I stripped a shovel down and these vids are perfect for me to get it back together, as it was 27 years ago that I tore it apart, so very many thanks Mike
I inherited a 75 shOvElhead from a great friend that passed away last year at 38 years old. I will be referencing your channel often mike. I really like your way of explaining in detail every bit of knowledge you have. Thank you
Myself being a first time shovelhead owner and self restorer, your videos are so needful and just great man, for lack of a better word, I've learned so much, thank you.
Thank you Mike. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning watching you assemble the head. The frame looks really nice. Slowly getting it together. Thank you Mike 👊
Mike, your videos are fantastic; I enjoy every one that I watch. I'm taking notes for a winter project on my shovelhead, and I SO appreciate your expertise and willingness to teach and share. Thanks very much!
Thank You. You don't have to take notes. Go to our RU-vid home page and click on "playlists." There will be several choices that come up. Go to the ones you want. It's pretty easy stuff to find. Really glad you're enjoying this stuff.
Guldur Builds a Harley!. Every day hes Shoveling!. Love the honesty Mike!. We all have our roads go ride. I learn something new from all your videos, Only a fool wouldn't.
Great video as usual! Most of the videos about Harley engine maintenance I’ve found on RU-vid are mostly out of focus and a bit wiggly with a bit of mumbling about what’s going on. But these videos you guys make really deserve all the praise they can get, in spite of the occasional loss of sound. Can’t wait for the new build! :)
Watching today Mike to get the right method….i did my rocker box assembly’s yesterday and today I am ready to pop them on the motor….i have new S&s pieces
Mike.... thank you SO MUCH for this video (and the trouble you had having IT grab)... My "CAP" seals were leaking and I could NOT get one of the caps to unscrew (The far LEFT one)!!! I was freaking out thinking the threads were stripped but then I remembered this video and I confirmed the entire shaft was spinning in the rocker box... LONG story short.... I had to really tighten the nut on the other side, and heat up the cap with MAP gas... and use my impact gun to jolt the cap free!!! WHEW!!! THANX again, you made me a happy camper!! 👍👍
reminds me of watching my uncle work when i was 13 @ his modest Harley/job shop i got to learn in return you would find me at the buffing wheel polishing those to a mirror finish before they went back on,thx for sharing .
As always, awesome! Thanks Mike! We lost audio when the mic dropped, bummer because we missed a few minutes of your experience! Thanks for all ya do man!
ALRIGHT MIKE! I just got done with my timing chest after installing new cam, checking end plays and such and buttoned it all up today. Sunday I will spend polishing my chrome rocker boxes and mounting them to my new heads and heading toward finishing off the new top end. So this vid is up to speed with what I'm up to this weekend on my shovel. 72 FX Shovel with 4-5/8 S&S 3-7/16 stock/standard bore stroker kit / Forged pistons w/ 9:1 compression. Stock type heads, Andrews A2 cam, solid lifters. Nothing too wild..trying to renew the old girl into an all around daily rider with a little extra zip that "HOPEFULLY" runs OK on regular gas when needed. LOL We shall see........ As usual .... ANOTHER GREAT VID MAN! Keep em coming. & THANK YOU! :)
@@pacificmike9501 The hardest part is going easy until it's properly broke in. (grin) Still will have some new paint & wiring clean up to do...but Spring has sprung in the midwest it seems....so gotta stop screwing around and finish up.
Hi Mike just discovered your channel...subscribed! Love watching you work it's like watching an artist. I wish I had a fraction of your knowledge and skill,I'm one of those blokes with five thumbs.
I’ve been really enjoying watching your videos. You are like the Bob Ross of vintage iron, very detailed videos, good advice. I’m a shovel guy, wouldn’t mind seeing you put the cylinders on (you did the head video, but I don’t believe I’ve seen one for the cylinders). Thanks for separating out playlists for us, really handy.
Thanks mike! Keep putting out this great content. Just put my top end back together, wish I’d have watched these first. Going to get a multi material head gasket (looks like they are from cyco gasket? You mentioned preferring them in a couple vids.
Hello my friend of course I have subscribed and we all love the shovelhead well nearly all of us best regards my friend from the UK I went to view a shovelhead a few months ago but it was not in my budget range but you have inspired me to try and find one that I can afford regards again Alan from the UK
Great video looking forward to tour next project bike....and for the record I didn’t hear you putting a hand out asking for cash....people here love your video and might want to be a part of them....see you on the road lol
Day light savings time cost me an hour today. And you cost me another half hour! LOL. Great work Mike and camera man Mike. I have an 03 anniversary twin cam springer. I like the bike, but it wasn't like my old shovel head. So l bought a 77 FLH. BOY AM I GOING TO BE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS!!! Like you l love my Shovels. Looking forward to the coming bike build.
Go to our video playlists and look at what we have. There's quite a bit there, but, you'll need to go to our RU-vid Channel on a computer and go to "Playlists."
love this channel & learning from mike & I know i can come here & no political B.S. just learning & serenity. thank you mike for the safe refuge.& sharing you're knowledge
Mike is reserved one of the viewers that I like your videos and I like to see more done on the project bike when you get all the parts talk to you soon bye
Right on mike ; many thanks fer the tips . Doing rocker boxs install any day 👍🏻 . Baked on gaskets on head no fun removing . Part by part I know. I’ve got 12 grand in my shovelhead. Special construction. In softail frame . Looks like Jim dandy start to new project there . ✊👍🏻
Hi Mike I absolutely am loving your videos very very instructional very well explained and I really enjoy working on motorcycles my self yur amazing my friend
Watching every Shovelhead video. All I need now is for my new purchase 1984 FLHS to be shipped from US to Aus 🇦🇺 🤞 it doesn't need any deeper level maintenance. It's just had a complete 20,000 mile service. But, I almost look forward to the day I need to pull the engine down. I like to know for myself that everything is in order and done correctly. Anal i know but it's half the reason I own old things 👍
Mike, I recently discovered you channel due to RU-vid putting your red Panhead in my recommended videos column. What great content and bikes. So with this crazy shit happening around the world, and me being paralyzed anyway, I'm binge watching your very interesting channel. I like the way you work. I don't care if you do the work the way and pace you want to. It just brings back the memories of my old shop. I think I mentioned that I was paralyzed by a hit and run driver who t-boned me on the way home from work. I always had a project going on. I loved British bikes. I bought my first Brit bike from the money I made working in a meat packing plant. A Triumph TR-6. I was 16 and rode dirt bikes until then. I would be building big v-twins in a few years. But always kept a fondness for British twins. Well, I have a lot of catching up to do on your channel. I look forward to it. Be safe and ride safe... John
Thank you. I really appreciate what you have to say and, I relate. I rode a lot of Triumphs that belonged to my friends when I was in high school. Then, came a Honda, then a 58 Sportster, I built from a basket case in 1969. But, thinking back, my favorite from those, being my early days, was my friend George's TR6.
Thank you Pacific Mile I’m excited about the new bike build I have a couple of questions so the first question is is that a sugar Bear springer front end I had to ask . Question number 2 after watching when you assemble the rocker box using the roller rockers got me thinking I may have to give it a try on my evolution motor would I have any problems using the roller rockers in my evolution motor I’m running a Andrews Ev 23 cam shaft very mild . Thank you for all your videos and advice.
Thank you. No. That is a Harley Davidson Model VL front end, approximately 1930-1936. Sugar Bear makes his own custom springer front ends. He's an awesome guy. Yes, you can buy roller rocker arms for your Evolution.
Hi Mike, I find your videos very helpful, thanks for all your work in creating them! In your Shovelhead cam end play video you talk about wanting more clearance, what is your advice for an optimal clearance range?
I like about 11 to 14. But, go with the recommendation of the manufacturer of the camshaft. Also, earlier models specify less clearance. Again, the manufacturer of the motor knows.
Thank You. I think you meant "Pan." But, I believe, in my humble opinion, "Man and Woman Do Not Live By One Motorcycle Alone." In time, a Shovel and a Pan, maybe more.
great videos Mike, can't wait to see what your building. my wife who has never turned a wrench is getting into your stuff. I do have a couple of questions / curiosities.. 1. what brand torque wrench are you using? I need a better quality one...2. I see you use a far bit of sealents, etc. what is you thoughts on hylomar? ...again, great videos, thanks
Thank You. That torque wrench is a Snap-On. Hylomar has it's places, but I haven't used it in years. I like some of those non-hardening ones that don't come apart, yet, clean off easily. That stuff that feels like paste. If I'm ever afraid it will get into the oil system, I just use white lithium grease.
Check this mike. Got a 78 shovel bored to 80. Stainless valves, high dome pistons, 10 to 1 compression. Got a tick in the motor, as the motor grows the noise gets louder. I believe it’s brass valve seal seats. It scores the rear jug. Your opinion.
You need some careful inspection. Pull the rear cylinder and feel the rod. Check the wrist pin. Be sure and put rags between the cylinder and the case before you lift the cylinder off the piston.
Very cool Mike!!!!... Im honored to be a subscriber and am excited to see you build this motorcycle!....will youbise the shovel youve been servicing on the last couple videos?...gonna be really cool to watch!...thanks for what you do
Mike, great vids. Can you tell me the thread size for the four rocker box plugs on the right side of the rocker boxes, 81 shovel? Was told it was 1/2-20 but cannot thread oil pressure gauge into the hole. I want to stand the gauge off from the rocker box and inch or so to view better with the seat on but cannot find a piece of pipe that will thread into box.
I'm not sure. I don't have one open right now. But then, all I want to know about oil up there is that the rocker arms and shafts are getting wet with oil. I don't care about pressure up there and I prefer it not get too much. This is not a car engine.
Awesome video is always Mike Got a silly question , on my 1977 FXE, the rocker box gasket needs to be replaced. Do the push rods need to be readjusted when putting it back together or will it just fit the same once I reinstall the rocker box?
There could be a slight difference. Back off the adjusters on your pushrods. Readjust your pushrods after you reassemble it. Take it slow. If you're running hydraulic lifters, be sure and let them bleed down before rotating the motor.
Hey Mike! thanks for being you! I got an old Pan Chopper and I would appreciate more stuff on the ol' Pans! Bless you and your family in accordance with the need in Jesus Holy name, Amen!
I'm building a hard tail bobber chopper, literally from the ground up, any advice on finding a low cost Harley 883 engine and wire kit, all I have is the front forks, spring seat, frame, wheels and tires.
Mike would you prefer to use the rocker box gaskets like the James or Cometic that have the silicone bead already part of the gasket? FYI I also don't care for that sections of gasket that goes across between the two sides. I cut them off too. I think a lot of guys do anyway.
Great video. I really like Mike’s teaching voice. Mike, I put on new rocker covers and when we fired it up, it is rattling very loudly. Checked the valves and they are set correctly. Any ideas?
Hey Mike great job as always I just ordered an S&S top end kit for my 83 FXR so it’ll be first time tearing down my shovel. As far as the rocker boxes is their a rebuild kit or something that I should do to them while they’re off?
Mike what gaskets you using. I used James in 89 not paper and 32 years later and about 33K on the motor still no leaks on the top end. I have a bit of a drip someplace in the bottom end or it is the gesr box.
Mike, do think the installation of the "Rocker Locker" kit is a good idea for a 2011 twin cam 96 or not? Mine has 30,000 miles on it and does make a noticeable tick on the hottest day riding. No tick riding on days less than 80 degrees. I am running the stock Harley 20W50 regular old oil.
I'm restoring my 1972 Shovelhead and I'm having difficult finding where to buy some 70 weight oil. Any recommendations? Do they still make it? Will 60 weight suffice, if so, where can I find that? Thanks. Love your videos.
It takes a long while for 70 wt. to warm up and thin out. Are you sure that's what you want? Consult your manual. You can order any kind of oil you want on line.
In the process of rebuilding my 64 shovel. 1st time tearing down. Wanting to replace miscellaneous collection of hardware with nice matching studs / nuts etc. Was curious if you had any recommendations?
Colony reproduces all of those fasteners and makes them up in small or large sets, whatever you need. Most of the major aftermarket suppliers carry them. They are all over my personal bikes.
Good morning from NE Oklahoma. I have a 83 fxsb 80ci, I bought a set of brass rocker box caps to replace the oreganil caps. Now I want to be clear I'm new to doing the work on my bike. All my other Harleys have been newer bikes and back then I could afford if I wanted upgrades to take it to a shop and have them done well that's not the case anymore so my question is can I replace the end caps with the rocker boxes still on the bike?
1st thanks for the Harley Engine Repairs. What’s the best most reliable engine you would use for everyday use and on long trips? I just love antique cars and motor cycles. The older the better.
Speaking modern day, an Evo. Speaking old days. Panheads were really built to travel. But, the individual bikes built by the individuals who built them for themselves, well, it just depends on the builder.
Do you use a type of sealant that doesn't mind surfaces not being cleaned (oil free) with something like methylated spirits before applying? Curious if there's a reason not to?
If I wanted to cover something as beautiful as a polished aluminum rocker box, I would heat it in an oven (that I didn't cook food in any more). Then I'd spray it with the paint I wanted to use, then I'd bake it at about 200-250 for about an hour. By baking it, it will stay on well. By using paint, you can easily blast it off when this whole "paint everything black" thing expires. But, I'm with you and for you, no matter what your choices are.
Thanks Mike and thanks for your videos they are a big help for someone who don't know much about working on old Harleys. I've been learning ass I go. I do have one request, please sir do a video on installing the SU eliminator carb I haven't been able to find one on installation on a harley I did in joy the one you showed your su.. Thanks again stay safe
Knuck or Flathead frame aye.... I vote Flathead 80 build coming....... Logic is you already own a knuck, a pan & a shovel... it ain't a 45 frame....soooooooooooo. :) I do love a flathead big twin, especially an 80. But will it have a sidecar too???...questions questions (grin).
Hello Mike. Would you share info on what roller rockers you were installing and why these? What kind of sealant were you using? Silicone? Painting the frame vs powdercoating? Possible paint repairs in the future? Thank you, Andrew
Those roller rockers are from Jim's Machine. The sealant is Loctite Ultra Grey. I like paint and powder coating, depending on what the machine will be used for.
