Harley Davidson Shovelhead Motorcycle Engines

For those of you that would like to learn a bit more about the Shovelhead Engine, this article will teach you the basics. For starters, the shovelhead engine is a type of V-twin engine that was manufactured by the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company between 1966 and 1985. The design for the shovel head engine was developed based on the design of the Panhead engine. The difference is that the shovelhead engine includes more powerful cylinders and pistons as well as a modified look.

chopper bicycle for sale

What some of you may not know is that the shovelhead engine received its name from the unique look of the engine's rocker box covers. These covers bear a resemblance to the heads of coal shovels. That is how the name "shovel head" came into existence...

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Back in the mid-sixties, the Panhead engine was initially developed to fit Sportster choppers. As time went on, the Panhead lost its attraction and went out of style due to the fact that Harley Davidson began developing bikes that required more horsepower.

Around that same time, the shovel-head engines entered the scene with newly designed top ends that were created to give you more acceleration and power. Unfortunately, many motorcycle experts now say that the weight of the new shovel head engine detracted from the speed and power of certain models in the sixties. In fact, the shovel head engine was originally designed as an engine for an outboard motor (a motor for boats), but it did not function in water or in moist air.

In the 1970's, minor changes were made to the shovel head engines that helped fix some of the problems demonstrated by the weight of the sixties shovel head model. However, most Harley specialists would say that even these revisions did not quite catch the shovelhead "up to speed." This was mainly due to that fact that Harley Davidson had to stick by government regulations that basically said choppers could not have more than a top speed of 90 miles per hour.

Another interesting tidbit of info is that if the engine came with a feature called the FLH Electra-Glide Package, it was identified as a shovel head engine for police bikes. Sometimes this feature is called the Police Option. It definitely made it easier for Police to run cars off the road.

Additionally, The FLH Electra-Glide package also enabled the engine to turn over longer while the machine was in idle. Unfortunately, it made for a heavy bike that was not easy for the average rider to maneuver or brake instantly. It's very hard to find a Harley shovelhead engine with the original FLH Electra-Glide package. It's very rare and is prized by motorcycle and chopper part collectors. 

Harley Davidson Shovelhead Motorcycle Engines

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Reasons To Love A Mini Harley Chopper Scooter

Head Turners on the Road

chopper motorcycle

A lot of buzz is going on about the mini Harley chopper scooter, and teens are going crazy over these trendy bikes. If your child is moping for one, then you have to go over the pros and cons before getting one. You have to think real fast, because they are short of supply.

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These little bikes give off a big roar, and whiz past just like the big machines. Surely, you haven't turned a blind eye and deaf ear to a mini harley chopper scooter? It is a good thing these are not recommended for use along the highway and public roads. Definitely not. Look up these bikes at the key suppliers nearest you or hop online to check out details.

Should You?

Buying a mini harley chopper scooter for your son or daughter will require some caution on your part. If your child is eighteen years old you can get her or him this hot bike; and if you trust your child, who is below 18 years, then why not. Most parents would not allow this for valid reasons. They have a point here.

Unless they have the time to supervise their kids with the proper use of the mini Harley chopper scooter, then parents can get this bike without worrying unnecessarily. These mini clones can go at speeds up to 25 mph. Just about right for teens. It has stainless steel dual tips muffler, headlight brake lights, and rear signal indicators.

Another enticement to get this mini harley chopper scooter is the price. It is an affordable piece of steel for your child's fun, and pride. The machine is a fine specimen of detailed artistry. So you get real value for your money. You can test drive the mini Harley Chopper to check out how it runs.

Rocking Harley

The mini harley chopper scooter proudly displays a Harley Davidson logo. There is also a decal of a burst of flame on the seat and on the handlebars. A loud electric horn will warn anybody of the approach of the mini Harley.

Well as a parent, get your child the complete set of safety gear. Make sure he or she wears the helmet - whether it is hot or not. Some accidents have happened with devastating results just because the helmet was ignored.

Safety systems have been incorporated into this little meanie. There's the push button electrical ignition that can start and switch off the motor safely. Front and rear disk breaks can balance the mini Harley Chopper when put rapidly to a halt.

Which Mini Meanie?

The 36cc, and 43cc, mini harley chopper scooter models are not gas guzzlers. The first runs with a maximum speed of 16mph, while the latter can go up to 25mph. You can have an idea of the speed limits of the little Harley. So get one that you believe is best for your child. Now watch her or him ride with pride. Perhaps you would be riding it too. That would be another story.

Reasons To Love A Mini Harley Chopper Scooter

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Build Your Own Chopper - A Glossary of Harley Terms

For many years now there are certain words and terms which are very clearly associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles. Yet although these Harley Davidson terms have been around for many years now they are now commonly used by others when they are building their own custom choppers.

chopper style bicycle

In this article we look at a few of the more common terms being used today by builders of custom choppers that were first introduced by the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company.

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Term 1 - Ape Hangers are the types of handlebars to be found on many custom motorbikes which have been elevated to a height that then places the hands of the motorcyclist above their shoulders.

Term 2 - When it comes to the term Big Twin this relates to the size of the engine that has been installed into the motorcycle. Today in most Harley Davidson's the engines range from a size of 883 cc (cubic centimetres) up to a size of 1584cc.

Term 3 - Another term you often here custom chopper builders talking about is the "Fat Head" when it comes to engines. This is a new sort of twin cam engine that the Harley Davidson company introduced to the market back in 1999 and which is now found on not just their own machines but on those being built by custom chopper enthusiasts.

As you will soon discover there are many other Harley Davidson terms that those who build their own custom choppers will use. Other terms that are favoured by such people are the blockhead, the fat boy and the shovelhead.

Build Your Own Chopper - A Glossary of Harley Terms

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Biker Lifestyle - Building the Perfect Custom Harley Chopper

If you ride to live, then you know what it means to own a custom Harley chopper, and I am not talking about some add-on chrome bike either; Anyone with some cash can drop by your local Harley Davidson dealer and ride away on a new Road King, or other of their other factory models.

chopper kits

A real custom Harley chopper is a one of kind custom built masterpiece that is created from the ground up, a 100% all original work of American beauty that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the proud owner. Hard core bikers know what I am talking about; the painstakingly hard work of creating and shaping a one of a kind statement of riding to live, and living to ride, wrapped around the perfect custom Harley chopper.

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Building the perfect Harley doesn't happen over night either, everything must be the perfect balance of frame, forks, the right rake and extension, rolling on tires and wheels that support the whole design. Every thing matters when building the perfect custom Harley, and if you are truly hardcore, then to complete the full extension of machine to man could mean 100% custom parts, engine, tank, and chrome. Nothing but the best will do.

So what does it take to build the perfect custom Harley motorcycle? First off it takes a boatload of cash, then you gonna need to find the right craftsman to hand all that cash to, and then brother you need some patients; you gonna have to sit down and talk with your craftsman, and help him understand how you are, what is important to you, so he can put pen to paper to form up some rough ideas. These ideas will be shaped and tweaked and considered until your Harley craftsman has the design that is truly you, and no one else.

Every nut, bolt, piece of molding, the right handlebars, and grips, absolutely everything will be well thought out, and nothing will be left to chance, or just thrown in. The perfect ride height that flows with a saddle that is made to fit your backsides contour, and all of the remaining pieces that are build around the heart of your custom chopper, the engine and transmission.

With you custom Harley almost complete, there will hours and hours of assembling and disassembling, fine tuning, tweaking, and testing until the final phase will be applying the richest paint job and graphics that turn thousands of dollars of hard earned cash and countless hours of laborious love, sweat, busted knuckles, and blood into the work of beauty that is your custom Harley chopper.

OK so where do you find this custom chopper craftsman? Well I am sure you already know the answer, and this isn't an overnight decision either, we have read every biker rag, went to all of the top bike shows, studied every custom bike we come across, and after we have researched all of our options, we pick up the phone or ride out to our craftsman and after a serious conversation or two we close the deal by shaking hands, signing some paperwork, and dropping that that big fat wad of cash we have been saving for who knows how long.

Those of you who have lived that dream of building and owning the perfect custom chopper know what I am talking about. Those of you still working on the dream will very soon know as well. The love of our lifestyle is but a reflection of how we live, carry ourselves and the bike we ride, the rest of this love is in our hearts!

Biker Lifestyle - Building the Perfect Custom Harley Chopper

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Mini Harley Chopper Scooter - Not For Kids!

With a name like Mini Harley Chopper Scooter, anyone would misconstrue this as a kid's bike. The truth is that this bike should not be ridden by children without parental supervision. As a matter of fact, the Harley Davidson company strongly advises that parents should not allow children under the age of eighteen to ride this vehicle without adult supervision.

chopper frames

Not for the highway

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With its sophisticated and slim structure, it is no wonder that the Mini Harley Chopper Scooter presents quite an appeal to many motorcycle enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this bike is not for made for the highway. Because it is lightweight, it is very sensitive to movement and one can easily lose control of it. You can't really take it to the highway because the Mini Harley Chopper Scooter only runs at a speed of 50 to 60 miles an hour and cannot compete with the big trucks and speeding cars.

A bike worth showing off

This Mini Harley Chopper Scooter can definitely be shown off in your neighborhood. Driven at very low speeds, this can be used for recreational purposes and going around town running some errands.

Every Mini Harley Chopper Scooter comes with a Harley Davidson logo and a decorative fairing on the space between the handlebars and seat that depicts a burst of flames. This sleek, little bike can come in many colors -- red, black, silver and yellow chrome.

The Mini Harley Chopper Scooter has a small two stroke engine which does not consume a lot of fuel. The engine is also relatively quieter and purrs like a kitten instead of the loud and disturbing noise that other choppers make. It also comes with an electric ignition that has push button starter and has a speed of 2,200 rotations per minute.

Because the Mini Harley Chopper Scooter has front and rear disk brakes, it is a very safe bike that makes it impossible to pull a wheelie. It also comes with a set of stock parts that include a head light, rear and brake lights, turning signals, rear view mirrors, an electric horn, a speedometer, a battery gauge, high beam lights and an odometer. It also has a plush seat that can carry as much as 300 lbs even though it is very light weight. A custom charger and tool kit are part of the package.

Buy One or Make One

A Mini Harley Chopper Scooter can easily be bought online. Just place a bid on E-bay. Because a Mini Harley Chopper Scooter can be a bit expensive, one can also create a mini chopper by transforming a bike or a mini bike by putting some add-ons like paint, engines, windshields and exhaust pipes. It can be cut to form the low front ends that characterizes a mini chopper. It can be given a shiny finish by plating it with aluminum, chrome or nickel. Some people even use fiber glass fillers to create a glossy surface that can be decorated with airbrush art. Parading your own work of art around town will give you a greater feeling of pride and contentment. After all, you put a lot of work in creating such a masterpiece.

Mini Harley Chopper Scooter - Not For Kids!

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