| For those of you that would like to learn a bit more | | | | models in the sixties. In fact, the shovel head engine |
| about the Shovelhead Engine, this article will teach | | | | was originally designed as an engine for an outboard |
| you the basics. For starters, the shovelhead engine is | | | | motor (a motor for boats), but it did not function in |
| a type of V-twin engine that was manufactured by | | | | water or in moist air. |
| the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company between | | | | In the 1970's, minor changes were made to the |
| 1966 and 1985. The design for the shovel head | | | | shovel head engines that helped fix some of the |
| engine was developed based on the design of the | | | | problems demonstrated by the weight of the sixties |
| Panhead engine. The difference is that the | | | | shovel head model. However, most Harley specialists |
| shovelhead engine includes more powerful cylinders | | | | would say that even these revisions did not quite |
| and pistons as well as a modified look. | | | | catch the shovelhead "up to speed." This was mainly |
| What some of you may not know is that the | | | | due to that fact that Harley Davidson had to stick by |
| shovelhead engine received its name from the unique | | | | government regulations that basically said choppers |
| look of the engine's rocker box covers. These covers | | | | could not have more than a top speed of 90 miles |
| bear a resemblance to the heads of coal shovels. | | | | per hour. |
| That is how the name "shovel head" came into | | | | Another interesting tidbit of info is that if the engine |
| existence... | | | | came with a feature called the FLH Electra-Glide |
| Back in the mid-sixties, the Panhead engine was | | | | Package, it was identified as a shovel head engine for |
| initially developed to fit Sportster choppers. As time | | | | police bikes. Sometimes this feature is called the |
| went on, the Panhead lost its attraction and went | | | | Police Option. It definitely made it easier for Police to |
| out of style due to the fact that Harley Davidson | | | | run cars off the road. |
| began developing bikes that required more | | | | Additionally, The FLH Electra-Glide package also |
| horsepower. | | | | enabled the engine to turn over longer while the |
| Around that same time, the shovel-head engines | | | | machine was in idle. Unfortunately, it made for a |
| entered the scene with newly designed top ends | | | | heavy bike that was not easy for the average rider |
| that were created to give you more acceleration and | | | | to maneuver or brake instantly. It's very hard to find |
| power. Unfortunately, many motorcycle experts now | | | | a Harley shovelhead engine with the original FLH |
| say that the weight of the new shovel head engine | | | | Electra-Glide package. It's very rare and is prized by |
| detracted from the speed and power of certain | | | | motorcycle and chopper part collectors. |