Harley Knucklehead top end and Shovelhead bottom end?

Question

I have always love the look of the Knucklehead, I was wondering could I use a 47 Knucklehead top end with 71 Shovelhead FX. I don't want to lose the alternator or the suspension (to old for a rigid). of the 71 FX. Anyone know if this is possible and if so is bolt on or major modification.

Answer 1

You need to throw the Shovelhead and Knucklehead heads against a brick wall as hard as you can, multiple times, pee on them, douse them in gasoline, set them on fire, then drop them off in a planet-aid or goodwilll box- so needy kids in a third world country have something to play football with. because thats all their good for.

Answer 2

the differences are going to be in the bottom end, you can probably make it fit, but the oiling and the jugs may not match up from the crankcase to the jugs and rockers. I am building a 1970 shovelhead and it is fun but unless you have a knuck topend already you are looking at some serious cash my friend.

Answer 3

I think you can do this. Indian Larry had a bike with a knuckle as one cylinder and a shovel as the second. I cant answer about the generator though. Good luck.

Answer 4

Tom M

Anything is possible as long as you have a fat wallet and good mechanic buddies.

Get a financial game plan in order, then see what you can find.

It CAN be done. but will be pricey.

Now go drink a beer and find a wrecked bike to fix.

Answer 5

Pan to shovel been done... shovel to pan been done... don't know if shovel to knuck will work without more than "tinkering". My motorheads are doing some figuring and I will edit later...   by the by... the Indian Larry motor was built by my friends at Accurate Engineering (the guys who built the Knuck for the OCC Leno bike) and was all new parts... STD alt. cases, S&S wheels, etc. A modern Knuck = 7500 to 11,000 dollars ( Accurate or S&S who bought Flathead Power or V Twin)

Answer 6

there used to be a company that made Knuckle head rockerboxes for a shovelhead. it was swedish or german, I just can't find it tonight,

Answer 7

Belive it or not the big problem is the manifold I once built one with a pan front and a knuck rear

also both on sportys "Pansters" also a knuck

Not exactly bolt on but no biggie or close tolerance  Cyl skirt has to have a notch & and maybe shift a oil return hole just a bit  just tinkering

Answer 8

Sounds like you have a nice bike in mind... have you considered some of the reproduction engines available? There are several with Knuckle and Pan appearance, or exact repros, with modern materials and tolerances, and easier than mating the old parts. I'm kicking around a repro Knuck or flattie for a chopper myself. Good luck with the bike.