Its the little things that get ya. Much thank to all the new sub and viewers. I am overwhelmed by your support. We will be getting at the "Basket Case" project in the next few weeks so stay tuned. What do you think her ... Restoration or Bar Hopper?
Thanks I try to make them when I can instead of buying. So many tools are so expensive and homemade may not be as pretty but they do work. Thanks for commenting.
Again your amazing big guy!!! And hey thanks for the shout out!!! And just a heads up, i put your picture in my new mini-bike video, twice!!! 😂😂 you’ll get a good laugh out of this one!!! 👍🍺 SLICK
What a fantastic tutorial on head work and toolmaking , I'll be watching this one a few more times , I really appreciate your sharing of knolage , as I have some evo heads to do soon , your information gives me more confidents to tackle my work , much appreciated & thank u 😊👍✌
New sub here { S.E. Ohio } And glad i found your channel, Awesome information was thinking about checking my 2004 1450 TC 88 after drop in cam Black Widow BW39 now i have a top end tick, Drivin me Krazy. i have a Been through it all except for heads. The top end tick wasnt there with stock cam. Now if i just had the knowledge you have i would be all set. But you built a fire under me i am going to attempt it this winter. Thanks for your time & Knowledge. Keep the shiny side up Brother
Good day. I used to do a lot of machining on Shovelheads & cases during the big bore days in the late 90s. Many Shovelhead were blowing head gaskets. I would lightly fly cut the surface and use a re-sharp 5/8” end mill “.600” diameter? “ To Counter bore the surface/steel inserts down about .020” inch from surface. I noticed on your front head near the intake pushrod area. It was flush. I learned from a magazine article. That the gaskets actually wear the aluminum away. If you run your finger over that area, it will feel like a protrusion. A careful flat file could easily solve the problem. But I suggest a fly cut and counter bore. The machinist needs to be careful not to nick the outer intake port area already cut/shown on your heads. I did several shovel head castings back in the day. Everyone was blowing head gaskets, and this solved the problem. Smitty
Thanks for the info Smitty, and I will keep it in mind. I do look out for inserts sticking up as I have run into that before. One head was repaired, and welded up at some time, so there is no insert in that area but it is very flat and smooth, perhaps that is why it looks like that. Another reason I always, spend a little extra, and use James Fire Ring gaskets to help eliminate gaskets leaking. Just trying to keep the old shovels going. Thanks for commenting.
Cutting the valve seats, and I also did the bottom of the lower valve collars and used the tool to cut the head below the lower valve guide retainer. Its a combo of things. Hope this answers your question.Thanks for commenting.
My 80' shovelhead engine has an evolution S camshaft. Is there a difference in lift or crossover with respect to the correct camshaft? I think the correct one is H. right?! I bought it working like this, making its noises but due to bouncers with play in the blocks and when disassembling I found it, is there a risk with that tree?! Thank you if you answer me, Ralph.
You are crorect that the H grind is a stock shovelhead camshaft. I do not think the evo cams would work properly as the rocker arm ratio for evos is different than shovels, changing the lifts. Evo rocker arms are t 1.62 I believe when shovel ones are at 1.43. That might have created some of your problems. Not sure what you mean by risk with the tree. Thanks for commenting.
I've spent a lot of time on this channel and others like it to avoid anger and irritation over the political channels trying to tell us how great war is. At least I can still enjoy building and working on "old bikes, Harleys and Triumphs". Not much left for "old veterans" to enjoy these days and times. I hope to build another old panhead before I pass on, along with the three antique Triumphs I recently just bought. I took a standard adjustable angle plate for my Bridgeport, drilled it for rocker studs to machine out the old valve seats and replace them with new seats. It also works for oversizing the guide holes for oversized guides.
Yes the news can be depressing these days. We just have to occupy our minds with other things and restoring bikes is a great way to do that. Sound like you have some great projects on the go. Wish I had a bridgeport mill, but could never afford one. But made my way through with my small drill,mill press. Not the best but has served me well. Thanks for commenting.
Its the little things that get ya. Much thank to all the new sub and viewers. I am overwhelmed by your support. We will be getting at the "Basket Case" project in the next few weeks so stay tuned. What do you think her ... Restoration or Bar Hopper?
Ralph I greatly appreciate your knowledge and experience along with your willingness to share them with us, thank you.
You are more than welcome. Nice to hear I am able to help other out out there. Thanks for commenting.
Awesome video! Explained everything simply and elegantly. Old school thorough! Thanks for sharing!
Trying to keep it simple and easy to understand so I appreciate this comment. Thanks for commenting.
thanks ralph, for taking the time to post all these tip and tricks you have pick up .
You are welcome. Just sharing a little of what I know. Thanks for commenting.
I like the tool you made. Can never have enough tools. I have an 81 FLH since new so you kept my attention.
Thanks I try to make them when I can instead of buying. So many tools are so expensive and homemade may not be as pretty but they do work. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Ralph for all the HD specific tips and for showing us all the special tools you've made.
So nice to hear coments like this as I am trying to make things as easy to understand as I can for everyone. Thanks for commenting.
You build some amazing tools really enjoy your content
I prefer to make them if I can. Time doesn't cost me anything ha ha Thanks for commenting.
you're doing great ralph. keep up the good work
Thank you so much. Trying to help as many people as I can out there. Thanks for commenting.
Enjoyed this content Ralph.
Alex
Thanks glad you found it interesting. Thanks for commenting.
Hey, new subscriber here. Love your videos especially the old shovelhead series. You're great at explaining things!
Thanks for subbing up! So glad you are enjoying the channel. Share us out there! Thanks for commenting.
You explain this better than anyone ever has to me ! Thanks
Thank you so much, and it is great to hear, as that is what I am trying to do. Make it easy to understand. Thanks for commenting.
Hi RALPH. LAST NIGHT I CAME ACROSS YOUR PODCAST ..GOOD JOB. SAW BARRY ON THERE AS WELL
Thanks and always a joy when Barry visits. Thanks for commenting.
I like the way you do things I used to build racing go cart motors back in 2000 I sold all my tools to do it ,I should have kept some of them.
I plan to keep mine till the end lol. Just can't stop working on things. Thanks for commenting.
Always look forward to your videos. Great information. I think it’s great to be reminded that these older bikes need checked and measured.
yes sometimes its the small things that can cause you grief. Thanks for watching, and supporting, the channel. Thanks for commenting.
Another great one Ralph,and a man can never have enough tools, lol
Thanks and I agree, I guess that is why I enjoy making them so much, Thanks for commenting.
its great to see a shovel getting the needed work
You are right, we all learn more over the the years and glad I dug into this. Thanks for commenting.
Nice video. I definitely learned a thing or two.
Nice to hear that as that is the plan to share some knowledge. Thanks for commenting.
Again your amazing big guy!!! And hey thanks for the shout out!!! And just a heads up, i put your picture in my new mini-bike video, twice!!! 😂😂 you’ll get a good laugh out of this one!!! 👍🍺 SLICK
Never a dull moment Slick. I will be looking for it. Thanks for commenting.
You always have great information in your videos
Thanks it is great to hear. Thanks for commenting.
What a fantastic tutorial on head work and toolmaking , I'll be watching this one a few more times , I really appreciate your sharing of knolage , as I have some evo heads to do soon , your information gives me more confidents to tackle my work , much appreciated & thank u 😊👍✌
Thank you very much. Glad I am able to help you out. Thanks for commenting.
Like a mad scientist!!!! Love it!!!!
Thanks T Bone. Alway trying to help out others if I can. Guess I am a bit mad .. ha ha Thanks for commenting.
If you just replace your Hydraulic lifters with solids, it will tap so loud that you will never hear another tic 😅
Ha ha how true. I did try them in this bike before tearing it down though. Thanks for comenting.
New sub here { S.E. Ohio } And glad i found your channel, Awesome information was thinking about checking my 2004 1450 TC 88 after drop in cam Black Widow BW39 now i have a top end tick, Drivin me Krazy. i have a Been through it all except for heads. The top end tick wasnt there with stock cam. Now if i just had the knowledge you have i would be all set. But you built a fire under me i am going to attempt it this winter. Thanks for your time & Knowledge. Keep the shiny side up Brother
Good for you! Glad I was able to show you a little that may be able to help you with your bike. Thanks for commenting.
Good day. I used to do a lot of machining on Shovelheads & cases during the big bore days in the late 90s.
Many Shovelhead were blowing head gaskets. I would lightly fly cut the surface and use a re-sharp 5/8” end mill “.600” diameter? “ To Counter bore the surface/steel inserts down about .020” inch from surface.
I noticed on your front head near the intake pushrod area. It was flush. I learned from a magazine article. That the gaskets actually wear the aluminum away. If you run your finger over that area, it will feel like a protrusion. A careful flat file could easily solve the problem. But I suggest a fly cut and counter bore.
The machinist needs to be careful not to nick the outer intake port area already cut/shown on your heads.
I did several shovel head castings back in the day. Everyone was blowing head gaskets, and this solved the problem. Smitty
Thanks for the info Smitty, and I will keep it in mind. I do look out for inserts sticking up as I have run into that before. One head was repaired, and welded up at some time, so there is no insert in that area but it is very flat and smooth, perhaps that is why it looks like that. Another reason I always, spend a little extra, and use James Fire Ring gaskets to help eliminate gaskets leaking. Just trying to keep the old shovels going. Thanks for commenting.
Nice one! Subbed over from Hippie. 👌
Thanks for coming on over to check me out and subbin up! Thanks for commenting.
Yep, best channel on you tube if ya want to do engine work yourself.
Don't know about that, but thanks so much for the compliment. Glad to be helping others out there if I can. Thanks for commenting.
When you’re cutting, what are you cutting? The valve seats or the guides?
Cutting the valve seats, and I also did the bottom of the lower valve collars and used the tool to cut the head below the lower valve guide retainer. Its a combo of things. Hope this answers your question.Thanks for commenting.
👍👍👍
Right back at ya Moe. Thanks for commenting.
My 80' shovelhead engine has an evolution S camshaft. Is there a difference in lift or crossover with respect to the correct camshaft? I think the correct one is H. right?! I bought it working like this, making its noises but due to bouncers with play in the blocks and when disassembling I found it, is there a risk with that tree?! Thank you if you answer me, Ralph.
You are crorect that the H grind is a stock shovelhead camshaft. I do not think the evo cams would work properly as the rocker arm ratio for evos is different than shovels, changing the lifts. Evo rocker arms are t 1.62 I believe when shovel ones are at 1.43. That might have created some of your problems. Not sure what you mean by risk with the tree. Thanks for commenting.
I've spent a lot of time on this channel and others like it to avoid anger and irritation over the political channels trying to tell us how great war is. At least I can still enjoy building and working on "old bikes, Harleys and Triumphs". Not much left for "old veterans" to enjoy these days and times. I hope to build another old panhead before I pass on, along with the three antique Triumphs I recently just bought. I took a standard adjustable angle plate for my Bridgeport, drilled it for rocker studs to machine out the old valve seats and replace them with new seats. It also works for oversizing the guide holes for oversized guides.
Yes the news can be depressing these days. We just have to occupy our minds with other things and restoring bikes is a great way to do that. Sound like you have some great projects on the go. Wish I had a bridgeport mill, but could never afford one. But made my way through with my small drill,mill press. Not the best but has served me well. Thanks for commenting.
Put the video out how to make it
Not sure what you mean how to make it? I did show how to make the valve checker later in the video.
James Gaudet
Thanks for commenting.