Shovel Flatside vs Cone? Harley Shovelhead Discuss Shovel Flatside vs Cone? in the Classic Harley Motorcycles forums; I've heard a lot of knowledgable folks prefer the older "flatside" Shovels to the newer "cone" Shovels. I'm curious why this is. I'd have thought the newer ones would be ...

[BaggerDad]

I've heard a lot of knowledgable folks prefer the older "flatside" Shovels to the newer "cone" Shovels.

I'm curious why this is. I'd have thought the newer ones would be improved and better.

[frisco-rigid]

And you would be correct..

All those gears that must be spun, the mandate to "squish" the front pipe or run it out front and down low, the ignition placement and restrictions, generator instead of alternator, ha, ooh yeah,,, waaaay better..!!

If a "knowledgable" guy told me it was better I'd be sure to insist on an answer why..

However, it does have better Nostalgia factor..

Yeah that kidney shaped aluminum cover (especially if you polish or chrome it) is a real fine piece of classic American Industrial Art. It's a thing of beauty for sure but, like Frisco said, the newer set up is probably better in most ways. Still, sometimes beauty alone is just fine for its own sake.

[shovelmike]

Which is why you can order cases with an alternator left half and generator right half to give you the best of both worlds.

[unclepsycho]

Here's a visual for ya... a friend of mine has an Evo, bored to 95" that he had Exotic Knucklehead rocker covers installed, then he had the generator right side case with the Evo left side case. a 4 speed kick only with a 3" open primary. all set on a Santee rigid frame 4" up 4" out stock rake with 16" apes. I helped him assemble it in my shop. then he sold it for $7k without telling me.

lots of good info in this thread. I am looking at shovels now and looks like the "cone" is the way to go for me.