Got A HARLEY SHOVELHEAD After YEARS Of Riding An EVO / WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

After a few years of riding an evo, I ended up with bringing home a 1979 Harley Davidson FXS Shovelhead after riding over to Mobile Bay Harley Davidson for a bike reveal for Biker Dad. I think this may turn out be more like Pandora's Box. A really old Harley Davidson... This should be fun.
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[@lawnboyfromhell]

Anybody can mortgage a new Harley but owniing and operating an old one is character building!

[@yoshit9819]

I been riding a 74 for the past 30 years. It's slow, it leaks and handles like crap. But it's the best bike I ever owned. And I cannot explain why.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Totally get it.

[@marcmcdermott9878]

Shovelheads are easy to work on. I have a 78 FXE. You need to use the choke to start it, also it has an accelerator pump so give it a couple of squirts of gas. Also use the kicker to move the cylinders to a compression stroke to kick start. You would be a lot happier with the bars if you moved them back towards you😎

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I've already replaced the 4 inch risers with 1 inch. It looks and feels a lot better now.

[@ziptie7095]

Congratulations on the shovel. I love the old shovels myself but they truly are not for everyone. Can not wait to see more.

[@hd01roadking]

Merry Christmas! I have an old 75 FXE Chopper. It does vibrate at 70 -75 but it runs really strong. If you can work on an EVO and your sportsters, you will have no problem working on the shovel.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I imagine it's the personal quirks that I have yet to learn the hard way.

[@robertbedson3207]

Awsome man, I really want an old shovel head 🤘

[@JTSouthernfried]

That's a darn clean shovel right there👌🏼 love the gallop of an old shovel

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Me too, man!

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

Flat black beauty!!! Congratulations Mr. SaddleTramp! I know you'll give this bike the best retirement it could ever get. She sounds great and looks mean as hell!

[@philbobaggins8603]

I commented on your video of your first ride on a shovel that I thought you would love a shovel and I'm sure you will. Just the rawness of them is like riding a steam locomotive down the road so cool I'm glad you ended up getting one to see for yourself.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Like a steam locomotive... I like that. That about sums it up.

[@boscodog4358]

My first bike was a 49 pan. Shortly after I bought a 71. Super Glide "Shovel Head".

[@everettcalhoun8197]

Having started out with Knuckleheads then panheads to shovelheads to evos to twincams. I fell in love with my first evo rubberglide. I would go see two of my children on my bike which was 1100 miles round trip on a weekend . With my shovelhead after 8 hours on that bike I didn't want to see it for the rest of the weekend. With that rubberglide we would go out riding later that night, just no comparison for putting miles on. Did buy a 76 fx stroker in 90 that I rode to the Sturgis 50th. Was running through La Crosse WI and my mirror came loose popped up almost caught it with my right hand flew across and my buddy almost caught it. Blew a head gasket in Minnesota. Learned that unless it blows up completely you can fix anything that goes wrong on the road. I would suggest getting in the habit of checking the tightness of bolts and checking the torque of the heads and cylinder base nuts. Just sayin'

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Lol. Sounds like the videos are gonna make themselves.

[@colinbeeson2345]

Shovelheads in the late 70s had Keihin carbs which had accelerator pumps. In the morning you would twist your throttle once and hold it full on, then kick once. if it was timed right it would start on the first kick but you might want to kick it a couple times before you light it up so there's oil in the motor.

[@robertforeman933]

I've owned my late 79 since 89, love it, have a bond with it because of all the work I put into it, owned had 2017 new and have a 22 tri glide and still prefer the old FX

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Right there with ya

[@orinknowles5662]

Looks like a nice old bike. Shovel is on my someday list too. Working on a sportster trike with Cass County choppers rear differential, 1996 sportster frame, and 2003 Buell Cyclone engine right now. Maybe the shovel will come next. Thanks for keeping the content coming.

[@BigSmittyRiding]

Love a shovel head! Great stuff Tramp!

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Thanks 👍

[@randymarks4011]

you'll love it, keep that idle up like it was when you got home with it, the low slow idle kills piston skirts. none of my shovels leak oil, they don't have to.

[@michaeloneill5961]

Slow idle also chops out the bottom end

[@daddyshovel7995]

The thing with a shovel motor is you only fix what breaks or leaks. When you kick start pull inrich, roll over the motor till you hear it suck in the carb, then turn ignition on 1 kick.

[@brandonmacon3317]

Still rocking my dad's 81 Fxwg shovel. Best potato sound maker to date mate! Nice🤘

[@KennyQuestShow]

Congrats on your new scoot! She looks awesome

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I think so too!

[@ABud12921]

I’m so happy for y’all!! I knew you would have you one one day! Congratulations! Happy New Year to both of you, God Bless🧷✌️

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Thank you so much, CD. You too!

[@Brandn43]

Congratulations! That’s sweet.

[@antruder]

A very nice addition to your collection. I"m sure some videos will follow shortly showing you tinkering with it. 👍🏻

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I bet!

[@JerseyNickMoto]

I like that bike a lot ! You can't beat that sound.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

No you can't! Looks like the videos are really gonna make themselves now. Lol

[@daveshack298]

LoL!!! There is an art to kicking those things... When my EVO is warm, she will light right off. When she's cold: USUALLY a couple of easy kicks with the ignition off, to prime the cylinders; then turn the ignition on and kick it like you mean it! If she doesn't light after a couple of 'kick it like you mean it,' well that's what the electric is for! :D That was before the new cam, now I'm going to have to figure out what the new sequence is... I keep seeing Shovels for sale around here, and I keep thinking I might like to own one too... It's nostalgia thing for me. Somewhere in the mid '70s, my uncle gave me a ride on his old AMF Superglide, and I've been hooked ever since!

[@ronniedeciantis1978]

just bought a 78 fhl , hadn't had one since 1981 can't wait to get it finished

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Awesome!

[@priceamp]

Nice score. I have a '65 Ironhead. When folks ask me how does it ride, I always joke and say it like riding a jack hammer, which is pretty close to the truth. I have an '06 Softail, but nothing puts a smile on my face like the Ironhead. Now when I go to buy more blue Loctite, I buy the big bottle. :-)

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I hear ya, man

[@ArcticBlues1]

Congrats! You now own a Troublehead! You will be a top mechanic in no time!

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I think you're on to something there.

[@georgewetzel4380]

Congratulations; nothing sounds like a well tuned shovel.

[@tinaeccles4769]

that right there at 8.55, thats the shovel love.

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

I was thinking the last time I got my Harley out for a ride was about 1971 its just been parked in the garage since then maybe once year cleaned then pushed back in garage. opps thats 50 years of not riding it. I will put on the road this summer

[@jamespolucha8790]

I’ve got a 1979 superglide I bought it new in 78 and wore it out, put a 93 inch S&S motor and a Baker 6 speed in a 4 speed case still rides like a shovelhead vibration vibration vibration, I just ride it short hops and around town, I’m too old for that rough ride but I’ll never sell it

[@redneckwithajeep5001]

Be prepared to work on it like an iron head but that’s one of my personal favorite engines

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I know, right?

[@jeffmorris739]

Dude that is a rad bike man. I love it and yes I would leave the kick starter because it looks to right but start it with the battery. I am too old to get winded before I started my ride.

[@deweydodo6691]

My primary belt shredded after 7 years of use. Of course, out on the road. Back in went the primary chain.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

My buddy had a 78 FXE shovel that would bury twincams. S&S stroker crank, it was a beast! Not for long rides, though. Keep the swing arm pivot bolt tight and use thread locker on all fasteners!

[@paulgrogan8032]

Congrats to you and the Misses brother. God bless Kenny, what a great man❤️

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Thanks, Paul.

[@TexasRider]

Wow that Shovel Head looks like it's in great condition. Great find !

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Thanks 👍

[@karmsenrab8587]

My '84 shovel never let me down, wish i still had the damn thing....

[@jessewoodsonjames6669]

Shes Purdy Clean ,Congrats on your new addition.Happy Hollidays

[@PRB1098]

Hey Cory, taat looks like a real good find, yeah it has some issues, but it already has a 39mm front end and OK brakes, the rest is fixable over time.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Actually it's a 35mm. In the process of putting a 41mm wideglide front on it right now.

[@PRB1098]

@@SaddleTrampTV my bad! Even a WG will be an improvement 😁

[@PRB1098]

P.S. it sounds like that ignition is set for electric start, i.e. it cranks over a couple of times before it fires, it'll always be impossible to kick in to life if it is.

[@JJDFN]

I love the look of your shovel. It's set up like a bar hopper, stripped down to nothin'.

[@Mariodupree]

Congrats! I love Shovelheads!

[@MarkSmith-vb7ym]

I like your shovel you got a excellent buy there excellent looking bike but shovelhead is so easy to work on I've had about five of them enjoy

[@BillTheHarleyGuy]

man that's a nice bike .. glad that you got a good deal for it 👍

[@gwizzfpv6741]

Very nice looking forward too seeing it done

[@h.d.mech.mortenson2098]

Very cool bike ! I kind of know what you mean because I have a 2002 Electra glide with the twin cam engine and it seems a lot more Harley like than 2023 low rider ST that I have. Now I’m wishing I didn’t have the payment and I’m almost looking forward-to eventually getting rid of it and buying something a bit more affordable with more personality.

[@klausuhlig7141]

That Bike they unveiled at Harley gave me a tooth ache, seeing that color, Now that Shovel is more like it, I think u got a good Bike there who know maybe down the line ur gona run into a good Pan, Pans forever, I kicked my Pans and Shovels till I was 55 and still wish I had them, next week I'll be 77,

[@slackdaddy1912]

EVO is a shovel! Shovel has cast iron cylinder heads and pistons, EVO has Aluminum. Created far fewer leaks. That’s why it was built.

[@hfd83]

that’s a nice shovel. you better keep that one

[@SaddleTrampTV]

That's the plan!

[@tamayo991]

I am hearing those solid lifters. An Evo can be bored out .30 over and Shovelhead to .60 over.

[@jasonadams5187]

Awesome video and awesome content can’t wait for the next video Thank’s

[@infini1970]

Congratulations. I'd love to have these problems ;). Happy Holidays brother! b

[@SaddleTrampTV]

LOL. You too!

[@ironkcirb285]

"Welcome to shovelheads (mine's a 1980 fxs) looks like you start your the same way i do :- kick ,feck kick, bollocks kick start you bastard !. press the button ! fires right up . lol

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Lol... I guess so.

[@Escapetosea]

Enrichner, two primer kicks, ignition on , o kick on the compression strok. Should fire. Shouldn’t have to twist the throttle.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

They all have their special combos it seems.

[@brucesantacory1390]

Nice Shovel, my 1st big twin was a 77 FXS Lowrider, i'd restore that to original, but that's me.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Some things are returning back. Namely the mid controls.

[@brianmccutcheon3205]

I remember the shovel head days 😖

[@Francey4782]

Maybe you need to figure out the starting ritual when kick-starting just in case. I've learned ( from tinternet ) that all old Harleys have one. Never owned a Harley but l can appreciate the attraction of their quirkiness.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Yeah, they all have their own personality for sure.

[@cyberpunk4622]

Really nice find Tramp, I look forward to seeing what you'll do to it to make it your own.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

You and me both!

[@jacknbeckyvancil4317]

Right on brother!

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@ferrelx]

9:42 Mister..you just summed up what Shovelheads are all about ! you have been bitten and now you will never be the same..

[@davidson2004fatboy]

7:40 DAMN that's LOVELY MUSIC🎷🎺🎵🎶 LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GETTING a LOT of TRUTH FROM the WIFE😁😆😅🤣😂

[@chadschwingdorf5834]

Paint is Peter puffer

[@iceman1bentley763]

I’d love to set an listen to you an Scotty talk I bet you guys have some great conversations

[@pawelkaa334]

These eyes can't lie 😀😀😀

[@jimmylafrance5370]

Wow Nice bike .. old shovelhead sound like music ....

[@SaddleTrampTV]

It does!

[@willieebarb]

Your wife is bike smart. That's a rare find in a woman. She be cool.

[@themissuscostelli497]

Thank you! I just know what I like.

[@jamesarcher3065]

Never owned a Evo , I do have two 70's Shovelheads . You have to know how to go through the stroke to kick-start them. People freak the hell out when I start my 77' they can't handle how much noise it makes ,, guess they don't really make Harley's anymore do they ?

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Yeah, I've got a lot to learn for sure.

[@edwardconklin4365]

love it easy to work on

[@rickstout7626]

try amsoil straight 60w and then you can ditch the oil cooler

[@philmorrow2446]

I love this channel!! Proverbs 31:10 bro!!!

[@TheNostorian]

Ooewh that fxs looks nice.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Sure does!

[@TheNostorian]

@@SaddleTrampTV enjoy it! Merry Christmas!

[@brianrahuba6919]

Live to die Die to live ! I love it ....

[@bradleyyounger8499]

That ol girl will be just like the evo when you go to work on her. They are very similar and simple

[@edgarserna5042]

I need a harley

[@lindalakota38]

To kick it yo need to choke kick turn the key off kick 1or 2 with key off and then kick with key on you need to kleer the chambers .that is what i was tought and was tought never say starts first kick because its a process

[@BudzillaCycles]

Hey was that the one you help them work on in the garage at Scooter's?

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Sure is! Kenny made me an offer I couldn't pass up.

[@BudzillaCycles]

@@SaddleTrampTV that's awesome!

[@bmp72]

I must have missed this one, which video is this ?

[@SaddleTrampTV]

@@bmp72 It drops in less than 2 hours.

[@BudzillaCycles]

@@bmp72 now that it's dropped, here's the spot in the other video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/npW2oZ-tapuIeZI

[@paultaylor4260]

I love the bike

[@jamesripley6472]

All it will take is for you to hyper-extend your knee. I ride a 1972 XLCH and the Kickstart gets me at least once a year. I will wait to see if you are limping in your next video.

[@themissuscostelli497]

😂

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Know what you mean. My first Harley was an XLCH. I'm still a little gun shy to this day, believe it or not.

[@marcpinion]

Nice bike

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Thanks ✌️

[@ScottsGEN-XAdventures]

Can’t make an Evo or a twin cam sound like that? I beg to differ.

[@mikekeltner4291]

I've had 2 shovelheads in my life. Screw that, I prefer to ride not wrench. Harley Owners Need Dependable Alternatives. Nuff said.

[@MrMikeb8]

awsome

[@painsrides3616]

So surprised you went home with the Shovel.....🤔

[@SaddleTrampTV]

You reckon?

[@terrybrown8292]

Hell yeah I like it looking good

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Right on

[@shenanigansofmannanan]

Bahahahahaha! Told ya so! 😄 🤣 😂 😆 😄 🤣 😂 😆

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Yeah you did... 😆

[@kennethanderson1685]

💕💕💕

[@spacetruckin6555]

Shovelhead by choice? God bless you Sir. You are officially an adventure rider, even on the street. The good news is:lots of support.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Yeah I might be a glutton for punishment.

[@spacetruckin6555]

@@SaddleTrampTV Yes, we adventure riders are gluttons for punishment. The EVO engine is fantastic. 83,000 miles on my 2009 Sporty and still in spec.

[@waynef.8158]

Been on a shovel since I was 6 months old and Pop bungee’d me inside his leather and we’d go to the pier. Fast fwd 42 yrs and that same bike is in my garage and that leather is in my closet. It takes a special breed to keep the iron moving.

[@spacetruckin6555]

@@waynef.8158 That is epic man. Two generation Shovel.

[@shadetreesurgeon]

YUP! The content makes itself… gorgeous buy. Lemme get my fxr running and then maybe it’s time to go shovel hunting 🧐

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Content out the WAZOO!

[@davidhelmuth6654]

That’s a nice Christmas present! Happy for ya brother! There is always something to learn. Makes no difference if it’s a newer bike or something older. Funny how the older you get the more you want the older stuff! Be safe out there…

[@SaddleTrampTV]

The cool stuff ages as we age. So I guess that's no surprise.

[@garybarker9934]

Nice find Cory, I've had 5 shovelheads and I just picked up a 1967 FLH. I am having a blast bringing this bike back to the way it came off the showroom floor. Grab one now before they get too expensive!

[@hdevo80]

Indianman!!! Hello from Hungary!!

[@patslovokia3834]

Nothing sounds like a shovel.. That's what I fell in love with in 1972...

[@laeljon]

Open the thorttle for two kicks, key off, close thorttle, turn on key, one kick....

[@professorvoluck9311]

That’s one of the nicest shovels I’ve seen. I like how it has a combo of modern/old school looking parts.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

The blinkers actually work, believe it or not.

[@ecrusch]

Nice purchase brother. I love your wife. She's my kind of person. My next Harley WILL have an electric start...period...haha Shadetree is right. You'll have some content with that thing. peace amigo.

[@swampdwellermichael]

Good to see someone else keeping these old shovels alive. My daily riders are evos but I’ve had a 1981 Flh for 20 years and god willing I’ll have it for another 20 years. The more you get into that bike the more your gonna love it. Enjoy and congratulations.

[@johnnyblade9272]

This is a great video Tramp, just what the doctor ordered. Definitely one of my favorites to date. Love your new garage, glad to see you and Scotty together again. Really enjoyed the always improving quality of your videos. Oh and of course you now have a shovel head. I believe you may be in Harley Heaven!! Don't forget to make time for your Iron Head Custom Chopper, which I have affectionately named "The Iron Maiden"...🤩

[@SaddleTrampTV]

IRON Head MAIDEN... I totally forgot about that title. Thanks for reminding me!

[@ronetuley]

Merry Christmas to you and the Missus . Your gonna love riding the shovelhead, working on it is not much different then the earlier Evo motors other then the rocker boxes . Ride safe my Friend.

[@Junior-fd8ux]

Im loving the crap out of that bike man. Triple disc and all! Iv got my eye out for an early mod FXR shovel myself. Il get the m8 in about 20 years lol..

[@hillsidebandit8571]

I love Shovel heads. Had a 73, a 74 and am building a 77 now.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Heck yeah, man!

[@hillsidebandit8571]

@@SaddleTrampTV I might buy another one if the price is right. lol

[@danheino7006]

had a few myself love the old lowriders

[@dogpaw775]

yes, yes, yes. way to go. i may also lift your Missis' saying "i've also been partial to a shovel" as a ring tone if that's OK. seriously; get that starter connection sorted, the last thing you want is your wedding band shorting across the terminals by accident. Have a happy and healthy 2022 everybody, keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up. ps how about some low er rise old skool Z bars and Tramp ids dead on point about the billet shifter and pegs.