1973 FLH build...by a noob

[Kungpow50]

Been checking out this site and the Shovelhead one for a while. Finally finished my first ever build and I’m so fired up I gotta brag cuz she lives. Bought it as a numbers matching 1973 FLH that didn’t run. Not really my style as you all will see with the final pics. I didn’t take as many photos as I shoulda during the build but I had no clue what I was doing so what ever. This is also a test of posting pics. This is what she looked like when I got her.

[Kungpow50]

She looked nice but had sat in this guys shed for 5+ yrs. Got her started then tore her apart. Lots of rusty chrome and dry rotted rubber and wiring. Off to blaster and powder.

[Kungpow50]

Here’s the deal. I had no clue what the fuck I am doing. Never done anything like this before so I was winging this whole build. I knew what I wanted her to look like but no clue the order I should be doing things. Had frame and pets powder coated before I mocked it up. Idiot!! Whatever I knew she wouldn’t be a show bike. Knew I wanted a springer so ordered one from Led Sled customs. Now while I wait for front end, clean up and paint the motor, swap out old gaskets, adjust pushrods, etc. Again...no fucking clue what I’m doing. Literally service manual and YouTube.

[Kungpow50]

Finished motor, got frame and parts back then was at a standstill. Ended up waiting 9 months to get the springer in. Once I got it it was a mad dash. Here she is as a rolling chassis.

[Kungpow50]

Ordered a split tank that would work with original shovelhead grime mounts. Problem was the previous owner had welded newer fat bob tank mounts so they could use the big stretched tanks on her. I quickly realized I screwed up powder coating the frame already. Had to cut off the tank mounts and fab a bracket for the tanks I bought and weld it to the frame. Yes...I’m an idiot. Here’s the mock up.

[Kungpow50]

You can see in the last pic was also trying to figure out the rear fender. For some reason decided I wanted to mount fender to the swing arm so it moved with it. Used the front fender from original bike. Cut it down, stripped all the paint, fabbed a bracket and welded it to the swing arm. Btw...taught myself to weld so I can do this shit. Not pretty but they hold.

[Kungpow50]

Time for sissybar so the fender is stable. Bent some round rod and welded one of my grandpa’s old wrenches to it. What do ya know...got a sissy bar.

[Kungpow50]

Time to install the motor, tranny, etc and second f-up on my part.



Looking good till I snapped a bolt, tried to extract, didn’t work so drilled then really jacked the inner primary. Who knows how long this will last. Good thing I installed a kicker cuz I don’t use the electric starter unless absolutely needed.

[Kungpow50]

Continuing on...got her guts in, adjusted clutch best I knew how, then buttoned her up. Installed oil tank too.

[Kungpow50]

Fun stuff now!! Oil lines and wiring. Used a bare bones diagram I got off the shovelhead site but modified cuz I wasn’t using a key. Check out this chicken scratch!! BTW...this shit worked haha!

[Kungpow50]

Times for a seat. Beat the hell out of some sheet metal with a ball peen hammer and a bag of sand. Covered it with some leather from Tandy leather using the foam from original seat. Turned out pretty nice I think.

[Kungpow50]

Moment of truth. A little gas and let’s see if she starts. Yes I know...I used the starter. I knew it would prob take 500 kicks and I needed some instant gratification. I promise I’ll video the kicking process.

[Kungpow50]

Well...evidently the video didn’t post. But she started. Pretty sweet!!! Did some carb adjusting and realized too rich. Changed out the intermediate jet now she runs pretty good. First two shake down runs didn’t go great. Got 30 miles in and started knocking. Talked to an old boy from Devine, Tx named Brian at a gas station and pointed me to the right direction. Tappet screen was clogged up. She runs like a champ now.

https://youtu.be/INk0xZaKOhA

[Kungpow50]

Thanks for listening. PBR makes me ramble. I feel like I left out a lot with the build since it took me a year to do. Named her the Dirty Cunt Death Machine (DCDM). DC because she fought me the whole way and made fun of me when I fucked up (which was often) DM cuz still ain’t got a front brake and still finding bolts and nuts maybe I forgot to loctite.

[armand]

Good job