1973 XLCH Ironhead
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- Опубликовано: 15 ноя 2011
- An unmolested example of a pure Sportster. It's not chopped, bobbed or dropped. Just a clean old school XLCH. FYI I added the sticker and the fork boots and it sure did make it look nice.
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Back in the 70s my late friend had a 73 and I had the 77, his 73 inspired me to buy my mine, mainly due to the sound, power and the spit fire it gave off at night under open throttle, the sound of yours brought back memories, it's beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Kenny H - I know that feeling. I bought a brand new XLH in May of 1975. Although I loved that bike, I hated the left side shifter. I can’t count the times I missed a shift while street racing that thing. I had a hotter cam, an S&S carb, some head work, and drag pipes on her. She was pretty fast, but that damn shifter always caused me grief. All that said she was still the love of my life. I had some great times on that bike.
Very nice '73 Sportster. Thanks for sharing. I bought a XLCH new back in 1976. First street bike I ever owned. Harley had switched the shifter and brake location by then. The shifter used a steel cable routed to the right side that year. AMF owned HD back in those days and had let the quality control of the Harley-Davidson bikes go down. Your video still makes me wish I had my ' 76. This old man still rides too ....a twenty year old Wide Glide.Thanks again for sharing the video.
Beautiful. Perfect. Inspiration to restore my just-acquired 1970. Thank you.
I had a 74 but it was a Electra start ,then a 78 kick er xlch both were fantastic iron heads love sporty's
That's a sweet little scooter. Man you did a great job. That would be fun to ride. I had the XLX, loved it. Thank you for sharing. God bless you brother.
Oh that sound,, does an old heart some good.
bought a 73 Sportster in 75 for $2,000 when I was 20. Wish I had kept it. Mine was almost identical. Thank you for the ride and memories.
I bought a 76 in crates. Almost finished. Made a few upgrades, electronic ignition, nitrogen shocks, progressive springs, bigger tanks, Mikuni carb.. No part left untouched. Thanks for the inspiration!!!!
It really does sound good with those pipes !...
Man, sweet bike! I have a 1974 I just bought in a basket. I will hopefully be starting it this weekend to see if the engines any good. It Sat in a garage since 1998. I've spent hours getting the brakes rebuilt, flushing the oil and gas tanks, replacing fuel line and carb rebuild. Wish me luck!
Thanks. Was fun putting it together and even more fun riding!
You've just inspired some design additions to a 74' custom resto job I'm doing currently. I was thinking about cleaning up the case covers with a nice black but I thought it wouldn't look right without taking everything apart and painting the whole thing. Now I see it looks awesome with just the covers painted. Nice job on this one, man. Love to see these Ironheads getting the attention they deserve.
For people looking to buy one, just a little TLC to get it into shape and you'll have yourself a reliable bike that will easily get you to Sturgis and back, nomatter where you are. Treat 'em nice and they'll do the same to you. The AMF name is tarnished and people speak rumors of troubles with these bikes but I've never seen a case that couldn't be remedied with a bit more information about the bike and understanding of the period. If you look at it optimistically, AMF actually held Harley Davidson above water until the family could buy it back. Without these AMF bikes Harley Davidson wouldn't even be a thing today.
A beauty! Gives me inspiration to pimp up my 78 XLCH
I have a 1972 ...you did a great build.
Really nice bike. I have to say those pipes do sound good.
Nice!!!! I've also got a 73 XLCH black in color, lowered. I have a 38 millimeter Mikuni round slide carb on mine with a Dyna ignition, I went through the top end on mine about 4 seasons back it runs really strong!!! Nothing sounds like an old Ironhead!!!
Best looking bike ever made, IMHO.
The beautiful spoke rear wheel and swing arm and shock is so gorgeous looking
What a nice bike , looks great, sounds great!!!!
Beautiful Harley, sounds even nicer
Old guys are great. Love learning new stuff
Man , those pipes sound great !
Thanks Jerry. . that's pretty much what I was after: solid, clean with a little swagger. It looked even better with the fork boots on it.
Right side shifting was the rule back in the days. All the British bikes and Harley were on the right. The shifter move over to the left fouled things up the first year they did it. They had to put a rod out through the primary cover. The only reason they did that was all the new Japanese bikes were on the left. The Japanese flooded the market with small bikes. California (of course) started demanding standardization of controls for 'safety.' Harley had to comply. Right side shifting was a natural choice. Thanks, Toshiro, you pud.
I had a '77 XLCH I bought new and it had clunky left side shifting. Your bike is really nice. And shifts better, no doubt.
Beautiful machine and very well tastefully done.
In my humble opinion one of the best looking "sport" bikes to come off the production line.
I really like this sportster. There is something really nice seeing a clean, nearly stock one with a bit of flash to it. Chops get a bit old after awhile.
Very sharp sporty! And sounds good!
Nice and lean, clean machine. Kudos.
Nice. Wish I still had my 71. I have an 86 Tour Glide now but miss my 71 Sportster.
She's absolutely gorgeous. The stock pipes really make her sound good too.
Absolutely gorgeous, man.
Looks good. I bought the 1977 version in 1977. Wish I still had it.
Long Gone my friend... thanks for the kudos.
Thanks Amber.. it was fun putting together.
Looks even better with fork boots!
Matter of opinion
No it doesn’t
that is a very cool looking bike I had a 74 Sportster that looked a whole lot like it wish I still had it I went from Bowie Texas to Dublin California on mine there and back
Lj Gaines
Thanks LJ
That's a gorgeous bike!!
Looks amazing man
EVERY HARLEY sHOULD HAVE SPOKESi love the rear wheel on the itonn head very cool classy desighn seems to be a 78 dedign
Nice! Sounds great!
That right side shift is cool. Reminds me of my dad's ol' duck.
I own lots of them an Evo too but IMO the 69 to 73 are the absolute best sportsters ever made!
Perfect color.
Man.... That sound!
Beautiful looking bike
I gotta say I love the stock 900s but these early 1000s can look just as good. Your bike is very tastfully put together and has the right stance. Well done
They're basically the same bike no wonder!
1972 first year 1000 cc last year for a lot stuff the list is long .
Those are stock pipes and they look better than anything else I tried on it. They also perform so much better. Thanks for the kudos.
Beautiful bike !
Mate that is beautiful.
I love the right shift. especially when you watch a noob ride one for the first time....
FUCKING IDIOT!
I truly love it.
Back in the....whatever..looks,sounds...greaaaat!
Thanks Justin
Very nice bike, sounds great for stock pipes, of course that was before the epa ruined everything. But I can't believe he started up a completely cold bike and immediately took off on it without letting it warm up. That will definitely shorten the life of an Ironhead. Because of he different metals used in the engine, they all expand at different rates when they get hot, so they should be allowed to warm up slowly. People these days don't know how to treat old vehicles.
Never thought of it like that but that's a damn true statement!
Nice ride Bud I also have a black 73 XLCH if you would can you let me know where you got your XLCH sticker from much appreciated Great looking scooter!!
It's a beauty.....yeah, open class Maicos and Huskys were kick ass!
Gorgeously Done✔
Great job man
Thats A sexy bike!
Thanks Papa
Look like mine, except I have Z bars and side plate. hella cool man
I have a 1973 XLH i've owned since 1977...i see your Sportster XLCH sticker on the forks has the very same corner missing...you said you know where to get the stickers, where can i find them?...I'd appreciate any info you can give me....mine is still mostly stock except the 1970's Graphics Paint and staggered duel glasspacks...What a beautiful sound!
man that sounds good.
ah...yes... music to my ears!
Cool looking bike.
matrox
Ya man. Hope it's Doin well. Last I knew it was cruising downtown LA. 👍🏽
Thanks bud
My first of five Harleys was a 73 xlch Sportster
nice bike!
I love right side shift
NICE! Love XLCHS. They're baaad.
First off, really nice bike! I have a 74 xlh (early74 , mostly 73 parts however, stock ,typical early AMF) My tins are painted very similar to yours and is a cool look. Other than total admiration for your scooter I am wondering what tires you used (Sizes) on those rims both front and back ,cause they look great. Thanks Man
I found that the right side shiftier for me was dangerous. Even my 48 Indian with the left side throttle and right side shiftier was a problem since I learned to ride on a 41 Harley Sports Solo and had two other tank shift Harley's afterwords. I end up converting the Indian to right side throttle and left side shiftier like a Harley so I did not get confused between it and my 1933 Harley since I had both at the same time. Nice bike I am looking at a 72 Sportsers basket case to match my 72 FHL Police Special I have now.
Of course the Speedo/odometer is broke on any Sportster. That's standard, lol. Very very nice old XLCH and just the way I like 'em from the bars to the seat. Luv it.
Thanks... it really "gallops" nice too with those pipes, dontcha think?
Love it
Nice
Iron heads are the best sportster made hands down
I had that bike in an XLH in blue a 1973. Black cases, Front Disc brake. Right side shift.
Gohot229
This one was originally an aqua blue-ish color. It was a chopper when I got it.
Yea it was an odd blue aqua, but more blue. I had 10" overs, Six bends, a Gary Bang air cleaner, drag pipes and sissy bar. Rode it all over Colorado and Cali.
Gohot229
Check my channel for the '79 XLH .. It's equally cool
Long Gone my friend. American Iron published a pic of her in July issue! Cool huh?
i love em too, they were right side shift until i believe 1975
I love the tapered sound,what is the brand?
Nice bro👍👍👍
I kno Gregg .. Wish I had waited to shoot the video until after the fork boots. They really set the theme for the bike nicely.
I had no Idea that the sporty was made to compete against the brits. on flat track.
the 70's one like this one fit's you ooo good. and look's right..
it just looks like a bike is supposed to look. bars and pegs are where you want them. classic bike.
Nice one
Nice!
sweet thank you
Wath is the tapered
really love this bike would u sell it?
Super. Machíne. Good
Those are 18 rear and 19 front wrapped in Metzelers/
i own one just like this one and i would sell it for the right price it does run and has low mileage .
robert hayes where is it and whats the sale price
What on Earth made it die at just under 8k?
is it for sale
I had a 72. I’m 76. I wish I was 30 😂.
I am 70 I have my 1972 and still riding my 08 road king
I hope you still see these comments.... I just bought a ratted out basket case 76 Sportster ( because I like challenges..lol) and noticed my case and covers are black, like yours. I posted a question about it on a fb group, whether this was something people did, or if Harley ever had Ironheads that were blacked out? Yours is the only other bike I've seen this on...as far as 70's Ironheads. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
1973 Sportsters had the black wrinkle paint on their cases. It was a one year only feature. 1973 was also the first year for the front disc brake, which they used the FLH's banana caliper. 1974 was the start of the small front caliper.
I had a stock black 1973 XLCH. I miss that bike
My very FIRST street bike at age 17 was a '74 XLH. Kept it 14 years traded for a jet boat.
#%@*=%!!!
very nice. v
No, they're def not new.. I used good old elbow grease to bring them back to presentable condition for the scooter. I'm not sure if the Sporty Warehouse would have the stock pipes .. but you can check. They have a huge catalog online - sportyspecialties (dot) com
the shifter is on the right?
Yep, before the Fed required standardization.
1974 last year