The idea of hipsters buying up so many Shovelheads had me pissed. Until I looked at it in a different light. At least someone is showing interest in them, and will keep them rolling for at least another generation.

I remember when all this bullshit hit the pickup market. Back in high school i could buy a nice old truck for under $1,000, by 2020 now a $1,500 truck is going for $5,000.

I bought My uncles 1991 FXR when he got too old and weak to ride anymore. I am slowly going through it and getting everything back in great shape. Frame parts are tough and pricey, I'm just glad I can do all work myself so far. I had no idea what a Fxr was when I asked if I could get it from him. Now I plan on passing on to one of my grandkids when the time comes.

Don't sweat the stuff you can't control. The only thing you can control is the success of your business, and if you love it life will take you in the direction you need to go. Have peace and enjoy what you do.

I got sick of the bs and now just have Evos.

I was just thinking about how younger chopper dudes are changing the hobby right before seeing this new video

Okay, dude look, I was a Harley mechanic from 1990 through the mid 2000s, and this argument has been going on longer than I have been in the business only back then it was pans and knuckles, now it's shovelheads. There's always going to be posers, and rich guys buying up bikes. There's also going to be the old crusty guy who hasn't ridden in years, but refuses to sell his old bike. He'll probably die and his kids will get rid of it, but none of this is new. It was going on back then and it's going on now. On a lighter side, I've got a young, dead broke coworker that has been getting into choppers, only he went with early 1970s CB750s.
He can pick those up really cheap, and he's enjoying learning about them.
Maybe that's the key.

Hey Paul, thanks for taking the time to film these shoptalks and film all the great repairs/builds. Just my 2 cents when it comes to being poor. There are a lot of people who are rich, but poor on the inside. They have no character,  goals, no morals, no boundaries, no real family, just a lot of money.

What makes a man rich (imho) are things like his morals, his behaviour, his lifestyle, his generosity and a family that sticks behind him. Someone who appreciates what he has, even if it is little.

So in that sense I think you are a rich man. You work on something you love, you do it with pride and you share it with the world so we can enjoy just a small bit of it with you!

As the bikes and parts become more scarce, the prices will keep going up. Take 1980 for example, there were a total of 46,691 Harleys built that year across all model lines. That's not a lot of bikes for a modern population of 350 million people in the U.S. Not to mention all the bikes that go to other countries. I got the production numbers from the book Harley-Davidson An Illudtrated Guide.

My first HD was a 77 FLH. I used that bike for actual transportation. I would buy groceries with it, go to work on it and all other forms of running around. I did all my own work, which was relatively easy. This bike was surprisingly reliable. Usually when something went wrong it was my fault. I had from 2004 to 2020 and it still runs strong. A buddy of mine bought and made it look pretty. My Shovel days were some of the best  times ever.

Late bloomer here, got into road bikes a few years ago and in my late ‘50’s just got my first Harley.  A ‘95 flstc.  I do all my own work on everything around the house and vehicles.  Your videos helped me get this bike road worthy.  I think the Evo Harley’s are priced pretty good and the early 2000’s tc.  I realized early on that I won’t be able to afford earlier Harley but can afford a couple Evos.

What’s cheap now is evo and twin cam baggers. I see all kinds of good looking bikes for sale at bargain basement prices.
Same goes for Goldwings.
I found a ‘98 RoadGlide for $4k and was going to buy it until I took it on a test ride and couldn’t handle it.
I had been out of motorcycles for about 12 years and knew I had to have a lighter smaller bike.
I ended up with a 2002 Sportster.
I’ve never bought a new bike or had anything glamorous.
I like an affordable bike.
I don’t go long distance anymore and could probably be just as happy riding a Honda Vlx 600 as a Sportster.
I don’t want the tech on a bike or the cost that goes with it.

I love the shop talk videos. I learn a lot. Plus it describes where things are in our hobby

Every now and then, you'll come across an old timer that parks his bike in the yard with a for sale sign on it. A few years back, I bought a low mileage, super clean, all original 1990 FXR Super Glide for 2 grand. Imagine if that was listed on marketplace!

I agree with what you said. Fortunately Im working on two young peoples bike. They both are saving money for a shovel. I'm helping with that also, I'm teaching them how to work on their own bikes.  Yes, they told me how much the shops were going to charge.  That's part of the problem. Welding and fabbing shouldn't be doctors pay. If it wasn't for leftover skills and leftover parts my bikes wouldn't be how they are now. Yes, my Sportster is almost finished too.   I'll see a real biker or a 1% er once in awhile, I do wonder what happened.

Shit like that happens here pa too...including dealerships

Subscribed because of this video.

I’m in a little different situation. Recently got a 91 springer softail that’s been in the family since it was brand new. Really rough shape, but mechanically sound enough to fire up and ride, although not safely, I don’t believe. This is getting ready to cost me more than the bike is worth, and I don’t care. I’m 42, I’ve always wanted to ride, but the person “that should’ve” taught me how to ride, passed when I was 9. Now I feel I’m at a place in life where it’s now or never. Slowly cleaning it up and working on it as I can afford, but wanted to get on the road on a starter bike before finishing the EVO. Hope I’m accepted by the community, but we’ll see how it goes!

Reminds me of investors/ flippers in the housing market.

This topic made me nod in agreement and if you passed the offering plate I'd drop in my tithe. The motorcycle market has gotten whacky on the Shovels. Knuckles, Flatheads, Pans have always been to rich for my blood. Even basket cases weren't cost effective for my bank account. The flippers know there are buyers who will pay their price because the buyers want that perceived upper status tier of having a Shovel. More power to them both. Not my cup of tea. I'll be nice to them, but I won't hang out as friends with them. That pretty much sums my feeling up. Loved the topic, and it's nice to hear from your point of view. You are old school in a young man's body and mind. Keep wrenching, ride every chance you get and stay safe!

As someone who is new to bikes, would’ve loved to been in the community way earlier but parents would’ve never allowed it, now that I’m older it’s something I’ve been fired up about for a long time. I definitely look up to the shovelheads and panheads, the history aspect and just the feeling of riding in the wind. But I’ll stick to my low budget bike first and go through my build battles learning my way up. Definitely joined at an interesting time, when everything is expensive. I go to a lot of markets and I’m crafty so hopefully it will all be good.