difference between 1966 and 1969 heads?

[CruzerDog]

what is the main difference between these years 66/69
and how can you tell which is which visually or by numbers only?
and does it make a difference using 66's on a 69?

[Sargehere]

WHAT (in tarnation!) are you talking about?

"Parts?" What parts? Most Shovelhead parts are dated 1966. That was the first year Shovelhead, and the casting numbers and many part numbers remained the same throughout the run.

"Mostly" the gas tank emblems and the paint schemes changed, when talking about the Generator-Shovelheads, also called the "Slabside" Shovelheads, that ran only four years before being upgraded to the "Nosecone" (alternator-equipped) Shovelheads, 1970-83, and a few specially-built 84s.

[CruzerDog]

engine rgt side .jpgThank you .... that helps ... I was told my bike was incorrect .. not that it matters

[cdndewey]

Well you got a right side front brake and 69 was the first year for them so I'd say you got a 69 there. They ran from 69-71.

[CruzerDog]

ya she is all "69" just had the heads questioned by a guy in England who wants to buy her ...

[Sargehere]

ya she is all "69" just had the heads questioned by a guy in England who wants to buy her ...

Nice Bike, 'Dog!
Tell him that ALL generator Shovelheads have the "-66" cast-in numbers on their heads. The Motor Company didn't change those numbers, indicating the first year that they were used, for the run of the model. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company (hereafter referred to as the MoFo MoCo) was famous for that, throughout their history. And the cast numbers are unto themselves. They are almost never (but there are exceptions) the same as the part's official number. Only the stamped frame and motor numbers identify the year of the bike.

Don't ax me! It's apparenty just so that those of us who care about such things can tear our hair out.

[junkyarddog]

correction

Well you got a right side front brake and 69 was the first year for them so I'd say you got a 69 there. They ran from 69-71.

68 was 1st year, some 72 had it also.
Jim

[cdndewey]

68 was 1st year, some 72 had it also.
Jim

I have to disagree with you Jim. According to my parts book and this 68 ad I have and posted, has the brake on the left side.

http://shovelhead.us/forum/showthrea...t=68403&page=5

[Sargehere]

68 was 1st year, some 72 had it also.
Jim

Explanation I was told was that moving the front brake over to the right side was to help counterbalance the new alternator (1970) and longer mainshaft, wider primary. The bikes were getting left-heavy, and moving the brake over was a decision that took some time to develop, and didn't appear until 72(?).

[cdndewey]

Explanation I was told was that moving the front brake over to the right side was to help counterbalance the new alternator (1970) and longer mainshaft, wider primary. The bikes were getting left-heavy, and moving the brake over was a decision that took some time to develop, and didn't appear until 72(?).

That's the first I ever heard of that one Gerry. All my history shows 69 as being the first year for the right hand brake.

[Sargehere]

That's the first I ever heard of that one Gerry. All my history shows 69 as being the first year for the right hand brake.

Shovelheads are definitely not my area of expertise, Dewey. I used to take them out of their crates and set um up in the '70s, but didn't study the year-by-years. I can set the points in one with my eyes closed, tho!

[portagepan]

' 69 only for the right hand brake, from my knowledge. Mike

[cdndewey]

' 69 only for the right hand brake, from my knowledge. Mike

Nope...69-71 right side brake, then disc front in 72 and disc rear in 73.

[Lonnie]

drum brakes on right side through the 1968 model year (year that I have), right side thereafter thru the 1972 model year.
The "-66" casting number on the cylinder heads remained, I believe, until they went to long thread plugs and then had a "-76". There are later variations also with which I am not familiar, the main difference being the fins on top of the head between the rocker boxes.

[LouieMCman]

This thread got me thinking since I know my '65 has a Left side drum, so I googled 1967-68 FLH and all pictures have LEFT side front drums, then 1969-70 FLH and all pictures have RIGHT side drum brakes. How's that for scientific (Google) data?