Featured 1980 Shovel

This was one of the first 80 cubic inch Wide Glides. These were originally black with flames on the tanks and a wide front end with 21inch spoked wheels up front. There's no way I could have afforded the insurance let alone the bike back then.
I've had Harleys (and was, honestly, glad to see the back of them) but always wanted a Shovelhead so this one's mine. Plan is to keep this one along with one (or two Bonnies) and when I can't kick them over any more - I'll hang them on the wall.
A few bits have changed recently. S&S super stock and stroker bottom end. Solid Fatboy front on the rear (or was it a Sportster back wheel), Revtech sprocket, Thunderstar mag front wheel, Paughco wide springer front end, P&M four pot up front, bates mini headlight, T bars, Kustom Tech controls on the way, mucho altered Sportster tank and frame and still loads to muse over.



Still have to get and alter a metal back mudguard (this one's a plastic one just to see the length I want), sort the seat to fit and work, paint to do (gonna be a black/grey AMF stripey job), rewire the whole thing, new back light and number plate bracket, make a battery box, etc. Fingers crossed for later this summer. It's so loud - don't know about 'Loud pipes saves lives' these will have to get some baffles. Can you dig it?

 

Yes, very respectable indeed

 

CV carb from Killer motorcycle products. Bolted straight on and started straight up. Had to replace the black cap with 'Killer' written across it though. LOL. Nice to have a choke instead of tickling.

 

Sorry, been away for a bit - life and all that.
Nice one for Alaska. I assume it's warmed up a touch there now.

Still loads to do on mine but getting on with the paint.



Clear and polishing to, hang fire life again bugger, c ya.................laters x.

 

Wiring and brakelines to do and should be about there.

 

At last, done. The sun came out and visited some bits of England







Went to look at some old Iron and have a chat with some restorers of steam trains. The Shovel seems right at home.



Still some fettling to do but back onto ye olde Trumpets again .....over

 

Thanks gang.

Yes it may as well be a hardtail but I like the looks with the shocks. I also wanted the wide rear to allow the side mounted registration plate and the ammo box.



The stroker bottom end gives it tons and tons of torque so a regular chain change wouldn't hurt. It's certainly a proper handful to ride, not much mileage in the tank but a rest stop is required long before the petrol is used up.
I'd like a Firestone Coker on it but my hat flew off when I saw the price of them. So may go for the Victory TT or Shinkos Classic 270s.
A few jobs to sort but getting there.