Timing,points , frequent valve adjustments.(Hardened valve seats can really help). A Japanese carb will be more reliable than the old bendix. Labor of Love!!
My cast iron sportster and my shovelhead both can be like a haunted house on two wheels, but like you said... when they're running, they are great bikes to ride. My shovel has become my latest favorite bike to ride these days. Mostly because of all I've been through with it.
My 71 xlh runs great after a mikuni carb and just ran. It was my father's, bought right as he got out of Vietnam. He gifted it to me when I was in high-school. Been my joy since. You don't see old ironheads on the road anymore
I have one Harley-Davidson and it's a Shovelhead. Last time I rode it no problems. Once my 70 year old self can stay warm, will take it again! Got to keep a eye on our older motorcycles
I sure miss my ironhead, it was a 74 xlch, kick only, I would sell my firstborn to get it back. I sold it to fund my 77 fxe purchase, which I still own after 33 years, don't ride it much since I got my ultra, but I would never get rid of it. Just wish I would have kept that old ironhead
I had A 72 kick only..... man. I loved that bike. Of course, I was man enough to go over it and tighten the bolts Occasionally, no big deal. That's what men do with the Harley's. NOW I've got a seventy nine x l s and an 07 street GLIDE .....life is good😂
Is that a Bendix Zenith carb? I have one and the choke kills it stone dead. To start from cold I do the twist twist kick kick a couple times before switching the ignition on, and it fires right up but doesn't want to idle until it's warm. It's not a huge problem (these things get warm pretty quick, as I'm sure you're aware) but any movement on the choke lever just shuts it down.
I just bought a running 84 sportster that needs a few minor things. I know it isn’t meant to but this channel is discouraging me, and making me want to sell my bike before I’m in too deep. 😅
I think these old bikes are great, way cooler than any new one, but they're definitely labor intensive. You can't own one of these if you don't like having a wrench in your hand!
I’m 63 have owned two Harley big twins and a lot of Japanese bikes now I’m buying my third Harley a 79 XLS iron head 100% stock I hope to make it a lot better than the Iron head myth , they can’t be that bad 🤣
I've thought about it, maybe one day. Thankfully this is just a linkage issue, honestly I could probably ride it all summer with the choke wired open. I won't, but I could! Thanks for the comment.
I totally agree with this statement. You say, "That's the way Ironheads are" or "The riser bolts loosen up because of vibration". Ever heard of locktight? You may not know this but to those who know how to properly maintain a motorcycle you sound just like a poser. You try to make it sound like "everybody knows how Sportsters are" and that you are some kind of hero for making it to work with only a few problems....pathetic. The fact is that it is a proven, long running SIMPLE motorcycle. If you can't make it reliable then learn how to make it reliable and post videos on how to do so. A positive video is way more watchable than one where you say "my front tire bead is leaking, see the bubbles?" or "my riser bolts are loose because of vibration" or "my idle is way too high, I can't bring it down" (and by the way, you shouldn't even be in the same room with an older motorcycle if you don't know the ins and outs of these SUPER SIMPLE carbs) or "I don't even know what this spring is doing here". Christ. what has motorcycledom come to? This post is directed to those who reply things like "cool video, man" or "love your Ironhead vids, man". The message to you all is.....Ironheads are SIMPLE motorcycles that can be made super reliable with just a little effort.....and Mr. Saddletramp should not be taken seriously until he learns how to properly maintain a motorcycle.
Timing,points , frequent valve adjustments.(Hardened valve seats can really help). A Japanese carb will be more reliable than the old bendix. Labor of Love!!
Yup all of that is true! You gotta love em and love to take care of em, I love this one!
I rode an Iron head for many years.Changed the carb to a Mikuni and rode the hell out of it.
My cast iron sportster and my shovelhead both can be like a haunted house on two wheels, but like you said... when they're running, they are great bikes to ride. My shovel has become my latest favorite bike to ride these days. Mostly because of all I've been through with it.
Haha haunted house on wheels is a good one! Definitely something about these old ones that keeps us coming back
My 71 xlh runs great after a mikuni carb and just ran. It was my father's, bought right as he got out of Vietnam. He gifted it to me when I was in high-school. Been my joy since. You don't see old ironheads on the road anymore
That's a fantastic gift, glad you're still keeping it going. If he's still with us, thank him for his service and tell him welcome home
I have one Harley-Davidson and it's a Shovelhead. Last time I rode it no problems. Once my 70 year old self can stay warm, will take it again! Got to keep a eye on our older motorcycles
I sure miss my ironhead, it was a 74 xlch, kick only, I would sell my firstborn to get it back. I sold it to fund my 77 fxe purchase, which I still own after 33 years, don't ride it much since I got my ultra, but I would never get rid of it. Just wish I would have kept that old ironhead
I had A 72 kick only..... man. I loved that bike. Of course, I was man enough to go over it and tighten the bolts Occasionally, no big deal. That's what men do with the Harley's.
NOW
I've got a seventy nine x l s and an 07 street GLIDE .....life is good😂
Nothing like a good exercise in sould building and humility, you won't get that will a new one and a monthly payment!
I feel your pain...I always had something going on with my 80 Ironhead...
Cool...I love your attitude...I would like to get a Ironhead too...I think I will what is the best year...what do you recommend....John.....lreland
Love these ironhead vids man
Glad you like them!
Is that a Bendix Zenith carb? I have one and the choke kills it stone dead. To start from cold I do the twist twist kick kick a couple times before switching the ignition on, and it fires right up but doesn't want to idle until it's warm. It's not a huge problem (these things get warm pretty quick, as I'm sure you're aware) but any movement on the choke lever just shuts it down.
It's a Keihin butterfly, honestly runs pretty good
I just bought a running 84 sportster that needs a few minor things. I know it isn’t meant to but this channel is discouraging me, and making me want to sell my bike before I’m in too deep. 😅
I think these old bikes are great, way cooler than any new one, but they're definitely labor intensive. You can't own one of these if you don't like having a wrench in your hand!
I’m 63 have owned two Harley big twins and a lot of Japanese bikes now I’m buying my third Harley a 79 XLS iron head 100% stock I hope to make it a lot better than the Iron head myth , they can’t be that bad 🤣
been wrkn on my friends 71 lately. g0t it startd but it rrrreally needs rewired.
IR0NHEADS RULE!!!
🤘😎🤘
Well, at least the wiring on these is pretty dang simple!
@@buttcrackcycles wiring 0n my 79 d0esnt get any simpler.
i got a 78 ironhead with a wide glide front end and mini apes, love the thing like no tomorrow so i totally know what you mean
Yup, just something about em
That's not too bad. No really serious problems. It's about the same as a Kawasaki from the same period. Same sort of problems.
Ever think about putting an s and s on that bike ? Just my 2 cents. Ever since I put an s and s on my iron my carb problems disappeared.
I've thought about it, maybe one day. Thankfully this is just a linkage issue, honestly I could probably ride it all summer with the choke wired open. I won't, but I could! Thanks for the comment.
How is the bike responsible for poor workmanship/maintenance?
I totally agree with this statement. You say, "That's the way Ironheads are" or "The riser bolts loosen up because of vibration". Ever heard of locktight? You may not know this but to those who know how to properly maintain a motorcycle you sound just like a poser.
You try to make it sound like "everybody knows how Sportsters are" and that you are some kind of hero for making it to work with only a few problems....pathetic. The fact is that it is a proven, long running SIMPLE motorcycle. If you can't make it reliable then learn how to make it reliable and post videos on how to do so.
A positive video is way more watchable than one where you say "my front tire bead is leaking, see the bubbles?" or "my riser bolts are loose because of vibration" or "my idle is way too high, I can't bring it down" (and by the way, you shouldn't even be in the same room with an older motorcycle if you don't know the ins and outs of these SUPER SIMPLE carbs) or "I don't even know what this spring is doing here". Christ. what has motorcycledom come to?
This post is directed to those who reply things like "cool video, man" or "love your Ironhead vids, man". The message to you all is.....Ironheads are SIMPLE motorcycles that can be made super reliable with just a little effort.....and Mr. Saddletramp should not be taken seriously until he learns how to properly maintain a motorcycle.