1981 FXWG Shovelhead Problems

In this video, I give a brief introduction & back story to this 1981 FX Wide Glide that needs transmission work. Also I’ve been riding the Servi-Car on one lung coz the rear cylinder hasn’t been running since acquiring this three-wheeled machine, so I’ll be doing an old school compression test on this old Flathead to see if we can figure out how to get that rear cylinder running.
Since I got the go ahead to proceed on working on the Shovelhead, I started removing the outer primary and clutch basket but had problems removing the compensator bolt. Still got a lot of things to remove to get to the transmission so watch out for the next videos in this repair series. Enjoy!
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This is for entertainment purposes only, in any case consult Harley-Davidson Motorcycle repair shops in your area.
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[@coreycallahan7443]

I have always been told not to use an impact gun on the compensator sprocket because it could possibly damage the magnets on the stator. Is this just an old wive’s tale? If so, I could have saved myself quite a bit of time and effort over the last 40 years.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

I’ve heard the same thing, and typically I don’t use an impact, the compensator on this one was so tight I had to buy a industrial impact driver. My shop impact driver wouldn’t even budge it

[@wbien6994]

The main shaft wears, so even if you put a new seal in it will leak. Old bikers call it a cow pie top transmission. I bought two shovels and rebuilt both transmissions. No leaks. If you have a belt drive primary the weight of the sprocket wears the main shaft faster. They make a lighter sprocket which works well. Shovels are easy to work on like an old tractor.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Cow pie or Maytag !! I’ll take ratchet top over rotary any day of the week

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

I'm working in a 1980 FLH now. Kool bike ...

[@thomasgilles133]

Have a 1980 fxwg and need to replace shifter bushing.boltgoes into transmission to have linkage pivot. Can the bolt be removed without removing the primary cover or do I have enough room to slide bolt out and replace bushing? Thanks in advance

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

No, you gotta remove the primary!

[@kimber4573]

Great video. I checked out your website and really appreciate your phone service. It might come in handy in the future. The techs at Dennis Kirk and JPC are sometimes clueless. I have a 83' FXSB and I've been hit twice now by drunken foreigners. Now it looks more like a Custom black and chrome WG masterpiece. If I owned that bike I would spend the money and take it completely apart, powder coat the frame, rewire it , paint it black, chrome it, add some custom pieces and have a bike that would be a forever conversation piece. He would learn so much from the project and have a brand new Shovelhead for a lot less than a new one..

[@keithblume5159]

I would put a transmission in and fix that shift bushing. Definitely don't recover all your repair money when you sell a bike but at least you can ride it

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

This series, a Videos is six months old, shifter bushing was repaired. Bike was sold, and then bought back and torn down and sold for parts unfortunately, just too much wrong with the bike as a whole to make it worth the repairs if needed.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Looks to me that the transmission was trashed because of little to no oil; being that it leaks out as fast as you put it in. Pulling the tranny isn't that big of a job. I've had to do it on mine. Just a little time consuming pulling it out and putting it back.

[@michaelmendillo7513]

When a problem comes along,, you must whip it,,, whip it good ! 😎✌️✝️🦅🇺🇲

[@davepelfrey3958]

I really enjoy your channel. Unbelievable how easy that trike starts up. Would love seeing in detail the rebuilding of that wide glide transmission. Peace ✌.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Got lucky on the Wide Glide transmission, just the rotary top had to be rebuilt. Actually, the gearbox itself with sound, follow. The next video has a little more content

[@michaelmendillo7513]

Good choice,,,press on Holmes ! When you have a problem,, you must whip it, whip it good !!! 😎✌️✝️🦅 🇺🇲

[@MegaTroyhamilton]

cheap bikes always cost money later

[@harleyfrank547]

I really enjoy your show , it’s fun and I’m at half your skill and knowledge. I’m going to get a rebuild trans 1,900 with good andrews gears! So it’s a 81 fxwg and love working on it so far , big job for sure. Thanks we will go through this together lol ride free🇺🇸!

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Thanks brother!! We are all learning everyday how to keep these old sleds on the road !!!

[@arthurleino]

Ride a 1983 FXWG bought new when I was in the Navy. Subbed your channel.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Thanks for watching !! I appreciate your service to our country !!! My dad was a navy man !! 👊

[@glassdudemike]

Great stuff good shovelhead repair videos are few and far between… 🤟🏼

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching

[@Craig-t1d]

Good but big no no hitting that compensator bolt with an impact! You should know better than that dude, com on!

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Opinions and assholes ! Dude come on

[@markburkeyjr9806]

Cow pie Trans 🥧

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Also known as the maytag

[@VR-mm4ys]

Great video love old flat heads

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Thank you !! Appreciate you watching

[@rhodeisland_roadking]

Imagine buying a shovel and then not even bothering to check the fluids (or not knowing how to is my guess) to see if it has any

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Crazy ! Nobody teaching the next generation!! I’m trying to help these guys out !

[@rhodeisland_roadking]

@@HobsonsChoiceHarleys Thanks for the phone call session btw. Still waiting to hear if my purchase is happening.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

@@rhodeisland_roadking good luck !! It’s a nice machine !!

[@kevinstrang11]

I had same bike but mine was a 83 FXWG

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Usually really nice bikes, unfortunately, this one had been rode hard and put away wet!

[@kevinstrang11]

​@@HobsonsChoiceHarleys I loved my 83, I traded it in for a new 85 FXWG which I still own today

[@jerrybigrig9475]

👍😉👍

[@clintdenman3037]

I was wondering if anyone here who would be shovel fans can maybe tell me what would cause a pretty fresh S&S engine rear cylinder to keep burning out the plug ? Plenty of compression and is fine on trips but local plugs fail usually using aftermarket plugs.? And advise would be appreciated its a 98 C.i.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Could be a lot of things , I’d start at carburetor, too rich ? Try running a hotel plug in the rear

[@bmp72]

I have 3 shovelheads, and can only afford them because I do all the work myself… old bikes like these you have to be able to, else it gets real expensive real quick.

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Yes sir you’re 100% correct! I’m amazed I’ve got several guys that will pay me to wrench on their shovels, I never had the money to pay anyone especially with shop rates what they are

[@PhilipSepulveda]

Needs a new owner

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

Actually, I ended up getting this bike off of my client, and parting it out. It had been beat up so bad that was the lesser of all evils.

[@PhilipSepulveda]

I'm getting ready to redo my 79 for the second time, has some similar problems now.

[@usabadone]

Do you want to suggestions let me give you a suggestion by yourself a table lift I bought one of those tables from Harbor freight best move I ever made in my life especially as old as I’m getting I wish I had done it years ago like I said best 600 bucks I ever spent

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

I actually have a harbor, freight lift, and a huge pneumatic lift. It will lift 3000 pounds, I just built a new thousand square-foot shop and I’ve got three garages scattered around this neighborhood, as soon as I get final occupancy permit from the city, I will have all my lifts up and running.

[@hardtailsuicidaljockey6827]

The problem is............relax guys he knows what he's doing .......

[@HobsonsChoiceHarleys]

?