Cone vs Generator Shovelhead; Let's Talk Vintage Harley Big Twins

[@buck_the_atlas]

I'm so glad my tastes are governed by what I like and not the trendy stuff, it's seems cheaper that way. AMF Cone Shovels are my bag 100%.

[@shovelhead8648]

If it wasn't for amf there wouldn't be Harley davidson today my brother and I have 5 cone shovelheads 75,77,78, flh' s A 79 fxef and a 81 wide glide all bad ass scooters and all amf

[@hippieschoppercorner]

What most people dont think about when it comes to AMF is, the Evo was actually an AMF design. So if anyone likes to think that the evo saved harley, well they are saying AMF saved it too lol

[@ronniesmith65]

The EVO was basically a Shovel bottom with different heads, just like the first Shovels had the Pan bottom. To say the EVO was a AMF design is a bit of a stretch. HD had a few years after the buyback to design the new heads.

[@mattovictimcycles1334]

Good job explaining...Once again I will take any of them...I love the hunt and love the deal making ....My personal stress relief.....Now if I could only sell something....lol...

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Another quality video 👍 Harley never actually put a magneto on a Pan or a Shovel. It isn't even a distributor because both cylinders fire at the same time. It's just a simple timing unit. The stator & rotor for the alternator are in the L/H case behind the primary chain compensator sprocket.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yup, I sometimes say the wrong thing meaning something else 😅

[@kurtfoulke5130]

@@buttcrackcycles Didn't mean to nit-pic, I can't help myself 😆 I think you are on the right track with this channel, there are a lot of people that can accomplish a lot but, have to work within a budget.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@kurtfoulke5130 no worries, actually after I published the video I said to myself "you know what, you said that wrong!" Sometimes my mouth and brain ain't going the same speed 🤣

[@ollelindskog4531]

​@@buttcrackcyclesTo be honest..... if you want everything to be 100% correct, you will never get the videos out. People will get it right in the comments and if it's a "big" thing you can always do a follow up video. I don't always agree, but I love your videos. Keep them coming.

[@arthurleino]

When I had my 83 FXWG registered here, they used the frame s/n. From Philippines to Washington.

[@johnkelly6942]

Thanks for posting that! That pretty well sums it up.

[@dominicbenecasa7893]

Anyone that doesn't know the true Harley history doesn't like an AMF era bike. The truth is AMF gave those executives a blank check to modernize the factory fix production flaws, expand which they did. AMF used the expenses to write off the profits from Hatteras yachts. Then these executives bought the company back and used the buy as a marketing ploy to say the old bikes were "bowling balls the "new" Harley had none of the old problems.

[@garyhopkins6337]

True, I have had AMF Shovels for over 40 years and I find them very reliable with no oil leaks, it's mainly back to the owners who don't maintain them properly, I've seen EVOs covered in oil from top to bottom.

[@Lucky..B]

Then why aint the early sporter though after you can take a Bottom end of a Sporty and do a top end of shovel and come out with a Shovster !. You can put a sporty top end on a 45 . ! There is alot you can do at mixing . If you got the shop that can handle the task .

[@d.r.ledbetter2286]

Very well said.

[@walterfechter8080]

One big advantage a generator-equipped bike has over an alternator-equipped machine is the ease in which a bad generator can be removed. Of course, generators have more parts that can go bad. I ran 32E (6 volt) systems in my bikes until the late 1990s. I just rebuilt my generators with quality American-made components and took my time doing so. I also ran a solid-state cut-out relay (which never failed me). Thanks.

[@rwayne3243]

I did learn something, thanks for posting this video.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shovelhead8648]

Let's see some more of that shovelhead brother cant wait dog

[@bmp72]

I have a big AMF sticker on the side of my 81 Sturgis. Some cars here have a Harley sticker on it to show the driver has a Harley. My car has an AMF sticker. I like the look of the cone shovelhead better. My 3 shovels are all 80", all 3 are twin belt (two Sturgis and a special edition Wide Glide)

[@vernleroyson331]

303 1985 Shovelheads were produced as FLHP bikes. 200 for Royal Canadian Mounted Police and 103 for New Mexico State Police.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Awesome! That's very cool knowledge

[@dominicbenecasa7893]

Generator shovel is also known as a Flat-side shovel. I built generator/evolution engines in the early 90'd for choppers I built. In 84 the softail came out with the evo motor. They bought the patent for the softail frame from a guy who built them in his garage. So in 85 there were some shovel head engines and there were 4 speed evolution bikes Harley used up there stock in 86 the 5 speed was in every big twin, Sportsters didn't get a 5 speed until about 90.

[@hippieschoppercorner]

That's in correct sir. Some early model 86 wide glides had the 4 speed rachet top.

[@alex2012fxlfb]

Thanks for the lesson, much appreciated. Alex

[@julesleon482]

currently here in the uk a mint 1963 slabside 29000 pounds sterling.average between 18000 and up.cone go from 6000 up pending on mods.i paid 6500 sterling for a 1974 shovel .tidy enough motor.4 speed .its tax and inspection free so only 100 a year classic insurance so win win.

[@GJM866]

Some stuff I never knew. Thanks for posting!

[@edZILLA64]

i think here in florida you have to have a titled frame. you can put different motor in it, but the frame numbers have to match title.

[@shovelhead8648]

Also I just automatically assumed you're talkin about the cone shovel model like you bought so wasn't an issue for me and I liked the video brother keep um coming let's see some more of that cone shovel lmfao

[@djkak5320]

Great video! The first “emission controlled” machines began production on 1-1-1978 and featured the Prestolite electronic ignition, a “Ham Can” air cleaner with the crankcase vented into the air cleaner. I believe that on the touring platform the emission Shovel 5 digit sequential VIN number started at 69000. 1978 model year machines produced prior to Jan-1 were shipped with the old oval air cleaner and had circuit breaker points ignition. The 80 inch Shovel was introduced in 1978 and only came in a Black Cherry finish that year. The most notable difference between the Gen Shovel and the alternator Shovel was the improved reliability of the charging system.

[@thatsmrharley2u2]

Improved charging system AND electronic ignition

[@themancaveclub]

This is very interesting. So, "cone" shovels were like Triumph. with everything integrated into the cases..

[@vernleroyson331]

After the 1979 screw up with new bikes having non matching frame/ engine Vin numbers...the vin number follows the frame.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Dangit I forgot to mention that also, I remember reading it in a book I have

[@westcoast3595]

When AMF took over tribal knowledge was lost. The information was not catalogued by Harley. Hence the early days of failure. AMF did create the cone. Fixed a lot of problems. I have the disease of harley. Love riding them.

[@mickey-eq5vw]

so much nuance on what to pay for a shovel a generator a harley purist n in high demand shovel..depends on if the motor is stock n been sitting for 20years or has it been running, has it been redone with chrome rockers n fins exc.. 4k for an old sitting FX shovel, 6-8k for a redone chromed motor, 8-12 for a generator in good shape and if someone willing to pay it thats what its worth for that one sale

[@martincvitkovich724]

AMF brought in CNC equipment , modernized the plant (while the Shovel was made with HD' antiquated machinery) then Amf STARTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE evo USING THE LATEST MACHINERY,.iF ANYTHING WAS AFOUL with the AMF bikes it was most likely the workers with their sissy-fits and bad attitudes

[@stevevasquez7754]

I have a 56 pan shovel head. That I've had since 1982, it's been through some changes but I've got it perfect. It's a great running bike and I do want a fortune if I do sell it which might be in the future. Because I'm older and it's a kickstart only. But I'll tell you one thing it's very impressible when you kick a big bike like that over and you look at the faces on people

[@garyhopkins6337]

Yes, I know the feeling, I have a Shovel kick only, and many young ones out there think it is so old but so am I. Ha

[@vernegibb621]

Pre evo alot of people where putting shovel top ends on pan and knuckle heads for performance.

[@Harsh_Trip]

What makes pre 70 shovels desireable in my eyes is the fact that the bike is titeld to the motor as apposed to post 69 shovels that are titeld to the frame, so (in CA) if you buy a cone shovel motor and want to buy an after market frame or non titled stock frame the CHP will inspect and potentially retitle the bike as a "special construction" removing any mention of Harley Davidson in the title which results in higher insurance rates, huge loss in resell value and other downsides. Its so much easier if you have genny shovel, you can throw it in literally any frame and you're good.That being said cone shovels are so much cheaper that its worth holding onto a motor until that titled stock frame pops up for sale, definitely hard to come by these days though.

[@charlesrainey6830]

Got a 68 flh. I live in SC myself let's ride.

[@gilbertbates8522]

The alternator shovel is more reliable with no brushes to deal with.

[@hdevo80]

Shovelhead not magneto ignition

[@rodan2852]

Shovels sound as mean a they look. Honestly how they went from that to the anesthetics of the "block-head" engines i dont know

[@benderbender1233]

🤘😎🤘

[@Lucky..B]

Does anyone know out in Grizzly Calforina Tim Bell . Hes a old MotorHead . He has a place on Tim Bell Lane out of Grizzly . He is a old Friend I have lost Contack with . If anyone knows Tim Bell . Please let Me know How to Get In touch with Him .

[@eazyrider6122]

AMF take over in thr 70s

[@mattovictimcycles1334]

Good job explaining...Once again I will take any of them...I love the hunt and love the deal making ....My personal stress relief.....Now if I could only sell something....lol...