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JUST BOUGHT THIS '73 SHOVEL

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  • roadie
    roadie
    15 years ago
    Thanks for the info on the bearing. I didn't know about that one! It seems to go better than I expected as if its not a standard cam. The speedo reads way out. At 40 -45 mph its reading over 60. So I've got to sort what speedo drive suits this speedo. I checked the engine number before I bought it and that said '73 FL 1200. I'm certainly not bothered about originality just be nice to know the bikes history. At the moment I'm sorting out swapping the wheels front to back. Any info always greatly appreciated. Ian.
  • Speeding Big Twin
    Speeding Big Twin
    15 years ago

    Thanks for clarifying the type of frame. You said previously that on the steering head you couldn’t see anything but as an example and for future reference I’ve posted a photo below showing additional original component identifying numbers. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the additional ID was stamped on the left side of the Big Twin frame steering head beginning with 1962 models and the photo appears to show B5 as the first two of five characters on a 1963 model frame:

     

    If you take the tanks off sometime have a look at the frame top engine mount and stamped on it you may find a large letter and a number. The letter indicates the month the frame was made and the number indicates the year—for example, A2 on the top mount of a drop saddle frame would indicate the frame was made in January 1962. But that WOULDN'T necessarily mean it was a 62 model because Harley didn't always use things straight away.

    Regarding the rest of the bike, the gas tank nameplates are 1961–62 style but I can’t tell if they are original 61–62 items. These days Harley sells them again but as multi-fit nameplates and they’re also available from some aftermarket companies.
     
    I can’t tell if the gas tanks are Harley or not but if they are then they’re about 1980-81 or later, judging by the right-angle petrol outlets at the front of them. Or they could be aftermarket gas tanks. Oil tank is 1970 or later if H-D, or it could be aftermarket. Rear master cylinder could be Wagner-Lockheed and if so, the name may be indented on the side. Or it could be an aftermarket copy. H-D used those Wagner-Lockheed types on the rear of Big Twins for 1958–early-79.
     
    I can’t see a padlock plate on the lower triple clamp but it may have been cut off for cosmetic purposes. Or it could be a pre-1969 lower triple clamp. 
     
    The instrument panel cover appears to be pre-1968 but I can’t tell exactly which type it is from the photos. And I can’t be sure what year the speedo is either. My 1941–84 H-D FL parts catalog indicates the speedo drive was in the gearbox housing as late as 1980. And then there was a front wheel drive unit from 1981.     Eric   

        

     
  • roadie
    roadie
    15 years ago
    Thanks again more info. The triple clamps are chromed and I would imagine are aftermarket. The instrument panel is old so I would imagine is harley. The speedo is police special, mph. There only seems to be 2 different ratio speedo drives so I'll have to try other one when I figure out which one I have. I'll have to make sure there isn't a drive on the gearbox for it first. Next time I've got the tank off I'll check the frame under there.
  • FatboyMick
    FatboyMick
    14 years ago

     man, that's a sweet looking ride, good one mate.

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