Touring bikes have been the foundation of H-D's collection since the start of the Big Twin. Fitted with windshield and saddlebags, the technique has shown to be a reliable stand for driving the motorways of America. Having numerous particularly long journeys on-board my vintage Panhead, I will attest directly to the virtues of a fully-dressed Harley for long-distance touring.
But those initial Touring machines furthermore create notable every day bikers, too. He also happens to have Moroney's Harley-Davidson in New Windsor, New York, and this motorbike is in fact a valuable motorbike along with his large assortment of H-Ds. The initial year for any cone cover Shovelheads was 1970. The previous year, the Motor Company ended up being obtained by AMF or American Machine and Foundry making 1970 a rather hard period for the people in Milwaukee.
Prior to the cone cover engine, Shovelheads were referred to as flat sides, in reference to the flat-sided electrical generator and cam cover on the right side that's a carryover on the Panhead motor unit. The distributor was installed at the base of the face of the cylinder, thus, making this motor easily identifiable. That very same era, 1970 witnessed the switch to an alternator driven the left side of the motor unit by the sprocket shaft. Aside from that, the distributor disappeared, and the points were encased within the conical timing cover on the motorcycle's right side.
This vintage motorbike entered Moroney's Harley for a high-end job between the 80's era and after the work was finalized, the particular owner mysteriously did not come back for his motorbike. Tough to think about during this era, but in the past, the old Shovelhead was just another worn motorcycle on the bottom of its value curve. The store's mechanics set aside the reconditioned and apparently deserted motorcycle away, in which it lay for over 20 years, right up until about 2003, when Pat pulled it out and made a decision to perform a full reconstruction on the orphaned motorcycle.
The fuel tank has been, in past times, sanded and painted in paint primer, so unfortunately insufficient authentic paint still existed to do a sympathetic renovation. Pat stripped the motorcycle down to the frame and sandblasted and coated parts before the rebuild began. Being a Harley-Davidson supplier meant just about everything was carried out in house. The motor was rejuvenated to factory standards, such as brand new bushings, bearings, etc. The transmission has also been completely refurbished and a brand new clutch system added.
He said that a lot of particular attention was given to the carburetor's restructure. That carburetor was built with a character being finicky, and back in the 1970s, many called the Tillotson carburetor as "The Troublesome". He pointed out, even though, once properly dialed in, the Tillotson could be a dependable carburetor. The bike's renovation continued with completely new chrome and cadmium plating, and placing the correct pieces to ensure the Shovelhead motorbike was just like it would have been on the display room deck in 1970. One of Moroney's longtime techs shot the tanks with the original Hi-Fi Red and Birch White. I like this color selection pairing and recall the statement it can make with motorcycles on the streets or ditched when in front of a bar. The 5.00-16" rims were re-laced and trued before they were covered with classic white wall tires. The white pillow seat and hand grips increase the bike's old-time feel.
This motorbike definitely straddles the era between old and new: the perfect collectible, still fully working and reliable ride. It holds all of the allure and detail work of its forerunner, the Panhead, still delivers most of the functionality and reliability of newer Evo models that replaced it in the 80's.
But those initial Touring machines furthermore create notable every day bikers, too. He also happens to have Moroney's Harley-Davidson in New Windsor, New York, and this motorbike is in fact a valuable motorbike along with his large assortment of H-Ds. The initial year for any cone cover Shovelheads was 1970. The previous year, the Motor Company ended up being obtained by AMF or American Machine and Foundry making 1970 a rather hard period for the people in Milwaukee.
Prior to the cone cover engine, Shovelheads were referred to as flat sides, in reference to the flat-sided electrical generator and cam cover on the right side that's a carryover on the Panhead motor unit. The distributor was installed at the base of the face of the cylinder, thus, making this motor easily identifiable. That very same era, 1970 witnessed the switch to an alternator driven the left side of the motor unit by the sprocket shaft. Aside from that, the distributor disappeared, and the points were encased within the conical timing cover on the motorcycle's right side.
This vintage motorbike entered Moroney's Harley for a high-end job between the 80's era and after the work was finalized, the particular owner mysteriously did not come back for his motorbike. Tough to think about during this era, but in the past, the old Shovelhead was just another worn motorcycle on the bottom of its value curve. The store's mechanics set aside the reconditioned and apparently deserted motorcycle away, in which it lay for over 20 years, right up until about 2003, when Pat pulled it out and made a decision to perform a full reconstruction on the orphaned motorcycle.
The fuel tank has been, in past times, sanded and painted in paint primer, so unfortunately insufficient authentic paint still existed to do a sympathetic renovation. Pat stripped the motorcycle down to the frame and sandblasted and coated parts before the rebuild began. Being a Harley-Davidson supplier meant just about everything was carried out in house. The motor was rejuvenated to factory standards, such as brand new bushings, bearings, etc. The transmission has also been completely refurbished and a brand new clutch system added.
He said that a lot of particular attention was given to the carburetor's restructure. That carburetor was built with a character being finicky, and back in the 1970s, many called the Tillotson carburetor as "The Troublesome". He pointed out, even though, once properly dialed in, the Tillotson could be a dependable carburetor. The bike's renovation continued with completely new chrome and cadmium plating, and placing the correct pieces to ensure the Shovelhead motorbike was just like it would have been on the display room deck in 1970. One of Moroney's longtime techs shot the tanks with the original Hi-Fi Red and Birch White. I like this color selection pairing and recall the statement it can make with motorcycles on the streets or ditched when in front of a bar. The 5.00-16" rims were re-laced and trued before they were covered with classic white wall tires. The white pillow seat and hand grips increase the bike's old-time feel.
This motorbike definitely straddles the era between old and new: the perfect collectible, still fully working and reliable ride. It holds all of the allure and detail work of its forerunner, the Panhead, still delivers most of the functionality and reliability of newer Evo models that replaced it in the 80's.
About the Author:
To ensure about your personal safety, habitually include only prime quality items for your Harleys like brakes, cabling, z bars, harley grips, and a lot more. Low-cost bad quality components can put you in risk.
