r/shovelhead

I’ve tried a bunch of different combos of seals and clamps and can’t permanently get rid of this damn intake leak. My intake sits slightly offset to the front cylinder and I’ve read you can clock the heads to align the manifold better. Is this ok to do on a motor that’s been assembled and running for a long time? No idea when the head gaskets were done last if ever. From what I understand I just remove top motor mount, loosen exhaust and release tension on the pushrods then I can loosen the head and re position then do torque sequence. Is that correct? Thanks

I spent the last 12 months digging through every old box of parts my Dad had, wandering swap meets, calling friends, chasing leads, and doing whatever I could to find the pieces to put this bike together.

We built it the way choppers used to be built - not by ordering a catalog full of shiny new parts, but by hunting down old pieces from other motorcycles and giving them a second life. A little bit of this bike came from everywhere, and every part has a story. I took all the old parts, and polished, sanded, cleaned, powder coated, and revived everything to make it as nice as I possibly could.

60 years of Harley Davidson parts are on this bike, ranging from 1949 - 2009.

And now it’s finally done. I’d like to introduce you to her.

1977 Harley Davidson Shovelhead Chopper

- Number’s matching bike w/ fresh build on the motor and trans.
- 1” up frame up-stretch
- 1” drop-seat frame rails.
- Softail oil bucket
- 2006 Road Glide lower legs with dual-disc brakes
- 1949 Hydraglide fork tins and cowbells
- 2002 Sportster original paint tins
- Shovelhead fender struts shortened and modified to fit the Sportster fender.
- 2” BDL belt drive inside a tin primary w/ electric start.
- Lengthened banana calliper bracket and 11” rotor on the rear.
- 1” sealed-bearing axles front and rear
- 1958 Round-tube swingarm
- 2009 19” Dyna front wheel
- 1¾” slash-cut drag pipes
- Jessop bars
- Vintage J-Slot bird air cleaner and derby cover
- S&S Super E carburetor

Built from swap meets, old shelves, dusty boxes, and a lifetime of collecting parts.

One year later, she’s back on the road.

I know I could google this but I enjoy engaging with you guys…

First refurb of an S&S Super E… really easy mechanical device as you guys have said (love it), put it back together, stick it on the bike… struggled to start. Found a left over ‘pokey bit’ in the pile of refurbed bits (I blame the beers). Seems to fit in the place it’s located in the photo, can I get a thumbs up from you guys please?

Came across a titled, 1973 FX 1200 Super Glide frame/rolling chassis. Does a clean title significantly increase the value?

second shakedown ride so now i have about 40mi on a freshly rebuilt engine. took her to the beach & ran into this really crabby dude.

exhaust is smokier than i’d like so im nervous i fucked up the break-in/ring sealing. i live in Frisco so I can’t really avoid the shit they tell you to avoid, e.g., hills, stop n go, etc. i avoid what i can, vary my rpms, and don’t lug it at all. it was definitely rich on first shakedown, so i may need to downjet the super e. gonna check plugs and pushrods tomorrow, hopefully it’s one of those things because i definitely down wanna tear off the top end yet again.

overall had a fun ride, bike rips, saw the ocean, got compliments, didnt lose parts, and made it home. grateful for the chopper.

edit: today i was able to check out the pushrods and yeaaa they needed adjusting. rear cylinder intake pushrod was wayyy too tight and thus keeping the valve open letting oil in. i just adjusted them and will take a lap soon to see if the smoking has stopped!

second edit: i rode yesterday after fixing the pushrods and the smoking went away after the pipes burnt off the residual oil coating they had internally 😂 I’m changing the oil because I hit 50mi, then I’m going to ride all day today. damn it feels good to ride my chopper.

I bought these 80-81 fxwg tanks a long time ago not knowing what model Harley they came off, they were a good deal and I just liked them. Now I have finally found a use for them on my shovelhead chopper build. The Harley stickers were removed somewhere along the way. I bought these stickers a long time ago, but now realized they are not the same as the original ones. I tapped one on to see what it would look like, looks ok, but after checking ebay, i could buy a pair of original NOS gold on black stickers, but they want like 60 bucks, this just a pieced toghter chopper,you think anyone would care what stickers are on these tanks ?

Is this a good system? Decide to partiality working on this shovel this time home. An looks to see if it was stock which obviously isn’t but is it good or should it be replaced?