How to tell the difference between Harley Engines and Generations. Basic identification on Big Twins

How to look at a bike and easily tell whether it’s a Flathead 1929-1973
Knucklehead 1936-1947
Panhead 1948-1965
Shovelhead 1966-1984
Evolution 198-1999
Twin Cam 1999-2006
I DO NOT cover the Revolution or the Milwauki 8.
Being Ironhead Sally, my understanding of motorcycles is not up to date, i do not ride or own any M8 motorcycles and never plan to.
I have test rode some M8’s and wasn’t impressed.
So anyways, hope u enjoy this identify video and check out my other videos if you are into the old school biker life!
🤘😎🤘
Who the hell is Ironhead Sally? Well here's my channel description:
Old School Bikes and Old School Ways! Ride hard, wrench a lot, and always having a blast.
Bike camping, wrenching, and shenanigans. My husband and I create motorcycle content for people that are tired of seeing all of the fake insta accounts of sponsored boring yuppies. Here's some realness, we are just broke bikers living the low life and getting by. I ride a 1985 Ironhead Chopper as my daily, my touring bike is a 1984 FXR. We have lots of Ironheads and FXRs and are constantly building more, trying to keep these old neglected scoots on the road instead of rotting away in a garage.
Appreciate all the love & support
Keeping it Real! Keep it Sketchy!
FTW💚Sally
Email: [e-mail]
Ebay Store: www.ebay.com/s...
Ironhead Sally
236 S Third St
PMB# 235
Montrose, CO 81401-3618

[@arthurleino]

Good instructional video. I bought my 1983 FXWG brand new. Military sales saved me money. It is my only Motorcycle and still ride it when possible.

[@ironheadsally]

Wow thats great! Thank you for your service and i bet that shovel still looks showroom ready.

[@larryradelet1503]

No, I think you covered it very well and throughly.Thank you very much.😊😊

[@ironheadsally]

Awesome, thanks for watching! Ride free 🦅🏁💯💚😁

[@buckhornz2184]

G'day Sally, I have a knucklehead with big protruding balls but it is a bit smelly has four legs and big sharp teeth. Cheers Sally I love your enthusiasm and sincerity, still watching from New Zealand.

[@ironheadsally]

D’aww, sounds like our knuckleheads, they are gas powered tooo 🤣 love it, thanks for keeping with the channel, Cheeers!

[@CNSTAdventures]

Yes I been riding Harley’s for 30 years , do my own work . I knew all the names but had no idea the difference in each one or how to tell them apart . Thanks for the lesson though that’s pretty cool to know

[@bradleyyounger8499]

Shovelhead and evo all the way. Love to have a pan too if I ever come across one that's affordable. Found one a couple weeks ago that had pan bottom with Shovelhead top end on a softail frame..

[@ironheadsally]

I totally agree Bradley! Shovel for fun, Evo is easier for long hauls. Good stuff, hope u find an affordable one, the diamonds in the rough are out there🧐

[@SaddleTrampTV]

The shovel also went to a nose cone bottom in 1970. Which also the base design platform for the evo. That's why the evo and shovel bottoms look almost identical with a few variations when you look inside of them.

[@ironheadsally]

Yes! Thats another reason why the 80” shovels are gold! My evo fxr actually has a shovelhead flywheel in it since its essentially the same bottom end.

[@Jameskenomis3]

Somehow I only just now found this channel. I’m loving it. I hope you keep it going. Awesome to see a female who knows her stuff.

[@ironheadsally]

Appreciate it 😁 thanks and welcome to the channel! lol just bike stuff and riding here. Cheers!

[@mrdrivebytrucker]

I totally agree with you regarding the shovel. That was my first bike and I wish I still had it

[@davidpayte8566]

Right on! "Ain't no Head like a Shovelhead" lol

[@ironheadsally]

Dang troubleheads though, love em, but they are NEEEDYYY lol!

[@davidpayte8566]

Yeah they are definitely needy, like a lot of women I've known 😂 lol

[@jerrynunley9956]

Love my old 78 super glide!!! Picked her up at a dealership in Florida and had to correct all the things the “mechanic” had done wrong!!!

[@ironheadsally]

Awesome! And the only way to know things are fixed a certain way is to do it urself! Safer option lol, thanks Jerry!!

[@katjohns1694]

Thanks Sally! Much appreciated I'm a wife with a toddler, going to handbuilt shows just trying to get a grasp on it all! Would love a video on ironhead specifically we have a 76' husband is rebuilding looks a lot like a shovelhead but I'm struggling finding visual differences! Gimmie some knowledge so I can impress 👍😎 love the way you simplify for us🎉

[@ironheadsally]

Wooot! Thank you! I’m so happy this helped! And you bet, i’ll make one for models and u can watch ur husband’s jaw drop as you spit some fire at the next show ya’ll go to 😉😁🤩 lol biggest thing to look for is if the transmission is connected or not, cheers and thanks for watching!

[@katjohns1694]

@@ironheadsally ❤‍🔥

[@davidscottcurtiscurtis775]

I just getting in to hd. thanks for you info. Coolest !

[@ironheadsally]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@123hellqvist]

Hey Sally I like your Shovelhead Top, thats awesome and so is indeed the bitter sweet motor itself, cheers,

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks John, and oh yes you got that right! Great machine that will take ur time and money lol!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

As I remember when the Evolution had first come out some people were trying to name it the Blockhead. It never really caught on, it's easier to just call it the EVO.

[@Rif_Leman]

There was no chance that the generation that was buying Evos, being the same generation that grew up watching Charlie Brown, was ever going to accept "blockhead" as the name of their new Harley.

[@CrownJewelDiscoveries]

New sub here. Happened upon your channel today. Great video! Very informative. Looking forward to your vid on HD models.

[@ironheadsally]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@thomasmiller1364]

Nicely done! Thank you for sharing!

[@gregoirejourdain6719]

Thanks for explaining so easily !

[@davepelfrey3958]

Thank you Sally, you hit on a couple of differences I didn't know. I wish I could've found an Evolution bike before I bought my 2003 Lowrider Twin Cam. Twin Cams do have some problems. Peace ✌.

[@ironheadsally]

Cheers Dave! Thanks for watching, yeah with some upgrades from the crap the factory put in, that TC can run for a long timeeee! Ride hard and ride safe 😎

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Dave pelfrey....you have a good motor there man, upgrade to a fueling og plate and oil pump and get the fueling 525 cams and it'll be a different motor for the better ....with good pipes and air filter of course.

[@glennstatham960]

Bought my 2006 FXSTBi Night Train brand new , now has over 246,000 kms and the motor has never been apart. Twin Cams have no more problems than any motor.

[@droptuned83]

Interseting info Sally, I have been wanting to know a little bit more about HD motors.

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

That's what I'm looking forward to, I don't know the difference between all the models.

[@ironheadsally]

Hi Thomas! Glad u liked it, super non technical no details video, but a good start to identify. Theres so many super detailed videos that go into all the mechanics out there too. Cheers and thanks for watching

[@michaelmitchell5909]

New subscriber here, you definitely got my attention darling!.

[@ironheadsally]

Hey thanks Michael! Hope u enjoy and welcome to the channel 😁 some biker stuff going on around here

[@joechavez4494]

Good video. N nice smile 😁.

[@ironheadsally]

Thank you Joe!! 😁

[@donrice8026]

GREAT JOB GEAR HEAD HAPPY TRALS

[@CatfishLove]

Your enthusiasm about the best years of Harley is on point. Your man is a lucky one to have a partner to share his passion with. Most women are just concerned with how comfortable the BITCH seat is. The shovel was a good one as long as you enjoy the wrenching part of keeping one up and running. My pick is the EVO. A lot of people shit talked the change Harley made with the EVO, but it turned out to be the most reliable platform Harley has ever produced besides the sportster The EVO is nothing more than an improved shovel. I have been riding HD since 1977 at the age of seventeen, my first was a 77 XLS ROADSTER 1000. It was one hell of a ironhead. I currently have 2 1998 EVO RK AND FB. Also, a 2013 TRI GLIDE Cammed to haul ass and loud enough to annoy the hell out of people. I had to put my twist on it just because I could. LOL. 28 Harleys over the years, I am now 62 a plan to continue to twist the boundaries of the throttle until I can't. RIDE ON AND RIDE HARD. Oh, I almost forgot YOU ARE VERY EASY ON THE EYES AS WELL. LUCKY LUCKY MAN YOU HAVE!

[@ironheadsally]

Totally agree, love the shovel platform, but my evo fxr is the touring bike for comfort and all reliability. Such fun on these old scoots. Appreciate ya watching!! Ride free

[@terrymassey7619]

Great video Sally! 🤘🤘🤘

[@ironheadsally]

Appreciate it!!!

[@stanleybaker5860]

Good vid Sally. I've heard the evolution referred to as blockhead or sandwich head and twin cam referred to as fathead. Also M8 called monkey head. I have a 82 Shovelhead Sturgis. Always reckoned the shovel low rider was the best looking bike Harley ever made. Cheers.

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks Stanley! Yeah i never heard of monkey head for m8, must not have caught on well lol and ohh the 80” shovel lowrider, beautiful bikes!

[@virgilastacy5281]

Yeah love those guys who have 1974 panheads lol o1948 knuckles say they been riding all their lives good info for so many though Anyway keep it between the mustard and mayo and rubber side down later GBU

[@stevezahn8056]

Flathead till I’m dead sally. But don’t forget the K models. Early sportster with finned heads. There still flatheads. And pan shovels, pans with shovel tops. Everything after Evo don’t matter anyway. 😎

[@jerryroach8932]

The early Shovel 66-69 has a Panhead flatside. The latter models have the cone

[@lukestevenson7927]

Brilliant vid 👌🏼

[@bruce1816]

Sally, don't forget the two versions of shovelheads. Generator case( flatside) and Cone!!!

[@ironheadsally]

Oh of course! Slapside vs cone style, all of our shovel’s we have at home are 80”, so no generator shovels…yet 🤩 lol thanks Bruce!

[@josephlango2526]

Nothing new to me but I'm a little more advanced than the average rider. I like your videos anyways! I will watch your model video if you make it even though I'm a chopper guy. My question is are those fxr's as good as people say?

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks Joseph! Yeah kinda made it for a buddy but if it helps novice Harley people then its awesome lol! And YES. I love love love my FXR, better handling than a dyna, its fast and handles like a dream. My FXR is my long distance touring bike (my only 5 speed) for when i want to go far and not on my chopper. My ol man loves FXR’s too. Our preferred touring bikes. Tried softtails and street glides and 🤢🤮 haha! U being a chopper guy, i’m sure u understand 😜🤣

[@frankpowell2178]

Good video 😊 always wanted to know the difference thx

[@ironheadsally]

Thanks! Glad u liked it! Cheers 😁

[@dextergleason9421]

Great video.

[@Mike-y6o]

I’m in love

[@SeanG-f1o]

I got a 1987 Harley Evo on my timing cover there is no screw holes nothing just plan to get it off you just turn it with your fingertips counterclockwise

[@ironheadsally]

Yeah i havent seen those, sounds like a nice aftermarket piece. It doesn’t loosen on the road?

[@SeanG-f1o]

@@ironheadsally no no problems with it

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Nice. Thanks

[@michael-zg2co]

Well done super simple

[@sqd37l]

she's just repeating what someone told her to say

[@SeanG-f1o]

On my Harley evo on the timing cover there is no two holes or five holes to take mine off you just simply turn it with your fingertips I wonder why or how

[@fitnessgobllin3327]

Very helpful thank you.

[@dodohead7077]

I’m gonna build my first bike and first hd..a shovel head and I’m gonna ride it!!

[@ironheadsally]

Awesome! Good luck on the build! Enjoy 🤩

[@SeanG-f1o]

I got a question for on my Harley evo dare is no screw holes mine is turntable there's no screws on it I'm trying to figure out where it is on my timing cover

[@troyoneal503]

I watched your videos. I have a 2004 Fxsti Softail that has a super amount of power . I bought it from a friend but she doesn't know the past history of the bike . I' m trying to find out what this bike had originally for a motor . I need to buy gaskets but I also need to know what to buy gaskets for . The motor obviously had some work done but I'm not sure what I'm looking at. It does have Screaming Eagle parts al over it . I can send you pics if you need them. I just need to know what I'm looking at so I can order an overall gasket set

[@ironheadsally]

Hi Troy, it’d be hard to tell, check for a manufacturer on the engine, if its aftermarket there might be some variations. Or if a local shop can help. Hope u get her figured out! Sounds like a nice machine u have! 😁

[@DGreenfield-j2p]

Yep make one

[@crazyloki5819]

You forgot the iron head

[@ironheadsally]

Yeah i made this video just for Big Twins, no Sporty model mentions. Thanks for watching!

[@shovel2683]

Twin cam rocker boxes look like a castle

[@jessewait2931]

Im a totally newbie to Harleys. Recently found a Harley Shovel head one a property im purchasing and it looks very similar to the Shovel head you have there. What model is it?

[@ironheadsally]

Oh that is great, property with a shovel, score! Welcome to the Harley Family! The Shovelhead in this video is an FXRS. I would suggest looking at the VIN on the neck and running it through a Harley VIN decoder online. Congrats!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

You maybe should explain what makes a Flathead different from the more "modern Harleys?

[@ironheadsally]

Ah the modern overhead valves, just released in 1936 lol. Maybe ill do another video thats a little more technical too. Thanks for watching Thomas!!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

@@ironheadsally hey did you know Harley actually had an overhead valve engine before the Knucklehead in 36. They made an engine for racing that used overhead valves all the way back in 1936, I think it was?

[@randyross271]

I have a 1995 883 Sportster and I'm trying to find out if it's an evo motor. It does have two bolts holding the timing cover on, but they are located at 12 and 6 (vertical position). Is it an evo?

[@ironheadsally]

Yes, it’s an Evo 1986-2009. Great motor, super reliable. 🤩 have fun and rip it lol

[@twobikesandadrone]

Won't hold you to it, but (in general) how much would it cost if you found a stock shovelhead and wanted to get close to 100hp out of it? My biggest concern about having an older Harley is that it will be too slow. Kunckelhead and Panhead slow is okay, because they're classic bikes, but it seems like a Shovelhead should be quicker than the XLCR I once test road. It was so slow that I never thought about getting another Harley........until now🤔😄

[@airborne3200]

Sally, why don’t you like the twin-cam?

[@ironheadsally]

Just some of the extra components that fail. The cam chain tensioners, the cam sensors, the EFI. The TC has a lot of crank runout too. I truly appreciate the simplicity and ease of repairing on the evo motors and shovels.

[@CarlosChaveiro]

Sweet❤

[@swiftcaution5170]

Somewhere back in my dim swiss cheese memory..lotta noise about the shovel when it was the new kid on the block.. those dam things ain't going to be no good..hmmm..and speaking of blocks, seems like that was the handle for the Evo(which was also no dam good btw!), Block head it was being called.. point is lots of us resist anything new, i sure as hell do.. just look at those fkn keyless drill chucks ! No way I was ever going to have one of those damn things! And I got the arthritis in my thumbs to prove it! I finally got me one I think it's great! Same goes for those stupid electric windows on cars!..and on and on..

[@ironheadsally]

Hmm aint that the truth! I grew up with EVOs and maybe thats why its my threshold for electronics in bikes lol

[@shenanigansofmannanan]

This is one of those moments.... in which someone who barely understands what they just learned ... speaks arrogantly with any form of authority... wiser people than you have already covered the topic...funnel people to them instead of wasting people's time for your own self gratification.... stop regurgitating the quotes of Wise Men as your own knowledge without acknowledging them in the process. FTOR: your page was recommended by the algorithm...so don't come at me with the "you came to my page" B.S.... such an amusing caricature...

[@DavidVega-sz9wd]

Shovelheads RULE

[@robertparker5194]

You're cutting out on me, kiddo. Maybe its my shotty phone!:lol

[@ironheadsally]

Oh yeah sorry, my microphone setup wasnt too great on this video

[@Dkrty68]

I want your timing cover...where can I find 1?

[@ironheadsally]

Right! Look it up on ebay, get the metal ones tho, the plastic printed ones will break the third twist of the throttle 🤣

[@TheLastRenaissanceMan]

EVO is “blockhead” just few caught on to that name.

[@Dkrty68]

Can I get a timing cover like that for a twincam?

[@ironheadsally]

Hi, i would think so, the internet has everything 😆 i get all mine from ebay sellers

[@michaelheffernan1721]

how can i send pictures of my e84 fxr to you guys?

[@ironheadsally]

Hi mike, u can send me pix thru email! ironheadsally@yahoo

[@michaelheffernan1721]

send that again not the best on a computer however i have some cool pictures to share with you

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Say what you want about any Harley engine, there's nothing that can replace the sound of a well tuned Shovelhead. I've got an Evo, I love my bike, but no matter what, it will never sound as good as a Shovelhead.

[@ironheadsally]

Agreed, shovelicious. Sounds soo good, pain in the A$$ to get em running right sometimes lol

[@spiral3565]

Potato potato potato all day 🤘🏼👼🏽

[@MrSquirrelydude]

Lol. Thank you

[@ricksmith1911]

What direction is the rivets? Up and down or side to side??

[@ironheadsally]

Man i was born in the 90s 🤣 any of my bikes already had those rivets removed! LoL

[@ricksmith1911]

S I what do they use then gorilla glue???​@@ironheadsally

[@ricksmith1911]

No jokes lady the rivits are the ones that hold the cover on the cone

[@ricksmith1911]

Sorry I rife a outdated harley Evo. Just trying to get some knowlage about the fuel injection on it???I'll bow out with grace great vidio by the way

[@ironheadsally]

@@ricksmith1911 oh i am not a good point of reference for fuel injection. I’ve personally only owned carburated. Appreciate ya watching!! Ride free 💚🦅🏁😁

[@nadahog1569]

evo was the last of the "head" designations. it was called the blockhead. but evo sounded bettter. so we just call it an evo. but its the blockhead.

[@ironheadsally]

Yeah i’ve never heard anyone call it a blockhead, so i didnt count that. I’ve read about that, but i wasnt alive when evo came out LOL. Thanks for input! 😊

[@nadahog1569]

@@ironheadsallylol you're probably older then me. i just fell in love with the evo. simple, reliable and straight raw power. and to think harley was gonna make a v4 and v6 instead of the evo.. woulda been their downfall

[@Rif_Leman]

I call Evos Hammereheads. I know that I am alone in doing this. That just means that everybody else is wrong. "Old bike people." Damn right. 20th Century Harley Davidson made "Harleys." 21st Century Harley Davidson makes motor vehicles.

[@ironheadsally]

Nice, never heard that one, but some of them higher torque engines definitively vibrate like a hammerhead lol!

[@michaelheffernan1721]

k

[@sbj31]

great video. youv just earnt yourself a Like, Comment and Subscribe :)

[@ironheadsally]

Woot! Cheers and thanks for watching

[@alexanderhopkins2807]

Water cooled V4 is better though 😊

[@ironheadsally]

Better is very subjective. ☺️ To each their own. I love bikes that dont have computers lol

[@jontnoneya3404]

pfft - no reason to throw shade at the new stuff

[@ironheadsally]

So my personal opinion enjoying certain bikes over others is considered “throwing shade” 🤣✌️ lmfao. thanks for watching

[@benfurtin3858]

Yessss, Yes there is. More plastic, more electronics more garbage no right to repair bull. Theres a reason bikes are still around this many years later.

[@benfurtin3858]

​@@ironheadsallygreat video gorgeous!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Never mind. You aren't getting that technical.

[@1381greg]

Go Pound Sand.....ASAP.

[@ironheadsally]

Lmao, i didn’t think there was anything controversial in this video 😂 thanks for watching 😘

[@hallowsgate3232]

☝️🎃 Have you the blood of the Northmen in your veins?

[@ironheadsally]

Yes Norwegian, Valkyrie in training. U caught me lol

[@hallowsgate3232]

@@ironheadsally Beautiful! 👍🎃 I have the same lineage on my fathers side as well.

[@Guztenify]

Pointless video. Everybody already knows that.

[@ironheadsally]

Pointless comment. No body cares 🤣

[@hallowsgate3232]

🫵🎃 Those knuckleheads and their protruding balls I sware 🙄 I’m always trying to tell them… but their balls just keep on protruding. Makes dinners at the Olive Garden so awkward.

[@ironheadsally]

🤣🤣🤣 love it! Keep protruding on, its only awkward for the others at sunday dinner lmao!

[@hallowsgate3232]

@@ironheadsally lmao!! 🤣😂🤣 I am grateful for your kindred spirit and coming from a fellow Norse, it means a great deal. ❤️ May Odin forever look over you and your life be full of blessings. 🤟🎃

[@ironheadsally]

Thank you, and Skal 🍻May Odin give you knowledge on ur path, Thor give u strength, and Loki give you laughter!

[@davidpayte8566]

Right on! "Ain't no Head like a Shovelhead" lol