Harley Shovelhead Oil Change and a Couple of Small Leaks

It's either Springtime or almost Springtime and an oil change and a couple little issues are in order. I'll show the benefits of a stock oil tank on these bikes and a couple other goodies. Come on along, events are starting to happen.

[@billmac3911]

I always learn about 5 new things when I watch your videos. You are a treasure my friend.👍

[@pacificmike9501]

Wow, thanks

[@mikaldene7146]

I may not own a Shovel, Pan, or Knuckle but watching your videos Mike has educated me in ways I never knew possible. Now I see things in terms of maintenance and function. If you maintain it, it will most likely function...simple, honest, and do-able...Thanks Guys

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🙂

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

I guess when it's cold, you either have to listen to a noisy heater or listen to all you Mikes' teeth chattering and your knees knocking from the crazy weather! Oh, well...Six of one, half a dozen of the other! :)

[@cameramanmike2072]

🔥👍😁

[@pacificmike9501]

The teeth chattering and knee knocking accompanies the radio. It's cool.

[@Kennethpascual-s8d]

Hi Mike Thanks for the video I don’t think I’ve missed one of your videos. Really enjoy them and learning a lot.Kenny

[@pacificmike9501]

Glad you like them!

[@cameramanmike2072]

❤️💯❗👍😊

[@axlsnakedog]

Good to see you! Wealth of knowledge always! That shovel is still my favorite. Beautiful!❤

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. After 45 years together (the twentieth of this month will be 46 years), we're kind of attached.

[@manuelrivera6873]

Always a pleasure Mike watching you keeping up on your baby. The feeling you get from maintaining your motorcycle so it keeps running like it just came off the showroom floor. Stay safe!

[@pacificmike9501]

Actually, I do my best. And there's strange things I brewed up in there. When she came off the showroom, she was a mild mannered sweet little Shovelhead. That's nothing like the beast she is today. But, it took me 46 years (in a couple weeks) to get her to where she is now.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍🤗

[@dougk9647]

Good job on pronouncing Saskatchewan, Mike. You said it perfectly and I would know. I've lived in Saskachewan all my life and in less than 1 1/2 hours that will be 70 years.

[@vernegibb621]

Happy birthday

[@cameramanmike2072]

🎉 Happy Birthday 🎉👍😎💯❗🎂🎁🥳

[@pacificmike9501]

Well thank you and have a great birthday!

[@thomasborger6548]

Belated Happy Birthday from the next province to the west.

[@freddie_ray1498]

Mike, Excellent job as always. Brought back old memeories,

[@pacificmike9501]

Routine stuff. Thanks. You bring back old memories.

[@SLED649]

Back in the mid seventies I ordered some BSA parts from a shop in Saskatoon Saskatchewan! What a mouthful!🤣👍

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@pacificmike9501]

Cool.

[@SaddleTrampTV]

That's funny. My 79 FX has one of those dipsticks on the big oil cap. I guess that's a testament to that finding a shovel that's all original these days is slim to none.

[@pacificmike9501]

They're out there. Dunno where, but, they're out there.

[@JacquelineNelson-c4n]

And hear Iam. Again looking over your shoulder. Seeing how thing are done. It’s all good. It makes me happy to be able to see your show. And see all the good stuff. I wish I could ride again. Oh well enough gripping. Thanks bothe of you. Lemay Nelson. Vancouver Washington. Pacific northwest.

[@pacificmike9501]

Take care. Thanks for watching.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🤗👋❤️💯❗👍😎

[@ClutchNixon-Cielo]

What a fantastic looking bike you've got there. Even the frame looks in mint shape. That goes for the knuckle and pan head also of course.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. They are the realization of my dreams.

[@arthurleino]

Watching from Tacloban Philippines. Great video!

[@pacificmike9501]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cameramanmike2072]

🙋‍♂️👋😊

[@darrell3368]

Hello Mike and Mike great to see you two I love the videos

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@tommontague5721]

Mike, don't forget to tighten the oil drain plug.....Good video, Thanks!

[@benwinter2420]

I 'll tell a tale true . . we fishing & carrying on telling lies trip to secret spot coast NT . . then trip back to town . . noticed an dark trail fresh on dirt road , our companions had gone just before . . anyway hectic hilly dirt road caught him up just before engine seize . . sump bung of engine had dropped out , he the owner was a supposed mechanic to boot

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@pacificmike9501]

Well, it does happen to even the best.

[@wizrom3046]

I stopped using teflon tape about 10 years back, and switched to loctite brand "liquid teflon tape" it comes in a tine tube like toothpaste tube, and it's a thick white paste about the same consistency as peanut butter. You just squeeze a little bit on the thread and screw it in. Then it sets like a hard white rubber in the thread. I use it on all the oil fittings on my shovels and have never had a leak, it's fantastic and the fittings release well if you need to take them out and there is no risk that a bit of tape might bet munched and end up in an oil passage somewhere. I will never go back to using tape again! Good stuff. 👍

[@pacificmike9501]

Cool.

[@thekid4698]

Welcome back Mike👍

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. But, we never left.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🤷‍♂️🙋‍♂️❤😊

[@mikerapp8163]

I also like the stock oil tank on my 70 Shovel. Changed all the hoses last year to eliminate the oil leaks. Mike, I never noticed that F-82 Mustang insignia on your tank bib. Is there a story behind that? I like rag-swab technique. I’ve been using kerosene to clean it. Gonna try Your trick next time. Thanks for posting Mike. I always enjoy your videos. Ride safe.

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. The plane is a P-38. My dad assembled them at Lockheed Burbank during WWII. The one on my bike was made by my dad while building the real ones. That particular piece was mounted to the speaker grille on the dashboard of the 40 Ford convertible I was almost born in. It's is on my bike as a tribute to my dad

[@mikerapp8163]

Thanks for letting me know. Great tribute.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@MikeHarp-p6o]

I sure miss my 1979 fxs 80 low rider, but life hit hard, and she had to go to pay the bills. My tank was chrome and the 1349 shovelhead was awesome

[@pacificmike9501]

They're still out there.

[@cameramanmike2072]

😔🤗😊

[@howardpendle8528]

Great video , It gives my that old zip to get out and work on my old bikes . Thank you once again .

[@pacificmike9501]

Good to hear! Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@MoparMadness93]

Hey man thanks a lot for your videos. I just grabbed my dad’s old shovel that hasn’t ran in probably 25 years and I’m wrenching on it for fun in my spare time. Your videos help a lot because I like to see what I’m getting into before I do it and my only experience with wrenching on motorcycles is my own modern Sport bikes. So thanks a lot!

[@pacificmike9501]

Glad to help

[@toddclark332]

Always good to see you Mike love to see your old yellow springer bike again ok sir have a great week Mike

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🕵️‍♂️📽️💯💯💯👍😊

[@DavidP-ue5fl]

Good info, especially about the tappet screen. Waiting with baited breath for work to resume on the ole flathead. Take care

[@cameramanmike2072]

👕💲🤞🙏👍🙂

[@pacificmike9501]

Me too. Thank You.

[@mikeshay6614]

If you ever get in a jam, you can make those oil line seals from a piece of vacuum line.

[@pacificmike9501]

True. But it has to be the old type "nonreinforced" stuff. Or it will leak. Hard to find the old type rubber only line at parts houses. Probably order it. My old hose cutter (I've shown in previous videos) has a mark in the jaw , so I know where to cut for perfect little seals for Shovelhead top oilers.

[@kn4zaa912]

Wow, p-38 on the dash/tank cover. 👍

[@pacificmike9501]

My dad built P-38's at Lockheed Burbank during WWII. He cut that little plane out of stainless and mounted it on the dash speaker grille in the 40 Ford convertible I was almost born in.

[@kn4zaa912]

@@pacificmike9501 Great story Mike. Keep that P-38 flying!!

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@calvinhamm3748]

I can't believe you just said our hometown and province Saskatoon Saskatchewan!!! We are locals from here we watch your channel all the time Mike so cool we are going to that swap meet!

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😎😊💯❗

[@pacificmike9501]

Wow! That's what I wanna hear! Wish I could be there. We need to keep on communicating about each other's happenings.

[@jimmymiddleton4895]

Love your channel

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👋♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️👍😊

[@steve28849]

i love those oil tanks, so easy to change the oil. when i first got my '71 over 30 years ago, the tank hadn't been cleaned out in a while so i douched it with gasoline to get it sparkling on the inside

[@pacificmike9501]

Yes, I think they're great.

[@ToddCraig-p5l]

Good morning Mike

[@pacificmike9501]

And a good morning to you!

[@ingeludvigsen7849]

Leakage on this tube to valves ... Never problems on my shovels ... I use this yellow Loctite 577 . But of course make it clean. Before assembly...We do also use this in oil industry here in Norway👍😊

[@pacificmike9501]

Thanks for sharing

[@apaulothegreat1581]

I noticed dual spark plug heads modifications, Cool but what really got my attention was 3 studs or bolts holding the rear exhaust pipe firmly to the head. Never seen that. I'll research your video's pertaining to this. Very Cool. I enjoy again from East Texas and raining alot. Paul

[@pacificmike9501]

They are STD heads. They were made with quite a few improvements. I've run dual plugs on my Shovel for about forty years, maybe more. But the STD heads are really nice. They flow a lot. I don't know if they are available any more.

[@benwinter2420]

The dual plugs heads were more an drag race thing than street I think holdover . . if I understand correct . . they went hard down the strait , those four speeds shifted easy as apposed supposed stock more gears

[@benwinter2420]

Horse shoe oil tanks . . big cheese shovels Oz Bike . . personally tropics last redoubt kick start . . mounted a car battery left side motor . . win a prize chicken dinner

[@Derryberry5000]

Mike is still kicking and is going to outlive me for sure

[@pacificmike9501]

We'll both live forever.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💯❗😊

[@db13401]

Great video as always and I'm glad to see someone else keeping the old iron on the road but as I look back at the older videos (which I do a lot)I'm curious as to what happened with the side car?

[@pacificmike9501]

I sideswiped a Toyota Camry with it and took it off. I'll attach it to the next Shovelhead and maybe approach it a little differently.

[@cameramanmike2072]

🙅‍♂️🙆‍♂️🤦‍♂️🙍‍♂️

[@kevinroberts172]

Hello from Alberta. Recently acquired an 82FLH and learned to only put in 3 litres of oil to start because of all the oil still in the crank case.I top it up after running a bit , then checking.

[@pacificmike9501]

The way to do it with any machine.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@pastorbobncc365]

Mike, could we get an update on the flathead, looks like you were far to busy over the winter to get to it? Have a blessed week my friends

[@pacificmike9501]

We'll get there. I don't really want to bare my whole life, so let's just say "soon."

[@cameramanmike2072]

🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏👍😊

[@barronjackson5666]

Thanks for hanging out. Your bikes are so well kept.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You.

[@bradleyyounger8499]

Another amazing video! Thanks Mike and Mike! Do you happen to know the name of that color? Its beautiful

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. It's an old Cadillac color. Many years ago, I had it painted to match my old Cadillac.

[@cameramanmike2072]

❤👍😊

[@tobinlakeguideservices]

Hey Mike , I was at that swap meet in Saskatoon Saskatchewan.

[@pacificmike9501]

I wish I was. I'll bet it was great.

[@tobinlakeguideservices]

@@pacificmike9501 Swap meets in Saskatchewan are a tough go. Not enough people changing out things. That being said it was a good meet and I appreciate the organization for getting one going again

[@mattmattes3913]

Love the videos Mike, keep it up. I wish I could figure out a way to increase the oil capacity of my '87 1/2 FLST - Special. The horseshoe oil tank only carries 3 quarts as you know so I keep my oil changes around 2500 miles. I need to do some research to see if there's a big oil filter, without goofing anything up, to gain a little more capacity. Love the ol' FLH's. My brothers' got an '83 FLH that I just love. I hope to find a "83 or '84 FLH someday. There's just something about that bike that I just kinda lust over. Love the P-38 on the tank bib too. Stay safe out there.

[@cameramanmike2072]

👍😊

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. You know, most all of the Evos, other than dressers, only carry 3 quarts and it doesn't seem to be a problem. They are one of the coolest running engines Harley ever built. But, many years ago, I decided I would make my Shovel run cool. I turned the front crash guard into a reservoir by attaching fittings at both ends. I plumbed it into the return side of the system. If memory serves, it held about 24 ounces of oil, not counting the extra volume held by the extra length hoses. All totaled, the whole system held approximately 5 quarts of oil. Perhaps I had too much time on my hands.

[@mattmattes3913]

@@pacificmike9501 Thanks for the kind reply Mike. Count me in as a new subscriber. All the best from South Western Pennsylvania.

[@krogersucks45]

Curious... Why no kicker pedal ? Can you drill that upper oil line fitting while it's on the bike ?

[@pacificmike9501]

No. Remove the fitting, then drill it, then clean it, then reinstall it. I have a very high performance battery and charging system. I have a new high powered starter. This is the only bike I have with an electric starter. I use the kicker pedal when tuning, but, if I don't need it, I don't need it running into the back of my leg. So it hangs on the wall.

[@ChipsPlace1952]

Mike, do you have a favorite shovelhead year? Thanks

[@pacificmike9501]

It depends on the plan. I love the looks of the 66-69's. I love the 4 speeds of the 66-76. I love the alternators systems on the 70 and later ones. I love the swingarm on the 66-72's.

[@SEEKANDDESTROY717]

It’s a little chilly here in PA 😂 Tryin like hell to kick my 74 shovel in this weather 😅

[@pacificmike9501]

Looks like you've got a nice shop. I hope it's heated well.

[@josephfalzon7777]

can you show us how to change gear box oil? thanks, keep up the great tutorials.

[@pacificmike9501]

Go through the videos a bit. With big twins, you drain it out the bottom. Filling it depends on the throwout cover. Consult your service manual.

[@josephfalzon7777]

@@pacificmike9501 Thanks Mike, I'm sure I've watched every video but never seen the transmission oil changed...anyway i will find it in service manual but its so much better explained watching you go through the procedure. Thanks again mate, really appreciate all the help you have offered to us all. All the best from South Australia.

[@patricksharkey4669]

Love your videos on shovels.I have an 82 FXR & getting some oil in the air box & leaking on the pipes.What would you think may be the issue.?Other than that the bike runs great.I just purchased it last year.The engine was never apart & has 43000 miles.Any info will be appreciated. Thanks Mike.

[@pacificmike9501]

Do you still have a fatory air filter with a hose coming into it? Or, is your engine suffering from "blowby?" Chances are, at 43000 miles, you're due for a topend rebuild on that Shovelhead. I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but...

[@kjellblomstrand2497]

Hello from Sweden👍. Thank you for todays lesson🙂. I am glad i have that oiltank on my Electra👍👍👍. I want to ask you Mike about that little airplane on your fuel tank, bellow the speedometer? Is it your favorite airplane? If it's not to personal question. Kjell 🇸🇪.

[@pacificmike9501]

I'm very proud of that little plane, thank you for asking. During WWII, my dad woked at Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank California, assembling P38's. He cut that one out of stainless steel at work. They are a beautiful plane. The one on my bike was mounted in the speaker grille of the 40 Ford convertible I was almost born in. It's a tribue to my dad.

[@kjellblomstrand2497]

@@pacificmike9501 Hello again. That is nice memory from your father🙂. P38 is a nice plane. Kjell.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

@@pacificmike9501 That is the coolest thing ever! I was almost born in a 10 foot aluminum boat in the back of an early 60's Ford van! The van only had a driver's seat, so my mom had to ride in the boat to the hospital! :)

[@pacificmike9501]

That's great!

[@KenWighton]

Hey Mike great videos I was wondering if you could help me out I just recently put a cam in my 66 and after a road test it's blowing oil all over the place maybe you could shed some light on this issue maybe there are some other viewers that have experienced the same thing Keep On Keepin On

[@pacificmike9501]

Go where you were last. Probably put the breather gear in ther wrong position. Back to the book. Make sure the oil pump drive gear is functioning properly. Set the timing properly with the gears in the camchest. Great diagrams in the service manual. Set the endplays properly with the cam and breather gear. When you're sure that's all correctly assembled, make sure the oil is returning to the tank.

[@KenWighton]

@@pacificmike9501 Hey Mike thanks so much for the response I will go through the process again it's quite possible that I have overlooked a step thanks again and keep up the videos they're extremely helpful to older guys like us that are putting together older bikes from our era cheers

[@pacificmike9501]

Good luck. I'm sure it will become obvious to you as soon as you get there.

[@donbreest1461]

Mike, I have a 1977 shovel 80", I am putting the motor back together and there are oil return holes in the barrels and heads. Someone said you can plug them as some gaskets do not have that hole. My gaskets do and i am hesitant to cover those up. I cant find the answer and I didn't see you address this in any videos. Thank you for what you do.

[@pacificmike9501]

Those oil return holes are necessary. It's good those gaskets have the holes.

[@johnnance1414]

Great video as always, Mike. I am interested in buying a shovel head and have been doing some searching. Would you consider putting together a checklist video covering things to look for and questions to ask when inspecting one? I am a well above average mechanic but have no experience with the intricacies of the shovel. I didn’t have a lot of interest in them until I watched all of your videos on them. I had been looking at evos up until lately. Even if you know of a video that is already out there covering this that you would recommend I would appreciate it. I’m a shovel convert. Thanks again, Mike.

[@pacificmike9501]

I'll have to give that some thought. I always look at something used as a gamble.

[@johnnance1414]

@@pacificmike9501 I might even do some first time shovel owner content. I have never done a video, but I think it would be fun. I could even break down and cry live if it comes back to haunt me.

[@pacificmike9501]

I'll watch it.

[@richardbeucler6425]

I don’t understand.Doesn’t the fitting have to be threw for oil to flow,or is there a step in there that you drilled out?

[@pacificmike9501]

You got it. The line only slides into the fitting, not through it. So, by drilling through, one can easily r&r that line without removing anything else to do it. In this case, it made it simple to repair a little "weeping" oil.

[@jameskohn8539]

love your shovel videos mike .....what are your thoughts on liguid teflon for pipe threads ?? please advise thanks again

[@pacificmike9501]

A lot of people use it. I usually avoid sealants that harden.

[@calvinhamm3748]

You also did a very good job pronouncing it

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. I try.

[@TimothyLehan]

got a 1970 fl the primary has oil lines to oil pump does the oil circulate thru primary and motor. do you have a vidieo on stock primary and lubrication. and thsnk you mike learn alot from you

[@pacificmike9501]

Go to youtube. Type in Pacific Mike. When our homepage comes up, click on "videos." There are about 360 thumbnail pictures with written descriptions of the videos. It's all there.

[@ChuckChavez-c1l]

Hey Mike, thanks for sharing. What size tank are those?

[@pacificmike9501]

They are the original 1977 FLH 5 gal. units she came with.

[@markackermann673]

When does the flathead build begin?

[@pacificmike9501]

When the planets line up. They're getting close.

[@williammcclain676]

Could you possibly tell me where you got those forward controls? More specifically I’m looking for the rear brake set up you have. Thank you

[@pacificmike9501]

All of the major aftermarket Harley parts companies carry those forward controls. I'm sure the same company overseas makes them. They are chrome plated stee and I changed to the pegs I have because I have huge feet. The rear brake caliper and disc are 2008 Harley dresser. I made the caliper bracket from a piece of aluminum.

[@Polkhero]

I just picked up a ‘76 FXE a few weeks ago. Main leak is from the rear rocker box. Some of it is coming from the left side rocker nut. Can that gasket be replaced without removing the head from the engine? Also leaking from the base of one of the push rod tubes.

[@pacificmike9501]

You can replace the seal on the right end of the rocker shaft. You can replace the thin washer on the left end of the rocker shaft. But, you'll have to remove the cylinder head to remove the rocker box from the cylinder head. Pushrods are easy, but follow instructions when you adjust the valve lifters or you will cause damage. Buy a service manual (Year specific and Harley Davidson).

[@ericcoleman8151]

Question 1967 fl what wt engine oil ? Transmission? Also primary oil in the same as engine since it has chain oiler?

[@pacificmike9501]

I don't know where you are or what your weather is like. You need a service manual. Don't listen to people who only know newer bikes. Buy a year appropriate service manual.

[@steelwheels327]

Hi Mike i have a 81 shovelhead ...I have a clutch problem . when the motor is first started the clutch grab extremely hard ...enough it your not paying attention it could buck you off . Once the engine is running the clutch seem to act normally , but then i start hearing a rattle coming from the primary side when you rev it .....any thought's ?

[@pacificmike9501]

I show how to clean those things. You probably leaked a little oil. The plates get sticky and then, they warm up. I'd take it apart and clean it, probably replace th seal in the clutch hub nut.

[@MikeHarp-p6o]

Do you run straight 50 weight motor oil in your shovelhead and pan head bikes

[@pacificmike9501]

I have. We all used to run 50 as per Harley's recommendations. Now days most people run 20/50. I've been experimenting around and don't tend to voice an opinion that's not well founded.

[@davidbones8947]

greetings from So Oregon Mike what oil are you useing just curious no oil debate!

[@pacificmike9501]

Long story. We'll save it for another time.

[@rickallred116]

didnt see where it went

[@pacificmike9501]

It's okay.

[@rob3568]

Is that a P-38 silhouette?

[@pacificmike9501]

Yes. My dad cut it out of stainless steel while he was working at Lockheed Burbank during WWII. He helped build the P38's. He mounted that piece in the speaker grille of the 40 Ford convertible I was almost born in. I thought he'd enjoy that little place of honor on my Shovelhead. He's been gone quite a while now.

[@rob3568]

@@pacificmike9501 That's an excellent story, a true heirloom!

[@loddude5706]

Gazing North from my window, out across the river & into The Greenwood beyond, I now see an interesting connection between our Trent Valley & the Shovel's oiling system. 'The River' flows through both of 'em! . . . (Rogue arrow now nails this cliche to window frame) It's a nice place to be. No undue pressures, none needed; just a constant & steady flow of cool refreshment, leeching away excess heat, to then leave a balm of lubricity upon the working day. And being a Shovel - 'It's all about that bass, about that bass, no dribble (!)' kzbin.info/www/bejne/l33Ri2SEhtJlq80si=j9KVDMCSaKJDVEY4 (These girls know how to get the best from 'wide open pipe' tuning! Have fun everyone : )

[@pacificmike9501]

Reaching for that "ultimate sound" is something musicians, hot rodders, bikers, poets, machinists, go though all of their life. I get it. It's so many things... perfection in motion. You really send a person's brain out to play. Those kids are fabulous! I'll be watching them. I think the world will be watching them.

[@benwinter2420]

Small leaks . . lets not be coy , plumb the dry sump back into oil tank

[@pacificmike9501]

Weeping here and there is routine stuff to keep up with.

[@isaacdelgado5130]

Mike why do you have a heater in your garage isn’t warm up in Los Angeles area, I moved from San Diego to Wisconsin and what ever temps you have there is nothing compared to here By the way I think I offert my place to you before, if you ever want to come up here to Milwaukee you have a place here I’m only like 45 minutes north of Milwaukee (Sheboygan , WI)

[@pacificmike9501]

I live quite a ways from L.A. I live in the foothills and it gets chilly here. Thanks for the invite.