Anyone know a site that explains the evolution of the Harley-Davidson V twin motors? When each type came out and such. I recognize a knucklehead and a panhead and the later models, but I'm not really sure about what other motors came out when. I know HD has never had a rep for reliability, but were there particular years to stay away from? Just curious how much a used rebuildable motor might go for if I were to decide to build a bike. I may have a lead on a good frame, but I have a lot to learn. I'm regretting one I let get away from me a few years ago and starting to think about it again.
I can't tell you year to year and the full history lesson. However if it's reliability you seek, it's really found in the Evolution engines, especially if you are new to HD's. It's more or less a plug-n-run motor. If your on the nostalgia trip, shovels will likely be the cheapest route but also more problematic in stock form. There are a few things that are easily upgraded to make a shovel a decent engine as long as you're willing to tweak on it from time to time to keep it going smooth. In my opinion the pans have the cool factor down but fetch more money than a shovel. I may be incorrect but I believe the pans final year was 65 and the shovel was the model run up till about 84 These were followed by the Evo which remained unchanged till about 99. In comparison, the shovel is like running a flathead Ford, the Pan is like running a Nailhead Buick and the Evo is like running a SB Chevy. If your new to it, get an EVO. Good place to start, cheap by comparison and reliable. The others have that cool factor down but it's not worth the trouble for a first build. Expect about 2600 for a new Evo, more for a nice Pan and a little less for a decent shovel. After re-reading my post, I'm probably way off on the Panhead thing as far as years. And someone else will have to chime in for the knuckle lesson.
Dude if you wanna know years and stuff do a google search. But if you wanna know the "Cool" motors, that shit is all based on personal preference. Now for "Value" sake Panheads and Knuckleheads will fetch the big bucks, if you find one you could compare it to finding an all steel O.G. 32 roadster. What to look for is a good set of matching motor cases. If they don't have a title be leary and if they don't want to give you a bill of sale with a signature DO NOT BUY IT! There are more stolen motors and frames out there than you can shake a stick at. If you got a line on a good frame (Rigid I hope?). And the guy is on the up and up go ahead and buy it because any Harley motor from Big Twin Flatheads to Evo's will fit. Now know that if you buy anything for "Sportster's" all you can do is build a sportster, frames motors do not swap with Big Twins. Big Twin motors displacement is commonly refered to in "Inches" 74" 80" 88" etc. Sportsters are commonly in metric 1000cc 1200cc etc. People used to say stay away from the AMF years but if you are gonna rebuild it anyway it dosen't really matter. Hope that little bit helps.
I think the authors name was "Alan Girdler" ? Who wrote it all, based on his desire to build racing Harley's. There is much "What fits What" books out there, like making corvair pistons fit your flathead etc..
i know its not "traditional" but if we are strickly talking reliability and smooth running, why not at least mention twin cams???? also some folks forgot to mention some other earlier motors, 45's flatheads, and earlier stuff.
I work in a Harley shop and I see a lot of Evos with leaking base gaskets, doesn't matter what year they have a tendency to do it. Cometic makes a gasket that works real well at fixing this problem.I'm a shovel type myself but the new Twin cam's are hard to beat. Just be sure to check the cam drive. You can build the piss outta them , run them hard and they keep going strong. The big inch ones sound like sbc's too!But you can't beat the old engines for the cool factor!
You can easily get 100,000 miles out of a Twin Cam, if the proper maintenance is followed. The EVO's have more after market items, so easier to hot rod.
You can send your twinkie to S&S, they'll punch it out to 124".Fucking awesome engine!!!!!!! Very reliable,too.
Good stuff. I tried using Google first but I was overwhelmed with all the HD websites for the little bit of information I initially wanted. I figured with all the popularity that these after market companies would come up with ways of modifying and correcting problems on some of the classic motors. I've always loved the knuckleheads & panheads, but I figured they command a high price. I really have no idea what is a good price on a running engine. Besides oil leaks, what tends to make it necessary to tune them so often? Slack valve train? Poor carbs? Sloppy ignition? It seems everyone I know only ride Goldwings.
Wanna be really cool? Find a flathead 80",put in Corvair pistons,port the heads. My buddies old set-up. It was like a tractor.You could smoke the tire off,sounded awsome with all the chains rattling and banging,shorty dump pipes.
add'n to the 88" I ride one,rubber mounted and all,it gets me to the bar and back and also where ever else i want to go purdy dependably! As far as building one,what r u using it for,bar hopper,road bike,rice rocket eater?like been said b-4 knuckle,pan,shovel good luck with find'n any of the above for a price you wont have to sell the farm 4,then build it,go evo man,solid mount evo,good cheap power plants,dependable even after hot rod'n the shit out of 'em
Been ridin' and wrenchin' on these for way to many years. Cool factor is pans and shovels. Knucks are hard to locate for a reasonable price, and they are a bitch to keep runnin'. Evo's SUCK! I know cause I ride one!!!No class, every swingin' dick has one and they all run like hell(Yea, right!) Don't even start on Sporties!!(They are fast though!!) The bike scene is full of "experts" with all the shows on the tube, but most are just "assemblers", no real fabricators anymore. Enough of a rant, have fun, be safe!! AL
I only mentioned Bigtwin Flatty's to Evos cause all of those motors readily fit into "Bigtwin" frames. Mounting a twincam motor into a rigid frame not designed for it will cause the need for some fabrication. I love the twin cam. Had an 03 Road King and rode it to Sturgis and onto Milwaukee for the hundredth, ran like a champ NO PROBLEMS!!!. I ended up selling it to my father in law and am waiting for the final assembly on my 8 year 72 Iron head project. I'll get it approved through the proper channels and post pics when she's done.
Buy a Triumph. Theres plenty of them around, lots of parts available, can be had for a reasonable price, they have the vintage cool factor, are plenty quick and can be set up as anything from a rigid long bike to a track straightening cafe racer. Plus, if someone like me can figure one out, anybody can.
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