Nice!! I LOVE my "68" XLCH! I've owned it for 43 years now! Many mods. Mag wheels, 16" rear, custom made FL rear fender, Early 70's XLH tank,( I hate stopping for gas), 74 disc front end, (Gotta be able to stop), 92 Hugger seat, Belt Drive primary, extended left foot peg mount and brake arm (due to belt drive). S&S "L" series carb mounted on an IHI - RHB5 turbo charger,(insert smiley face here), all LED lights including directionals,(no one pays attention to hand signals anymore)! Oil filter, K^N Super Bars, Mini Speedo, Tach and Vacuum /Boost gauges! Fun Fun Fun!
Last of the cheap antique Harleys because the kickstart magneto Ironhead is the only motorcycle ever produced capable of maiming the rider before it is even started. The most badassed motorcycle to roll out of any factory. I have a 69 XLCH, last of the mag Sporties. I hyperextended my right knee twice and left knee once before I learned the value of the straddle kick. Keep that left foot on the ground in case of the dreaded kicker slip. You'll see stars otherwise.
That's a good idea about straddling with your foot on the ground. that kind of puts the kicking knee at an angle so if it kicks back your knee is bent to soak up the shock. I think? and keep your timing retarded.
Had a 69 ch stocker w/ straight pipes, then a 66 ch, flat bottomed and raised tank w/ molded frame and flamed paint job and "lots" of extra chrome, bored .040 over w/pb cams, then a 60 ch, bored 40 over w/ pb cams. drag bars w/ HD disc brake in front and a 16" rear tire and a "H" gas tank (held more gas than stock sportster tank). 60 was my favorite of the 3!!!
I had a '60 CH when I was a kid in the mid '70s. The thing had a mind of its own, kind of like a moody wild cat. Just the same, I had a lot of fun on it before I got into Big Twins. I read not long ago that the new Sportsters are 70 lbs. heavier and two seconds slower through the quarter mile than the CH was. A bike for modern America, fatter and slower.
Gotta luv them old Iron Heads (I have several) As a kid I saw a guy fire-up an old Iron-Head Sportster and tool off down the road and I was hooked, that beast sounded like a chariot of thunder!
The problem with gust clutch derby are the rivets that hold those bars in place. I stroked mine. Dropping the clutch and flat shifting loosens them and then they leak.
That bike is absolutely perfect. Ironhead's are the meanest sounding Harleys. I think they've been way undervalued for way too long and they're going to start going way way up in value.
Great video. I’m still trying to sort out my 73 Sporty. I’m running a beautiful 21 inch front wheel with drum. But was looking for that adjuster. Love Sporty Parts. Didn’t know they sold that part. Also need new cams then it’s time to wire it up.
I'm in a predicament, I want an ironhead more than anything, but I wanna ride the crap outta it everyday and am starting to look at newer models just because of parts availability 😕 I know I'll never be happy with aluminum jugs, but don't wanna be stranded in the middle of knowhere bum fuct Egypt pushing a bike around desperately looking for parts I can't find🤣😢😩
I just restored a 73 basket case and I found all the parts i needed . All I started out with was a blown motor in a frame and a rear wheel. E bay is a good sorce for parts. Invest in a good Harley manual. Haines and Clymer manuals aren't that great.
such a nice old bike
Gotta love those old Ironheads. Nice work, Mike!
Nice!!
I LOVE my "68" XLCH!
I've owned it for 43 years now!
Many mods. Mag wheels, 16" rear, custom made FL rear fender, Early 70's XLH tank,( I hate stopping for gas), 74 disc front end, (Gotta be able to stop), 92 Hugger seat, Belt Drive primary, extended left foot peg mount and brake arm (due to belt drive). S&S "L" series carb mounted on an IHI - RHB5 turbo charger,(insert smiley face here), all LED lights including directionals,(no one pays attention to hand signals anymore)! Oil filter, K^N Super Bars, Mini Speedo, Tach and Vacuum /Boost gauges!
Fun Fun Fun!
My dad had a 69 magneto kick start that thing was awesome.
Great work! I loved my 68xlh
Crucial, likely gonna be working on a 65’ and will need all the insight I can get.
Man ,I need some Kickstart sporty in my life ! Killer bike ,love those old xlch competition hot hell yea
Lovely condition. Well preserved white and clean.
I grew up watching Then Came Bronson, so yeah, love this video. Right side shift took a while to get used to.
Beautiful bike!
Last of the cheap antique Harleys because the kickstart magneto Ironhead is the only motorcycle ever produced capable of maiming the rider before it is even started. The most badassed motorcycle to roll out of any factory. I have a 69 XLCH, last of the mag Sporties. I hyperextended my right knee twice and left knee once before I learned the value of the straddle kick. Keep that left foot on the ground in case of the dreaded kicker slip. You'll see stars otherwise.
That's a good idea about straddling with your foot on the ground. that kind of puts the kicking knee at an angle so if it kicks back your knee is bent to soak up the shock. I think? and keep your timing retarded.
Hey Snow, come on back to the XLForum. Riding a 69 XLCH myself. We can compare notes.
Had a 69 ch stocker w/ straight pipes, then a 66 ch, flat bottomed and raised tank w/ molded frame and flamed paint job and "lots" of extra chrome, bored .040 over w/pb cams, then a 60 ch, bored 40 over w/ pb cams. drag bars w/ HD disc brake in front and a 16" rear tire and a "H" gas tank (held more gas than stock sportster tank). 60 was my favorite of the 3!!!
I had a '60 CH when I was a kid in the mid '70s. The thing had a mind of its own, kind of like a moody wild cat. Just the same, I had a lot of fun on it before I got into Big Twins. I read not long ago that the new Sportsters are 70 lbs. heavier and two seconds slower through the quarter mile than the CH was. A bike for modern America, fatter and slower.
Hey jack👍 Every bike I own is it's own beast. Loved every one!!
Gotta luv them old Iron Heads (I have several) As a kid I saw a guy fire-up an old Iron-Head Sportster and tool off down the road and I was hooked, that beast sounded like a chariot of thunder!
This bike has that wonderful lumpy idle.
What makes them kool is their history, and how simple they are to work on!
Classy old Sportster. Non of the modern fuel injection etc to complicate things.
Carburetors are actually more complicated than modern fuel injection.
The problem with gust clutch derby are the rivets that hold those bars in place. I stroked mine. Dropping the clutch and flat shifting loosens them and then they leak.
That bike is absolutely perfect. Ironhead's are the meanest sounding Harleys.
I think they've been way undervalued for way too long and they're going to start going way way up in value.
I'm ahead of the curve in that regard got my 66 and 70 ironhead
Restoring a 76 now.
Right on!
Nice and neat job, man. 👌🏻
New sub here,, Love sportster content!
SPORTSTER4LIFE ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
???Now that the clutch is all done.....!? Nice narrative mentioning the work you did.
Great video. I’m still trying to sort out my 73 Sporty. I’m running a beautiful 21 inch front wheel with drum. But was looking for that adjuster. Love Sporty Parts. Didn’t know they sold that part. Also need new cams then it’s time to wire it up.
Now that's Bad Ass!
What kind of carb do you prefer. I'm going to try the CV carb from Kurt at Sporty Parts. God bless them for keeping Sportster parts alive.
And thank you for the great vid.
Righteous & cool~~
Why not go with stock style risers?
I didn’t realize the clutch was on the right side of the bike
Up to 75, I believe 76 was the change over year.
As we say on the lobster docks here in Maine "Ain't she sum fkn nice !"
My first Harley was a 1967 XLCH. I rode the piss out of that bike!
the og motor
That's the problem with 'Universal' stuff, it may fit in another universe but they don't fit in this one ! Cheap parts ain't cheap if they don't fit.
My 68 will eat a pair of tennis shoes in 40 miles of town riding. 80 on the highway
cooles Viedeo,,,,,grüsse SHOVELHEAD & EVOLUTION CLUB WORLD WIDE
I'm in a predicament, I want an ironhead more than anything, but I wanna ride the crap outta it everyday and am starting to look at newer models just because of parts availability 😕 I know I'll never be happy with aluminum jugs, but don't wanna be stranded in the middle of knowhere bum fuct Egypt pushing a bike around desperately looking for parts I can't find🤣😢😩
I just restored a 73 basket case and I found all the parts i needed . All I started out with was a blown motor in a frame and a rear wheel. E bay is a good sorce for parts. Invest in a good Harley manual. Haines and Clymer manuals aren't that great.