Once again! Mike is always there to refresh my memory on stuff ive done 50 times over!

These videos covering the primary are right on time for me . Did as Mike showed us and now all is well with my shovel. Also Mike that video covering tappets and push rod adjustment help me out too! Thanks to you guys my bike is getting some much needed good wrenching. Thank you bruh. I'm so happy to have you as trusted advisor and guide.

Hey Mike, I recently purchased a '79 FLH 80 shovelhead and am so glad I found your KZfaq channel, I have been watching many and bookmarking them to reference back to them later. I am still making payments but will get the bike soon. Thanks again for your great attitude and amazingly informative vids.

Much appreciated content Mike. Inherited my old mans 74 shovel and didn't get the chance to learn a whole lot about them before he passed. So these videos really give me some pointers! Keep up the great content and keep the Shovelhead content rollin! Shoutout from WV!

Thank you Mike I recently had my mechanic do a over all inspection of my 1995 Electra glide classic he found that my drive belt had some rock damage to my belt so we talked about replacing it with a gates belt . We also replaced the transmission finial drive pulley from a 32 teeth to a 34 I’m looking forward to taking her aka Lola on a trip to Montana this summer from Seattle Washington maybe even Wyoming thank you again for your wonderful video sleepless in Seattle.

I like videos you do cause your so calm in explaining .

Thanks Mike - Going thru the Harley manual way of figuring out the compensating shim is pretty hard to understand. I have chain/ chain (79 FXE) & the clutch basket does not set under the primary like the manual says it is supposed to, so it has been an issue getting it set. Actually the primary, starter & solenoid have all been a challenge. Keep up the good work, love the videos, wish you guys were aorund me... there are hardly no shovelhead folks around anymore

Oh man, I found your youTube channel just in time. I have had my old hacked up 76 fxe under a tarp in my garage for about 20 years. Has a suicide clutch and tag/jockey shift. Always had big plans to mod it even more and make things right... Just last week finally got out there and started tearing it down. Some of your videos have been extremely helpful. I am sure I will have a few questions as I go...

I watch all of your videos and love every one of them. My wife even enjoys watching them. She laughs when she walks in the garage and I great her with "Welcome to Mike's garage". My names Mike as well. I would love to see you do a video on timing using the EZ Timer tool which I believe you have installed. I saw it previously on this video and just ordered one. I have a 71 FL that I just changed the transmission seal, a few transmission gaskets, replaced the 22 tooth sproket with a 24 tooth sprocket and I'm waiting on a diamond 530 chain. I bought a 530 "O" ring chain but it looks to be to tight and I don't want to trash my primary. Again thanks for doing such a great job. I've learned a ton from watching your videos.

Mike you the person I immediately look to when trying to fix my 92 fatboy

Thanks Mike! I just happen to be at this step and your video just helped me out a ton. Weird that im aligned without any thickness spacer so I’m thinking something is wrong.. gonna dig into it more tomorrow

When you said "Fisher" it made me think of Fisher Body from General Motors. I know dating myself, but Moses is older than I am.

No I really enjoyed that one that was a great bit of knowledge there loving them videos

I would love to see you do a video on ratchet top shifter maintenance like pawl inspection, Proper greasing pawl springs, pawl carrier springs etc. That is right up your ally. Many guys know nothing about it until they get stuck on the side of the road. If you dont want to take your inner primary off, you can find a buddy with an open primary ratchet top trans that will work or a spare transmission.

You have so many people asking you questions, which I'm sure you are going to answer, therefore I will not ask you any. Just wanted to respond by saying thank you for such a simple explanation on what you described in this video.

Thank you Mike ! It's great being able to look back & refresh on adjustments etc in our multi task world "Have great time at Born Free" ! ;-) 🏴‍☠🍀 Tink Land of Dragons West Wales 🖖

Great video's keep them comming

Thank you for making such detailed videos for the shovels. I recently purchased a nos Fisher damper for my 78 fxe with no instructions. I'm just curious if there are any major differences or tricks on install compared to stock compensator other then the normal spacing. Thanks

Appreciate the wealth of knowledge you share, thank you! Having trouble aligning a bdl belt drive w/ tensioner in a closed primary. 1979 FXEF w/ S&S 5in4 case. Belt rubs inside of inner primary and created a groove and it rides inside of front pulley. Installed inner primary as per manual and used your video as a guide. Is there any other way to better align this setup?

Really enjoyed watching & learning what you have to share, thank you. I have questions I hope you can answer for me. Bought my '70 FLH on 11/22/76. Looking to modify it for the last time for comfort and reliability. My concern pertains to the primary drive. I cannot find a source to acquire the Fischer Damper and does cut down on vibration. That is the comfort portion that I wish to achieve & do you think it would be a reliable modification. Thank you for any info you can provide.- Joe

Hello. Like the videos. My question is about the fisher damper. Is there much of a difference over a stock compensator when it comes to vibration at high way riding. Thank you.

82 FXB Shovel. Had to replace the belt once so far in 3 years. Still think I like a chain better.

SO I put my inner primary together like you were saying in your other video, everything went together well, but the inner primary seems to have warped a bit...it that usual? Nothing seems to be not where it should so ??thoughts?

I recently purchased a 1981 Tour Glide that is equipped with a sealed rear drive chain enclosure assembly with a automatic chain drip oiler. It's time to replace the rear chain , and the lower pass of the chain rubber boot of this assembly is worn open at the bottom edge. I may be able to find a boot for it , but many people say it is more convenient to remove this enclosed system and add a chain guard. I have no experience with it yet , so I could use some advice. Thank You.

I have a mostly stock 1971 FL and recently purchased the same timing piece that you have bolted to the two safety-wired inner primary bolts. Should I locate the 35 degree advance slash in the centered in the timing window, when it's moving up on the compression stroke of the front cylinder, and place a mark with high viz paint on the alternator cover that's aligned with the 35 degree mark on the timing device when the slash is centered in the timing window? I'm tired of the oil mist, the clear plug isn't worth using and I would really love your thoughts on the proper way to set this up. FYI - I have the M6 tensioner and my wife got me the Primo Rivera Pro clutch for Christmas that I'm installing this weekend. I told my wife that if Mike uses the Rivera clutch then that's the clutch I want. You're an awesome resource and I love all of your videos. THANKS!!!

Mike, I like your sit down story videos. I would love to hear your take on AMF and your like and dislikes through those years. It's easy to look back and say they made crap and they almost killed Evil Knievel but you rode through those years where that was it if you wanted a HD. I think it would be a great video anyway, just a thought.

Mike, I just purchased to exact same set-up in excellent used condition, I was able to get literature on the pro clutch & M6 chain adjuster. Can't find anything on the Fisher damper, anything I need to know beyond the spacing with the belt drive spacers. Thanks, Mike

Hey Mike thanks for the videos, where can I buy the Fisher dampner ?

Mike I have come across a fisher damper and I want to install it on my bike. I have a 1982 FXE with a stock clutch, compensator, and primary chain tensioner. Going to install the M6 auto tensioner and the fisher compensator I have but wondering if you had to file down a tiny bit to the mounting hole boss on the inner and outer primary cover? The fisher just touches the cases and seems like I can just shave off a bit on the cases with a file and would be good. Is this something that you experienced when installing this larger diameter compensator?

Mike; love your videos. I've a '76 FXE that I had the heads drilled for dual plugs back in the 80's. I've not ridden it for decades but want to get it running again. I've never seen any information on what the timing setting is for dual plug heads nor how to set that timing. Years ago and lacking information I just set the timing for stock using the hole in the engine case but it was always spitting through the carb. Do you know what the timing setting should be as well as how to set it or a source for this information? I've a modern timing light that allows varying the timing with the light.

My `95 Softail was a pest for needing the primary adjusted so I put an M6 tensioner on it back then. Then my p.o.s. `09 road glide had a stuck auto chain tensioner do some damage ie: took out the trans. shaft bearing in the inner primary. I put on a Screaming Eagle manual primary chain adjuster. I lost confidence in the `09 after that and traded for a `16 street glide. I am back to an EVO Springer now and want no part of anything newer. The newer stuff just aint built right.

Hi Mike , i have checked jacketshaft, lenght is ok , copperwasher in the end, everything seems ok, but jacketgear do not engage with clutch gear ring more than perhaps less than half teeth but its perhaps ok /normally? cant find anything in my service manual /Janne

Hi Mike I tell you what, you certainly have all the good things on your bike,but let me ask you, when you added the self adjusting tensioner did you buy it as a unit with your primary chain or did you split the chain,?.

I need to find that video on that timing piece you have in there.

Hey Mike. I have added forward controls to my 1976 FXE. The shifter that was originally installed mid ship is still sticking out of the primary cover. Is there anyway to remove that completely without taking the primary all the way apart? I see a lot of people talking about cutting it off and I’m not opposed to that but I do know that’s probably not the best way to go. Any help is appreciated as always

How about a vid on the installation of the starter and related components …..I have a 65 that is a kick start only ,with a tin primary. Im thinking of installing the e- start , I have priced out all the parts from v-twin ,but I think ther is more to it than I know

My primary has the stock setup but the clutch releases uneven and there is runout when it's turning I have video

Hi Mike, Got a quick question for you with regards to the clutch hub and friction disc that is riveted to the hub; I accidently got WD 40 on the surface of the disc...is it now garbage or can it be cleaned or does it not matter? Thank you.

Tumbling the compensating sprocket on my 76 shovelhead. Referring to the manual on page 76 they reference the cover that goes over the compensating sprocket as the retainer / cover assembly. When I torque everything down I can still spin this with my hand. That doesn't seem to be right does it? Torking to over 100 ft pounds. I think it means the springs in the retainer are shot and I need a new one. I've been to the operation about four times so I'm concluding that the springs in my compensating sprocket are shot. Makes sense? As always appreciate your knowledgeable guidance.

Brother Mike how's it going? I figure this is a good place to ask a question. Why is it so damn hard to seal up the primary on a Shovelhead? I'm having a hell of a time trying to get mine sealed. It's down to a drip but it shouldn't leak at all. I plugged off the oil return hoses and such for factory oiling and put 6oz of straight 30 weight oil in a sealed up case. I had trans fluid in but it really leaked good with that in there. Now with motor oil it's much better but it still leaks a bit. I was thinking these aftermarket covers being totally covered in Chrome was the culprit. Chrome on the sealing surface is so slick the oil is seeping between the cover and gasket. I torqued it to 70 inch lbs and I'm down to a drip but it shouldn't leak at all!! I used sandpaper and roughed up the surface and I think it helped but still right at the dip or bottom point where the drain plug is it leaks. I see there are different style gaskets and mine matches the inner primary real nice but the outer cover not so much. It's a Lifeline inner and outer cover. Three times I've taken it off and resealed it but it still has a drip. Gasket and then with silicone, just silicone only and it leaks. This is quite annoying. I just rebuilt this motor and everywhere else is nice and dry. About 55 miles now. Motor is nice and quiet thanks to your countersunk tip on the rocker arm spacer I got all to .008 clearance. I'm really liking the sound of the motor it's much better than it was before I rebuilt it. I got the cylinders honed, put in new pistons, rings, adjusted rocker side clearance, torqued to 65 ft lbs on heads and retorqued after a couple heat cycles which it needed . A good 1/4 or tad more turn on the head bolts retorqueing. Made myself a pretty sweet motor it starts and idles so nice, pulls strong. Anyway that damn primary leak man what a pain. I put pure black silicone the last time on good clean parts. Even bead on both sides set, torqued after an hour set, 24 hour cure before adding fluid and it still has a drip!!! I still think it's the chrome surface but after I switched to 30 weight oil, sanded the surface it's down to a drip from a worse leak. Any suggestions? I know damn well these can be sealed without going to a belt drive... Maybe I need to put a little hair around it we used to say...😃.... ✌... Thanks in advance for your response I appreciate the conversation and advice brother...

Hi Mike, Quick question about clutch shells for shovels. I know there is a difference between a clutch shell for a '65 pan - '69 shovel versus a clutch shell for a '70 and up. The starter ring gear is located different . I believe the '65 - '69 the ring gear is stepped inward on the shell and the '70 and up is close to flush with the edge of the shell (towards the primary chain sprocket)...is this correct? Thanks.

I just found your videos sir I lost my father last year and I got my dads 1979 harleydavidson flh 80 electra glide motor and I'm working on building it from the ground up it was his first ever bike and it will be my first ever bike do you have a recommendation on a manual or book to use along with these videos to help me out thank you sir

What's a ballpark on that entire set up Mike? Need to replace :/. Thanks for another helpful video.

I have a74 shovel head trying to change the stator. I don’t know much about it I’m learning can you do a video how to change a stator on a 74 fx shovelhead

How does he like the fisher dampener?

Hi Mike, reassembling the compensating sprocket

I've got a 68 flh pasted down from my brother who I has past away I need to know what weight oill goes in it and what brake fluid is best for it Thanks in advance

Hi , it’s a 1978 shovelhead super glide fxe original , with primary chain outer and inner cover , same as in the video testning startsprocket with special made tool , can send a photo if possible ? Regards /Janne

I'm doing a belt is it the same /thanks

mick from Australia G'Day

"See you out on the road" mike....

I just shimmed my sprocket/compensator to align the primary chain and now I can't get my outer primary cover on. Suggestions?

Mike I have read a lot of good things about the Fisher damper. I'm trying to find out who sells them. Do you remember who does?

Hey Mike, just picked up a 1974 FLH. Was wondering if increasing the compensator sprocket(motor sprocket) is possible to a 25 tooth to help out with highway speeds. Is there enough room or possible?

Hello, how much shall startsprocket teeth overlap clutch teeth in start position? My overlap just half teeth Regards /Janne

Man, that front tire....

Hi Mike, quick question; do you ever install the thrust washer that goes on the jackshaft between the gear and needle bearing in the starter housing? Looks almost impossible to do with the inner primary installed in advance. Thanks in advance for your help.

Ok :-) please let me know about the possibility to post some photos to clarify the issue , on youtube comments it seems not possible to post , here in Sweden as i live is early morning now Regards /Janne

Hi. How much oil should have a Primary in Panhead 1965?

👍👍 🇨🇦

What clutch is that

☮

Hi Mike. have you ever tried to install a hydraulic type primary chain tensioner? It runs on the primary oil.I have searched the whole of the internet to see if there is anyone that has done a video on this. It's made by Zodiac and Motorcycle Storehouse. I managed to source some instructions from sohotbikes.com. i thought i would just put it out there for a possible video. Ride safe.

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I forgot to mention the junk compensator sprockets. $500 for a baker sprocket??? Come on.