What is the BEST HARLEY ENGINE EVER?! - Kevin Baxter - Baxter's Garage - Pro Twin Performance
2023 ж. 4 Нау.
432 357 Рет қаралды
The Harley Davidson Shovelhead, Evolution, Twin Cam, or Milwaukee 8...What is the best Harley engine ever? Watch this video as we discuss the good and bad of these engines and I reveal my favorite and why.
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Had many evos, twin cans, and a M8. The Evo is the motor I like the best. Classic lope, easy to own, bulletproof. I've had 9 HDs over 36 years so far... I think when I sold my M8 and went back to an old Evo...it might just be my last HD.
Harleywindtherapy , I did a similar thing mate , I had/have again a 97 Evo softail customised , really nice looking bike , sold it to a mate cause i thought why not try a new bike for once so i bought a brand new Sportglide , yeh it was a nice bike but it wasn,t me ya know , so i ( luckily i have a good mate) pleaded with my friend to sell it back to me and luckily for me he did , so i got my trusty evo back and fucked off the new one after a couple of weeks , good thing about the Evo is you can pretty much fix it yourself not like the brand new ones of today , you nearly gotta be a computer expert just to tune em up .
same here bro
I would have to agree I have a 98 Evo I love that motor don't have to worry about cam enchanters
I hated the m8. It was like a jap shaft drive. Not even a Harley anymore
somethin needs to bring you out of misery
The Shovelhead was the "more than a machine" era. They have a heartbeat like sound about them and will always be my favorite as well.
Greetings from Denmark, I drive a 1974 FXE shovelhead that I have driven for 29 years. And I love it and I will never sell it - never. I also have a dl 750cc flathead from 1930
Debs husband says that's easy. EVOLUTION. This engine developed good power, sounded great, and didn't leak oil all over the place. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. It was also very reliable.
When I see a friend pack up his old Shovel for a long trip, I ask are you taking that? He always said, why not? It was good enough back then to run everywhere ! No matter your choice they all will run and break, give you joy and heartbreak shine and be dirty. At the end, You are riding through life on a Harley-Davidson
Well Said!
Perfectly said
Of course some manufacturers don't break as often, or as soon. Love my Harley Davidson, but have owned much more reliable motorcycles that I never even thought about mechanics or carrying tools when I rode them.
True
I got a friend who a few years ago kept trying to sell me a Suzuki Boulevard that was trying to copy an Indian...... At the time I was building a Harley Bobber in my living room..... Every time I saw him he would proceed to tell me that Suzuki was the bike that I wanted..... I finally got tired of it and told him......"YOU KNOW HOW I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE BIKE THAT I WANT???" ......He said "HOW???"..... I replied " BECAUSE I HAVEN'T EVER LAID IN B ED AT NIGHT DREAMING ABOUT OWNING A SUZUKI!!!"
Currently, my main bike is an '81 Shovel that I've owned now for 20 years, and it's my third Shovel. It's the most reliable bike I've ever owned, and that's probably 50-60 bikes including street, dirt and others. NOTHING sounds like a Shovelhead and the bonus, besides being able to work on it myself...is it has SOUL. Long live the Shovel.
Hi. How fast would a 1340 shovel get comfortably. Could you ride a 1000 mile trip without to much worry. Any idea on what makes an S&S engine `better`. Serious questions. I'm coming from the modern sports bike world where everything is fast and just works (mostly). But always hankered after a shovel.
@@NaziHampster got a cousin with112,000 miles on his,the wet sumping is not a problem when you ride a couple times a week,i've got one i inherited,there'll be no others,this one is the ONE,SHOVELHEAD,SOUNDS LIKE A HARLEY,these engines were geared from the factory for 55-65 mph,a baker six speed and you are flying.luck to ya
Shovels rule!
Well, the EVO sure did save Harley back in the 80's. We'll know if the REVO will be able to do the same soon enough.
Had a chopped 55 Panhead FL when I was a youngster -- S&S Carb, Hunt Magneto for improved performance. Beautiful bike. Panheads forever.
I've owned 9 HDs. Evos, twin cams, and M8. EVOs for me. In fact I just sold off a new M8 Limited and bought an older EVO. Bulletproof and sounds so good looking at idle.
Shovelhead for the win !! . I've owned dozens of bikes , Nortons , Triumph's , Ironheads , Shovelheads , Evo's , a V rod and now a Twin Cam . I've worked at a couple of dealerships , 30 + years as a dealership mechanic , many years as a heavy duty mechanic , rebuilt hundreds of engines and have done an extensive amount of machining . I've seen all manner of engine failure's and repaired them. My favourite ........ drum roll ...... Shovelhead , thats not saying that they are the best , it's just my favourite . The best engine ? , most reliable and trouble free is the V rod .... hands down , the problem is ....... a V rod lacks soul , it doesn't have the character that an air cooled pushrod , 45 degree V twin has.
My favorite is the shovel, 2nd Iron head, 3rd Evo
So true.
Shhhhh....your going to make prices go up. Lol
Everybody has there preference They all have there own personality and I agree the Vrod is a different animal Its rods are on different crankshaft journals I would leave it quiet
Bro I think that thousands are with you they sound great a little bit of work and they go good but a few adjustments because they don't like modern fuel so a oil cooler set of valve stem seals and maybe valves and a port im still running on my original bottom end yes 3 tops but still top end rebuilds are not really difficult.
This is bye far the best Harley mechanic on the web. Trusted and proven. Love the honesty and knowledge. More people need to share knowledge with fellow biker's. Thank you
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate the kind words sir. All the best.
I agree hands down he explains things like no one else !
💀Fkng.aye right. Kevin Baxter is a strong individual to say the very least.
💯
If you like him why are you saying bye to him?
The engine in my 1949 EL. Reliable like a tractor, and has been for many many years for me.
I've owned my 1993 FLHS since new. Took delivery 31 March 93. Solid engine, good fuel economy, lots of bolt on power upgrades. Upgrade the cam (I'm running an Andrews EV27), add a better exhaust (I've got a Thunderheader) and a free flowing air cleaner, you can see close to or at 80 hp and 80 lb/ft. Put in a better ignition module so you can get the revs up and it's a completely different bike to ride. Is it the fastest Harley? Nope. But you can load it down like a rental truck, ride it all day, and it won't disappoint.
I used to own an M8 and for the life of me I could never get used to the way it sounded, and the way it felt. And I went back to the Twin Cam. For the sound and feel. But with that said, my 90 EVO Fatboy is the bike I love.
Thanks for your video's man
I have a 2020 SGS which is my fourth Harley. Among other things I have a stage two kit and a 2 in 1 mid length Bassani exhaust and it sounds awesome.
I love the sound of my '15 Ultra Limited. I've had 4 Harley's, never picked pipes based on sound, but this one is the only 1 that has got compliments from strangers for the sound.
I have to agree though I have kept both. The m8 feels very very smooth and is mechanically very quiet. Because of those characteristics it feels very generic almost. What doesn't feel generic is the way it puts down power. Overall though yeah the twin cam has it all over the m8 in old HD character
I loved my 16 road king but absolutely hated the noisey 103. Had rocker lockers installed and still hated the sound.
Quietly looking around at the other evo 1200 sportster owners wondering what problems are like. Seriously bulletproof motor. Especially after 2004
All the evo Sportsters are bulletproof.
I’ve only ever changed the oil and plugs in my 1200…
65,000 trouble-free miles on my 1998 Sportster 883/1200. Great bike!
Huge facts, and quite easy to get power out of to boot. Superior valvetrain geometry to almost all Harley's as well. I put 70K miles on my '02. 45K of those miles it was a 95 HP 1250.
I have had several harley"s over the years , Love the sound of the old shovels but reliable goes to the EVO-80 incher in my opinion !
I have always liked my shovel head engines but the rigid mount Sportster Evo engine is a keeper for me.
I love Shovelheads. I had a 77 SuperGlide back in the '90's. Rode it everywhere, including to Sturgis and back in 94 . Damn good .Mine was a 74 inch.
I've had iron head sportys, shovelheads, evos, and a twin cam 88. No M8 yet. For me, I have had the best luck and trouble free miles with the twin cam.
Thanks Kevin I always appreciate your insight and ability to teach us understandability. Keep it up 👍
88 Twin Cam is bulletproof and a totally smooth running machine. Most meatheads are ignorant of these facts!
Revolution Power Train . Not sure why this isn't talked about more. The motor kicks ass.
Evolution 883 is the most reliable air cooled engine Harley has made with that iconic sound.
The twin cam is the best motor HD has produced. I beat mine like a jap bike and can't break it.
The small EVO has been proven to be the best engine that HD has made. I would argue that the 1200 is better but that is only my opinion. For reliability and power per cubic inch it cannot be beat. There is a reason why the sportster engine design is sized up for drag racing. The EVO sporty doesn’t have all of the issues that the big twins have. A square engine is a happy engine. Have a good day everybody!
What about the 1200? Looking for something I can ride on the Freeway and can still work on myself.
My nostalgia comes from my childhood watching some Hell's Angels friends of my dad's come pulling into our driveway on shovelheads regularly. Another is seeing how happy my uncle was after selling his old, oil leaking kickstart shovelhead and getting a used '85 evo Sportster. The same Sportster I learned to ride and pass my DMV test on over 35 years ago. Overall, anything Harley is my warm and fuzzy happy place.
Two shovels, two iron heads and a 96” Twinkie in my herd. The shovels are by far my favorite. And always been.
What do you think about the iron heads
I thought for sure you would say the EVO Sportster. Just kidding, but it really is a fantastic engine capable of incredible miles.
Twin Cam 103....incredible sound, power, and reliability.
Agreed
103 on a 2015 low rider, nice fast street bike. Not rice rocket fast but fast enough to be fun as hell.
generator shovels look the best to me, but a carb. late evo is tough to beat for reliability.
100%.
I 100% agree with your evaluation! Shovelhead till I'm dead! The look, the sound, the smell, love it! Thanks for a great video full of information!
I’ve been on a 2019 Street Bob with an M8 and didn’t like it at all,just the sounds was different and it didn’t handle like my nostalgic 03 Heritage Softail Classic,100 year Edition,TC88B,1449cc,I absolutely love this motor and put all my trust in her .especially when I go out of state for bike rallies.Ride safe my friends 🤘🏻🤘🏻
My first Harley was a 1970 FLH. Got it for $1600. It had 32,000 miles on it and I rode for another 3,000 before tearing down the top end for valves and pistons. It ran fine, despite a broken piston ring! Nothing ever came close to that bike...
Good video Kevin. My first Harley was a brand new 1971 FX shovelhead. Kick start only. The sound of that bike idling with that lope can’t be beat. It was only a 1200cc 74 inch engine, but it was so many smiles per mile to ride. And if it broke down on the side of the road I could always get it running. Never on a truck or trailer. Now if the cops back then would have just let us alone. LOL
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I had a 72 FX and yes it really did sound amazing remind me of a Corvette with side pipes however with those spindly forks the handling on that machine was not so good on corners it felt like it had a hinge in the middle of the bike. It was an odd feeling and an early road test said the exact same thing.
It’s a Ducati engine .. Harley is junk !
I had a ‘72 Sportster, Shovelhead. It still runs fine.
The Shovelhead pulls on my heart strings.
First love is the TC 88, my first Harley, but I dream of finding a shovel head or even a knucklehead dust covered in a barn somewhere.
Completely agreed on the shovel. It’s the one I grew up with and has a sound all its own. You’d better check the oil if it stops leaking though. 😜
Yes and Hell yes Kevin, I loved my Shovel Head, as a Union Crane Operator I had no time to go on long Trips ,join a club I was always working , On the one day off a week I could fire up my old FLH and rumble down the freeway to my spot for a Shot and a Beer and all the Weeks Worries seem to fade away. Now for long Cruising something low vibration Smooth and leak free looking more at the twin Cam. Thanks again , Rumbling, leaking,shovel head out ..
I'm so glad you didn't say a m8 Kevin... I love all Harleys, I haven't had any experience with older motors but I really dig those flathead bikes that Matt and Dale Walksler from wheels thru time builds.
Kevin, I'm with you with the shovelhead. Back in the mid-70s, I built a pan/shovel 88 incher with S&S flywheels. At first, I pushed the compression up there. But that proved incorrect because i lost what i wanted, reliability and more power. Then, I dropped the compression. That was the ticket. Shovelhead is still my favorite.
The EVO, without a doubt. Nothing else even comes close. I have an EVO FXRS and 2 EVO Sportsters. Wonderful engines, trouble free, last a long time, and can be rebuilt inexpensively several times. The sound and feel the same as a Shovelhead, but are much more reliable and don't leak oil. Twin Cam with their cheap pressed together cranks that won't stay in alignment and cam chain tensioners that constantly fail are junk, and the M8 is not even a real Harley engine. More like a Goldwing engine that resembles a Harley engine in appearance.
I have them both! Love them Both! And in all my years with Harleys they both make me Smile! 75 years young and still ride them both, don't see me going to change at this stage of Life! To each His own. Have fun riding what you enjoy!
Like my 78 shovel, the other thing that saved Harley was the private engineer that invented the softtail, which Harley was smart enough to buy.
Evo Sportster IMO was the best sounding harley ever, and the M8 is the best engine overall with an Stage 2 Aftermarket cam. The M8 doesnt sound like previous harley engines but it does sound mean and aggressive without sounding like a terrible annoying sporty car. It reminds me of those angry sounding drag cars with an aftermarket stage 2 cam. Evo Sportster though... That's the "HARLEY SOUND" to me.
I have a twin cam, shovel, knuck, a 1275 full tilt rubber mount sporty, a magmun 45, and half a dozen ironheads. My twin cam is my go to for a bike I can just jump on and ride, but my heart is with the ironheads. They're fun, sound great, and just have so much soul.
I’ll never forget my good mate brought a shovel, he fired this thing up in the shed…. Oh my god! Thanks for your time Kev
My first bike was a Sears Allstate 175, not street legal, first harley was a 74 sportster. Then I got a shovel, 74 also, a few triumphs, a norton, BSA. I'm getting my shovel ready for the summer and have been riding my 78 Triumph this winter. My shovel will probably carry me across country this summer, and maybe I can get my triumph rebuilt and no longer burning oil this year.
I like my EVO. It's not gonna win a race anytime soon, but it will run highway speed all day long and has a reputation for being reliable. In these times the economy being what it is, I'll take reliable and easy to maintain over speed and constant maintenance. To each their own, let's ride.
Yeah me to mate. Iove my 93 evo .👍😎
1950 FL with a 1975 Shovel top end fitted with S&S 4 1/4 flywheels, rods, and pistons. Owned since 1971 and rebuilt in 1980 with S&S parts etc. Built rigid frame Evo in 2002 to duplicate Pan Shovel. At 73, I'm retired from motorcycling now and treasure all the great times these motors have taken me to. Hate to have to sell them, but they need to be ridden...
I have been riding the same 1983 shovel head for 27 years it's on its forth rebuilt top end, I love it
Owned many over the year's and each had their quirks...the shovel is on the top of my list. Evo is right there with it. Difficult to answer this for sure. The M8 is also a great engine. The heat of my old shovel in the winter was welcomed....that old shovel was a tank that ran when it probably shouldnt have
i have always said the EVO has every up grade from a knuckel head im still a flat head guy 50 yrs and counting my HD has aways got me home HAPPY TRAILS
I once asked @shovelheadffej “Why the shovel?” He told me because of all the reasons you mentioned AND the look. When I found out about split rockers, I then, finally agreed. Now, I cannot wait to build one. I’ve spent my whole, half a century on this planet, admiring 1972’s like me. Now, I’m on the hunt for a 1972.
Rode an EVO a few times, owned a 96B, two 103A's multiple Sportster EVOs, and currently a 107 M8 in a Road King. Hands-down, the M8 is the best engine I've ridden yet. Sounds great through Rinehart Duals. Tone is a little different sure, but still noticeably Harley-Davidson.
The 79' shovel head had something notable done to it by Harley Davidson, the last 24 shovel head motors Harley Davidson built were customized by Harley Davidson that fixed the problems associated with the shovel head motor!
Great rundown on the motors through the years. I know a lot of Shovel owners. I was not one of them. But I always felt the love from those Road them. I’ve owned Ironhead, Evos, Twinkies and now M8 and I’ve gotta say, the M8 tops them all. I have a modest build with S&S .475 cam complete with quickie pushrods, oil pump and cam plate. I was a bit disappointed by the plastic intake, had to get the aluminum alloy intake. It was a whole new bike, awake, alive and very responsive! Had Dyno Steve of Olympia tune it up really nice and netted me 107 HP and 104 ft/lbs of torque. I couldn’t be happier! CHEERS! I love your content and how you break everything down and it all making sense!
I loved my 1981 Shovelhead FXE, Red. Bought it brand new. Road a 1972 Sportster in high school. I think the best engines from H/D are the ones they're selling right now! That way, the company stays in business... I'm 60yrs and I don't want to see Harley-Davidson go away. Where will I get parts for my EVO Sporty? J. from Michigan.
I owned 2 shoveheads, one Evo and currently own a 06 Twin cam. I wish I still had them all. I miss the shoveheads a bunch, just because they were as old as me. The evo really no complaints, But in enjoy my twin cam more in my older " I don't always want to tinker" age. And I expect it will be my final bike ( Road King) as it's just that much fun and it's growing old with more grace then it's owner. So that's reason enough to keep her around, along with my Bride.
The best Harley engine is the one propelling you down a curvy scenic road. My current one is a bone stock M8 107 with 24,000 miles on it.
Fantastic motor! I enjoy mine as well as my 103ho and my Evo before it.... yep I enjoy them all
My beloved Ironhead was left out in the cold again. I take full responsibility. I'm a sucker for an underdog. Another great video Kevin, as always and thank you for your time, your knowledge and your clear information.
Thank you!!
Rode my 77fxe for23 years!!! Still to this day, best Harley I’ve ever had!!!
1973 while in the Navy, I bought a used ‘69 Police Special FLH shovel head from San Diego Harley Davidson on India Street . The dealership gave me $500 in trade for ‘71 Kawasaki H1 500. After Jim the salesperson showed me how to operate the bike, I was ready to go, but a funny thing happened - I couldn’t make the right turn onto the one way street. The bike steering was completely different than my Honda 90 and H1. It took me about thirty minutes to drive around downtown San Diego to figure out the bikes handling characteristics. Anyway, when I got out of the Navy in ‘74, guys in a pick up truck threatened to blow my head off if I didn’t give them the bike. I sped away from them and soon as I got home I put the bike up for sale.
For sheer beauty, the Panhead, the hot 86 cube Shovel I had in a rigid had a ton of grunt, example power monos in 3rd gear, but the engine I enjoyed the most was the Evo with an "E" series shorty carb in a '97 Lowrider. I now have a TC88 Road King which is somewhat unspectacular, but it does everything I need as an old guy, and it's real pretty in black and chrome.
To me 66-69 FLH engine is the best as far as classical look and reliability
I’m the proud happy owner of an 81 Shovelhead that I bought new and also a 92 Evo I bought new. As far as performance and reliability I’m leaning towards my Evo I suppose ,but as far as a classic old friend that’s never let me down and has a sound that truly talks to me on those long solo hi-way night time road trips that I used to do so many of! If you haven’t experienced it , it’s impossible to describe… Shovelhead therapy …..it’s magic.
Kevin is a great guy. Extremely knowledgeable and honest as the day is long... I'm blessed in that I live just down the road from the shop.
For the sound and feel, I do love a carbureted twin cam.
Picking up my first HD tomorrow, a carb'd '01 FB that's had the cams and tensioner done, V&H Short Shots and jet kit installed and runs very well with 35K on the clock. Can't wait for spring!!!!
Had 3 evos. On a 2002 twin cam carb fat boy now .I think 2002 was a good year for twin cam ( solid crank )
Consider that since thier introduction the Ironhead Sportster engines made in the neighborhood of 1 HP/CI, and that is no big deal for modern motorcycles. AMF was the company that had engineers who figured out the economics of torque regarding H-D heavyweight motorcyces, and based the EVO engine on that. My Kawi C14 engine makes 159 HP for 82 CI with 100% proven reliability. That's 1.94 HP/CI.
Had a twin cam that never gave me any issues...but it's gone and my '79 shovel that hates to sit is still here. I have a 48 pan in pieces. people have asked me why not sell the Shovel and finish the Panhead. I don't know why...I just love that Shovel.
Excellent video Kevin. Thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers
Cheers!
My favorite would be the panhead. I love the exhaust cadence and the gear whine from the bottom end..love it!
Good choice!
I love that snappy sound of the twin cam, the look of the evo and shovel. M8s are really fun because they don’t have any dead spots, just power for days. So if I’m going on a cross country trip I’d probably like to have an M8 because you can have them worked on everywhere you go and they are just so comfortable to me, after riding those new bikes all day after the demo truck came to town and hoping back on my 97 softail with an EV27 cam in it I realized that even though this bike’s power band is much smaller and lacking power compared to those new shinty bikes I still love riding my evo. It felt so small compared to the new bikes also, but it felt kind of like home to me in a sense, not to mention that instant throttle response from the carb and not getting the input lag of EFI. All the different bikes have their places but at the end of the day a Harley is a Harley wether it be a sportster or a ultra limited. I don’t think I could not ride one as my main bike, even though I love my 1975 cb550 it’s just not the same as a Harley
I wish this guy was my next door neighbor. Tons of knowledge.
My 86 FXR 80 inch Evo can and will keep right up with my 17 Dyna with the 103 TC. Never had a motor related major issue with the Evo yet, solid as day one. TC has been solid as well.
I love the Shovel Heads myself!!! Hands Down!!
I have to go with my carbureted 88 twincam. I got the cam issue sorted out. And it runs like a bear. Even if its 20 degrees out, full choke and two throttle whacks and she fires up every time. So I have no complaints. Now I would love a 80in flathead though.
I bought a new shovelhead Superglide in December 1972 when the 73s were out. At that time, the 72s were 2100.00. When they pulled Their last beautiful black Superglide out to the shop and started it oil went all over the floor from wet sump from sitting, and never had that problem again. I wanted fatbob tanks and the 73s had the new style trach and rear brakes didn’t look like a good setup to me. The 72 good bike for me always ran well and sounded really good. One issue with the 72s that I know of besides engine problems. In the machining process the transmission shifting dogs They missed One swipe of the machining, which left one dog larger than all others. my bike was four years old I remove the trans and took the parts to Harley And of course they said they only had a 90 day warranty but when I showed him it was a factory defect they paid for all the parts thrust washers that were worn, because riding on one side of the Shift dog. At that time it was only $90 of parts. I sold it for twice As much money when it was 14 years old with a wide glide front end and framed print shop. Kevin, I would like to know what year shovelhead you would buy in stock form.
Subscribed because of this video. Great breakdowns which obviously come from a lot of experience!
I have owned a lot of them, shovel heads, evos, twin cams and now M8. I have to say the M8 is my favorite followed closely by my 2008 96” twin cam.
M8 is my favorite is user friendly torque and power from the factory. Twin cam is my favorite for harley character that the new m8 just do not have. M8 is silky smooth and quiet mechanically. Neither of which apply to my tc or my previous Evo.
Well said! I grew up as a young boy around shovel heads and i love the way they sound and smell when they burn fuel! That being said, i started riding twin cam 88, which i absolutely love, but now having an m8 im finding a new love! Really we can love them all and yes they have their place so there again, well said! Keep up the great content, I've learned so much. Piece from Sturgis SD!
Out of the engines you mentioned..Shovelhead, no doubt about it. I have one of my Shovel for 42 years and it still is my favorite bike. Not on your list and mainly for appearance reasons -Panhead, the best looking engine ever!
I had a '74 ( Shovelhead) AMF H.D. Superglide with sportster pipes. Like you, I liked the way sounded ( cast iron cylinders).Very reliable and ran smooth !
Kevin well said. I had one bike that started life as an 82 fxrs of course with the shovel and after owning it for about 10 years it dropped a rod out of the bottom end so we put an S&S 96 inch evo in the frame. Unfortunately after having to have some shoulder surgery i sold it and regretted it ever since and until i bought my 2020 ultra limited i had both the 88 and 103 version of the twin cam. But its really hard to beat the combination of the ride and sound from the shovel fxrs. Keep up the great content
I've had my M&M FI 1998 Road King for 19 years. When I upgraded the stator and rectifier, with 9000 miles on the bike, it solved all kinds of issues, mainly the cam sensor always melting. I now have 79,000 miles on that bike. Just completely stock besides true duals and the charging system. That EVO Just always runs. I still get 47 mpg. I am getting older and thinking of a new RG for the fairing.
Sometimes you just blow me away! The way you connect with people is amazing!! You play at such an amazing level , but can reach back and relate and remember what it’s like to try and excell how to play and the way to get thru all the bullshit !!!! Thanks Steve!,
My personal favorite is the early carbed Twin Cams...to my ears, they sound the best...I've had a shovelhead/troublehead, NEVER again...& I had a 2008 110 Screaming Eagle CVO Electra Glide, but the one I kept is my 1999 Road King...while it hasn't been completely trouble free, it's had way fewer problems than the other two, & sounds better too...
I love and respect all manner of Harley's, I do think its interesting that the reliability equation is per cubic inch for Harley and per CC for Japanese bikes with decades between them. Honda putting 75hp in a 750cc engine back in 1970 that could outlive its owner before a rebuild, while I've lost count of how many mild top end rebuilds I've done on 90's Evo sportster engines (great motor btw) for customers that I've done. Not shaming Harley, they are my all time favorite cruisers. Great video, thank you, and may the road wind for miles.
Up until my current bike, a 103 inch 06 Heritage, all my bikes were Pans and Shovels. I really miss my 49 Pan. It is my favorite bike ever. 74 inches, slow by today's standard but started and ran every time I went out to go for a ride. Simple and dependable. Plus the jockey shift took the cool factor way up. Now I have fuel injection and really wish it was a carb bike. I don't need or want mind melting power, just a good running bike. And yes it sumps too. Even with the S&S cam chest upgrade. I made a mistake on the cam choice so next weekend I am pulling the S & S 551 cam out (can't get rid of detonation) and a Red Shift 576 is going in. And I get to tune it all over again. Oh joy. In the end, after almost 50 years of riding I agree. A P!n or Shovel are my favorites. With them you really can go for a put with your friends. I am seriously considering selling the Heritage and building another Pan. Thank you and be safe.
Great video, fun to listen to! I’ve only had twin cam 103s. Two twin cooled H.O. and a non balanced Dyna and balanced Ultra. Twin Cams have been my favorites so far. A stage two M8 may be next in several years.
I still have my 73 FX Shovelhead Superglide I bought in '90 and mildly customized.. the engine was upgraded to 91ci it's hand shifted..it will definitely peg the fun meter...I also have a 99 Evo Heritage Classic it's upgraded to 96ci...it too is capable of pegging the ol' fun meter...
The best Harley Davidson motor is the one that most Harley Davidson riders hate that is the 1130 cc vrod engine I put 50,000 miles on one and it never leaked. One bit of oil never overheated never left me stranded.
i own a 1971 FLH, a 2000 FLHTC and a 2018 FLHR. there is NOTHING that sounds like a shovel. it's the only bike i own with a soul.
I've had my 2006 88ci carburator. 17 years still running strong
Thanks for a very interesting listening. I've never owned a Shovel, but I too like the sound a well mainted Harley Shovel. My first EVO was a '91 Heritage, and I loved it event hough it was quite standard. After that I had a '99 Softail Springer and that was an amazing ride. Fired up to 92hp on the the rear wheel it was 'hot'. Nowadays I have a '10 Fatboy - smooth as silk, fits like a glove and never fails. Pure love. However, I once loaned a bike that I never will forget - a guy had just finished his Chopper with a '55 Panhead, and he kept naggin' me to try the damn thing. Which I did... and now I can't get rid of the memories of that ride. Anyway, thanks for the great listening...
Thanks Kevin. I remember 80 Cu. inch shovel owners mostly complaining about poor quality control, overheating, oil consumption, and detonation. It would be nice to know your thoughts on the weak points of each big twin 74 inch and up OHV engine designs and which years had serious issues and if the issues are a relatively easy fix with today's aftermarket parts. I'm looking to build a bike around a H-D engine and transmission clone like rev-tech, Jims, etc, (or buy a mostly original 84 to 86 FXRS if I can). I like the look of the Pan (and most of my friends who have been H-D owners since the 70's seem to revere the old Pan), but I also rode a few early Evos (84-86 FX twin shock and soft tails) and liked those performance wise (at that time every 80 cu. inch shovelhead owner I new wished they had waited for the Evo - and better quality control - before buying their new 80-83 H-D - I wonder why the Shovel is so popular now - are the problems all fixable now?).
Thanks for your honest opinion!! I am an old guy but your no BS approach is refreshing!! Got a m8 thing flys.. just cam and intake.. all I need.. if I was going to do anything else would be wings!! Live well!!
Much appreciated! Be well sir. Thank you!
Ive only had EVO's and now M8's bypassed the twin cam so can't comment on them and not lucky enough (or old enough) to have ridden a Shovel. As much as I love the sound and feel of the old Evo, it's hard to go back. The progress, shove and performance you're greeted with on a new M8 is too satisfying. So far I'm loving the 114 M8.
I have a 2002 T.C and a 1980 FXWG, the T.C gets me where I need to go, but there’s nothing like the feeling of that shovel shaking between your legs, not to mention the sound. It’s like the engine is alive. Great video👍
Thank you Kevin..must agree I love my old 74 shovel
Hey Kev I'll go one step further, my old panhead it's still my favorite sled even though my two twin cam motorsicles make almost twice the power, there is something to be said about classic iron
Grateful for you making this video ‼️🙏🏻🇺🇸
My bike is a 2002 Road King with the Twin Cam 88. I bought it new and picked it up in October 2001. I've never had a minute's trouble with it in its 58,000 miles. I'm 83 and still riding that bad boy--love it.
I’ve had 5 TC, been pretty Happy w em all.. also had a VRod, great engine, un Harley like but the suspension (or lack thereof) on that bike was killer!
I agree 💯, I ride a evo fxr but the shovel will always be #1 for me actually looking at a '82 fxr now same age as me 😁
Your videos are some of the best. Thank you for all your shared knowledge and exsperance.
Kevin, you hit all the great talking points in this op-ed. The best motor is the one your riding. Your favorite, is the one your building. As for my opinion, my favorite motor ? The 2 valve Ducati desmo in my 2011 Monster 1100EVO. My favorite from H-D Mo-Co. the EVO. The EVO for simplicity and reliability. I've owned 2) EVO's. Still have a "Twinkie" 88/95. Currently own a 107 M-8 Road King. Thanks once again for the knowledge you share with us.