Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH | Shovelheads Aren’t Dead
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
I purchased the bike back in 2003 on my 21st birthday. It was then that I got the urge to buy my first bike. The bike’s previous owner was an old family friend, and he moved to Chicago where it basically sat for years. After a few phone calls, a deal was struck and I was on my way to Chicago in my brother’s truck and two friends.
It was pretty much a plain-Jane stock bike that was black with whitewalls and missing the crappy front banana caliper. I rode it around that way for about a month, and that was long enough before I had to start making it mine.
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
It had a 21-inch front wheel, true dual exhaust, and S&S B carburetor, so I finally stripped everything off the bike that had no purpose. It stayed in that condition for about a year. From there it went back and forth between colors of red metal flake, black, blue and white. Every transition brought on more and more modifications all while cleaning everything up. After riding it to Sturgis in 2008, it finally took its toll. The stator took a shit, and I was left stuck in a construction zone on I-90. After getting it home and finding a lot of other issues with the bike, I decided it was time for a complete rebuild which snowballed into what it is today.
1975 Shovelhead 1200
Photo: Mark Fountain
The frame was stripped, and all weld seams were smoothed out. The motor was sent off (to whom I will not name so they will get no press after the crap they pulled) for a full rebuild and polished. I polished everything, but the engine cases and heads were sent off. They were done by Squeaky’s Metal Polishing in Kansas.
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
The front end was a thorn in my side for nearly four years. I wanted to air ride the front and rear. I like everything low with no gaps, and I hate sidewalls of tires. I tried running Bimba air cylinders but just couldn’t get them to work correctly. Either they would spring a leak or there was not enough suspension travel. This side tracked the project for a long time, until about a year ago. I found Mark from choppedbaggers.com and he hooked me up with a set of air pucks that slide in the tubes and create a seal. I added 1-inch extensions to the tubes, drilled/tapped them to run air fittings out the side, and hid it all inside the nacelle. The rear shocks are from an eBay score and are old SW air shocks. The compressor is an AccuAir VU2 manifold, and the battery is hidden in the stock FLH battery box. Finally, the air tank was hidden underneath the transmission.
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
As for the sheet metal, the tanks are stock ’75 Harley as well as the rear. The rear was a hinged fender that was welded shut and turned back 4 inches so that the bottom of the fender is the same height.
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
The front fender/wheel idea came from Torch Industries out of Phoenix. After seeing its “Pan Dejo” bike, I had to have a 23 front wheel. I gave Justin a call and he had me a wheel in a couple of weeks. The fender is a re-pop of a knucklehead that’s been modified and FLH fender brackets added. The color is a custom mix. I based it off a car that Ricky Bobby’s Rod Shop built.
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
All the wiring is ran through the frame tubes and handlebars. The same treatment was done with the brake lines. The main goal was to try to keep everything clean and simple.
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
RELATED | MORE CUSTOM VICLAS
Custom 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH
Photo: Mark Fountain
1975 Shovelhead 1200
Photo: Mark Fountain
Brent Woita
Photo: Mark Fountain
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Owner | Brent Woita |
| Shop Phone | (402) 277-0124 |
| Year/Make/Model | 1975/Harley-Davidson/FLH| |
| Fabrication | Owner |
| Build Time | 7 years |
| Engine | |
| Year/Type/Size | 1975/Shovelhead/1200| |
| Cases | H-D polished| |
| Cylinders | H-D| |
| Heads | H-D polished |
| Rocker Boxes | H-D polished |
| Cams | Andrews B |
| Throttle Body | S&S B Polished| |
| Air Cleaner | S&S |
| Exhaust | Paughco| |
| Transmission | |
| Year/Type | 1975/H-D 4-speed polished |
| Gears | 23/51 |
| Clutch | BDL |
| Primary Drive | BDL 1 1/2 |
| Frame | |
| Year/Type | 1975/FLH molded joints | |
| Rake/Stretch | Stock |
| Suspension | |
| Front End | Air ride, 1998 Road King lowers, right caliper removed| |
| Length | 20 1/4 |
| Triple Trees | H-D| |
| Swingarm | 1967 H-D round swingarm in chrome |
| Rear Shocks | SW air shocks |
| Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
| Front | |
| Builder/Size | Kevin Bass/Torch Industries/23 x 3 |
| Tire/Size | 130/50-23| |
| Calipers | Performance Machine| |
| Rear | |
| Builder/Size | Owner/18 x 3| |
| Tire/Size | 130/70-18| |
| Caliper | H-D Juice Drum |
| Finish/Paint | |
| Manufacturer | PPG |
| Colors | Custom mix |
| Paint/Graphics | Owner| |
| Plating/Polishing | Squeaky’s Metal Polishing/Industrial Plating| |
| Accessories | |
| Front Fender | Owner| |
| Rear Fender | Owner |
| Gas Tank | Stock H-D| |
| Dash | Panhead dash| |
| Gauges | Panhead| |
| Handlebars | 16 apes| |
| Grips | Biltwell |
| Hand Controls | Performance Machine | |
| Foot Controls | H-D |
| Floorboards | H-D| |
| Headlight | Adjure blue dot| |
| Taillight | Panhead H-D |
| License Mount | Owner |
| Seat | H-D police seat |
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