Hot Rod Shovelhead?

Dash47331 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2012, 11:04 AM

So my nephew bought an 84 Shovelhead FLH with an STD bottom end AND an S&S top end for $2500.00. It was a bank repo and he had said he wanted to re-build a Shovel when we found this one.
Well, he got what I would call a good one, hot rod motor, 1st year 5sp tranny, 1st year belt final drive (or so we've been told) and its going to take some work to get it safe.
Seems the guy who had it just used whatever bolts he had lying around to attach parts! Not good!!
One riser bolt was cross threaded and the other had 4 washers on it!
Took off the back rim to replace the chewed up rotor and the pads fell out of the caliper!!
Seals were blown out of the front end, allowing the fender to crash into the crash bar!
It came equipped with a newer Softail seat, no mounts!
Front caliper has 2 different types of bolts in it, 2 standard 12 point and 3 socket head!
And I'm sure more as we get into it!! I'll be asking a lot of questions of you guys!!
"Uncle Bob, you'll help me fix all of this, won't you?"

Oh yeah!!

I'll be posting pix as I can!!

Spade115 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2012, 11:34 AM

welcome to the forum and good luck

Be positive and it could be worst.

Dash47331 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spade115

welcome to the forum and good luck

Be positive and it could be worst.

Why thanks there, Spade115! I've always found a lot of info here and know if I run into any problems that there is someone who will have an answer to my questions!
Hopefully I might even be able to land some parts as I come across things that either need replaced or need to be added so the bike will be safe for my nephew to ride!

Dash47331 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2012, 06:57 PM

Thought I'd post up some pix of the Shovelhead so everyone can point out what I might be able to do to make this a good first Harley for my nephew!
He wants to make it a good rider and I'm spending my time just unbolting and replacing the cheap bolts with grade 8 whenever I can!
Throw out your comments because I need help!!

Dash47331 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-27-2012, 09:00 AM

Pic of the headlight wiring! Gotta clean up a lot of loose stuff!

Dash47331 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-27-2012, 09:05 AM

Pix of the cases and heads. Hopefully this is a really strong motor. With a little luck it'll last my nephew a long while!!
The motor runs really well, with a good sound and so far no hiccups!!

Spade115 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-2012, 11:16 AM

very cool, the motor i would love to own is a shovel. Very cool start man.

Dash47331 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-2012, 12:24 PM

So far it's been unbolt and replace with grade 8 bolts on the stuff that I worry about making it unsafe. I've had to re-thread a few places where the bolts were cross threaded.
He likes my rigid EVO because the motor is the same year as when he was born! LOL
I'm replacing the floorboards with forwards if I can find a set in his budget, which is kinda tight. Parts will come over time and he's learning that I won't do anything unless it's going to be safe for him!
I told him that everything that gets replaced will fund other parts and he's cool with that!

WTCHOP · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2012, 07:03 PM

awesome find. I'm in the same boat as far as budget and time. He is gonna luv it when it's done.

evolution2 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-30-2012, 11:38 PM

hell yea!, new front end ,fenders, pipes and it will be bad ass, you can get a raked triple tree for a lil choppa feel2

Dash47331 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 04:05 AM

Believe it or not, him being 24, he wants to keep it pretty much stock as far as the frame and all! I've been impressed with his ideas as we've talked and he basically wants a "Gangster /Pimp Mobile" kinda thing.
I'm going with the flow while he decides what to do next, just doing the little things I can.
If anyone knows of a good set of forwards for sale on the cheap, hit me up!
Thanx for the replies, guys, he reads them and gets excited that people might be interested about what he's doing!

raceguy628 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 05:51 AM

so maybe some fatboy rims polished with wide whites? and a tail dragger fender? is that the style?

Dash47331 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 08:36 AM

That would be really cool but he likes the 9 spoke alloys that are on the bike now! With some cleaning and detailing they should be okay, I guess. Like I said, he's on a tight budget so custom style rims are a no right now!
He thinks it should stay close to stock, but with some affordable flair. I like the fact that he's not wanting to go overboard with it, but has the idea of a dependable ride that will be noticed for the classic lines.

Dash47331 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-31-2012, 03:46 PM

Well, found a Girling caliper with a chrome mount finally on the 'bay, should have it on as soon as it hits the doorstep!!
Mitch, my nephew, likes the bling and we got it for just a little over $200 shipped!
He's liking the idea of the chrome ("gets the chicks eyes, Uncle Bob") and we'll have it rolling on it's own two wheels now!
He does understand that we'll probably have to replace more parts as we go along, but he's good with that also!

I tried to upload a pic twice but it failed so you'll have to wait!! LOL

Dash47331 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-16-2012, 07:53 AM

We bought a black set of OCP forwards on e-Bay and when I installed them my nephew said thanx but no thanx!!
He wants chrome and said he'd trade for mine!!
I did the swap and am getting him set up!
Still gotta check out the motor and do some serious cleaning!!