My dog runs interference. If she likes you, you're cool. If I'm about to do something I shouldn't (whatever that could be), she can disapprove, and I trust her judgement. That's really all the keeper I need.
My dad was a retired Navy jet aircraft mechanic. He owned and worked on Harley's his entire life. I've not seen anyone lap valves like this in a very long time. Interesting note about my dad...after he died he was cremated and his ashes were put into a custom Harley gas tank and mounted on a wall in his old club house in north Texas. He taught us how to trouble shoot and work on so many different engines. I'm 58 and still wrenching to this day. Love what you do Mike...bringing back some very cherished memories indeed. You are very much loved by the RU-vid community to say the least! Wrench on my friend....we are watching. :)
Wow. Thank you so much. I get the feeling, being thought of in a conversation about your dad is quite a compliment. I would like to have met him. But, hopefully, I'll meet you some day.
I remember lapping the valves on my dad's old Ford Thames Van in the 50's & early 60's. That was my job. I still have his lapping suction tool. It must be about over 90 years old. Love your video's Mike. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the videos Mike. I imagine it would be a blast to spend a day or two in your garage listening to your stories. You are passing along time-honored information that would be getting lost with newer generations.
I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know a method to get back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me
@Reuben Talon Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@@pacificmike9501 ME TOO!... Mine has it's new 86 inch S&S stroker top end kit arriving today... Been a stroker for a while. Just getting a new jug job :)..new heads...new cam and a few other updates. BTW..my lil girl sleeps in the house...no lonely garage for her. LOL
Hi Mike,these older videos are being very helpfull on the present time for me. Just bought a shovelhead that has been sitting for 15 years,just started tearing it down and it looks quite good till now,lets hope i dont find to much big problems.
Back in the 70s, when i was a pup of 18, im 62 now...i met an old timer that took me under his wing and taught me how to work on Harleys....first time he showed me how to lap valves he made me do it with one of the suction cups on a wooden dowel just like youre using, but he made me use Pepsodent toothpaste instead of lapping compound.....took me hours to get those valves seated LOL Guess he wanted to teach me how to do things right, or he was just getting a good laugh out of it LOL....he taught me everything I know about building HDs....of course the next time we lapped valves he brought out his real lapping tools .....only took a few minutes that time LOL
im 24, and have never touched a Harley, but these skills are the lost art of mechanics that need to be kept I take thousands of notes when I watch your videos... maybe one day ill tackle an old Harley just to see if im worthy!
My Father was a die maker for lots of stuff during the war and after that he made dies for Craftsmen Tools. No CNC all hand grinding. He had a big family of 10 kids and a couple of times a year he would bring home a box of "seconds" tools. By the time he would bring home another box the previous tools were all lost! Anyway, I developed a love of tools and metal from him so I can really appreciate the love you have for your projects. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Mike love your videos , I had a1983 shovel head , had to sell it to fix our house I wish I had it today! I don't like the new engine. Now I'm retired so I just enjoy your videos. Thanks again
I always get nostalgic lapping valves because my Dad used to get me to do that job in his motorcycle shop when i was a kid. Funny how these things stay with you. Thanks Mike.
@@pacificmike9501 It is a satisfying job! Working with my Dad was fun, its nice to use those skills in my own shop today. I like to think my Dad got lucky because im obsessed with old bikes... i could have gone the other way and been into computers or even worse modern cars! haha
THANK YOU...for sharing. Thanks for letting me hang out in the shop with you and Camera Mike, watched and very much enjoyed. Looking forward to the new bike build.
Very nice video. Like all the stories behind all the work and parts. Keep it up. I think you are getting us hooked with the reveal of parts for the build.
Just as I've gotten pretty good at lapping spilled beer off the bar floor, I want to set my sights higher by learning how to do this this. Mike, you're a true inspiration!
One day on the job, my foreman said to lap the valves on an Alco locomotive in the roundhouse. Same as what you're doing here but on a larger scale. And yes it was by hand and hard work. I don't miss that job either but it paid well and had good benefits. Thanks for another excellent How To video.
Thank You. I grew up in San Bernardino,Ca. Field trips to the Santa Fe yard was awesome. I loved it. And the explanations were great. Lapping a valve that big must have been quite a chore. You have my respect.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you so much. I wasn't the only one doing it. Most of the time it was 2 on the job for a 12 cyl. loco. The Alcos we had were the 4 cycle type diesels.
another great video Mike ,please keep them coming I love when you post anything.And thank you for not talking down to us ,you are the best ,stay safe!!!!!!!!
I, being an "old geezer" have one of those crank lapping tools...needs a new suction cup, but the mechanism works great. Last time I used it was ten years ago. I'd happily give it to you, if you promise to use it in a video. peace-out..Tc
@PacificMike. Thanks for showing the valve installation in the head. I am looking to get a Shovelhead and your videos are a great instruction tool for me. Shovelheads are my favorite as I grew up during the Shovelhead production run. Please keep the videos coming.
looking forward to this build your going to be doing im also doing one so will be interesting to watch what you do and maybe pick up a few pointers thanks for all your videos mike they have helped me understand my shovel a lot better
I just stumbled onto your videos. I feel you are the Bob Ross of Harley repair. It’s nice watching a RU-vid channel that does not beg for money. I really like your tools, the explanations and how you keep it to the point.
Thanks for all your videos mike, finally achieved my dream of owning a Harley by the time I'm 35. I'm real familiar with motorcycles, mostly dirt bikes. Heading to Callahan Florida to pick up a shovel motor very soon to start a 70s themed chop build. Thanks again from Alabama.
I watched many videos on valve lapping. I used a piece of rubber hose on the stem. Cleaned them real good. I like the way you do it. I did mine last August. Thanks for the lesson.
It would sure be interesting to me, if you would take an engine design (like the Shovelhead) and walk us through the evolution of that particular engine. How it changed from ‘66 to ‘84 to overcome problems that became apparent over time and use. It sounds like a lot of work but it sure would be interesting to see. A playlist with each engine design covered would be gold IMHO. 👍
Brother Mike, you’re a godsend for us novice/beginners need to shovels. I really, truly appreciate your videos man, love the detailed way you explain these procedures and the back stories and priceless gems of experience you drop!
You'd have loved it when we picked up my Flathead Merc block and did the whole thing on a great big Bridgeport mill. Everybody used to lap in the valves on their flathead fords and mercs. That's cool.
Love your videos you are the best..I wish you lived close to me my 2006 sportster backfires for two years and is unusable only rode it for ten miles and now cant even make it down my street without it backfiring and then stalling,sorry just venting....great vids man
Mike have you ever went over the special tools required to do a Shovel and Evo motor . I had a lot of home made tools I had to come up with back in the 70's and 80's when I was doing basket cases . I couldn't afford to buy the real Harley tools or a running Harley so I had to use farm boy ingenuity. You by far have the best and easiest videos to follow thank you.
I could (okay, today that is more of a "want" thing...) never afford those ridiculously expensive fancy-pansy lapping tools/arbors for Harley bearing races. Since forty years I just use a (ultra quality "Hunger" one, though) adjustable line reamer I normally use to size kingpin and suspension bushing stuff. I put dull but straight blades in and simply use it with lapping compound. I did literally hundreds of Sportster, Pan and Shovel rod-, crank- and mainshaft bearing races this way and they never failed... I absolutely adore your videos. Your calm and "no BS" voice really helped me through a lot of sad hours already! Thanks a whole lot and Greetings from Germany!
Great video, I hear you mention that EVO engines need to change base gasket at around 40.000 miles, well that's the mileage on my Harley so it sounds like the valve seals have the same replacement time. B.t.w. I have never had any oil leaks from cylinder head gasket so far, driving my bike for 22 years in Thailand. Thank you for all your time and effort to make all videos who make a lot of help for us bikers who live in the jungle far away from any Harley dealer shop.
Thank You. All I was referring to was that, when we replaced base gaskets, we did a "freshen up" to the topend. In the beginning and all the way through, Evos had minor difficulties with base gaskets. The biggest problem was the riders not giving the motor adequate time to warm up before riding them hard. Those aluminum cylinders have to warm up to operating size first, or they move around and begin leaking. Twin cam cylinders are o-ringed at the base. Much better. There are some very good gaskets on the market nowdays, but let her warm up for a few minutes, then take her up slowly. As for your valve seals, not normally a problem, but could have dried out. Remember, the newest Harley Davidson Evos are now over 30 years old.
CiTy H I am new to your site it is good to see old school still working I started on HD'S in 1968 I was 16 a good friend gave me a 55 pan for my birthday with 1 condition I had to build it myself 1 hard tail frame 2 wheels and 3 boxes of Parts it took me about a week no book but JR new every thing I needed to know but I had to try to figure it first I got it running and have been hooked ever since seeing your 52 baby sure brought back a lot of memories thanks .I just bought a 01 FXSTD I got a book this time!!! talk to you down the road I am in West Virginia don't know where your at.Keep the rubber on the down side and the wind at your back later
Another great video, very interesting to me as I'm currently elbow deep in my top-end EVO refresh. I dropped my heads and jugs off at the machine shop yesterday. Getting the bases turned, bored +10, valves and heads worked on...Should be good to go in a week or 2.
I have an 93" cu.i S&S Shovelhead (with Harley top ends with the short/mid "Sportster-type" of sparkplug threads). My friends say that when I shift gear it come "black-smoke" from the pipes. Last year, I had my cylinderheads of to make a repair-welding and new threads for the sparkplugs :-). My "reaction" was that there was no valvestemsealers fitted.I read in the Clymer´s book in the chapter that concern top-ends that "have a valve-stemsealing" should replace it like you do in the video. This S&S motor was buildt (not by me) for about 30-35 years ago.No problem with the running of the motor,and the smoke don´t bother me:-).....but when it´s obvius that something is wrong,I want to solve the problem. Sorry about my bad English....but I am born 1958.... :-) //Jörgen
I run valve seals on my Shovelhead because my drag race buddies convinced me I should. They claimed that it helps prevent getting oil into the combustion chamber and therefore, you get more accurate tuning. Okay. My Shovelhead burns very clean and front and rear are an extremely close match. No valve seals on my Knuckle or my Pan. Another "personal preference." Black smoke is fuel. Blue smoke is oil. Also, always use a little anti-seize on your sparkplug threads.
I’ve done a lot of cylinder head work even porting , it’s nice to watch someone else do it , we all have our ways , when I lap I use a rubber fuel line on the valve and slid the other end one a drill bit I have on a power drill and work it , but spring and all together add some gasoline into the port and see if it holds at least 3 mins .. Enjoying your channel
You bet! I don't do valve work like I used to. Having a shop, I got to the point where I just sent them out to the machine shop. They had a $150,000 guide and seat machine that gave me perfection for a really reasonable price. Now that I'm playing at home, I'm getting back into the old habits like you have. It's great to talk about and great to feel again. Thank You.
Great video I’m l lapping heads always enjoy watching you had the pleasure of meeting you at born free is Tom and I gave you a card have a good one thanks
I like to use a 4" length of tubing attached to the stem end with small zip tie then attached to a two inch length of 1/4" all thread in a drill and I'll just pull lightly with the drill on low speed and it works great. I also put the C-clamp in the vice instead; that way you can drop the keepers in from the top. Awesome to learn so much new stuff from Mike though!
Hi Mike, I know this is gonna sound creepy and or corny but not long ago (about two to three months ago my oldest brother passed away, well all I just wanna say is just watchin' you and listening to you explain n' stuff on the bikes you look and sound "exactly" like him!!😱 Also wanna say keep up your vids because they are really helpful to me with wrenchin' on my bike when needed, stay safe watch out for the cagers out there and God Bless You Bro...😎🏍
Hey mike. Could you do a video some time explaining and showing how to measure and set spring lift and pressure. I’ve read the steps 100 times but once they start with the math they lose me. I learn way easier seeing something done while it’s explained. Heads is the one part of the engine I never messed with. Keep up with your awesome work
We'll do it when we need it. When it comes down to really high tech, I farm it out to my friend who set 60 national speed records. He knows cylinder heads. That's where real power is made.
Thanks Mike, that was fun to watch..... Back in the 70's when I was a kid working for Porsche/Audi I remember we would cut the valve face at a 44 deg and leave the valve seat at 45 deg, we called it interference angle for a perfect valve to seat seal. Do they still use that theory today, or am I so old school it's no longer used?.....Thanks again Mike.
Thank You. Yah, it's still done that way alot. But, with the modern guide and seat machines, well, I don't even know how to set one up. If I need any of that work, I farm it out. The new machines can be accurate to about a tenth. I just lap things in by hand as a cleanup.
Yes, better gaskets. Also, let the motor adle until it warms up a little before taking off. The cylinders need to swell before giving it much throttle.
I put a Compufire ignition and whoo weee she runs out now, I ran a MC power arc a Dyna 2000i and the Compufire which has been the best ignition.. I built the engine in 93 which is a Shovel style using -66 heads..I did so many evo engines but never ever did I lap the valves. I always cut new seats because most of them were way outa spec.
Give Jason lienweber cams a call use there springs for 35 years the best springs on the market,old panheads had exhaust Rotator keys that would actually move the valve in the engine when it runs they were factory up grade
I've never hones valve guides before so it raised a question for me. Valve guide clearances changed in 79 or so I was told when one hung up on me passing a semi on a long ride so I'm wondering how to select the correct ball hone size?
If you do not lap base of cylinder it will leak again, trock made a special tool that worked great and I never had a comeback usi g it. Width and position of lapped area on valve is important, I use a dial caliper and a loop to set contact patch visually, otherwise you are guessing. I did 100's of evos back in the day.
Mike, can't wait to see the build video's. If you don't mind me asking, where can I find the grips you have on the knuckle? Would like to get a set for my old shovel.
Hey Mike, love the videos. You mentioned adjusting spring pressure & spacing "It's not necessary to go into all that detail." I'd love to hear that detail. Any resource for a guy to look into this? Appreciate the fine work you do.
Mr Mike I have a question. You where talking about the early evos leaking on the base gaskets. Mine just started last year leaking. I'm new to working in bikes but you inspire me to do my own. And its relaxing. My question is can I pull the cylinders off with the engine in the frame or do I need to pull the engine out? Bike is a 91 fatboy if that matters. Thank you sir.
Mike, i love and enjoy your videos. Will reference them often when i start my 1984 Evo upgrades this winter. Constructive criticism: - Please assume your audience knows little or even nothing at all. Occasionally, you skip a detail assuming the viewers already know. - Your close ups are rarely close enough or long enough. Often, i need to pause the vid to get a good look. Regards from NE Indiana!
If you use that Zippo fluid as a cleaner/solvent, charcoal lighter fluid is so close to the same it doesn’t matter, and it’s way cheaper. Did they ever fix that issue on the later Evos? As usual, I enjoyed this I’m immensely and learned something new like always. Love the old stories too as always, so don’t ever stop telling them.
Mike love watching all your videos on your Shovelhead. I finally picked up a 1981 FX Lowrider from a friend of mine for $600 was torn apart in pieces. The motor was put together but you know all the other stuff was taken off. I had it back together in a day and running by the second day Clutches really really tough now this bike has been ran since 1990 and I finally got it running everything it was sump. It pumped out a bunch of oil. I do have one of the lifters tapping real bad but once I start driving it it it’ll stop but we’re concerns me, the oil gauge does not show that there’s oil pressure but as you know if there’s no oil pressure that thing will be tapping and make it all kinds of noise and it doesn’t make any noise after drive it a few and get it all warmed up, but there’s still no pressure on the gauge. I’ve checked the gauge it works so, I am interested in your videos and getting your info and what you think would be great for this bike it’s not been altered or anything whatsoever. It is a bone stock 1981 like you come off the showroom floor and it’s not back condition, but it looks old, but I would like to know more about this bike and stuff that I can do to make it run better and maybe get your input on fixing this oil pressure and tapping noise. Thank you Mike love all your videos. Keep up the good work if you need in their bike, bring this one to you. I’m in Texas, but I have lived in Wrightwood all my life up in the mountains.
Asking a question is one thing. You've asked a bunch. Why was the bike taken apart? Did you change the oil? Did the oil indicator light function? I don't recommend gauges on them. Were the lifters removed from their blocks? Buy a proper Harley Davidson service manual and read it. This is a pretty good story you've got going here.
Hello Mike, I‘ve watch some of your videos and i‘m very happy to have a person on youtube who show us some skills ! Do you have some videos where you disassemble a complete shovelhead? I mean from first step till the end ! It would be very helpfull for me and for other people ! Great work ! Greetings from Germany!
Thanks for great videos. I hear that nowadays valve seats is only need to be 3 angle cut. Can you explain when I need lapping and when cutting, what the difference between them? Thanks.
Let's not take the fun out. We've got plenty of stuff left to clean up. We'll show parts of the build at the end of each video. Hopefully, it won't be too long. Thank You.
Hi Mike I love your videos, I’m rebuilding an xr75 motor right now, first time rebuilding a motor and I’m about to hone the Valve guides right now. How long would you say to Hone the guides for, about 20 seconds I have a little flex hone just like you do, Any help is appreciated thank you so much!
Thank you for doing videos like this, helps alot. I was just wondering if you would recommend any specific brand or model for a rear chain? Mine is worn out and I need to replace it. Should I go with an o-ring chain? The bike is an 80” stroker duo-glide.
There are a bunch of good chains out there. But, you said "Duo Glide." Cool. But you're probably running a tin inner primary cover. Hard to say, but, you may be limited for space. O-ring chains are nice but usually, they are quite wide. And, chains generally eat whatever is in their path.
@@pacificmike9501 Yes I am running a tin primary and 1 1/2" belt. Oh ok I didn't know the o-ring chains are wider. So thats really good to know, I think I'll just go the safe route then and get one similar to the one that was on it. Thanks!
You are more than welcome TO WATCH. But BE CAREFUL. This stuff is infectious. I was watching a guy build a lower end when I was about 4 years old. I never got over it.
Hey Mike - I just picked up a Genuine James Gasket kit for my shovelhead and doing some research on how to install them all (thanks for the videos and help). In my research I'm seeing people say that the Valve Team seal from these kits (JGI-17034-66) are actually taller than what is needed and that you need to grind them down so that the fit correctly. Do you have the standard measurement for these these valves? Any tips to ensure everything measures out appropriately?
You need a good old time motor builder to establish the specs put out by James and the cam grinder of the cam you're using. Be specific in your years on the heads. This is all available from the cam manufacurer and the valve seal supplier.
