r/shovelhead

What options are there for switching to a Mikuni, Super E or a CV carb on the 1980s FXS? Which parts do i need?

For those of you experienced with the Trouble Head: My Shovel has been running great so far, but what are the most common or typical issues specific to this model that might force an unplanned stop by the side of the road?

Hey y’all - I’ve got a ‘73 with points and a CV40. I took it out for a 30m to an hour ride the other day and on the way home it started to die at ant stops. No real issues otherwise. Had to take it for a sticker today and when I started up it would die after a few minutes of really good idling. Did this twice then said fuck it and hopped on, maybe not a great choice but sticker had to be done today.

Shop is about 30 minutes away on the highway and by the time I got to the shop for the sticker I had to stay on the throttle at any stop just to keep it alive - it did not want to idle. After the sticker I hop back on and it’s the same thing - heavy throttle to start it, throttle at all the lights to keep it alive. On the highway there was a bit of sneezing from the carb and popping from the pipes, but otherwise it was fine as long as I was on the throttle; no shutdowns or anything while on the highway and the power felt fine. Get off the highway and it’s the same, stopped or rolling clutched in at low speed I had to blip it to stay alive. Here are my thoughts on what to check

- Coil (I checked this in the spring when I was having starting trouble and it seemed fine, but I don’t think I’ve checked it hot yet so I’ll do that)
-Intake leak (Just replaced the O-Rings last year so it shouldn’t be leaking but I will still check them)
-Carb mix and idle (I gave it a baseline tune in the spring, it was a cold tune just to get it running but it was running well off that so I haven’t touched it)

Any other thoughts? Condenser and points seem fine, it runs perfectly at cold and warm temps it’s just when it gets really hot that it’s a problem. I’m tempted to try making it a little richer as it seems choking the carb makes the issue worse, but messing with the carb is my last choice. I’d rather make sure there’s no other issues first. Supposed to take it to a concert tomorrow so I’d really love to figure it out today.

EDIT: Cam for the points has some surface rust that’s wearing the points arm way fast - the gap changed while I was riding and that’s probably what caused it. Going to fix that and update after

EDIT 2: I was able to re-gap the points to spec and it didn’t change anything much, still died after a few minutes. Figured I should rule out vapor lock in the lines and bought a length of fuel hose, re-routed it from between the jugs to behind the frame (on top of the oil pan) and it rode perfectly for an hour. Granted, it was 75F instead of 100F so we’ll see how it does in the heat tomorrow, but good so far! Thanks for the help folks

So I’m rocking a 72 shovel and haven’t rode it in about 6 years because I just haven’t had time or made time. So this year my wife and kid gave me the gift of parts I needed to get her up and going again but it seems like she is fighting me the whole way. Just needed to vent

Edit. Thanks for all the support. As far as parts I’m changing out its brake lines because before I parked it the rear brake line blew out. Rear shocks which is an adventure on its own but got it figured out just waiting on the parts to come in. I’ve went through everything else and it is good shape.