I turned 56 last April so I called the motorcycle shop and made arrangements to have a high performance cam and carburator installed on my MC. It's 32 years old (I am the original owner, bought it new in July of 1979) and it was never very fast and I felt the need for more power and speed.

Unfortunately when they got in the engine they found some valve damage so I had to have the entire top end rebuilt. So by the time it was over I spent $2,400. But holy baloney does it feel strong, now. I'm thinking about a 20% power increase.

I think she still looks pretty good for an old girl.

Nice shovel! Well worth the investment, believe it or not their prices are rising. Good luck with it.

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

Sir, good on ya. I like the old Super Glides.

Semper Fi,

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

I probably don't know enough about bikes to be entitled to an opinion, but that looks good to me!

I wish you safe miles in the second half.

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David Wilson

There's nothing like freshening up an older vehicle. Congrats on breathing some new life into your old bike. Hope it gives you years more of fun.

So, what is it? I don't know one cycle from another.

Looks good, though.

Congrat's on reviving the old girl. You hit the 56 mark just before me as my birth day is early May. Our ride style's must not be the same as I ride my 06 ultra classic and love it I've got 22,000 mile's on mine but have not had her out much this year do to the blood clot in my leg. How many mile's are on the old girl before having to redo the top end ?

P/S keep the shiney side up

My wife told me it will be a great many years before I will have a mid life crisis since even though I am 47, I still act like a 12 year old (on a good day!).

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Good life will not Heaven get!

I bought my '07 in my early 40's. No crisis or anything, just always wanted a big touring bike to do some traveling on and love it.

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- Change it back -

Nice Bike! Consider a 2 into 1 exhaust system for even more power. Good sound too.

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-Bob

Wells Sax,

Congrads, Just gotta love that open road

Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

TS- it's a 1979 FXE "Super Glide." It has the 80 inch motor that was introduced as a mid-year change (the previous standard was 74 inches). I was told that this was the first 80" model they sold in the city where I lived. Paid $4600 for it.

The E is for electric start. This was the first Harley to come sans the kicker. I felt uneasy about that and for $100 they installed one for me. That feature is what most folks gawk at when I park it. A lot of young riders have never seen a kick starter. Yes, I have used it a couple times and it got me home when the battery was running low.

The Japanese bikes are faster but to me riding is about more than just speed. I like the feel, sound, and mystique of the Harley. It has style. I see a Japanese bike go by I have no idea what make it is unless I read the name on the tank. Nobody mistakes a Harley for another make.

But as I said, this one was a little short on power. Rated when new at 60 horse power, it was probably putting out no more than 50 with the engine problems. Now it feels much more muscular and I bet it's up around 70-75 HP. It used to struggle to accelerate when cruising at 70 and now it leaps to 85 and keeps pulling (but I backed off at that point).

I like they way this one looks. Simple and understated.

SaxonPig,

Beautiful ride you have there. Love the kicker and the sinister/understated/tasteful color. The top end work is probably exactly what she needed to feel like a new machine.

Please be watchful for the inattentive car drivers out there. We want to see more bike updates over the upcoming decades.

Chris

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/at least she finds me handy.

Nice! SP, I am a little confused by you saying your 79 was the first year without the kicker? You must mean on that model "Super glide". I owned a 1963 dual glide, 64 dual glide and a 69 electra glide. To the best of my knowledge the electra glide got the starter in 1965. It kept the kick start in 65 along with the starter, but in 1966 dropped the kicker.
Here is my 63, 64, and 69.

Actually, I believe the "FXE" Superglide model year 73 or 74, had both the electric start and the kicker.

AMF, the glory years

1975 FLH

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Sure you did

Nice shovel head you got there! My wife has come to the conclusion that my mid life crisis started when I was ten years old. It hasn't worn off yet at fifty seven - I have two H.D.s', a Big Dog K-9, and a 400cc dirt bike! Make it loud, keep the shiny side up, wear a helmet, and be safe my friend!

There was a lot of bad press about the AMF years. I must have got lucky. I never had trouble with my 69 outside of crashing it! Once my alternator went out. Should have been able to fix it with a 10 cent diode. Had a electrical engineer friend at lockheed going to order the part. Found out HD had a "freeze" on the part by the manufactorer where they wouldnt sell the simple part and had to pay full pop for a new altinator! I belive that was the only mechanical problem I recall with any of my harleys besides the usual batterys, chains and tires. Had a top end done to the 63.
A word about prices: I paid $1,000s in 66 for that 63 with not many miles. I paid $1,500 for the 64 also low miles in about 81. The 69 I bought in about 1970 from a friend who had heart trouble right after he bought it new, his doctor told him he couldnt ride. Price? $2,700s!
I remember new dressers went for about $1,600s about in 1965! I smashed the 69 in the early 70s, bought for $100s all the fenders, tanks, bags and crash bars, shield from a guy striping down a dresser for a chopper. $100s! Then I got in another wreck with it! Here it is with the red fenders after the wreck. I sold the wreck for the same $2,700s I paid for it! The 63 I put on another 80,000 miles or so, and sold it for $800s, had paid the $1,000s. The 64 that I paid $1,500s, I sold for $2,500s. BUT several years later I seen it in the local paper and the guy was asking $10,000s for it!!
You cant come out that good with jap bikes! The other picture is another time I had one custom painted with blue lace.

Mine was the 1st HD I saw without the kicker. I was unaware some models had dropped it much earlier.

Is that bike original finish or has it had a re-blue?

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'Merica!

Mr. Pig...

I just KNEW you were old, as soon as I read CARBURETOR and CAMS..

Welcome to Mid-Life... your gonna like it!!! We ALL go through it!!

2003 Ultra Classic.. with a bit of work

95 Cu.
95 HP
103 Tq.
Baby could RUN!!!

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

Nice Ride Saxon Pig.
If you ever have the desire to go to the Sturgis Rally let me know. I would be honored to be your tour guide for a day or two around the Black Hills of South Dakota. I ride there almost every weekend during the summer months.

Wingmaster

I don't know how many miles you had on it, but I guess the lifters went, taking out the valves?

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

Nothing wrong with a mid life crisis. I've been working on mine for 44 years. 78 1/2 80 inch custom FLH. Andrews A/B grind cam, S&S "E" series carb, Sifton lifters, 9.1 pistons and a little head work. It'll smoke the back tire. The joys of youth.
DW

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"NUTS"

I opted for a little different second childhood.
Blessings

Attached Images

DSC_6710.JPG (80.6 KB, 27 views)

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TEXAS, by GOD

WOW! You got a lot of people for your second childhood!


Oh, you mean the car.

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Good life will not Heaven get!

From one Shovelhead owner to another: YAY! Glad to hear she's running like she should. One thing about Shovels, as long as you take care of them, you'll definitely get your money's worth out of them.