Touring bikes have been the foundation of H-D's collection since the start of the Big Twin. Fitted with windshield and saddlebags, the technique has shown to be a reliable stand for driving the motorways of America. Having numerous particularly long journeys on-board my vintage Panhead, I will attest directly to the virtues of a fully-dressed Harley for long-distance touring.
But those initial Touring models furthermore make worthy every day riders, too. Take for instance, Pat Moroney's 1970 FLH shown in this article. Pat also happens to possess Moroney's Harley-Davidson in New Windsor, New York, also, this bike is definitely a valuable motorcycle within his huge variety of H-Ds. The very first year for the cone cover Shovelheads was 1970. The previous year, the Motor Company had been acquired by American Machine and Foundry (AMF), making 1970 a rather hard period for the folks in Milwaukee.
Prior to cone cover up engine, Shovelheads were termed as even sides, in related to the slab-sided generator and cam cover on the right section that's a carryover from the Panhead motor unit. The distributor was mounted over the base of the front side cylinder, making this motor very easily identifiable. That very same year, 1970 saw the switch to an alternator powered the left side of the engine by the sprocket shaft. In addition, the distributor disappeared, and the points were housed under the conical timing cover up on the motorcycle's right side.
This 1970 motorcycle came into Moroney's Harley-Davidson for a top-end work between the 1980's and as soon as the build was accomplished, the actual owner strangely didn't return for his motorcycle. Tough to visualize in this time period, but in the past, the old Shovelhead was only another old motorcycle on the bottom of its market value. The shop's service crew set aside the repaired and thought to be homeless motorcycle away, in which it lay for over two decades, until about 2003, when he pulled it out and made a decision to execute a complete renovation on the orphaned bike.
The gas tank had been, in past times, sanded and painted in paint primer, so sadly not enough authentic coating still existed to carry out a considerate recovery. He stripped the motorcycle down to the chassis and sandblasted and coated different parts before the rebuild began. Being a H-D supplier meant everything was carried out in house. The motor was renewed to manufacturer requirements, like brand new bushings, bearings, etc. The transmission had also been entirely renovated and a fresh clutch included.
He said that a lot of particular attention was given to the carburetor's restructure. That carburetor was built with a character being finicky, and back in the 1970s, many called the Tillotson carburetor as "The Troublesome". He pointed out, even though, once properly dialed in, the Tillotson could be a dependable carburetor. The bike's renovation continued with completely new chrome and cadmium plating, and placing the correct pieces to ensure the Shovelhead motorbike was just like it would have been on the display room deck in 1970. One of Moroney's longtime techs shot the tanks with the original Hi-Fi Red and Birch White. I like this color selection pairing and recall the statement it can make with motorcycles on the streets or ditched when in front of a bar. The 5.00-16" rims were re-laced and trued before they were covered with classic white wall tires. The white pillow seat and hand grips increase the bike's old-time feel.
This motorcycle really straddles the era between vintage and modern age: an excellent collectible, yet competitive machine. It keeps all of the charm and fine detail work of its forerunner, the Panhead, yet provides all the performance and robustness of newer Evo styles that replaced it in the 1980's.
But those initial Touring models furthermore make worthy every day riders, too. Take for instance, Pat Moroney's 1970 FLH shown in this article. Pat also happens to possess Moroney's Harley-Davidson in New Windsor, New York, also, this bike is definitely a valuable motorcycle within his huge variety of H-Ds. The very first year for the cone cover Shovelheads was 1970. The previous year, the Motor Company had been acquired by American Machine and Foundry (AMF), making 1970 a rather hard period for the folks in Milwaukee.
Prior to cone cover up engine, Shovelheads were termed as even sides, in related to the slab-sided generator and cam cover on the right section that's a carryover from the Panhead motor unit. The distributor was mounted over the base of the front side cylinder, making this motor very easily identifiable. That very same year, 1970 saw the switch to an alternator powered the left side of the engine by the sprocket shaft. In addition, the distributor disappeared, and the points were housed under the conical timing cover up on the motorcycle's right side.
This 1970 motorcycle came into Moroney's Harley-Davidson for a top-end work between the 1980's and as soon as the build was accomplished, the actual owner strangely didn't return for his motorcycle. Tough to visualize in this time period, but in the past, the old Shovelhead was only another old motorcycle on the bottom of its market value. The shop's service crew set aside the repaired and thought to be homeless motorcycle away, in which it lay for over two decades, until about 2003, when he pulled it out and made a decision to execute a complete renovation on the orphaned bike.
The gas tank had been, in past times, sanded and painted in paint primer, so sadly not enough authentic coating still existed to carry out a considerate recovery. He stripped the motorcycle down to the chassis and sandblasted and coated different parts before the rebuild began. Being a H-D supplier meant everything was carried out in house. The motor was renewed to manufacturer requirements, like brand new bushings, bearings, etc. The transmission had also been entirely renovated and a fresh clutch included.
He said that a lot of particular attention was given to the carburetor's restructure. That carburetor was built with a character being finicky, and back in the 1970s, many called the Tillotson carburetor as "The Troublesome". He pointed out, even though, once properly dialed in, the Tillotson could be a dependable carburetor. The bike's renovation continued with completely new chrome and cadmium plating, and placing the correct pieces to ensure the Shovelhead motorbike was just like it would have been on the display room deck in 1970. One of Moroney's longtime techs shot the tanks with the original Hi-Fi Red and Birch White. I like this color selection pairing and recall the statement it can make with motorcycles on the streets or ditched when in front of a bar. The 5.00-16" rims were re-laced and trued before they were covered with classic white wall tires. The white pillow seat and hand grips increase the bike's old-time feel.
This motorcycle really straddles the era between vintage and modern age: an excellent collectible, yet competitive machine. It keeps all of the charm and fine detail work of its forerunner, the Panhead, yet provides all the performance and robustness of newer Evo styles that replaced it in the 1980's.
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