I like the term Ironhead; the Shovelhead is a big twin copy of the Ironhead Sportster rocker box style. Shovelheads aren't cast iron, they're an alloy. The rocker boxes fool people who don't know.

What makes a Harley an ironhead?

The ironhead was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so named because of the composition of the cylinder heads (Iron instead of Aluminium). The engine is a two-cylinder, two valves per cylinder, pushrod V-twin. It was produced from 1957 until 1985 and was replaced by the Evolution engine in 1986.

Is Harley ironhead reliable?

They are rudimentry and easy to work on and a well maintained one is as reliable as anything else. This is exactly my experience. Look at my sticky "IronHead Maintenance Schedule". The IronHeads do require a lot more maintenance than virtually any other bike you may choose.

Is a Shovelhead a big twin?

Usage. The Shovelhead engine was ultimately fitted to all of Harley-Davidson's big twin motorcycles throughout its production. The motors were first met with controversy due to the Shovelhead's weight and ground clearance.

Is a Shovelhead a good engine?

If you follow the specs in the book and use good quality parts and have your machine work done properly, the Shovelhead is as reliable as any other motorcycle, Otherwise, it will leave you by the side of the road every time.

2 Minute Moto - Harley Engine Names Explained

Are Shovelheads rare?

What is the most collectable Harley-Davidson Shovelhead? The most rare H-D Shovel and therefore the most collectable is the 1981 FXS Low Rider limited edition. Just 14 were made for the 13 executives that bought the company back from AMF plus one for John Davidson.

How much horsepower can a Shovelhead make?

Power. Early 80-inch/FLH Shovelheads produced a maximum 66 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. From 1970 to 1984, maximum horsepower dipped slightly to 62, peaking at 5,400 rpm. Horsepower dipped to 60 in 1978 to 1980 models, climbing to 65 in 1981 through 1984 versions.

How heavy is a Shovelhead engine?

Figure on about 600 pounds. Seat height and seat width are a major consideration, even more than weight.

What is the biggest engine Harley-Davidson makes?

Harley-Davidson offers power-hungry street riders a new performance option with the introduction of the Screamin' Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Crate Engine for Touring model motorcycles. The new 131 cubic inch (2147cc) V-Twin delivers the biggest, most powerful street-compliant engine Harley-Davidson has ever created*.

What are Shovelhead heads made of?

First-year Shovelheads were given aluminum versions of Sportster iron heads (long fore-and-aft fins, straighter ports giving 10 percent more power—the so-called “Power-Pac.” These heads have less deep combustion chambers and their valve included angle drops to 78.5 degrees (intake is 40.25 degrees from centerline, ...

What is the most desirable Harley-Davidson?

• 14 VRSCDX Night Rod Special.
• 13 2012 CVO Softail Convertible.
• 12 1990 FLSTF Fat Boy.
• 11 2009 FXSTB Night Train.
• 10 2009 FLHT Electra Glide Standard.
• 9 2007 XL1200N Sportster Nightster.
• 8 2002 VRSCA V-Rod.
• 7 2006 VRSCSE2.

What is the most reliable Harley-Davidson?

Unfortunately, many past Harley-Davidsons suffered reliability and quality-control issues, which made them expensive to own and maintain. But there's one used Harley that has a particularly bulletproof reputation: the Evolution-engine Harley-Davidson Sportster.

What is the most reliable cruiser motorcycle?

1. 1 2017 Victory Hammer S: $10,000.
2. 2 2018 Yamaha XSR900: $9,500. ...
3. 3 2020 Triumph Street Twin. ...
4. 4 2021 Kawasaki Vulcan 900: $9,400. ...
5. 5 2015 Suzuki M109R Boulevard: $9,500. ...
6. 6 2015 Triumph Thunderbird Commander: $10,700. ...
7. 7 2019 Indian Scout Sixty: $9,500. ...

What years were the Ironhead Sportsters?

Ironhead motors were used to power Sportsters from 1957 through 1985. In 1986 the ironhead engines were replaced with the new Harley Davidson Evolution engine. The "Evo" motors were available in 883 cc and 1,100 cc sizes.

How many cc's is a Shovelhead?

Engine and Performance

Produced only for 1977, 1978 and 1979, the Low Rider features a 74 cubic-inch, or 1,206 cc, four-stroke, 45-degree, air-cooled, V-Twin engine delivering 58 horsepower at 5,150 rpm with a top speed of 105.6 mph. In 1980, the Sturgis became the new kid on the block with its 80 cubic-inch motor.

What is a Screaming Eagle engine?

The Screamin' Eagle 131 is a bolt-in replacement engine for select 2018-later model Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycles originally equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight engine, designed to run at high RPM and to provide a significant boost of torque from cruising speed.

Which Harley motor has the most horsepower?

1. Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide. Harley's air or oil-cooled 117-inch motor is the most powerful V-twin the factory has ever produced and is only available on CVO motorcycles. This 1,923cc monster can reach a peak of 105 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque with a few legal tweaks.

What is the fastest Harley engine?

We've scoured the record books and come up with these stand-out superquick Hogs. The fastest street-legal (sit-on) Harley-Davidson is almost certainly Hiro Koiso's 2006 Dyna Super Glide FXD/I which is powered by a 135ci JIMS131 Twin Cam engine modified by T-Man Performance to produce around 400hp.

What engine replaced the Shovelhead?

The Panhead Engine (1948 – 1965)

Panhead engines were produced from 1948 to the mid '60s when it was replaced by the Shovelhead. Its inception was just in time for the postwar motorcycle boom. The valve covers on these bikes look like small cake pans.

How much does an Ironhead Motor weight?

The weight of an ironhead engine complete with transmission is the same as the weight of a fireplug. I have weighed both myself. 188 lbs. It also gives the weight of the engine as 188 lbs in the 1970-1974 Service Manual.

What's a panhead motorcycle?

The panhead is an OHV, overhead valve, Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so nicknamed because the rocker covers resembled cooking pans. ... Currently, a number of third-party engine manufacturers produce custom panhead-style engines in a variety of bores, many much larger than the original-design displacements.

What year did Shovelhead 80 come out?

For 1978 the 74-inch engine was bored and stroked to 80 inches (81.7 in reality) and first offered in the FLH model, with the number 80 written conspicuously across the air cleaner.

Is a Shovelhead a Sportster?

Flathead, knucklehead, panhead, and in 1966, the shovelhead. Since it looked like the Sportster rocker box design, people started calling Sportsters "shovelheads", especially after the Evo Sportster came out. I like the term Ironhead; the Shovelhead is a big twin copy of the Ironhead Sportster rocker box style.

How much horsepower does a 80 cubic inch Harley have?

The current 80 CID engine using stock Harley-Davidson cases, cylinders and heads is able to produce 95.3 Ft. Lbs. of torque at 4700 rpm's and 95.3 Horsepower at 5700 rpm. The power comes on unbelievably strong between 4000 and 6000 RPM.