You Should Buy an Evo Harley: Why It's The New Shovelhead

[@robertjones7792]

I have owned my 1986 FXST for over 35 years now. Still ride it about every other weekend or so, Have no plans on ever getting rid of it. I have owned shovel heads before my EVO and the change from the cylinders and heads made a hell of a difference. A lot cooler running engine which lasted far more than a shovel.

[@itsobvious5835]

That was a thoughtful, well put summary of the Motor Company from the 70's through the 90's and early 2000's. Your analysis is correct. My mother (who is not a motorcycle person at all) used to comment "Harley Riders use to be the 'Outlaw Biker' type, now it's a bunch of Attorneys and Accountant 'Weekend Warriors'."

[@buttcrackcycles]

Glad you liked it!

[@jd9308]

I do not care for the new bikes being made today. I love and prefer the old analog bikes. Don't want ride modes, info screens, bluetooth, digital speedo's and tachs, ABS or having to take to the dealer so a tech can plug it in to their computer to tell the tech what is wrong with the bike. Plus the cost of HD's new bikes. The majority of bikes that pass by are new baggers. Back in the day we'd buy cruisers and turn them into baggers. Way more cost effective. Now I'm a old baby boomer riding my 92 Evo Fatboy that's my bagger and one of the best riding bikes I have ever owned. Loved the video! Keep wrenching and riding!

[@PotatoeJoe69]

You know what's interesting to me is that people have been praising The Evo ever since the twin cam took over, I've never stopped hearing people sing its praises even to this day, and yet prices for Evo bikes have never really skyrocketed. I was just sitting here thinking about why that might be, but then it occurred to me that it's probably because a lot of people who ride motorcycles today are either upper middle class or wealthy, Not mechanically inclined. Not looking to become mechanically inclined, and are more interested in buying a computer with two wheels instead of an actual motorcycle, so the beloved bikes of old have no value to them.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I think you got it right, most folks these days just want to ride, and have the image, not wrench on their bike

[@cassiusdio6048]

You're probably right dude 😢

[@danielnichols9049]

Well said!

[@charlesprice7608]

Funny thing, I never had to wrench on my EVO’s. I would argue the bikes were as reliable if not more so than anything Harley has ever put out. Back in the 90’s Harley stood behind their products. The only engine work I ever had to have they warrantied. Even though the bike was well out of warranty.

[@PotatoeJoe69]

@@charlesprice7608 They're definitely one of the more reliable big twins, but thing is if you're buying one today, you don't know what crackhead has monkeyed with what or messed up

[@chadmartin3423]

Bought a '95 Evo Wide Glide on Father's Day. Best decision I've ever made. Rides like a dream, sounds better than every other bike. Bulletproof.

[@westcoast3595]

EVO. Best engine the MoCo ever did. Simple. Functional. Lasts a long time when cared for.

[@frankfurther3828]

Disposed of due to the lack of dealer shop repair hours. F Jochen, F VVT, F CVO, F Fraud glide.

[@fredr2694]

love my evo, 32 years and still going strong

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's great!

[@joechavez4494]

I have one that's almost 39 years old.

[@victorauletta7699]

The EVO is a good motor however, I’m a shovel guy. Still have 2 shovels after 52 years of riding. I think they are one of the best looking and if you take care of them, very reliable.

[@hwalter5432]

One of the very lucky few-- I have a first year EVO-the FXRDG Disc Glide! All original, runs great and very rare! 40 years old, looks new! Goes well with the others!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Nice, those are cool bikes

[@krogersucks45]

Just turned 100,000 on my 95 Hertiage. Never been into motor except to change out the inner cam bearing.

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's fantastic! Yeah swapping the cam bearings for the better set is a must do, but that's a testament to these engines

[@ClovisPoint]

and the plastic breather gear and the plastic fuel inlet on carb ,you dont want plastic crap on an engine ,eventually it will fail not if ,when ....................

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I could have bought an evolution motor Harley in the 90s but I bought a house instead. I've had my evolution powered Sportster for 25 years and 400,000 mi on the original engine. I am more than happy with it. It may not be valuable technically but it's valuable to me.

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's amazing, those Evo sportys are bombproof

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@buttcrackcycles it out lasted all three of my Hondas put together

[@rjoetting7594]

That's all I have, Evo's and shovelheads. Two of each. 1978 flh bobber/chopper 1982 flt modified 1991 springer softtail 1992 electra glide ultra classic The 78 I've had for 25+ years and will never get rid of it.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Nice, that's a good stable of bikes!

[@seththomas9105]

1971 FLH 1979 SuperGlide 1984 H&H Evo hardtail 1985 Herritage. Plus some old Yamaha dirt bikes torn apart and waiting to get back together. The 95 is probably the last bike I will ever buy. At 55 I won't buy something else unless I find something damn kool in a barn.

[@EverettDaniel-j1r]

I bought a VW Baja Bug in 1985 for $1,200 and then traded it and $500 for a 77 Superglide Shovelhead. Best trade of my life. I wish I still owned that bike. I will say that my only current street bike is a 2000 Softail Deuce. This is the first softail and first twin cam I've ever had and I am impressed with the 88b twin cam motor. I am currently looking for an Evo but it'll be an Evo Sportster.

[@brianbayowski9265]

The BEST EVO is the SPORTSTER EVO! 👌

[@buttcrackcycles]

Those things are bomb proof

[@JohnSwenson-l9e]

Just found your channel recently my first Harley was a 82 FXR shovel head. Unfortunately I don’t still have it. Next I bought a 1996 FXDWG and yes I still have it. Evo is the best engine I believe.

[@lutherrule9301]

I love keeping the older bikes alive....

[@buttcrackcycles]

You're on the right channel!

[@markedgar]

Just picked up a 90 flstc for 500 bucks!!! Perfect start for my chopper build could never replace the iconic shovel but for the dependability and price I’m seriously looking forward to this

[@buttcrackcycles]

Wow that's insanely cheap! You done good!!!

[@JohnStruemph]

Agree with the Evo premise. Have a 93 FLHTCU I got for 2400 in pieces. It has lots of smaller issues but it’s now running great for little money. I’ve had 3 Sporties ( one a basket case build ) and a 70’s shovel. The Evo is just about the easiest to work on. The FL was a simpler bike. 200 bucks worth of special tools and you can rebuild everything. The Evo doesn’t make big power (it can) and that’s its ace in the hole. It’s a reliable tourer. Other than stators, cam bearing, and base gaskets they are stone reliable. I will leave the TC and M8 bikes to guys with more income. Good vid, thanks for sharing!

[@dormantsuperhero]

06 evo sporty, 98 heritage 1340 evo. Had a twin cam and fell out of love VERY quickly. Evos are the keepers.

[@Frank-xo7zj]

I had a 98 dyna wide 1340 evo...wish I would've kept it

[@mikef3300]

My FXSTSB Springer Softail is about to turn 30 years old. It’s my first and only Harley and I’ve had it for more of my life than not. It’s been a fun and reliable bike for me. It’s more than a bike at this point it’s more like part of the family lol

[@buttcrackcycles]

Loving all the stories of people, like you, who've had one of these for 25+ years.. Keep it in the wind be safe

[@spamfriedmice4800]

My 85 FXEF is turning 40 next year. I've had it since 89.

[@danielnichols9049]

I completely agree with you! The old stuff is WAY better. I have a 2013 FXDWG I bought new and last year I picked up a ‘98 Heritage EVO. I bought that one just for ease of wrenching on and the reliability of the thing. I absolutely love my EVO! The Wide Glide will be my forever bike but now I’m I will have 2 forever bikes. I would love to have a Shovel but they’re getting so expensive and hard to find I don’t know if I will ever have my dream bike. I’m 68 years old and been riding since the early’70’s so I don’t know if it will happen.

[@laurentruesdale4088]

I remember the dealerships before the evos, they were certainly completely different than now. I remember seeing the change in attitudes in the 90s. There was a long time, i wouldn't even consider buying an evo. Now, when i finish my projects, thats what ill be getting. Yeah, ill do my best to make look like a David Mann centerfold. Shovels in price range is too much of a project for me now. I probably always build ironheads. Love finding them all taken apart, been working on those since i was an invincible teen. Excellent content and video format. Till next time.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thanks as always, yeah shovels are getting more and more. Ironheads have stayed affordable thankfully. Haha, maybe there's a topic for another video, why ironheads are great candidates for a project bike

[@vorhese]

Well since Japan is importing every pan and knuck they can get, Cone shovels are $5000 or more, it only makes sense. Plus it's nice to have a reliable bike. The EVO Big Twin aftermarket chopper scene is really taking off. Krispy Co and their rear frame section looks awesome sauce. It's getting to the point if I see someone riding around on a pan or knuck that isn't 60+ years old, I assume they are pretty well off.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I could barely afford my cone shovel 1.5 years ago and probably couldn't buy it now! The market is going nuts!

[@theccwdad]

One of my old customers at Tesla when I was service advising was a Harley collector. He was obsessed with his very old knucklehead and said it was the most hardcore bike he had ever owned. I don't recall the year but I think it was a 40 something.

[@simonellerton1412]

I have a shovel frame with evo : full custom you have confirmed what i knew all along 84 : shovel or evo : same frames .. Great content keep up the good info ...

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thanks for watching!

[@spamfriedmice4800]

​@@buttcrackcycles In 84 I remember some touring bikes and the Softails had Evos. In 85 and 86 the old 4 speed frames in the FXEF, FWSB and FXWG, but the top tube was different, like the ST frame it was bent to fit the taller Evo engine.

[@jimmys0579]

I am one of those that just bought a ‘95 FLHR RK for $1500.00 82k on the clock. Third owner. 2nd owner took meticulous care of her. But let her sit for several years. I put a battery in, hoses, went thru carb, brakes and tires, and ride her. Right place right time

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's a great deal, nice!

[@virgilastacy5281]

I got a 99 Evo Softail over 90k I love it never been been cracked open runs like a champ

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's what I'm talking about!!

[@2021FLHRXS]

My first bike was a 1989 FXSTC. Still have and ride it. Love the Evo just has that awesome exhaust note. Also have a 2021 FLHRXS , I do enjoy riding it ,but I prefer riding the old FXSTC with that good old Evo.

[@drifter421]

I’ve been hearing that at swap meets for a few years now. “Shovels are Pans and EVOs are Shovels”. I have a 1988 FXSTC and my son has a 1992 FLSTC. I also like my 1979 AMF Sportster, no issues, I’d ride it anywhere and not be worried.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I like my AMF stuff, but hey,I like it all! Nothing's getting cheaper though, unfortunately

[@drifter421]

@@buttcrackcycles - “I like it all” took the words right out of my mouth.

[@benderbender1233]

id ride my 79 ir0nhead anywhere anytime t00. its reliable. 😎🤙

[@drifter421]

@@benderbender1233 Very cool, mine is original paint in great condition. I put a Mikuni VM38-9 carb on it, found on EBay a CFX-2000 combination oil cooler/ filter from the 70’s, since it didn’t have an oil filter on it.

[@benderbender1233]

@@drifter421 mines ina kraft tech raked hardtail frame with a springer & shes s0 much fun t0 ride. mine g0t an aftermarket indian oilfilter cuz we had it c0llecting dust in the garage. ✌😁

[@DavidCheeseman-r8x]

Have a 1991 Softail,it the second one I’ve had it’s not entirely stock but it’s my favourite bike,definitely a keeper.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Those softails are growing on me

[@marknorman4698]

I hav a dyna super glide .2005 with a evo engine .it's the best engine and still going strong after 20 years. Hav service every year by harley shop only ..😊😊😊😊😊 brilliant 😊

[@the.happy.mechanic]

The Evolution engine is so popular that I'm running Edelbrock heads on mine. It's like in the car world, the small block Chevy engine. as almost every aftermarket engine company for HD type engine parts has made replacement parts at one time or another. So, on a financial level, the Evolution engine is like a shovelhead. By late 84 or 85, the shovelhead shared the same crank case, although the bolt pattern for the jugs was different to run the shovelhead heads.

[@raybrensike42]

I bought a '79 XLCH new, and didn't really have to work on it. Valve adjustment was rare and easy. I rarely did it, but it was easy to do. I changed oils, brake pads, and tires. I didn't really have to work on it and put several tens of thousands of miles on it. I put chains and sprockets on too, I imagine. I don't even remember. What I do remember is the thing never leaked except for some dribble of gas from the carb once in a while. Nothing ever shook loose. It was just a good bike.

[@OldeThunderCC]

New subscriber as of today. Did the lollipop exhaust mod last year and will be redoing it better this weekend 👌 I ride an old Royal Enfield chopper jockey shift and all that. Evo is what I want to chop in the future and this posted today 👍

[@buttcrackcycles]

Fantastic, glad to have you here

[@vernleroyson331]

Evo is the best engine Harley ever used. However the Evo was designed during the AMF years. I sold all of my EVO'S, but will be buried with my Shovelheads. Great channel and your videos are always entertaining.

[@buttcrackcycles]

You know me, shovel guy for sure, but, yeah, the Evo ain't so bad 🤣 thanks for always watching

[@CatfishLove]

AMF LAYED THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EVO, I DON'T GIVE A DAM- WHO BUILT IT, AMF SAVED HD BUT AND KEPT THEM IN BUSINESS SO IN MY OPINION AMF WAS A GOOD THING FOR HD. EVO- BEST HARLEY PLATFORM EVER.

[@IvanhoeWolfe-zn6fc]

I don't care what anyone says. AMF WAS not bad. Bad mechanic was the problem. Now PRE - EVO SPORTSTER SUX. BUT show me a bad AMF big twin..and I will show you a bike that had bad mechanic work on it. People say, AMF put forgien parts on Harleys. That's true..but those same parts are still made forgien. And not all AMF Harleys were made over seas I have a Harley right now that was 100% made in America. However nothing was made or built in Milwaukee. Confused? Lol It was a bike made from after market parts in 1976. It's VIN is not a Harley VIN. BUT it's title says HD. Yeap HD NOT Harley.

[@IvanhoeWolfe-zn6fc]

Oh and I like Evo. I would not own Any thing newer then a Evo. Evo or cone shovel are very dependable bikes. I would have no issue with riding one from Pacific Coast to Atlantic coast.

[@TheLastRenaissanceMan]

Shovels were AMF years also. Generator side gave way to nose cone shovels which indeed were AMF. You can’t love shovels and hate AMF

[@ABC1236021]

I bought a 1980 Shovelhead in the early 1990's. The Shovel prices seemed a bit high at the time, probably in response to the resurgence in HD's popularity. Every TV show and movie of the era seemed to crowbar in a scene with a someone riding a harley. I think I paid close to $5000 for the Shovel. It was fun, but I spent a lot of time in the garage with my service manual (if only KZbin had existed!). I recently purchased a 1998 Evo Fatboy in mint condition with only 10,000 miles. Also a lot of fun, although I miss the kickstart option. So far it's just needed basic maintenance and upkeep, the service manual is hardly even dirty yet. I would love another Shovel, but as you noted, a decent one can cost $8,000-$10,000 here in the Northeast. Great videos.

[@randynewtonsr9659]

Paul I agree with You 100% however I believe ( just my opinion) that AMF saved Harley from extinction and even though during those years build quality was lackluster, had they not in essence stuck their neck out and kept Harley going , the brand as we know it might have ended in the late 60’s I mean look what happened to Indian 🤦🏻‍♂️ Anyway loveeee the videos and I’m a lifelong subscriber and viewer 🤙🏻🤙🏻😊

[@buttcrackcycles]

I won't argue with this, as I said, I like the AMF bikes. I think AMF doesn't get enough credit for limping the brand along vs letting it die, as you say, like Indian. Anyways, thanks for the thoughts and comments

[@spamfriedmice4800]

Preach

[@kevin6154]

Evo is the way to go man! Reliable as a Honda unless tou modified it too much. They got the feel and sound of a Harley-Davidson without the leaks and sub par castings of the AMF Era. Easy to work on too. Then again my other bike is a goldwing, iykyk as far as working on them

[@buttcrackcycles]

I've had some Hondas, no hate here

[@Henry.58]

We have 4 shovels in our garage,and every damn one of them has clutch issues at least once a season. But I still love them. I'm also an Evo fan ,go slow but go far on an Evo.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Haha my shovel needs a clutch as we speak

[@seththomas9105]

@@buttcrackcycles I've thought about giving Baker a bajillion bucks and buying a 5 into 4 for my 71 FLH. I just wish they weren't SO damn expensive, but a 5-speed and a kick would be great for that bike, gear it up a little and let the 74 go a little easier. Any opinon?

[@augustinasvilkas]

I recently picked up an 82 FXR, originally came with a shovelhead somewhere along the lines someone switched an S&S evo and 5 speed trans into it. I love that bike, was able to swap out the starter, clutch and wire up some new T bars and get the carb dialed in relatively easily in my garage. Little more tricky than usual due to the mish mash of parts and manuals for different years.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Haha yeah you need a different manual depending on which part of the bike you're working on! Those are fun, Frankenstein bikes, I love em! Thanks for watching

[@augustinasvilkas]

@@buttcrackcycles ya it's been interesting, first older bike I've worked on, more used to twin cam/m8 stuff. Been enjoying the shovelhead videos, keep it up man

[@granddad-mv5ef]

I agree---those Astroglides are really slick! Because I am now a certified geezer, I think an Electroglide or a Tourglide would be my choice.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@granddad-mv5ef I'll let you know when I'm a geezer 🤣 hey, if that's what gets you on a bike, go for it!!

[@disruption3314]

16:30 ish. The 90's is when the term RUB was coined. I agree, the days of cheap EVO based bikes are coming to an end in the next could years. I say EVO based because so many others built the "EVO" design. Anyway, I don't want to ramble. Stay Safe, Stay Cool and love often.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@disruption3314 good stuff

[@AlbertK-eq5gd]

Got a 68 flat side shovel I got when I was 19 I'm 66 got the best year of EVO 1995 Softail just picked up for a steal 05 Softail It was made two years before the board went Woke. Bought Them All used . Might sell the 05 when I'm done doing some upgrades on it not sure yet? The other two till death we do part. ✌️😎

[@user-sw9jo7fe3d]

Stocked up on Evo engines years ago.. Could be had for $500-$800...still a deal at $1200 tho

[@brucehelppie6119]

had most of my best adventures riding my 1977 flh. i've also owned a 1976 superglide, an '87 1100 sportster, a buell cyclone and just bought a 2006 sportster 1200. i am cheap and would never pay the money for a new bike. i remember when evos were considered to be 'not a real harley'. everything eventually becomes old. it's kind of ironic how good the evos have turned out to be in the long run, and now are 'real biker' bikes. i'm not a gatekeeper either. i just like a low cost, easier to maintain bike.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yup, they've turned out to be pretty good, I get what you're saying

[@cassiusdio6048]

Got an 89 softail, luv my evo

[@BrassAmTV]

Love my EVO '91 883 XLHDLX

[@patrickjordan7547]

I had a '93 Dyna wide glide when I bought it it had 3,000 some odd miles on it when I traded it for my new bike it had 85,000 The only trouble I had was base gaskets so I got that fixed and you have to let these evos warm up before you ride them especially if you're going to get on it after I got the vase gasket fixed never had a problem with this bike I traded it at the Harley dealership for 2016 Dyna wide glide in August of 2024 I totaled the bike and with the money I got from the total I bought a '98 Dyna wide glide with 22,000 mi on it it's a beautiful bike runs well all the bells and whistles I love it cuz I can work on it the 2016 no dice

[@BracesandBoots1]

I’m one of those guys that doesn’t work on my bike. I make a lot of money as an aerospace engineer and I am happy to give it to the local bike shop. I’m afraid if I only used them for the big jobs, they wouldn’t last long. I want them there when my bike reaches 100K and I need a rebuild.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I'm sure they appreciate your business, as I appreciate the business of everyone who brings a bike to my little shop! Keep it on the road

[@Creeksneak24-7]

My current dream goal is a 1995-1999 springer softail. Preferably a 1995. Why? Cause i graduated high school that year and after having a 1994 softail custom in the past, I am more educated on the mid to late 90s evo softails.

[@josephtizol9695]

I’ve Got an 83 and a 93 i love my EVO. 99 was TC for Dyna and baggers except in softail which got it in 2000 and also the SE FXRs 99/00 EVOs

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah I get a little mixed up off the top of my head with that later stuff, at my core I'm not an Evo guy 🤣🤣

[@SeriouslyMikey]

This is the reason why, especially as a Brit, I purchased a evo Harley. Shame it's broken right now

[@PaulSouthey-z4d]

Correct. 85 shovels were police only, I was told 301 made but it might have been 303. I have seen one it lives in my garage. Love it.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Very cool, take care of it!

[@RussellHueners]

I have had both, 1983 FXRT, 1984 FXRT, EVO gets the nod for reliability and engineering/materials. Now...my 1984 XR1000 is not a ironhead, nor is it a Evo, just another part of H-D history,,,and quite rare

[@buttcrackcycles]

I would love to see that XR in person, those are very cool, and rare

[@spamfriedmice4800]

Probably 35yrs ago I was in an independent shop that had several bike out of a guys collection that he was selling due to health reasons. There was an XR1000 and a XLCR, $3500 each. I was still young single and childless, had the money in the bank, and still kick myself in the a$$ for not buying

[@thomasobrien5976]

My first harley was a 1977 fxs lowrider I bought in the early nineties and just recently bought a 1980 fxs lowrider. I did buy a 1987 FXR at one point and it was a superb bike with exceptional handing so I would buy another of those in a heartbeat. More recently I have owned 2 twincams and although they had a good amount of power they were problematic and expensive to repair, I wouldn't buy another for sure they certainly had no soul like an evo or shovel

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yup, I'll stick with the older stuff too

[@atcjoe1600]

I think the early evo’s and any low production models and springers are the ones to get. The more “stock” the better.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I can't put a finger on it, but like I said in the video, the early Evo bikes do it for me!

[@ClovisPoint]

the last evo's had less issues ,leaks poor alloy castings etc

[@seanhall957]

Had the same problem with gates. If you get on the edges you have a better chance of activating it. Otherwise I have seen large magnets you can put on the bottom of your bike.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I thought about throwing the bike over the gate then climbing over after it, but I didn't eat my Wheaties that day 🤣🤣 thanks for the tip on trying to be on the edge

[@talesofanasphaltjockey]

I have a 98 Softail with under 3500 miles on the odo...bought it in 2000 with 1492 on her & upgraded to an 01 Fatboy shortly thereafter.

[@buttcrackcycles]

You need to go ride it!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

AMF Sprint 7 years developing the evolution motor. Harley's best motor with designs during the AMF years

[@gerardplank3780]

An EVO with counter balancer is a great engine. The early ones that were in a softail would vibrate your fillings out.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Personally, I like a shaking 😅

[@peterrestaino7047]

1990 FLHS SINCE 1990. NOT TO MUCH TROUBLE OVER THE YEARS. ITS MY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE.

[@markmoffett6813]

AWESOME video Thanks again

[@roblow5522]

I have a 1998 Fatboy evo and a 2012 Electra Glide Twinky. I don't know about the Shovelhead vibe but the 98-99 evo's had all the bugs out of them and they were as good as they were going to get. As far as sound the Shovelhead and Blockhead ( evo ) both sound beautiful. For the looks I pick the Shovelhead, For the sound I pick the Blockhead. We can talk about it over a cold Beer. I have said for a long time that as time goes on the evo will become more valuable. The Blockhead is not the Shovelhead, it's better just not old enough yet but it will get there. In a sea of Street Glides and Road Glides if there is one old bike in the middle, I just got to stop and look.

[@boogiemorgan]

My 59 Panhead was my most loved bike, that is until it was stolen! Never found it, still have the title! The left handlebar was the spark control, and the right handlebar was the throttle!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Jeez, that's terrible, I'm sorry to hear that!

[@boogiemorgan]

@@buttcrackcycles I bought that bike in 1964, put 12 in. Over stock chrome tubes on front, put a thin wheel on front, big tire on rear, painted rear fender and tank poppi red hand rubbed lacquer, 12 in. Pull backs, no front fender, nigh back king and Queen seat and bar, and drag pipes! My new wife and I rode it all over Florida and Georgia! They stoke it from my home while I was at work!

[@spamfriedmice4800]

Sorry to hear that bro. Hopefully some day it will turn up.

[@fq7879]

AMF actually started work on the evo engine in the late 70s.prior to the sale of AMF.

[@spamfriedmice4800]

AMF deserves more credit. They invented the "Cruiser" class of motorcycles with the 71 Superglide. Designed the Evo motor, the new frames for the FLT and FXRs and the rubbermount system and belt drives for it that was later used in the Dynas. Purchased and refined the Softail frame platform. Designed the 5 speed gearbox. Put electric start, disc brakes and electronic ignition to everything. Increased displacement in both Sportster and Big Twins, converted everything to run on unleaded and meet new EPA emissions on noise standards. Built A new factory in York and streamlined the entire production process. HD never would have survived without them.

[@fq7879]

@@spamfriedmice4800 I really appreciate your comments. Harley wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for AMF.

[@terrymassey7619]

You hit the nail on the head, about the cultural shift in the 90's. I was a young man and was surrounded by dirt bag bikers ( I do not mean that in a bad way! These were my people!) Every single one hated the evo and all the rubs who bougjt and rode them ! Take er easy bro 🤘

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thanks Terry!

Just bought a 98 customized build and paint by local legend. no dyno, no computer, no Dealer extortion.

[@Billy-703]

I’m a chopper builder/biker not really my type of content?! Stuck with it and was pleasantly surprised! Very well spoken. Your info is pretty dead on. Evo is the new more dependable shovel that requires oil changes because it’s not leaking a quart every 2-3 days haha. All jokes aside HD needs to get their $h!t together start offering Knuckleheads/Panheads/Shovelheads/Evolutions “Blockheads” choice of softail/hardtail? Scrap the rest of the Rev-garbage their sending oversea’s. 20-25 years ago Panheads & Shovels where affordable…. Nowadays it’s Evo’s and Twin Cam’s Tc’s run a little hot but are easily buildable. I could ramble all day? I think that’s why I enjoyed listening?!? Thanks-

[@buttcrackcycles]

Appreciate you watching and taking the time to drop a comment

[@spamfriedmice4800]

Evo Is The New Old School !!

[@ClovisPoint]

Classic not old school

[@rjoetting7594]

85 shovelhead were police only if I remember correctly. I'm sure if I'm wrong, somebody will correct me.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah I have no idea 🤣 I'm usually pretty good on years but I don't stress about some weird low production stuff

[@vernleroyson331]

303 produced, majority went to Royal Canadian Mounted Police and 33 (if I remember correctly), went to New Mexico State Police.

[@spamfriedmice4800]

I've heard the same thing as you, many times over the years.

[@bryanweller8375]

Currently have a twin cam ultra but my next one will be a 97 road king. The evo is going to be the next collectible Harley.

[@iammoshpotato7793]

For the flt in 98 harley dropped the tourglide an renamed it the roadglide an moved to the twin cam.

[@deanm4138]

Just traded my 04 sportster for a 94 Electra glide and love it

[@mikecollins3406]

From what I understand there was in fact 85 shovels but only in like police bikes. Not in regular bikes sold to the public. I would like a 85 Evo w a factory kick start! Cool bike!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah sounds like the 85 shovel was a pretty low production deal! Kickstarte Evo would be neat

[@markmoffett6813]

Audio and video are super 👌 😊

[@stevechinn1308]

Really good video, thanks. I'm a big H-D fan from over in England. Where are those lovely roads that you're riding?

[@buttcrackcycles]

Upstate of South Carolina

[@stevechinn1308]

@@buttcrackcycles cool, looks lovely!

[@briansouth9325]

Another reason I ride a sporty, Evo with fuel injection, only missing 6th gear

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's cool

[@frankfurther3828]

As a former shovel rider, I still suffer from post-traumatic-shovelhead-syndrome by carrying 30 lbs. of unneeded tools on my EVO for the last 28 years.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Now that's a funny syndrome name 🤣 I love it

[@frankfurther3828]

@@buttcrackcycles true story.

[@spamfriedmice4800]

Hey, I'll be "that guy". Bought a 72 Superglide 4 weeks ago. Had a broken aftermarket primary belt, and needed a battery and the tank + carb cleaned out. $1500.

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's a great price these days!

[@spamfriedmice4800]

@@buttcrackcycles hardly needed another bike, but how can you say no?

[@benderbender1233]

eye wanna early 90s ev0 sp0rty wit a 5speeeed!! 🤘😎🤘

[@buttcrackcycles]

I enjoyed that red one I had for a while if you remember it, though it was an 01.

[@benderbender1233]

@@buttcrackcycles eye d0. eye d0nt really care wut yr exactly as l0ng as its carb & 5 speed.

[@spamfriedmice4800]

Best era Sportster IMO. Evo power and reliability, 5 speeds, without the 70lbs of deadweight of the rubbermount frame, and no EFI nonsense to deal with. PS grab some XB Buell heads and really have some fun.

[@benderbender1233]

@@spamfriedmice4800 2day eye g0tta 1980 ir0nhead t0 g0 al0ng wit my 79!! 🤘😁🤘

[@seththomas9105]

AMF saved HD. They had the money to get Porsche involved in designing the Evo back in the late 70's. HD should have had a 5-speed transmission behind the Shovel by at least the mid 70's. Would have made a huge difference.

[@jmac6242]

As a new subscriber, I'm not familiar with the bikes you ride. So, when you take a talking ride, let us know what scoot you're on! Just a suggestion. Your channel makes You the boss!

[@buttcrackcycles]

This was on my 1983 Sportster, I had shot another intro showing the bike but cut it! Good suggestion

[@JohnDoe-mp1yn]

i think i'll get a Road King with an Evo for road trips, and a Shovelhead Super Glide for riding around the city. if the Super Glide poops itself while i'm trying to go to work i'll just hop on the Road Glide.

[@mississippidrifter5960]

I have a 88 softail now as well as a 2000 twin cam Dyna I got cheap. There are differences between the 84 to 88 Evo and the later one's. Just a heads up for anyone.

[@vk7408]

You can throw these style vlogs in but whats really gonna get you views over the long term, and develop a catalog that generates ad rev is fixing and repairing videos. Once a viewer watches this, its once and done. Good luck

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@vk7408 I publish a fix and repair video every Sunday and have been doing so for quite some time now, you can find them on my channel page.

[@vk7408]

@@buttcrackcycles I know...and I like them too

[@zachwitters3293]

"They say shovelheads are the new panheads for the common folk. That mean evos will be the new shovels. I had some call my 1988 heritage softail a dinosaur.." That was my comment!!! Sweet deal! Watch your lifters like a hawk on evo's.

[@buttcrackcycles]

There you are! Man I tried to find the comment so I could give credit, but, as you imagine, it's hard to find a comment after a few weeks. Thanks for the inspiration and watching!

[@ditchcati]

What about the lifters?

[@saucemansrsrnad5888]

Retired at 72 and finally time for my first project shovelhead and I can't afford anything that is so bad it's out of my "ability". Maybe an EVO is the answer?

[@jaynedoe1959]

The 1st version of the big twin Evo`s had a problem with the left side case. When, or IF I buy one it would be near the end of the run, later 90`s. When I got my Ironhead I told myself it would be my last bike & I`d keep it til the end of MY run. I really can`t own 2 bikes so I`m dragging my feet on what to do. I do want to take my last ride, coast to coast & take my time along the way before I can`t do it anymore...I`m old & I know an Ironhead isn`t a great choice for such a ride. How do I know? EXPERIENCE! ...Like I said, I`m old, not my 1st rodeo, not my 1st cowboy & not my 1st Ironhead, my 5th. In fact my late 84 XLH 1000 is the newest bike I`ve ever owned, but relative to when I`ve owned any of my bikes it IS the oldest at 40+ years & coincidentally I`m also the oldest I`ve ever been! LMAO Probably an Evo big twin is the way to go for me, but I`m also considering a Sportster Evo with a few mods. I prefer 4 cams & the geometry of the pushrods has more RPM potential, but I`m not trying for 10 second quarter miles anymore! There`s a lot to be said for those big twin boat anchors & their 50 RELIABLE horsepower & they`re easy to bump up to around 75 while maintaining reliability. I watch the ads, but so far I haven`t convinced myself to bust a move. Maybe this fall or over the winter if I can bring myself to part with "Powder" my beloved white XLH 1000.

[@buttcrackcycles]

"I'm the oldest I've ever been" made me chuckle! Yeah the Sportster pushrod geometry can't be beat! Thanks as always for writing

[@spamfriedmice4800]

My 85 Evo will be turning 40 next year. I beat the snot out of that bike and rode it everywhere when I was in a club and maintenance was pretty infrequent. Any weaknesses are overstated.

[@thakery5720]

A friend bought an FXR six or seven years ago after years of owning twin cams and has recently started complaining that H-D no longer make parts for them. He really thought they should still be making parts for his 50 year old bike .....

[@chrisadampetro5990]

Why are you not coming to a full stop at Stop Signs? Talking is good quality and the feeling of your engine and your control is good too, hands waving while riding isn’t necessary. I love my 1971 shovel I purchased used with 1200 miles on it for 1500,she is still my mistress and now in final stages of a total retro hot rod

[@BachelorHarley]

Excellent topic. Accurate information. Not a fan of motoblogs, not visually captivating. Rather see the whole bike than just the handlebars. Total production in 1984 was approximately 28k units. 1993 approximately 86k units. Total evo production (including evo sportsters) spanning 16yrs 1984-1999 was approximately 850k units. Compared to a total unit production of 41k Knuckleheads spanning 12yrs 1936-1947. The motorcycle market is down and slow. New Harleys are still selling because it’s easy to finance them. The vintage Harley market is strong especially commanding higher prices for excellent original condition with original paint. With original paint being crucial. Knuckleheads and Panheads are out of economic range for most enthusiasts which have caused many to gravitate to the Shovelhead era causing that era to increase in price/value which has caused people to move on to the EVO era. I was seeing evos in the $5-$6k range but in my market (New Mexico) they have climbed to the $8-$10k asking range. I’m sure inflation is part of this. But the awesome reputation of the evo models is very well known. Look at a 1995 bad boy or 1991 Sturgis or 1990 fat boy or an fxr2 in excellent condition are high teens low 20s on eBay. Shovel heads are probably the sexiest motor but evos were Harley’s golden years.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Only ignorant people bad mouth the AMF years because they have no idea of what they are talking about. The EVO motor motorcycles of hit rock bottom and they have nowhere to go but up now would be a good time to stock up on half a dozen and keep them in storage as long as you don't have to pay for the storage to keep them in. Everyone laughed at me for buying $500 British bikes that nobody wanted and now I can get seven times what I paid for them. Now is the time to buy evo's while they are still cheap

[@bmp72]

Having 3 Shovelheads I thought about getting an EVO, but the feel is just too refined for me (read: boring, no character to the motor). Especially since I don’t really care about power or speed, the vibes and feel of the whole experience is much more important to me and this is where Shovelheads shine.

[@colinbatchford8007]

I'm not a great fan of Harley Davidsons but own a 98 s1 Buell if I were to buy a big twin it would be a fxr evo i like simplicity.

[@buttcrackcycles]

FXRs are sweet, Buells too!

[@outlawtribe77]

The 85 shovel was a police edition bike

[@buttcrackcycles]

See, now I know something new! Thanks

[@theoriginalBlue72]

I’ve got last year 99 Flstc evo ❤ that sob ….

[@buttcrackcycles]

🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@frankfurther3828]

RIP HD Inc, 1903-1999.

[@sdmain]

95 badboy for me. Searching now

[@girthquake9655]

Awwwww yusssss.....

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I thought the same thing when the M8 came out; that the evo is the new shovel and the shovel is the new pan and etc. I think it wasn't until when Arnold Schwarzenegger sat his butt on a fatboy in Terminator 2 that folks from all walks of life decided they wanted a Harley too. After swapping my 103 twincam for an evo and obtaining a shovelhead and ironhead; can't see myself going back to the current stuff. Old bikes is where it's at; that is if you've got the patience to roll with the punches here and there. Are you going to make it to the Georgia Grundle Run in a couple of weeks?

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yup old bikes forever! Have fun in GA man look forward to the video