There’s just something special about a Harley-Davidson Shovelhead engine. That certain je ne sai quoi… The design, the style, the sound, the oily trail left behind wherever you roam, très magnifique! No, we’re not French, but you get the idea. We love Shovelheads! And the sheer number of cool ones on display at the David Mann Chopperfest event is definitely what keeps the chopper builders—and us—coming back time and time again.

We attended the recent Dave Mann chopper show in Ventura, California, and we were delighted to see that the chopperheads were still very much into customizing Shovels, be it genny or cone Shovel, they’ll just never get old.

We always try to make it out to the Central Coast town of Ventura for Dave Mann Chopperfest because it’s kind of the kickoff premier West Coast event for the year. It’s really the first place to see what West Coast builders have been doing from being holed up all winter in their 60-degree Fahrenheit garages. Oh no!

Gerald Casey’s ’62 Pan-Shovel

Ryan Loughridge

Clean Swingin’ Shovel

Ryan Loughridge

Girder Shovels equal warm fuzzies.

Ryan Loughridge

Stacy McCleary’s ’49/’69 Pan-Shovel

Ryan Loughridge

Ryan McQuiston’s 1970 Shovel

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Mike Rabideau’s 1981 Shovel

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Mike Rabideau’s 1982 Shovel

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Johnny Branch’s 69 Shovel

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Dave Goodrich’s 81 FXE Shovel

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Dave Shaw’s 1971 FLH

Ryan Loughridge