Harley iron head Sportster XLCH in storage 34 years, 12k miles! lets look it over as i dig into it.
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- Опубликовано: 23 янв 2024
- This stock low milage 1968 XLCH was in indoor storage for 34 years,
now its time to methodically go over this time machine in a multi part series so tune in subscribe and enjoy the ride!
I have the 68 Sportster which has both kick and electric start. Just going through a clutch replacement and then I’m back on the road. I’m in the UK
@@GRACEORT Yes, you have the XLH electric start model. A lot of people put a kick starter kit on them as well.
I just put new clutch disks on both my iron heads. Make sure you seal that clutch cover very well, sometimes just that thin gasket is not enough and oil begins to seep into your new clutch plates. It happened to me, the bike began to creep forward even with the clutch fully pulled in, then it became fully engaged. I simply had to go back in there and use brake cleaner to clean all the oil off my new clutch plates, then re seal the clutch cover with a soft oil resistant sealer. All is well now.
Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comment as well. Take care!
I've been working on old bikes and cars for over 50 years. When I find nuts, bolts, washers, and screws that have been buggered up and/or have burrs on them from improper use of tools, or use of Chinese tools, and plan to reuse them, I always take a Dremel and smooth everything out. I've been yelled at for doing it, being told it ruins the "patina". And while I can appreciate patina, to me if something is mechanically damaged, it has to be fixed. It's either that, or put the old damaged fasteners in a box, and replace them with new ones. It kind of depends on the value of what I'm working on. But I rarely work on anything with any serious value.
Thank you for your comment, I certainly agree with you. In my case i can see this bike wasn't fooled with and the bolts never been turned on this vintage time capsule. i too have worked on many cars and motorcycles and been restoring them for many years. i could easily see this bike survived and its low milage reveals itself as i inspect all the mechanicals externally and internally. i hope you subscribe and follow along as i make this vintage Harley XLCH road worthy and run it down route 66 this summer. i really appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. Take care, and thank you again!
Thanks for your comment Joe, actually I added a little background music because I thought people would get a little bored of just my voice.
I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind. Next video will be into more mechanical and things I find wrong which I know will help a lot of people with the same issues.
Great bike, good to have been found. Some things up front not 68 but doesn't matter. Love them earlier Iron Head Sportsters. J.
J.
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it. Since this video I already installed the original front end, fork boots and headlight visor. And the original seat as well. I will be doing more videos on this particular 1968 XLCH and you will see the original correct items I installed. I hope you keep watching subscribe and give a thumbs up. I plan on riding this iconic Sportster down historic Route 66 this spring and summer and hope you come along for the ride. Thanks for watching I definitely appreciate it! Take care.
Great video, I use a spray can Rust-Oleum product that is a rust performer sprays on clear but dries to a paintable black primer, I do not remember which one because the last time I got a can it sprayed black instead of clear and drying black, But it made bolts and frame touch ups easy and hides overspray.
Its a superb motorcycle - such a low mileage example is a dream for many Sportster fans . .
Thank you very much! I have been hunting an original low mile example like this for many years. I hope you subscribe and follow along as I methodically go through this time capsule and attempt to kick start it for the first time in over 34 years! I definitely appreciate your comment and thanks for watching.
@@Michael-st1hl I am looking forward to further videos and will indeed subscribe - thanks for your reply 😀 👍 😊
Wow, what a thing of beauty. My first bike I got in 1984 was a 1970 XLCH very similar. Does this bring back many memories..! I still ride got a FXD now
Thanks, I really appreciate it. I was looking for a 1968 XLCH for a long time and found this low mileage one.
I have a 1970 XLH as well I will be featuring in future videos. I hope you subscribe, give it a thumbs and follow along as I begin bringing this vintage XLCH back to life after sitting 34 years I have a 1993 FXDL as well, it’s my go to bike for longer distances. It’s at the bottom of my play list. I really appreciate your comment. Take care!
Now that’s a beautiful vintage sportster, those examples are rare these day! I would like to see how it progresses till start up!
Thank you, yes these old original iconic Sportsters definitely are hard to find. I will have more videos on it and other projects as well. Thank you for watching!
I like the banana seat!😊
I have the original black seat and a vintage contour seat as well.. these stock seats are crazy high! I prefer to sit into the bike as opposed to on top of it! Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it.
what a score u have there. brings memories to my head in the day. if u want to sell it I'm interested in that condition
Thank you, yes I was very excited to get my hands on this particular example. I used to ride my brothers XLCH when he returned home from Vietnam he bought one with only 1200 on it and packed his army duffel bag to it then took off on a long road trip.
I actually rode that bike as much as he did and I always missed it. I had to go full circle and hunt down this one. It was stored indoors for 34 years and is in amazing condition. I am currently going through it so it’s road ready. I will do some filming down Route 66 this summer with this CH. I hope you subscribe and follow along as I go through this time capsule. I don’t know if I could ever part with it! Thanks for watching and commenting I really appreciate it very much. Take care my friend!
safe trip wherever you go, most of all enjoy your build.@@Michael-st1hl
those magneto ch's were fantastic bikes.
Yes for sure! Back in the day many people would blame the magneto for hard starting, when in fact it was the tillotson carburetor that was not priming with fuel while kicking it over.
I did a video on this very topic to fix the problem with a tickler kit. But you are absolutely right, these magneto CH’s are fantastic in terms of a raw untamed riding experience. Just the starting procedure sets you back in time having to fully retard the magneto with the left twist grip control before attempting to kick it. In all seriousness this is really a man’s bike just like the 1968 brochure says it is. I grew up with these bikes and it’s nice to hear you call them CH’s, just the way we used to back in the day. We never called them iron heads like people do today. I really hope you subscribe so you can follow along with me as I go through it and eventually ride it down areas of historic Route 66 this coming summer. I really appreciate you watching. Take care!
@@Michael-st1hl i think i hooked my ch advance/retard with an old choke control. my old indian scout (gone fifty years ago) i just reached down with my hand to turn the autolite distributor... those old bikes were great.
Beauty. Are those steel rims? I have a '69 and a '68 CH and the rims are different. Sportsters Forever
Yes, they are the original factory steel rims. Notice on the 1968 XLCH the rear rim has the holes for the sheet metal screws that hold the rear tire from spinning due to the Sportsters engine torque. The aluminum rim was the same way for 1968. I totally agree! Iron head Sportsters are something very special, one of the pillars and an icon that built Harley Davidson. These bikes are a piece of historical motorcycle history and mechanical art just sitting there! Hope you subscribe and follow along. It’s great to hear from other iron head owners!
@@Michael-st1hl Your bike is beautiful. Keep 'em stock, or at least no cutting on the frame. Ride safe.
@@douglas9607 Thank you, absolutely! In my opinion I think these old iron heads look best in bone stock form and that’s the way my two Old Sportsters are Staying! The more original the better and more they are worth! I’m into factory restorations not chopping. The only chopper I would build would be a pan head, but even those I like stock. I plan on doing some XLCH riding videos this summer. I have to buy a go pro soon!
@@Michael-st1hl I'll be watching for your riding videos. Thanks with a sub/likie
nice sickel !!!! do you have the CH pogo set up and solo seat HAPPY TRAILS
Thank you, i have been looking for a nice original 68 XLCH for a long time and finally found this gem. I have the original black seat that is not pictured and plan to put it on after I am finished. I also have a vintage period contour seat that lets me sit into it as opposed to on top of it like the stock buddy seat. I have been thinking about a nice solo/pogo seat setup as well. I hope you subscribe and follow along as I go through this CH from week to week getting it ready for the open road again. Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate you watching. Again, it’s so great to hear you referring to it as a CH. just like everyone did back in the sixties. I still call it a CH but the younger generation doesn’t know the proper lingo like we both do. Take care my friend!
Wait a minute - what happened to the white seat ? Using your 1968 tools was a nice touch lol
Hello Kurt, I still have the white buddy seat, however I do have the correct black seat that looks much better and more scale to the bike.
I also have a vintage contour seat I use because I prefer sitting into the bike as opposed to on top of it.
Actually all my videos were intended for my personal reference but I decided to place them on RUclips so that is why my early videos are out of sequence. I really hope you subscribe and follow the Historic build step by step until I kick start this time capsule for the first time in over 34 years! I really appreciate you watching and love to hear your feedback. Thanks for watching!
The music distracts from a good video of a beautiful Sportster. It's hard to hear your voice over the music. We are more interested in hearing your knowledge of Sportsters than listening to music.
The music sets the mood perfectly
I have to agree with Joe, that thumping background noise makes it hard to understand what you are describing. Please consider turning it way down or preferably off, you have a nice bike and more knowledge than I do about Sportsters, I could use some of your knowledge to help me restore my 1978. Thanks.
Did you get this from uncle tony, of youtube fame ?
No, I really don’t know who you’re referring to? I actually bought this bike on eBay. I know little of its history however it was stored many years.
If you have any info I definitely would love to hear it. I hope you subscribe and follow along as I go through this time capsule and get it ready for the open road. Thanks for your question and watching. Take care!
Great video except the music is annoying to be honest with you the mechanical end of this treasure would carry the video through if you've ever watched Alan millyard his soft-spoken voice and methodical analysis of what he's doing needs no music just saying my friend
I really appreciate your honesty because it helps me make better videos as I move forward.
Actually I have kept the music to a minimum on my newer videos lately because I agree with you. Just the intro and the end have music in the mechanical videos now.
The riding videos I plan on filming may have a different approach I hope you enjoy.
I have seen Alan’s videos as well, he designs incredible multi cylinder motors and does great film work And is very polished in his video creation.
Actually I am a precision machinist and have shared some machining techniques with Alan on some of his videos. He truly is a great craftsman for sure!
Thje mileage on those old bikes can't be trusted. It may have been ridden thousands of miles with a broken speedo cable or a replaced speedometer
Thank you for your comment, all indications point to low mileage on this particular bike including the original rear tire and all the mechanicals I have been going through, primary chain wear, delron tensioner, wheel bearings, carb wear and many other mechanical indicators.
I have been into restorations and building a long time and I have seen and worked the high mileage vehicles that give up there secrets as you go through them. I hope you subscribe and follow along as I start it the very first time and eventually take a run down Route 66 this coming summer!
Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it!