Shovelhead or Troublehead? Old Harley-Davidson’s have a mind of their own.

Talking about my 1975 Shovelhead that I call “Ol’ Blew”. Giving it a few kicks and then a few more… Sometimes they are a little moody.

[@bubbleone6526]

I know this video is 2 years old but I just saw it. I must say your bike is exactly how I’d want it. It’s totally has that look. 👍

[@Popsplace42]

@@bubbleone6526 thanks! This was a great bike. I’m building another one, I’ll do an update video soon. I have some recent videos showing the new one, hope you check it out.

[@castheandra]

Sounds so good!!! As a new shovelhead owner, this made me feel better....always starts great when it's just me....but out in public it's been too shy for a simple 1-2 kickstart 🤣

[@Popsplace42]

You’ll figure out what it likes, this video was filmed when the bike was pretty new to me.. It flooded really easily, so it did not like any throttle blips at all, just pull the enrichener up and kick. It usually starts 2-3 kicks like that. Every bike is different though.

[@user-iy6de7qi1r]

Love the "head peeking out the window to watch how the starting is going!" I reckon she knew he'd end up with the pushbutton crank.

[@brandonjones152]

Love the simple wireing

[@billy10100]

She is a gorgeous. I got a 73 fx Superglide...love it!

[@Popsplace42]

Nice! Gotta love the old Shovelheads! Working on a Shovelhead long chopper now, hope you check it out in my more recent videos. 👍 More of it coming soon.

[@peterpohle9355]

Nice paint job, love flames.

[@thatsmrharley2u2]

Mine is an '81, and set up the same way. When I kick start it, I give it 3 or 4 prime kicks with the ignition off, then twist the throttle a few times, then pull the enrichener ALL THE WAY UP, and she starts first kick every time. Then again, I'm old, so I use the button more often than not. This is provided you have a Super E and not a B. Great lookin' sled by the way.

[@thomasborger6548]

Nice, good lookin scoot. I like that oil cooler too.

[@davenelso9614]

I love how calm you are..I always lose my Sh&@

[@MrDavidrex]

Very nice . Keep her brother, remember picking these old shovels up for $1000 we’ll never see that again.

[@mattdonna9677]

Your scooter reminds me of my last shovelhead, a 1978 1/2 FLH. It was blue. Removed the fairing and hard bags, put on a solo mustanng seat, and performance machine brakes. Despite all the vibration, that bike attracted plenty of women, all of them willing to ride on the fender. And later in the day or night they would give me a ride. 😊

[@Popsplace42]

Nice! There’s nothing quite like a Shovel!

[@bigwu100]

Those old shovels, my cousin rides one. All ive ever had has been twin cams. Ive got an old flh police scooter in my storage.needs a brakeline.and a jump, the batterys low.

[@bargeman100]

Mine was kickstart only. Most of the time it would fire up by the second or third kick. Sometimes it just wouldn't want to. I'd change the spark plugs and it would fire up. People were always fascinated by the kickstart process. Most have never seen it done. The sound is amazing. Nothing sounds like a shovel.

[@Popsplace42]

I was kind of exaggerating the issue for entertainment purposes to be honest. This old bike would usually fire up pretty quick with the kicker if I did it just right. If the bike had been running at all same day, you couldn’t throttle blip it or it would flood and wet the plugs. It liked the enricher valve on the S&S E carb pulled up for a cold start, but no throttle at all. After a while you learn what each bike likes.

[@user-iv6yq2fb1t]

No worries brother I know if you weren’t filming probably fire on the third! I bought my 81 Wide Glide new in 82 and i will never part with it ! I have my 92 Soft tail and 03 Buell , both from new, love em all but Shovel is my all time favorite. You did a great job on yours ! Super clean on everything and yes it sings!!

[@Bob-cd5pp]

Had a 82 FXR for 3 years make sure you AAA, I am a Mechanic and owned 3 Harleys before I got this Pile.

[@Lucky..B]

Good Luck!

[@arthurleino]

Electric start didn't work last 5 years in the Navy. Was in Japan and Philippines. Kick start was the way. Your bike sounds good!

[@Popsplace42]

Thanks!

[@michaelakers8698]

You kicked it more times then I would have before hitting the start button Since knee surgery my 80 super glide I kick it every once in a while but mostly use the electric start then claim I kicked it good job brother stay safe

[@Popsplace42]

I kinda hammed it up for the video, haha.. it usually starts within 1-2 kicks but I had flooded it here blipping the throttle.

[@xXJASONALLENXx]

Sounds great looks great

[@devildigger1404]

Somebody peeping out the curtains

[@RedRiderCanadaBC]

Good vid! Haha seems familiar 🤔 I feel like I’m getting ptsd watching this.

[@Popsplace42]

Thanks, lol.. It fired up first kick today, no primes or anything.. I think I’ve been flooding it by blipping the throttle. I pulled the enrichener up and it just cold started first kick. On camera even! Lol

[@RedRiderCanadaBC]

@@Popsplace42 That's awesome! They are so tricky sometimes eh.

[@rjoetting7594]

I have a 78, and it's as much a part of me as my arms and legs. At 60+, it's kind of hard for me to get started to, hahaha

[@richardashwood5771]

She looks great.

[@Richard_Lush]

You need a shambulance for shovelheads😂

[@jlvandijk9234]

Beautiful engine

[@garyhopkins6337]

Too much fuel just pull the enrichener on 2 or 3 prime kicks turn on the ignition and bang 1 or 2 max. Points work best for kick. The bike sounds great, but using the throttle and pumping fuel will often flood it.

[@Screamincycle]

Nice shovel!

[@Popsplace42]

Thanks! I love this bike!

[@pupsmotorworks5228]

Wow, that made my right knee throb ! I've got 2 screws in my tibial plateau from hyperextending it when my kicker gear failed 20 years ago, I celebrated 43 years with my Shovel this past March..... I've got both options, and still kick it occasionally, (see my very short video) but at 62, I don't wanna risk not bein' able to ride due to something that could have been prevented....so it's usually the button, ( well technically a spring loaded center off toggle switch) mine is wired similarly, just 5 wires. Nice scoot, very clean. But may I suggest to check Your valve adjustment, I can almost detect a note of misadjustment. It shouldn't have taken that many kicks. I realize this is a good year old now so maybe You sorted it ? Ride 'til Ya Can't.

[@Popsplace42]

I had flooded it blipping the throttle, once I learned what the bike liked it always fired up in just 2-3 kicks at the most. It likes the enricher pulled out if cold, but no throttle blips. If warm, it needs no extra fuel.

[@Jay-uo6wb]

Ha ha, I feel your pain. When I got my 83 last summer I wanted a quick video of me kick starting it. I had to restart the video like 5 times and when it did fire up, you knew something was up by the big shit eattin grin on my mug

[@dirtykustomz]

Can’t beat ‘em .

[@dermotgillespie9030]

Lovely bike 👍

[@randymarks4011]

Ya flooded the crap outta it.

[@Popsplace42]

Yep 😂

[@cornicheii2413]

Why hassle with the kickstarter if you have an electric starter?

[@Popsplace42]

Are you not entertained? 😜

[@cornicheii2413]

@@Popsplace42 Of course I was

[@mattdonna9677]

​@@Popsplace42Yes Maximus, we are entertained.

[@elizabethcanavan3755]

One cool sickle.The little tank must limit it's range.

[@Bluespade115]

Great Bike

[@usabadone]

Yeah don’t sweat it dude camera always adds 20 30. 40. Kicks

[@Popsplace42]

Haha for sure! It has been kickstarting right away lately, it just wanted to be a troublemaker on camera.

[@thomasborger6548]

@usabadone absolutely hilarious🤣

[@detroitculture.]

sweet bike

[@jasonbruno6084]

Right on dude

[@dannywhite7063]

keeping it real! Old School Cool, right there!

[@bauscustomdetailing8876]

Turn gas on throttle it 3 times then 3-4 prime kicks then ignition and kick over once. If it doesn't start turn off ignition and repeat prime kicks then ignition on and it'll fire

[@Popsplace42]

This was before I got my starting routine down, the bike has taught me what it likes. Enrichener pulled and that’s it, it floods easily. I have several videos posted more recently if you’d like to see it fire up easily. Thank you though! Appreciate the help.

[@rwally3able]

Thankyou!!!!!!

[@peeteriitiz]

this is definitely good, just very much liked this same only in the original, respectfully.

[@superplumber5]

That's always the way🤣🤣🤣

[@randysimmons9838]

Watch billy lane talk about kickin a harley

[@smithgroove945]

Nice bike

[@Popsplace42]

Thanks!

[@wieserxx]

😂😂😂 I know the pain, just don’t have a button for electric start if all else fails.

[@Popsplace42]

I’ve figured out what it likes since this.. Unless it been sitting for over a week, it doesn’t like any throttle blips or prime kicks, it’ll flood easily. It just wants the enricher pulled up, and if anything one twist of the throttle and hold it open and she fires up in one or two kicks.

[@mikejohnson360]

Nice

[@52stevedo4]

Prime kicks . Give it some gas , ingnition on .Pull up enrichiner . Kick kick kick no start . Kick kick kick rolling out in the street . Push it back . W O T . kick kick kick leg getting sore . Kick kick kick starting to sweat the audiance is getting bigger . kick kick kick getting hard to breath . Kick kick kick snot running out of your nose . Ah fuck it . Sit on the curb have a smoke drink a beer . Get up turn on the gas 3 kicks and she fires right up .

[@reinholddiederichs3781]

Und dann plötzlich, so als wär nix gewesen, springt sie an...! Manchmal könnt ich nur noch Schei..e brüllen, Aber dann fahr ich los und fühle mich wie ein König.

[@ShedMachine]

Absolutely love the style, I want to mount a fender the same way on mine, Is the single tab welded dead in the centre of the swing arm?

[@Popsplace42]

Yes, one single tab in center for front edge of fender and one on each side for the sissy bar, 2 tabs on sissy bar for rear part of fender.

[@fmagalhaes1521]

@PopsPlace. Since you live in Texas and Texas is freedom loving place, I was curious if a helmet is required to ride in TX. I figurd tht I would ask a local.

[@Popsplace42]

In Texas you are supposed to have extra medical insurance coverage to ride with no helmet, but it’s not really checked or enforced. It’s extremely common to see riders with no helmet here.

[@fmagalhaes1521]

@@Popsplace42 roger that…

[@swingarm3479]

Electric start power 💪

[@ViolatorVTX]

Nice shovel! I've noticed oily sooth on the rear cylinder pipe. I have exactly the same on my '76 FXE. Also some burnt oil residue on the spark plug. Is it common for shovels?

[@Popsplace42]

When I got this bike they had overfilled the oil tank and it started smoking out of the rear pipe.. I believe it’s just left over oil stuck in the pipe and won’t come out because it’s upswept.. it’ll burn out soon. If not I may have a leaky valve seal.

[@ViolatorVTX]

@@Popsplace42 Thanks man! Most likely it's valve seal on my motor. I suspect the intake one. Oil residue is more evident on spark plug electrode side towards intake valve. I marked the plug and then screwed it back in. Have a great riding weekend!

[@Ironhorsecowboy58]

I have a 79 fxe but not sure if it's a 74 or 80 inch ?!?

[@Popsplace42]

I believe 1979 were all 80”, I think they changed mid 78.

[@Ironhorsecowboy58]

@@Popsplace42 that is what i thought but some of the vids show 79's as 74's..wierd

[@Popsplace42]

@@Ironhorsecowboy58 Harley did a lot of weird things in those years, kinda used what they had sometimes.. I’ve owned both 74” and 80” Shovels though, and they’re all super cool!

[@leojetdance]

I don’t understand how you guys can mount the rear fenders that way? And the sissy bar mounted on a moveable swing arm?

[@Popsplace42]

The whole swingarm, fender and sissy bar are one unit and move up and down together.

[@leojetdance]

@@Popsplace42 well I thought it would be something like that.

[@dinonexus873]

Where did you get the handlebars from?

[@Popsplace42]

Hell Diver bars from Throttle Addiction 🤘

[@o.u.t.olduglytroll3712]

man, where have i seen this before? them shovels got a mind of their own. my kid has the same off and on luck with hers. here's one of her vids if you wanna check it out. your vid reminded me of this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXeXaX2vd8eJgsk anyway gave you a like and a sub. i'll be hangin' out here sometimes from here on. ride safe

[@Popsplace42]

Thanks! Appreciate you!

[@milesonwheels8127]

Who need a gym. Just buy a shovel head

[@frankeckert4901]

Cool Vid.. BUT they don't have a mind of their own when you have good ignition and a Mikuni. Lose the front end crap and go spool hub....

[@andriessluiter4269]

Its because every body and their granny with a bend screwdriver and a rusty hammer think they are a Harley mechanic…..they do not have an mind off their own, just bad adjustment and people not knowing wtf they are doing.

[@Popsplace42]

Lmfao.. Wow. It was flooded, geeze… It just made for a good video. Once I learned what the bike wanted before starting it, it Kickstarts in 1 to 2 kicks. If you throttle blipped this bike before kicking it would flood. All it wanted was enrichener pulled out, and go.