1978 Harley Davidson Shovelhead Chopper Gearing Change & Cruise

[@sargentslaughter3509]

It's good to see old bikes out on the road and people enjoying them.

[@drmikemerkt]

Without a doubt

[@springersadventures7654]

Great looking Shovel!! I just came across your channel in my feed. I’m in the process of building a Shovel right now that’s been in n the family for over 30 years. I’m looking forward to seeing more from you updates on your sweet ride! You got another subscriber! Keep up the great work. It looks like you’re in Fla so be safe out there!✌️

[@drmikemerkt]

No way, that’s awesome!! Can’t wait to see the finished product!

[@springersadventures7654]

@@drmikemerkt Stay tuned in, it’s coming along!

[@MOTOZILIANS]

great video bro i got a belt but i changed in my sportster for 2 more teeth in the front sprocket its amazing now huge diference in the freeway...anyway i believe its much better than before but dependes on the riders preference...i am a new subscriber to your channel your shovel is really clean looking enjoy it riding and ride safe

[@drmikemerkt]

Thanks!! Yeah it makes a huge difference!

[@whippledakota806]

killer bike love the video glad it worked out and you got it done! working on harleys is the best!

[@drmikemerkt]

Thank you! It really is, even though they can really piss you off they’re great

[@borington1]

what brand was the 26T. I was about to order one for my panhead from WWcycles. Got a 25T on atm but still chasing that dream highway revs. Keep up the content mate! always enjoy watching your vids.

[@drmikemerkt]

I’m not sure of the brand, just got it from the local shop. Yeah a 26 tooth will get you better revs for sure. When I need a new chain I might go to that, we’ll see! I’m the meantime the 25 is wayyy better than the 24. Check out PBI sprockets for a 26…they make solid stuff. Unless you’re from across the pond, then WW is the way to go

[@assumptionway254]

From an old biker to a new biker. Great fuckin job! Kool looking bike too.

[@drmikemerkt]

Thanks man, I really appreciate that! I know I don’t fit the aesthetic of a biker but I really love these old bikes and I hope I can be a small part in preserving them over time

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Go belt drive on your final drive as well.Belt drives last 100,000 miles.Much less work and money in the long term.

[@drmikemerkt]

Yeah I get that, I like the look of a chain 1000x times more than a belt. Plus my brake set up doesn't work with a belt

[@rod4530]

Motor sounds sweet.

[@drmikemerkt]

Thanks!

[@jeanson105olivier3]

Could you run your bike without the cover and have the belt/clutch exposed ? Like an open belt set up but cheaper

[@drmikemerkt]

Yes I definitely could. When I adjust my clutch after doing this type of job I’ll ride it without the outer cover on to make sure the clutch release is set up correctly

[@scottfree8848]

Anyway, informative video. Thanks for posting. As always..... keep on keeping on brother.

[@drmikemerkt]

Thanks!!

[@scottfree8848]

Informative. I have a 57 Ironhead I need to do this to.

[@drmikemerkt]

Get to it!!

[@scottfree8848]

Lol! I'm digging on those foot, ankle, knee, hip and back shoes your sporting!🤔🤭🤫😁

[@drmikemerkt]

Huh?

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt As your a chiropractor. Body alignment. Those are a young person's shoe's. Generally no arch support or ankle. I went through it back in the 80s wearing Vans when I was a B.M.X. guy.

[@scottfree8848]

Since the point was to alleviate some of the 60 mph rpm it would have been nice to see how that worked out. You know, at 70 mph or so.

[@drmikemerkt]

Totally get it, the traffic on the main roads is pretty hectic and since my wife is driving and filming didn’t wanna do that with the amount of already terrible drivers in the area

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt Brother, I have heavy duty trucks I own. If you think people can't drive hop on a motorcycle. A motorcycle, I feel, is the best trainer course for defensive driving. In a car or truck you have a sense of cage security. On a bike it's you hunting hogs with a sharp stick. No room for others errors. Much less my own. I enjoy riding because if the roller coaster of emotion. The right road is therapy. Traffic helps you understand the stupidity of the human condition.

[@erictrass3121]

Where you get that bottom bracket for the rear fender?

[@drmikemerkt]

I made it

[@jeanson105olivier3]

What handlebars are you running and what front end is that ? Sportster front end ?

[@drmikemerkt]

Handlebars are prism supply hurricane bars cut in half to use the riser. Front end is 41mm tubes, Barney lowers, and narrow 41mm trees.

[@jeanson105olivier3]

10" rise or 8" ?

[@drmikemerkt]

@@jeanson105olivier3 kept forgetting to measure as I couldn’t remember. They’re 10”

[@scottfree8848]

Dude, it's apparent your financially stable. You don't have a bike lift? Harbor freight sales an acceptable one.

[@drmikemerkt]

I don’t have the room for a bike lift. Plus I don’t think it’s really necessary, I built my ‘69 shovel with no lift and it wasn’t a problem.

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt Just a thought. No right or wrong. Part of me adding to the comment section.

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt If you keep on with the bike thing long enough and you get old enough (I'm 55) then perhaps

[@drmikemerkt]

@@scottfree8848 for sure! At the moment we’re renting, goal is to buy a place with some land and a larger garage in the next year or two, then I’ll for sure get a lift!

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt I enjoy watching your life. Much better than any reality t.v. show when what your doing, I'm doing is more realistic.

[@natejatomsin6454]

🔥🔥🔥

[@drmikemerkt]

Best camera work in the game!!

[@scottfree8848]

Can't wait until you twist the nose of of that reducer. Not that I want you to. It's just I'm a mechanic.

[@drmikemerkt]

Already returned to oreillys and a proper 1/2” 1 5/16 socket is in the drawer. Needed something until the correct one got here!

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt I know you got shit handled. I'm just a little bored at times. I'm here in Savannah Ga sitting on the marsh drinking a cold beer on my porch. I ain't a troll. Much respect sent to you doing things that "bikers" don't have the mental faculties to do. I hope your travels upon the yellow brick road leads you to your emerald city.

[@scottfree8848]

Lol! He's breaking down a Harley but the door hinges sound like something out of a horror movie. (Comment as I watch. My real time).

[@drmikemerkt]

😂😂😂 that’s fair

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt Just having fun. Like the shoes you were wearing. Flat footed shoes and as a young man no issues and I have a high arch. Ran track in school, boxing ECT... Kangaroo footed. Learned about alignment as a younger man. Details are where the Gods live.

[@scottfree8848]

@@drmikemerkt Enjoy your youth.

[@drmikemerkt]

@@scottfree8848 I got ya!! Yeah my everyday shoes a much more supportive than vans!

[@WhiteNacho]

Hipster

[@drmikemerkt]

I prefer yuppy but to each their own

[@kct9967]

Throw a 5 speed behind it!!

[@drmikemerkt]

A 4 speed and 5 speed both have the same 1:1 final drive, so wouldn’t gain much other than another gear.

[@kct9967]

@@drmikemerkt it has little to do with the final drive, if you thought using close ratio gears in your 4speed was great, you're gonna love 5 speeds

[@drmikemerkt]

@@kct9967 for sure, I don’t want close ratio gears, just wanted a lower rpm when cruising at higher speeds/in that final drive.

[@brianowskielder4658]

Thats not a countershaft sprocket.....that's the mainshaft sprocket. The countershaft is the other shaft with the gears on it inside the transmission. and why didn't you change the seal behind the sprocket when you had it off? C'mon man.

[@drmikemerkt]

I’ll be changing the seal and inner spacer soon…hasn’t been leaking one bit but I know it’s inevitable. Correct main shaft…videoing gets the best of your brain

[@michaelblew6019]

You aint real ,your garage is to clean!!😅😅😅,,,wish i had my old shovel,but not all bad,traded it for a basket case pan,41urs ago ,runs good

[@drmikemerkt]

clean garage gang here! Hahah, a panhead is super cool

[@michaelblew6019]

@drmikemerkt how was the rpms after the 25t to 25t

[@drmikemerkt]

@@michaelblew6019 It's a lot better...at 50mph the bike is barely revved out in 4th gear which is what most of the roads down here are unless I'm on the interstate. Even then 70mph is much easier on the motor

[@michaelblew6019]

@@drmikemerkt thanks