did literally hundreds of Sportster, Pan and Shovel rod-, crank- and mainshaft bearing races this way and they never failed... I absolutely adore your videos. Your calm and "no BS" voice really helped me through a lot of sad hours already! Thanks a whole lot and Greetings from Germany!
I have an 93" cu.i S&S Shovelhead (with Harley top ends with the short/mid "Sportster-type" of sparkplug threads). My friends say that when I shift gear it come "black-smoke" from the pipes. Last year, I had my cylinderheads of to make a repair-welding and new threads for the sparkplugs :-). My "reaction" was that there was no valvestemsealers fitted.I read in the Clymer´s book in the chapter that concern top-ends that "have a valve-stemsealing" should replace it like you do in the video. This S&S motor was buildt (not by me) for about 30-35 years ago.No problem with the running of the motor,and the smoke don´t bother me:-).....but when it´s obvius that something is wrong,I want to solve the problem. Sorry about my bad English....but I am born 1958.... :-) //Jörgen
I run valve seals on my Shovelhead because my drag race buddies convinced me I should. They claimed that it helps prevent getting oil into the combustion chamber and therefore, you get more accurate tuning. Okay. My Shovelhead burns very clean and front and rear are an extremely close match. No valve seals on my Knuckle or my Pan. Another "personal preference." Black smoke is fuel. Blue smoke is oil. Also, always use a little anti-seize on your sparkplug threads.
I just stumbled onto your videos. I feel you are the Bob Ross of Harley repair. It’s nice watching a UA-cam channel that does not beg for money. I really like your tools, the explanations and how you keep it to the point.
You'd have loved it when we picked up my Flathead Merc block and did the whole thing on a great big Bridgeport mill. Everybody used to lap in the valves on their flathead fords and mercs. That's cool.
THANK YOU...for sharing. Thanks for letting me hang out in the shop with you and Camera Mike, watched and very much enjoyed. Looking forward to the new bike build.
Just as I've gotten pretty good at lapping spilled beer off the bar floor, I want to set my sights higher by learning how to do this this. Mike, you're a true inspiration!
It would sure be interesting to me, if you would take an engine design (like the Shovelhead) and walk us through the evolution of that particular engine. How it changed from ‘66 to ‘84 to overcome problems that became apparent over time and use. It sounds like a lot of work but it sure would be interesting to see. A playlist with each engine design covered would be gold IMHO. 👍
Great video, I hear you mention that EVO engines need to change base gasket at around 40.000 miles, well that's the mileage on my Harley so it sounds like the valve seals have the same replacement time. B.t.w. I have never had any oil leaks from cylinder head gasket so far, driving my bike for 22 years in Thailand. Thank you for all your time and effort to make all videos who make a lot of help for us bikers who live in the jungle far away from any Harley dealer shop.
Thank You. All I was referring to was that, when we replaced base gaskets, we did a "freshen up" to the topend. In the beginning and all the way through, Evos had minor difficulties with base gaskets. The biggest problem was the riders not giving the motor adequate time to warm up before riding them hard. Those aluminum cylinders have to warm up to operating size first, or they move around and begin leaking. Twin cam cylinders are o-ringed at the base. Much better. There are some very good gaskets on the market nowdays, but let her warm up for a few minutes, then take her up slowly. As for your valve seals, not normally a problem, but could have dried out. Remember, the newest Harley Davidson Evos are now over 30 years old.
CiTy H I am new to your site it is good to see old school still working I started on HD'S in 1968 I was 16 a good friend gave me a 55 pan for my birthday with 1 condition I had to build it myself 1 hard tail frame 2 wheels and 3 boxes of Parts it took me about a week no book but JR new every thing I needed to know but I had to try to figure it first I got it running and have been hooked ever since seeing your 52 baby sure brought back a lot of memories thanks .I just bought a 01 FXSTD I got a book this time!!! talk to you down the road I am in West Virginia don't know where your at.Keep the rubber on the down side and the wind at your back later
I watched many videos on valve lapping. I used a piece of rubber hose on the stem. Cleaned them real good. I like the way you do it. I did mine last August. Thanks for the lesson.
Thanks for all your videos mike, finally achieved my dream of owning a Harley by the time I'm 35. I'm real familiar with motorcycles, mostly dirt bikes. Heading to Callahan Florida to pick up a shovel motor very soon to start a 70s themed chop build. Thanks again from Alabama.
I like to use a 4" length of tubing attached to the stem end with small zip tie then attached to a two inch length of 1/4" all thread in a drill and I'll just pull lightly with the drill on low speed and it works great. I also put the C-clamp in the vice instead; that way you can drop the keepers in from the top. Awesome to learn so much new stuff from Mike though!
looking forward to this build your going to be doing im also doing one so will be interesting to watch what you do and maybe pick up a few pointers thanks for all your videos mike they have helped me understand my shovel a lot better
Another great video, very interesting to me as I'm currently elbow deep in my top-end EVO refresh. I dropped my heads and jugs off at the machine shop yesterday. Getting the bases turned, bored +10, valves and heads worked on...Should be good to go in a week or 2.
I’ve done a lot of cylinder head work even porting , it’s nice to watch someone else do it , we all have our ways , when I lap I use a rubber fuel line on the valve and slid the other end one a drill bit I have on a power drill and work it , but spring and all together add some gasoline into the port and see if it holds at least 3 mins .. Enjoying your channel
You bet! I don't do valve work like I used to. Having a shop, I got to the point where I just sent them out to the machine shop. They had a $150,000 guide and seat machine that gave me perfection for a really reasonable price. Now that I'm playing at home, I'm getting back into the old habits like you have. It's great to talk about and great to feel again. Thank You.
Love your videos you are the best..I wish you lived close to me my 2006 sportster backfires for two years and is unusable only rode it for ten miles and now cant even make it down my street without it backfiring and then stalling,sorry just venting....great vids man
another great video Mike ,please keep them coming I love when you post anything.And thank you for not talking down to us ,you are the best ,stay safe!!!!!!!!
Great video I’m l lapping heads always enjoy watching you had the pleasure of meeting you at born free is Tom and I gave you a card have a good one thanks
Give Jason lienweber cams a call use there springs for 35 years the best springs on the market,old panheads had exhaust Rotator keys that would actually move the valve in the engine when it runs they were factory up grade
Hi Mike, I know this is gonna sound creepy and or corny but not long ago (about two to three months ago my oldest brother passed away, well all I just wanna say is just watchin' you and listening to you explain n' stuff on the bikes you look and sound "exactly" like him!!😱 Also wanna say keep up your vids because they are really helpful to me with wrenchin' on my bike when needed, stay safe watch out for the cagers out there and God Bless You Bro...😎🏍
If you use that Zippo fluid as a cleaner/solvent, charcoal lighter fluid is so close to the same it doesn’t matter, and it’s way cheaper. Did they ever fix that issue on the later Evos? As usual, I enjoyed this I’m immensely and learned something new like always. Love the old stories too as always, so don’t ever stop telling them.
If you do not lap base of cylinder it will leak again, trock made a special tool that worked great and I never had a comeback usi g it. Width and position of lapped area on valve is important, I use a dial caliper and a loop to set contact patch visually, otherwise you are guessing. I did 100's of evos back in the day.
Thanks Mike, that was fun to watch..... Back in the 70's when I was a kid working for Porsche/Audi I remember we would cut the valve face at a 44 deg and leave the valve seat at 45 deg, we called it interference angle for a perfect valve to seat seal. Do they still use that theory today, or am I so old school it's no longer used?.....Thanks again Mike.
Thank You. Yah, it's still done that way alot. But, with the modern guide and seat machines, well, I don't even know how to set one up. If I need any of that work, I farm it out. The new machines can be accurate to about a tenth. I just lap things in by hand as a cleanup.
Hey mike. Could you do a video some time explaining and showing how to measure and set spring lift and pressure. I’ve read the steps 100 times but once they start with the math they lose me. I learn way easier seeing something done while it’s explained. Heads is the one part of the engine I never messed with. Keep up with your awesome work
We'll do it when we need it. When it comes down to really high tech, I farm it out to my friend who set 60 national speed records. He knows cylinder heads. That's where real power is made.
I put a Compufire ignition and whoo weee she runs out now, I ran a MC power arc a Dyna 2000i and the Compufire which has been the best ignition.. I built the engine in 93 which is a Shovel style using -66 heads..I did so many evo engines but never ever did I lap the valves. I always cut new seats because most of them were way outa spec.
You are more than welcome TO WATCH. But BE CAREFUL. This stuff is infectious. I was watching a guy build a lower end when I was about 4 years old. I never got over it.
Mike, i love and enjoy your videos. Will reference them often when i start my 1984 Evo upgrades this winter. Constructive criticism: - Please assume your audience knows little or even nothing at all. Occasionally, you skip a detail assuming the viewers already know. - Your close ups are rarely close enough or long enough. Often, i need to pause the vid to get a good look. Regards from NE Indiana!
Easy way out is usually pretty good, but if you got the heads that far, three angle cut valve seats will outlast any lap anyday. My opinion, I may be wrong.
Hi Mike I see ya have 3 exh studs on that head. Is it home made or aftermarket heads ya have?. Always good to watch your channel its calm me down when I is pissed on something.
Thank You. That's really a reward for me. Those heads were made by STD. They are high performance Shovelheads and the exhaust ports were made that way. The upside is, They're great. The downside is there are very few pipes available for them, so you fabricate. I love 'em.
Let's not take the fun out. We've got plenty of stuff left to clean up. We'll show parts of the build at the end of each video. Hopefully, it won't be too long. Thank You.
Mike, can't wait to see the build video's. If you don't mind me asking, where can I find the grips you have on the knuckle? Would like to get a set for my old shovel.
Hello Mike, I‘ve watch some of your videos and i‘m very happy to have a person on youtube who show us some skills ! Do you have some videos where you disassemble a complete shovelhead? I mean from first step till the end ! It would be very helpfull for me and for other people ! Great work ! Greetings from Germany!
Okay nothing for nothing but back in the day when I had my shovel head and I was real I don't know what you call it meticulous. The oil going to the top rockers feeds from the back rocker and then feeds over to the front rocker which means for a short time and my idea you have little or no oil in the front rocker . So I did is I took some tubing same type used for the feed and I ran the tubing up between the two cylinders and braised it onto another piece of tubing that went to the front and back rockers so when I started up it fed both rockers at the same time... just a thought
In theory, it really should help, but there's no real problem with the stock setup. I've run them every way you could imagine. Someone is always making a better setup. But there really isn't a problem.
"Where did I put that tool". Damn....if I had a nickel for every time I have said that! 🙄😁 Good to see iron guides in that head. I wouldn't give you a penny for bronze in your application (or 90% of other applications). I work on Japanese heads and have seen bronze guide wear out in 5,000 miles when used in bike that have a large valve angle and 6.5 and 7mm stems and some good pressure to work with a large cam. Given the angle in your head, weight of the valve and the spring pressure necessary to make it work properly they (bronze guides) might last 1,000. Why Branch heads use bronze guides is beyond me.
People use what works for them. I prefer cast iron guides. But I know people who get wonderful results with bronze. I learned to clearance things completely different with bronze. Still, I prefer Cast iron. We all do things the way we do them. That doesn't make anyone else "wrong", just different. Sounds like you're pretty set in your ways. Probably old, like me, no, like you.
You, Sir, are the Bob Ross of motorcycles. Awesome.
Wow, thanks
Well that old Springer's got me excited!👍
Thank You. Me Too.
Maybe a nice flathead 80 custom build coming 🤔🤔🤔
Definitely a nice chunk of iron
Good morning Mike, speaking of keepers, I thought I had a keeper, but I soon realized my dog was more loyal. Ha!
BLESSINGS BROTHER
My dog runs interference. If she likes you, you're cool. If I'm about to do something I shouldn't (whatever that could be), she can disapprove, and I trust her judgement. That's really all the keeper I need.
My dad was a retired Navy jet aircraft mechanic. He owned and worked on Harley's his entire life. I've not seen anyone lap valves like this in a very long time. Interesting note about my dad...after he died he was cremated and his ashes were put into a custom Harley gas tank and mounted on a wall in his old club house in north Texas. He taught us how to trouble shoot and work on so many different engines. I'm 58 and still wrenching to this day. Love what you do Mike...bringing back some very cherished memories indeed. You are very much loved by the UA-cam community to say the least! Wrench on my friend....we are watching. :)
Wow. Thank you so much. I get the feeling, being thought of in a conversation about your dad is quite a compliment. I would like to have met him. But, hopefully, I'll meet you some day.
YEAH...back to Shovelheads!!!
I love my Shovelhead.
@@pacificmike9501 ME TOO!... Mine has it's new 86 inch S&S stroker top end kit arriving today... Been a stroker for a while. Just getting a new jug job :)..new heads...new cam and a few other updates. BTW..my lil girl sleeps in the house...no lonely garage for her. LOL
Thanks for the videos Mike. I imagine it would be a blast to spend a day or two in your garage listening to your stories. You are passing along time-honored information that would be getting lost with newer generations.
Thank You.
I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know a method to get back into an instagram account??
I somehow forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me
@Erik Zahir instablaster :)
@Reuben Talon Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm.
Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Reuben Talon It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account :D
Hi Mike,these older videos are being very helpfull on the present time for me. Just bought a shovelhead that has been sitting for 15 years,just started tearing it down and it looks quite good till now,lets hope i dont find to much big problems.
Wishing you the best. It's all in the attitude. Buy a service manual. Then, buy an HD parts manual. Shovelheads differ from year to year.
I remember lapping the valves on my dad's old Ford Thames Van in the 50's & early 60's. That was my job. I still have his lapping suction tool. It must be about over 90 years old. Love your video's Mike. Thank you for sharing.
Thank You. That little Thames Van was one of the coolest units of its day. Haven't seen one in a long time.
im 24, and have never touched a Harley, but these skills are the lost art of mechanics that need to be kept I take thousands of notes when I watch your videos... maybe one day ill tackle an old Harley just to see if im worthy!
You can do it. Everyone starts with no experience.
Hi Mike love your videos , I had a1983 shovel head , had to sell it to fix our house I wish I had it today! I don't like the new engine. Now I'm retired so I just enjoy your videos. Thanks again
Thank you for watching. Thank You for enjoying.
Your workshop reminds me of a little part of heaven I would love a workshop like yours because I work on my bikes regards Alan from the UK
Thank You. Regards from California.
Back in the 70s, when i was a pup of 18, im 62 now...i met an old timer that took me under his wing and taught me how to work on Harleys....first time he showed me how to lap valves he made me do it with one of the suction cups on a wooden dowel just like youre using, but he made me use Pepsodent toothpaste instead of lapping compound.....took me hours to get those valves seated LOL Guess he wanted to teach me how to do things right, or he was just getting a good laugh out of it LOL....he taught me everything I know about building HDs....of course the next time we lapped valves he brought out his real lapping tools .....only took a few minutes that time LOL
Thank You. Great story.
I, being an "old geezer" have one of those crank lapping tools...needs a new suction cup, but the mechanism works great. Last time I used it was ten years ago. I'd happily give it to you, if you promise to use it in a video.
peace-out..Tc
What an offer! Thank you. But, I don't need to do that many valves any more. Teach a kid how to use it. That's why we're still here.
@@pacificmike9501 Very good then, Mike. I know just the fellow.
Pacific Mike nothing beats showing a kid how to do something and they actually learn how to do it, and do it well. I know I did good at that point.
My Father was a die maker for lots of stuff during the war and after that he made dies for Craftsmen Tools. No CNC all hand grinding. He had a big family of 10 kids and a couple of times a year he would bring home a box of "seconds" tools. By the time he would bring home another box the previous tools were all lost! Anyway, I developed a love of tools and metal from him so I can really appreciate the love you have for your projects. Thank you for sharing!
Thank You. Good stuff!
One day on the job, my foreman said to lap the valves on an Alco locomotive in the roundhouse. Same as what you're doing here but on a larger scale. And yes it was by hand and hard work. I don't miss that job either but it paid well and had good benefits. Thanks for another excellent How To video.
Thank You. I grew up in San Bernardino,Ca. Field trips to the Santa Fe yard was awesome. I loved it. And the explanations were great. Lapping a valve that big must have been quite a chore. You have my respect.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you so much. I wasn't the only one doing it. Most of the time it was 2 on the job for a 12 cyl. loco. The Alcos we had were the 4 cycle type diesels.
Brother Mike, you’re a godsend for us novice/beginners need to shovels.
I really, truly appreciate your videos man, love the detailed way you explain these procedures and the back stories and priceless gems of experience you drop!
Thank You.
@@pacificmike9501 you’re very welcome, thank you
I always get nostalgic lapping valves because my Dad used to get me to do that job in his motorcycle shop when i was a kid. Funny how these things stay with you. Thanks Mike.
It feels good watching the surfaces improve as you go, instant gratification. But the time with your Dad? That must have been cool. Thank You.
@@pacificmike9501 It is a satisfying job! Working with my Dad was fun, its nice to use those skills in my own shop today. I like to think my Dad got lucky because im obsessed with old bikes... i could have gone the other way and been into computers or even worse modern cars! haha
@PacificMike. Thanks for showing the valve installation in the head. I am looking to get a Shovelhead and your videos are a great instruction tool for me. Shovelheads are my favorite as I grew up during the Shovelhead production run. Please keep the videos coming.
You bet
Very nice video. Like all the stories behind all the work and parts. Keep it up. I think you are getting us hooked with the reveal of parts for the build.
Cool. Thank You.
Mike have you ever went over the special tools required to do a Shovel and Evo motor . I had a lot of home made tools I had to come up with back in the 70's and 80's when I was doing basket cases . I couldn't afford to buy the real Harley tools or a running Harley so I had to use farm boy ingenuity. You by far have the best and easiest videos to follow thank you.
Thank You. I generally show stuff as I go.
I could (okay, today that is more of a "want" thing...) never afford those ridiculously expensive fancy-pansy lapping tools/arbors for Harley bearing races. Since forty years I just use a (ultra quality "Hunger" one, though) adjustable line reamer I normally use to size kingpin and suspension bushing stuff. I put dull but straight blades in and simply use it with lapping compound.
I did literally hundreds of Sportster, Pan and Shovel rod-, crank- and mainshaft bearing races this way and they never failed...
I absolutely adore your videos. Your calm and "no BS" voice really helped me through a lot of sad hours already!
Thanks a whole lot and Greetings from Germany!
Loving the channel Mike. Thanks again for sharing this knowledge.
Thank You.
Great video Mike!!!! Cant wait for the next installment
Thank You.
I have an 93" cu.i S&S Shovelhead (with Harley top ends with the short/mid "Sportster-type" of sparkplug threads).
My friends say that when I shift gear it come "black-smoke" from the pipes.
Last year, I had my cylinderheads of to make a repair-welding and new threads for the sparkplugs :-).
My "reaction" was that there was no valvestemsealers fitted.I read in the Clymer´s book in the chapter that concern top-ends that "have a valve-stemsealing" should replace it like you do in the video.
This S&S motor was buildt (not by me) for about 30-35 years ago.No problem with the running of the motor,and the smoke don´t bother me:-).....but when it´s obvius that something is wrong,I want to solve the problem.
Sorry about my bad English....but I am born 1958.... :-)
//Jörgen
I run valve seals on my Shovelhead because my drag race buddies convinced me I should. They claimed that it helps prevent getting oil into the combustion chamber and therefore, you get more accurate tuning. Okay. My Shovelhead burns very clean and front and rear are an extremely close match. No valve seals on my Knuckle or my Pan. Another "personal preference." Black smoke is fuel. Blue smoke is oil. Also, always use a little anti-seize on your sparkplug threads.
@@pacificmike9501 Thanks.....The colour of the smoke is what my buddies of me telling me how it looks:-)
The lucky person who could be an apprentice working with you.
Thank You. We all have things in us to pass on.
I just stumbled onto your videos. I feel you are the Bob Ross of Harley repair. It’s nice watching a UA-cam channel that does not beg for money. I really like your tools, the explanations and how you keep it to the point.
Welcome aboard! Thank You.
First job I did at my first job as an apprentice mechanic 48 years ago, grinding in valves on an old Ford. "LOL"
You'd have loved it when we picked up my Flathead Merc block and did the whole thing on a great big Bridgeport mill. Everybody used to lap in the valves on their flathead fords and mercs. That's cool.
your disposition rubbed off on me, relax and enjoy it.... I think that's my new MO, thanks.
That's great!
THANK YOU...for sharing. Thanks for letting me hang out in the shop with you and Camera Mike, watched and very much enjoyed. Looking forward to the new bike build.
Thank You. Me too.
Can't wait for the ground up build,,,sounds like you might be using a pan frame,,but anyways. Good stuff Mike keep them coming,,,
Thank You. I can't either. Might be doing a lot of stuff. Who knows what evil lurks?
The Bob Ross of motorcycles...We have happy little valves.
Well, yah, "Happy" is better than anything.
I'll be watching that build, love your videos brother 👍
Thank You.
Just as I've gotten pretty good at lapping spilled beer off the bar floor, I want to set my sights higher by learning how to do this this. Mike, you're a true inspiration!
Thank You. And, I love good humor.
I really enjoyed that thanks for putting it up. Good luck Mike on your project
Thank You.
It would sure be interesting to me, if you would take an engine design (like the Shovelhead) and walk us through the evolution of that particular engine. How it changed from ‘66 to ‘84 to overcome problems that became apparent over time and use. It sounds like a lot of work but it sure would be interesting to see. A playlist with each engine design covered would be gold IMHO. 👍
Interesting thought. Should be done by Harley Davidson.
Great video and I’m really looking forward to seeing you build that bike.
Hopefully in long, almost half an hour, videos like this one!
Thank You. I'm usually afraid these things are too long! I feel better now!
Great video, I hear you mention that EVO engines need to change base gasket at around 40.000 miles, well that's the mileage on my Harley so it sounds like the valve seals have the same replacement time. B.t.w. I have never had any oil leaks from cylinder head gasket so far, driving my bike for 22 years in Thailand. Thank you for all your time and effort to make all videos who make a lot of help for us bikers who live in the jungle far away from any Harley dealer shop.
Thank You. All I was referring to was that, when we replaced base gaskets, we did a "freshen up" to the topend. In the beginning and all the way through, Evos had minor difficulties with base gaskets. The biggest problem was the riders not giving the motor adequate time to warm up before riding them hard. Those aluminum cylinders have to warm up to operating size first, or they move around and begin leaking. Twin cam cylinders are o-ringed at the base. Much better. There are some very good gaskets on the market nowdays, but let her warm up for a few minutes, then take her up slowly. As for your valve seals, not normally a problem, but could have dried out. Remember, the newest Harley Davidson Evos are now over 30 years old.
Watching you lap those valves was very nostalgic for me. Good memories.
Thank You.
Mike, a pure joy watching and listening to your videos. Been riding a 1980 FXB Sturgis since 2000. Hope to see ya at Born Free this year.
Thank You. I'll certainly be there. My bike and I will be (I don't really stay put very much) at the Dave Mackie Engineering booth.
nice to see a real mechanic thankyou
Thank You.
Thank you for passing on this infomation . Im working on a 1988 Softail. thinking about rebuilding the motor. Thanks again.
Glad to help, and more to come.
You are the Mr Rogers of motorcycle repair. Calm and self assured. I'm digging your channel.
Thank You.
CiTy H I am new to your site it is good to see old school still working I started on HD'S in 1968 I was 16 a good friend gave me a 55 pan for my birthday with 1 condition I had to build it myself 1 hard tail frame 2 wheels and 3 boxes of Parts it took me about a week no book but JR new every thing I needed to know but I had to try to figure it first I got it running and have been hooked ever since seeing your 52 baby sure brought back a lot of memories thanks .I just bought a 01 FXSTD I got a book this time!!! talk to you down the road I am in West Virginia don't know where your at.Keep the rubber on the down side and the wind at your back later
Thank You. Great way to start. Awesome addiction. I'm in Southern California. But, you never know...
I enjoy all your vids. You helped me out on my evo oil pump cam and lifter rebuild. Thx
Cool. Thank You.
I watched many videos on valve lapping. I used a piece of rubber hose on the stem. Cleaned them real good. I like the way you do it. I did mine last August. Thanks for the lesson.
Cool, thanks!
Thanks for all your videos mike, finally achieved my dream of owning a Harley by the time I'm 35. I'm real familiar with motorcycles, mostly dirt bikes. Heading to Callahan Florida to pick up a shovel motor very soon to start a 70s themed chop build. Thanks again from Alabama.
That is awesome!
Thanks for sharing your skills and knowledge. Your commentary sent me on a trip back in time.
Thanks for watching!
Thanx never would have thought how to set that seal like that ! One piece at a time u tha man
Glad I could help
I like to use a 4" length of tubing attached to the stem end with small zip tie then attached to a two inch length of 1/4" all thread in a drill and I'll just pull lightly with the drill on low speed and it works great. I also put the C-clamp in the vice instead; that way you can drop the keepers in from the top. Awesome to learn so much new stuff from Mike though!
Thank You.
looking forward to this build your going to be doing im also doing one so will be interesting to watch what you do and maybe pick up a few pointers thanks for all your videos mike they have helped me understand my shovel a lot better
Thank You.
Love your videos and looking forward to the new build!
Thank You. Me too.
Another great video, very interesting to me as I'm currently elbow deep in my top-end EVO refresh. I dropped my heads and jugs off at the machine shop yesterday. Getting the bases turned, bored +10, valves and heads worked on...Should be good to go in a week or 2.
Cool. Spring is almost here.
Love to see you again
Thank You.
Man what great videos! So well done and explained and demonstrated! Fantastic!
Glad you like them!
I’ve done a lot of cylinder head work even porting , it’s nice to watch someone else do it , we all have our ways , when I lap I use a rubber fuel line on the valve and slid the other end one a drill bit I have on a power drill and work it , but spring and all together add some gasoline into the port and see if it holds at least 3 mins ..
Enjoying your channel
You bet! I don't do valve work like I used to. Having a shop, I got to the point where I just sent them out to the machine shop. They had a $150,000 guide and seat machine that gave me perfection for a really reasonable price. Now that I'm playing at home, I'm getting back into the old habits like you have. It's great to talk about and great to feel again. Thank You.
Pacific Mike it’s seems the old art is having more appreciation these days , great channel Mike
Looking cool with that stroker cap!
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching!
loving the channel mike !!!! thanks for sharing !!!
Thank You.
your welcome !!
Great job Mike, Love your videos and expertise
Thank You.
Pacific Mike is a National Treasure.
Now I'm blushing. I'm glad you enjoy our videos.
Really enjoy these videos.
Glad you like them!
Keep teaching us, good work
Thank You.
You are awesome, Mike! Thank you for sharing your work with us!
Thank You.
Love your videos you are the best..I wish you lived close to me my 2006 sportster backfires for two years and is unusable only rode it for ten miles and now cant even make it down my street without it backfiring and then stalling,sorry just venting....great vids man
Well. First, you have to diagnose it. Is it fuel or spark? That's a real fun bike. Step up and pay a mechanic.
another great video Mike ,please keep them coming I love when you post anything.And thank you for not talking down to us ,you are the best ,stay safe!!!!!!!!
Thank You. You too.
Great video Mike...thanks. lapping my shovel valves during lockdown in Ireland. & appreciating the video. Take care of yourself!
Thanks, you too!
Great video I’m l lapping heads always enjoy watching you had the pleasure of meeting you at born free is Tom and I gave you a card have a good one thanks
Thank You Tom. I appreciate you and was glad to meet you.
Give Jason lienweber cams a call use there springs for 35 years the best springs on the market,old panheads had exhaust Rotator keys that would actually move the valve in the engine when it runs they were factory up grade
Thanks. It's Justin. He's not far from me. I'll call him. He's a great guy, just like his dad was.
Thanks mike I just love watching your videos I'm working on my 82 shovelhead and your videos have been very helpful.
LnR
Cool. That's the goal.
Hi Mike, I know this is gonna sound creepy and or corny but not long ago (about two to three months ago my oldest brother passed away, well all I just wanna say is just watchin' you and listening to you explain n' stuff on the bikes you look and sound "exactly" like him!!😱
Also wanna say keep up your vids because they are really helpful to me with wrenchin' on my bike when needed, stay safe watch out for the cagers out there and God Bless You Bro...😎🏍
Not corny. Very touching. Way sorry for your loss. I feel honored and glad to be of service to you.
Hey Mike great videos!!!. Can you do a video on rocker clutch assembly and adjustment?? Keep up the great work!!!
I think we did.
If you use that Zippo fluid as a cleaner/solvent, charcoal lighter fluid is so close to the same it doesn’t matter, and it’s way cheaper. Did they ever fix that issue on the later Evos? As usual, I enjoyed this I’m immensely and learned something new like always. Love the old stories too as always, so don’t ever stop telling them.
Thank You. The Zippo lighter fluid is for my Zippo lighter. I use it mostly for lighting a fire in the fireplace.
If you do not lap base of cylinder it will leak again, trock made a special tool that worked great and I never had a comeback usi g it. Width and position of lapped area on valve is important, I use a dial caliper and a loop to set contact patch visually, otherwise you are guessing. I did 100's of evos back in the day.
Thank You.
Love the videos. Good stuff.
Thank You.
Thanks Mike, that was fun to watch..... Back in the 70's when I was a kid working for Porsche/Audi I remember we would cut the valve face at a 44 deg and leave the valve seat at 45 deg, we called it interference angle for a perfect valve to seat seal. Do they still use that theory today, or am I so old school it's no longer used?.....Thanks again Mike.
Thank You. Yah, it's still done that way alot. But, with the modern guide and seat machines, well, I don't even know how to set one up. If I need any of that work, I farm it out. The new machines can be accurate to about a tenth. I just lap things in by hand as a cleanup.
Good video mike
Thank You.
Looking forward to seeing it.
Thank You. Me too.
Springers rule Mike 😁👍
Yah, they're cool.
Hey mike. Could you do a video some time explaining and showing how to measure and set spring lift and pressure. I’ve read the steps 100 times but once they start with the math they lose me. I learn way easier seeing something done while it’s explained. Heads is the one part of the engine I never messed with.
Keep up with your awesome work
We'll do it when we need it. When it comes down to really high tech, I farm it out to my friend who set 60 national speed records. He knows cylinder heads. That's where real power is made.
I put a Compufire ignition and whoo weee she runs out now, I ran a MC power arc a Dyna 2000i and the Compufire which has been the best ignition.. I built the engine in 93 which is a Shovel style using -66 heads..I did so many evo engines but never ever did I lap the valves. I always cut new seats because most of them were way outa spec.
Cool. You probably had some serious miles on them.
Mike, you could give Morgan Freeman a run for his money as far as narration is concerned. 😎
Thank You. He's cool. I could study a lifetime and never reach that level.
Truly enjoy your videos and appreciate the knowledge. Thanks Mike!
Thanks for watching!
Righteous! Carry on bro!
Thank You.
Love the videos very helpful.
Thank You.
I can voice for the people who don’t know how to do these things but love mechanics and am slowly falling in love with motorcycles
You are more than welcome TO WATCH. But BE CAREFUL. This stuff is infectious. I was watching a guy build a lower end when I was about 4 years old. I never got over it.
@@pacificmike9501 yes sir, will proceed with caution
Mike, i love and enjoy your videos. Will reference them often when i start my 1984 Evo upgrades this winter.
Constructive criticism:
- Please assume your audience knows little or even nothing at all. Occasionally, you skip a detail assuming the viewers already know.
- Your close ups are rarely close enough or long enough. Often, i need to pause the vid to get a good look.
Regards from NE Indiana!
Thank You. I will bare that in mind.
Easy way out is usually pretty good, but if you got the heads that far, three angle cut valve seats will outlast any lap anyday. My opinion, I may be wrong.
No, you are absolutely correct. But if they are good, an easy lapping job is just fine.
product called prussian bluing , if I remember helps check for surface wear and mating of valve to seat .
Lots of uses for "blueing."
Hi Mike I see ya have 3 exh studs on that head. Is it home made or aftermarket heads ya have?. Always good to watch your channel its calm me down when I is pissed on something.
Thank You. That's really a reward for me. Those heads were made by STD. They are high performance Shovelheads and the exhaust ports were made that way. The upside is, They're great. The downside is there are very few pipes available for them, so you fabricate. I love 'em.
thanks for the video. curious about the project special about de engine.
Let's not take the fun out. We've got plenty of stuff left to clean up. We'll show parts of the build at the end of each video. Hopefully, it won't be too long. Thank You.
Mike, can't wait to see the build video's.
If you don't mind me asking, where can I find the grips you have on the knuckle? Would like to get a set for my old shovel.
Cool. Those grips came from Flanders in Pasadena California.
mike bearing blue before u reasamble then fill the ports with pertrol then reassemble fuel will always find a leak
Yep.
Nothing like a little carbide grease to fix ya up. I miss working on bikes.
There's always someone who needs help.
Awesome videos
Glad you think so!
I’ll do mine this winter thanks
Enjoy it.
Hello Mike,
I‘ve watch some of your videos and i‘m very happy to have a person on youtube who show us some skills !
Do you have some videos where you disassemble a complete shovelhead? I mean from first step till the end ! It would be very helpfull for me and for other people !
Great work !
Greetings from Germany!
Thank You. Go to pacific mike on UA-cam. Now click on "playlists." I think you'll find what you're looking for.
Pacific Mike okey great i already find your videos ! Thank you !🤟🏻 you rock
As soon as I saw that springer, my first thought was Panhead! lol Will you have it Magnaflux tested?
We'll take it into a guy I know who's a professional frame and front end guy and take his advice.
Okay nothing for nothing but back in the day when I had my shovel head and I was real I don't know what you call it meticulous. The oil going to the top rockers feeds from the back rocker and then feeds over to the front rocker which means for a short time and my idea you have little or no oil in the front rocker .
So I did is I took some tubing same type used for the feed and I ran the tubing up between the two cylinders and braised it onto another piece of tubing that went to the front and back rockers so when I started up it fed both rockers at the same time... just a thought
In theory, it really should help, but there's no real problem with the stock setup. I've run them every way you could imagine. Someone is always making a better setup. But there really isn't a problem.
My dogs "lapped up" this video while I was seated.Quite a coincidence!
If you fed them dog food instead of your humor, they wouldn't have been that hungry.
Doing this thanks Pacific Mike
Cool.
Thank you
Thank You
"Where did I put that tool". Damn....if I had a nickel for every time I have said that! 🙄😁 Good to see iron guides in that head. I wouldn't give you a penny for bronze in your application (or 90% of other applications). I work on Japanese heads and have seen bronze guide wear out in 5,000 miles when used in bike that have a large valve angle and 6.5 and 7mm stems and some good pressure to work with a large cam. Given the angle in your head, weight of the valve and the spring pressure necessary to make it work properly they (bronze guides) might last 1,000. Why Branch heads use bronze guides is beyond me.
People use what works for them. I prefer cast iron guides. But I know people who get wonderful results with bronze. I learned to clearance things completely different with bronze. Still, I prefer Cast iron. We all do things the way we do them. That doesn't make anyone else "wrong", just different. Sounds like you're pretty set in your ways. Probably old, like me, no, like you.