I'm a big twin guy myself, but I love the look and sound of those old XLs. When I was a kid thats the bike all the cool kids older brothers had. The FLs were out of their price range and they were considered old mens' bikes anyway. Then the FX came along and changed that.
I love it that the lady bought it new and still loves it enough to keep her looking this sweet. Now you have her sounding as sweet as she looks! She hits hard idled low!
@@pacificmike9501 Totally agree. If she'll count 'em off when you're done, you did it right. If you have to turn the idle screw to keep it running, that pilot is wrong, or at least you gotta burn your fingers a little with the little screwdriver. Then Idle her up to spec.
I love me an ironhead. My 1st road bike when I was 18 was a 64xlch that belonged to my dad's old MC Brother. I still own it, and my dad has already passed down his 68FLH that he has owned since the 70's. I'm so proud that these 2 bikes are still parked next to eachother.
Mike, you do an amazing job of sharing ole Skool mechanics for these older bikes. You helped me figure out my shovel woes. Your videos on carburetors and engine rebuild are invaluable for todays stewards of shovels and pans. Thank you Mike.
I love old iron heads had several but my ol shovel is my girl for life. Mike I love your videos all fun and teaching even us old dogs new tricks. I may be 63 but still learnin.
My fist HD was a 1974 Police Special FLH. My wife and I rode that bike many miles and very few times did it put me side the road. A condenser one time, chain one time and tire I think once. Great bike and wish I still had it.
Great work Mike. My most recent Ironhead was a 77. It had the same pipes on it as the one in this video. Mine had that same hesitation that you were talking about. At high speed it would have 6 inch orange flames roarin out of them drags. Wee Hee! Smitty in Vegas.
From SW Ontario, Canada, greetings. So good to see you looking and sounding chipper! Would that our weather is as warm as yours, but alas it's still freezing overnight and more snow in the forecast.
Great video again Mike, those old sportsters kick ass rode one from a friend of mine in 1986 at the Denmark Superrally it was a tuned XLX and man that hog was hot.
I had a 76 black XLCH bought it from a guy called tiny In Waco back in 88 I was new to Harley Almost died on a punched out KZ 900 So I decided to get out Of the speed and slow things down a bit Totally fell in love With It..Pure machine.. You could hear the cams the flywheel the lifters the rocker arms.. The engine would tell you way in advance if it needed attention down to that it preferred exxon 93 over Chevron 93 The awesome thing about it was that it was completely original Down to the fact that when I was buying it Tiny said that The gages Haven't even fogged over.. Unfortunately I lost the old girl When I was running it up made the shift from 3rd to 4th As it turns out one of the dogs On the 4th gear main shaft broke off and locked The back tire up around 80.. I was glad that day I believe in wearing full leather.. Nuff said
Nice old Ironhead. I prefer the look of larger diameter pipes. I bought a 2001 Sportster 1200 EVO about a year ago, to go with my 1989 FXRS Low Rider. It's a great little around town and short trip bike. I decided to get one because it was obvious that H-D was going to get rid of the Sportster. It came with a great sounding slip ons. Fairly large diameter. I noticed it was running a little warm. I pulled the carburetor off, and discovered it still had the stock jets in it, so it was running a bit lean with the aftermarket slip ons. I put in larger jets, a different needle, and replaced the pilot screw with one that can be turned by hand with the engine running. It now runs much better, and over 30 degrees cooler. It also sounds better. Before it had sort of a flat sound. Once I fattened up the air/fuel mixture, the sound filled out a bit. No hesitation, throttle response is perfect. Like the Low Rider, the Sportster has cast wheels with tubeless tires. I love the looks of wire spoke wheels, but I have been stranded too many times by flat tube type tires. I once spent almost $1000 and missed two days of work because of a flat tire with tube type tires. What started out as a nice Sunday morning ride turned into a nightmare.
I bought my XLH new back in 1977 and still own it. I just love it! My mate bought his XLH new back in 1975 and still owns it too. We are both proud that they are AMF Sportsters and have been very reliable because we took good care if them. Great channel and thanks for all the great videos and tips you give us. Ps, I've never had to use the choke in all the years I've owned mine, two pumps of the throttle, press the button and off I go.
That’s surprising . Had xlch then roadster iorn both dogs then got 83 with the new design huge head gasket , new design modal brain and washer all factory
Plus they grinder a lot of metal out of engine Holly did that iorn head move… I thought irons were Well not after that eagle emblem on the front fender
Thier like almost 100 lbs lighter . It’s good to know the older iorns r still running. Amf fixed Harley iorns and sold em evo design… I think we could have survived without the evo but who wants a Yamaha r Honda as a rescue bike
@@matthewswartz5864 I think the fact that me and my mate bought them new and looked after them is the reason we didn't have any problems with them. We didn't have factory dealerships in the UK back then, but even if we did we wouldn't let a factory mechanic near them as we always do our own work on our British bikes. The engines on my 77 and his 75 have never been taken apart as they are still running great. He has replaced his clutch and primary chain but mine is all original except for my points, plugs and condenser and light bulbs of course.
I found just an old fashioned homemade " lollipop" seemed to do the trick on my old 1984 XLX-61. One owner bike bought it brand new fresh out of high-school. Still runs great. Of course it's not completely oem stock anymore
I had a 72 sporty. It was a stroker, camed up bored out with straight pipe. 1st gear was to get it moving the hit 2nd and hang on. No lag at any speed but after 75mph it would pull like a mutha. Loved that bike. Put 100k miles on it with 3 top end jobs and 1 tear down and rebuild. Now I have 2 Shovels and a twin cam and can't lean them as far in the corners so not as much fun. I wore the edges off the tires of long before the middle.
I have drag pipes on my '77, and it used to have hesitation like you are talking, but after drilling a hole on the side you cant see, and putting in a bolt with 2 nuts on it inside the pipe, it did much better, I could even show you a before and after dyna report with the bolt in it, that simply creates that little bit of back pressure.
@@pacificmike9501 absolutely, I got the best performance putting two normal sized nuts on the bolt, it really leveled everything out. thanks so much for the videos and knowledge, you are the best of us out there. I put that bolt with two nuts in both pipes, let me know if you want a pic of the dyna before and after, pretty cool stuff man
Had a 1977 XLCH. It was a Beast and handled great! Out on the road just on and off the throttle in 4th gear. Wish I still had it! That’s a nice looking Sportster and it sounds great! Enjoy all your Vids, thanks
Nice Sporty. I bought a new 1984 XLH . Dealer said break-in the motor and bring it back for the drag pipes. It was flat from idle to 2500-3000rpm. Mechanic said these bikes need back pressure and he clamped 2 baffles in place and said ride it now and you'll see what I'm talking about. Sure enough he was right. he bolted them in place and it ran like a different bike. The baffles didn't make much difference in the sound either. Still have it today.
Man that sounds phenomenal,and that electric start is a definite necessity! I’ve got a full kick 76 iron head and what a beast it is to start and you definitely have to do the right sequence to make it start or you’ll be surely kicking it for a good bit.
Learning the principles helps. Know when you've got fuel into the heads. Know at what point the spark needs to fire for the easiest start. Know how to make it suck the fuel in. Visualize it in your head.
It really varies with the cams and length of pipes. But, generally, the old Sportsters lose quite a bit of bottom end power with 36-40 inch drag pipes. There are numerous tricks, and I've tried as many as I could find.
That’s a great looking bike! Seeing and hearing this just motivated me to go work on my shovel and then take my Softail out for a joyride. I’d love to have my shovel going before that hippie hoedown party.
I had an '82 XL ,ran great ,sounded great ,just a little light ,it would hurt my back after a while . I took a shortcut thru a residential and there was a dog sitting on a lawn licking himself ,ahead of me was a honda ,the dog looked up for a second and went back to licking (obviously not impressed) .When I got to where the dog was he heard my sportster ,looked up and watched me go by until I was out of sight .
That's really cool that she bought it new. I have a '74 Sporty that I hope to get running again and right. I heard that there's a bad design in the transmission. I'd like to find a way to work that out, beside cutting the back end off, to put a big twin transmission on it.
@@pacificmike9501, Are you referring to the '74 Sportster transmission, or a big twin, to adapt to the engine? Also, I'm not that mechanically inclined, or that knowledgeable about how to work on engines or transmissions. I'm trying to learn, when I get the chance to do work on my own, though. Do people usually do any machining, to fix the design, or do they upgrade the internal parts, or just service and adjust it as is?
My first bike was a 79 sportster. A scary beast it was for an 18 year old without riding experience. Sounded like the world would end with the dragpipes.
Sounds good Mike! I havent had a bike in decades but still love them had a 64xlch Man miss that Im not 100 percent sure on which years had what but Mine had a Magneto with the Tin Primary cover and I dont think a mag came on many after 64 nor the tin side really loved that look ! Wow and thats great the lady has owned that just short of 50 years
As always I enjoyed the video , sporty sound great nice job as always . I wish I could have watched you put in the ignition I put one in my iron head sporty , this is number 2 for me .
✊🏻👍👌nice - yeah ; the old washer in the pipe or sumthin . I took a reducer end off a baffle . Big end pointing towards engine . Small end pointing towards end of pipe. Works pretty good - ✊🏻👍👌 Shovelhead getting closer too done here. Complete rewire. Chopper now - Less is more - 😁
Beautiful. I've got a 68 hardtail on a girder that's just an old raw bike.split boxes. Single seat no front brake. Not even recognizable as a sportster anymore. Unfortunately the front rod bearing didnt agree with my right hand so I've got the whole motor torn down and crank is out. I may even just slap a donor motor in but since the title is married to the engine I hate to do it that way. But also the lifter blocks and lifters got really roughed up so idk. Anyhow I can appreciate a clean old sporty glad you made a video on one. To the lady who owns the bike. Wow. That's how you take care of bike. Bravo
Big Mike, Robert starter problem, came to me other night. Clutch housing has 4 wields, holding starter gear. 2 wields broke. Flexibility let's move not to catch bendix bites to enguage, 2 times starter enguage but bottom out came to stop. Ring gear bottomed out on bendix came to stop 2 times. Came to me in sleep. Looked up ebay found one for sale, with one weild broke. How crazy.
It's our Harley Rider's club rally at Llandovery Wales UK this weekend too Mike, I don't think the weather will be anywhere near as nice as in SoCal but we will be camping and partying never the less.
@@pacificmike9501 I have been to NorCal started in Sanfrancisco then hired a car an fugly Aztec, and drove to Capitola and stayed there for a week to ten days used it as a base to visit Monterey and Carmel and Santa Cruz, still have a t shirt fron Santa Cruz HD and Dudley Perkins come to that. We drove south as far as the big Sur. then it was time to head back North, we stopped in Saucalito for a couple of hours, what an expensive place that is, stayed at Fort Bragg and Mendocino then on to Lake County to stay at my sister's place for a couple of days. I have a sister who currently lives in Novato , but has bought a place to retire to in Upper Lake, Lake County. She has lived in CA since the 1980s. Back to Sanfrancisco for a couple of days then time to head home. That would have been about 2004 ish.
beautiful bike :) i just totaled my 2004 xl roadster that was pretty close to that same color ! it was my first harley and i hit the back of a stopped suv at about 65mph broke both hands my foot and back! but my heart broke the most when insurance wanted too much for it back:( its been 8 monthz this week! keep up the good work Mike :) take care n i'll see u out on the road :)
Ironheads are great machines. Tuned correctly, they run smooth as a Swiss watch. They just need some grease here and there, and maybe a little fingernail filing on the points now and then!
I've seen them done to such a high degree, it's amazing. Matching all of the gears in the camchest and really going crazy with the accuracy and fitment of the bearings and bushings. The sound just gets better and better.
Mike, I definitely agree with you about drag pipes. I've always been a fan of 2 into 1 exhaust for overall performance. That's one great running Ironhead. Was the generator replaced with a custom alternator which bolts onto the engine case where the generator goes? If so, how well does that small alternator work? Thanks, Mike.
Sounds sweet Mike. It would be great if you can get the time to catagorize your videos, Knuckle, Pan, Shovel etc then engine, trans front end etc. All the best to you both. 👍👍
Mike thanks for all the knowledge thus far truly appreciate it, on my first build 1974 Harley FXE 74ci and I was wondering if you might know if my S&S Super "B" carb has an enrichner? The throttle plate or butterfly is seemingly in the spring loaded closed position.. this is a basket case but everything is here
I'm a big twin guy myself, but I love the look and sound of those old XLs. When I was a kid thats the bike all the cool kids older brothers had. The FLs were out of their price range and they were considered old mens' bikes anyway. Then the FX came along and changed that.
Yes, I remember it well.
We used to call big twins "tractors"
@@needmetal3221 mechanically not that far off.
It used to be you couldn't get a Big Twin for under $10grand! Sad!
I want an xr1000. In the next couple of years I'm gonna find one lol
I love it that the lady bought it new and still loves it enough to keep her looking this sweet. Now you have her sounding as sweet as she looks! She hits hard idled low!
They sound good idled down low, but it starves for oil... bump the idle up.
That tells me how even they're running, then you raise it again. If it will idle that low, you're pretty much in tune.
@@pacificmike9501 Good info, PM!
@@pacificmike9501 Totally agree. If she'll count 'em off when you're done, you did it right. If you have to turn the idle screw to keep it running, that pilot is wrong, or at least you gotta burn your fingers a little with the little screwdriver. Then Idle her up to spec.
I love me an ironhead. My 1st road bike when I was 18 was a 64xlch that belonged to my dad's old MC Brother. I still own it, and my dad has already passed down his 68FLH that he has owned since the 70's. I'm so proud that these 2 bikes are still parked next to eachother.
Good for you. I'd be very proud too.
Wow! My hat is off to you and your dad.
I'm a big twin guy too, but the first Harley I rode was a new 81 or 82 XL, and ill never forget it!
Yes, we do crave thrills.
Thank you, my first Harley 1976 Sportster in 1977. Brings back a lot of good times.
We just love good times.
Mike, you do an amazing job of sharing ole Skool mechanics for these older bikes. You helped me figure out my shovel woes. Your videos on carburetors and engine rebuild are invaluable for todays stewards of shovels and pans. Thank you Mike.
Thank You.
👍🙂
Nice Sporty. I had a 73 back in the late 70's. Had a lot of fun on it. Don't remember why I sold it, other than I was young and stupid. :)
They're still out there.
Yup....I had a 74 Sporty for a few years until I sold it to buy a 54 panhead.
One of the best sounding Harleys ever. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like it!
👍🙂
Heck of a nice Sporty...What a true Harley sounds like, in a time gone by.
I don't know. People are draggin' 'em out and playing with them again.
Unmistakable sound of old iron head Sportys with drag pipes!! Had a '65 XLCH, loved it!
Yep, sounds like she's going to eat something live.
I love old iron heads had several but my ol shovel is my girl for life. Mike I love your videos all fun and teaching even us old dogs new tricks. I may be 63 but still learnin.
Thank You. We all learn forever.
My fist HD was a 1974 Police Special FLH. My wife and I rode that bike many miles and very few times did it put me side the road. A condenser one time, chain one time and tire I think once. Great bike and wish I still had it.
They're out there. You might get lucky again.
Thank you for yet another fantastic video and introducing us to this incredible motorcycle.
Glad you enjoyed it!
👍🙂
Great work Mike. My most recent Ironhead was a 77. It had the same pipes on it as the one in this video. Mine had that same hesitation that you were talking about. At high speed it would have 6 inch orange flames roarin out of them drags. Wee Hee! Smitty in Vegas.
You just can't beat FUN for a GOOD TIME.
From SW Ontario, Canada, greetings. So good to see you looking and sounding chipper! Would that our weather is as warm as yours, but alas it's still freezing overnight and more snow in the forecast.
I get it. Rain today in SoCal.
@@pacificmike9501 Our rain relaly did turn into snow - big wet flakes falling as I reply.
Wonderful explanation & great work. Thanks Mike. You always motivate me to keep working on my '70 Ironhead, which is off the frame and being restored.
Thank You.
She idled quite nicely Mike! Great work
Thank You.
Great video again Mike, those old sportsters kick ass rode one from a friend of mine in 1986 at the Denmark Superrally it was a tuned XLX and man that hog was hot.
Yes they are. Thank You.
👍🙂
Sounds fantastic, I would like drag pipes on my sportster but my neighbours, not so much 😂. Thanks for sharing.
My neighbors like Harley sounds. Late at night, however, I idle in quietly. Don't wanna wake up the little kids.
👍🙂
There used to be a neat old trick with those drag pipes and getting back pressure using bolts in the back! Nice neat old school trick
And it's "Dyno proven." I've done it. There is a combo to it.
I had a 76 black XLCH bought it from a guy called tiny In Waco back in 88 I was new to Harley Almost died on a punched out KZ 900 So I decided to get out Of the speed and slow things down a bit Totally fell in love With It..Pure machine.. You could hear the cams the flywheel the lifters the rocker arms.. The engine would tell you way in advance if it needed attention down to that it preferred exxon 93 over Chevron 93 The awesome thing about it was that it was completely original Down to the fact that when I was buying it Tiny said that The gages Haven't even fogged over.. Unfortunately I lost the old girl When I was running it up made the shift from 3rd to 4th As it turns out one of the dogs On the 4th gear main shaft broke off and locked The back tire up around 80.. I was glad that day I believe in wearing full leather.. Nuff said
Ain't it great? A bunch of us are still here.
That's the Sound a Motorcycle must have!
Yah, it's pretty cool.
Sweet. The lady owner has class and this one's ALL she needs now. Reminds me of my chopped '73 That I rode from '78 to '84.
Cool.
Great job Mike. That started right up. Sounds good.
Thanks 👍
Great video, I always enjoy the way you explain what you have done to the motorcyc. Ride safe.
Thank You. I try to figure out what I can do, that our viewers want.
👍🙂
Thank you for sharing. Sounds good, I am sure she is going to be happy back on her bike.👍
I think so.
My very first Harley was one of those. I wish I never would have sold it. That started me down the road that I'm on now.
Thank You. Fun road.
@@pacificmike9501 🤣
I have a 74 and was born in 83 it was my first bike now I also have 01 Twin Cam classic..love my old one though sounds so good
Sounds good to me. But the two bikes don't fight with each other. They happily coexist.
@Pacific Mike that is true. Thanks for your precious time. All your vids are important to many good luck
Nice old Ironhead. I prefer the look of larger diameter pipes. I bought a 2001 Sportster 1200 EVO about a year ago, to go with my 1989 FXRS Low Rider. It's a great little around town and short trip bike. I decided to get one because it was obvious that H-D was going to get rid of the Sportster. It came with a great sounding slip ons. Fairly large diameter. I noticed it was running a little warm. I pulled the carburetor off, and discovered it still had the stock jets in it, so it was running a bit lean with the aftermarket slip ons. I put in larger jets, a different needle, and replaced the pilot screw with one that can be turned by hand with the engine running. It now runs much better, and over 30 degrees cooler. It also sounds better. Before it had sort of a flat sound. Once I fattened up the air/fuel mixture, the sound filled out a bit. No hesitation, throttle response is perfect. Like the Low Rider, the Sportster has cast wheels with tubeless tires. I love the looks of wire spoke wheels, but I have been stranded too many times by flat tube type tires. I once spent almost $1000 and missed two days of work because of a flat tire with tube type tires. What started out as a nice Sunday morning ride turned into a nightmare.
And, there you have it.
Damn, that Sporty sounds nice. Good job, Mr. Mike. That Lady is lucky she found you.(She sure don't need her last mechanic)
Thank You. I try.
Wow! What a beauty and it's sounds fantastic Mike
Thank You.
I bought my XLH new back in 1977 and still own it. I just love it! My mate bought his XLH new back in 1975 and still owns it too. We are both proud that they are AMF Sportsters and have been very reliable because we took good care if them. Great channel and thanks for all the great videos and tips you give us. Ps, I've never had to use the choke in all the years I've owned mine, two pumps of the throttle, press the button and off I go.
Very nice!
That’s surprising . Had xlch then roadster iorn both dogs then got 83 with the new design huge head gasket , new design modal brain and washer all factory
Plus they grinder a lot of metal out of engine Holly did that iorn head move… I thought irons were Well not after that eagle emblem on the front fender
Thier like almost 100 lbs lighter . It’s good to know the older iorns r still running. Amf fixed Harley iorns and sold em evo design… I think we could have survived without the evo but who wants a Yamaha r Honda as a rescue bike
@@matthewswartz5864 I think the fact that me and my mate bought them new and looked after them is the reason we didn't have any problems with them. We didn't have factory dealerships in the UK back then, but even if we did we wouldn't let a factory mechanic near them as we always do our own work on our British bikes. The engines on my 77 and his 75 have never been taken apart as they are still running great. He has replaced his clutch and primary chain but mine is all original except for my points, plugs and condenser and light bulbs of course.
Beautiful Sportster. My first Harley was a 1976 XLCH.
Cool.
I used the torque cones in my straight drag pipes for that back pressure. Love that sound!
In some situations, they help and in some they don't. I hope they work for you. I've had some success, but not across the board.
👍🙂
I found just an old fashioned homemade " lollipop" seemed to do the trick on my old 1984 XLX-61. One owner bike bought it brand new fresh out of high-school. Still runs great. Of course it's not completely oem stock anymore
That's a bad ass sportster she has there. Sounds really good, like a sporty should. Good job, Mike!
Thank You.
I had a 72 sporty. It was a stroker, camed up bored out with straight pipe. 1st gear was to get it moving the hit 2nd and hang on. No lag at any speed but after 75mph it would pull like a mutha. Loved that bike. Put 100k miles on it with 3 top end jobs and 1 tear down and rebuild. Now I have 2 Shovels and a twin cam and can't lean them as far in the corners so not as much fun. I wore the edges off the tires of long before the middle.
Wow. Very cool memories.
I have drag pipes on my '77, and it used to have hesitation like you are talking, but after drilling a hole on the side you cant see, and putting in a bolt with 2 nuts on it inside the pipe, it did much better, I could even show you a before and after dyna report with the bolt in it, that simply creates that little bit of back pressure.
'77 shovel lowrider i should mention
Okay. Cut the end straight and put in a 5/16 bolt four inches from the end.
👍🙂
@@pacificmike9501 absolutely, I got the best performance putting two normal sized nuts on the bolt, it really leveled everything out. thanks so much for the videos and knowledge, you are the best of us out there.
I put that bolt with two nuts in both pipes, let me know if you want a pic of the dyna before and after, pretty cool stuff man
He knows her Sportster. I really like his knowledge because everything he said is true.
Thank You.
Had a 1977 XLCH. It was a Beast and handled great! Out on the road just on and off the throttle in 4th gear. Wish I still had it! That’s a nice looking Sportster and it sounds great! Enjoy all your Vids, thanks
Thank You.
beautiful sound at idle without enrichment
Thank You.
The Sportster was probably the most dependable motorcycle Harley built. Probably longest in production as well.
Interesting.
Good Job Mike. Your neighbors must love you😂...Later
I have a great relationship with my neighbors. They like bikes.
Nice Sporty. I bought a new 1984 XLH . Dealer said break-in the motor and bring it back for the drag pipes. It was flat from idle to 2500-3000rpm. Mechanic said these bikes need back pressure and he clamped 2 baffles in place and said ride it now and you'll see what I'm talking about. Sure enough he was right. he bolted them in place and it ran like a different bike. The baffles didn't make much difference in the sound either. Still have it today.
Cool. Thank You.
Mike I had a iron head and I want me another one. They sound awesome toe newer bikes don’t have the sound thanks for sharing
Thank You.
Man that sounds phenomenal,and that electric start is a definite necessity! I’ve got a full kick 76 iron head and what a beast it is to start and you definitely have to do the right sequence to make it start or you’ll be surely kicking it for a good bit.
Learning the principles helps. Know when you've got fuel into the heads. Know at what point the spark needs to fire for the easiest start. Know how to make it suck the fuel in. Visualize it in your head.
Very cool bike guys....love that sound, but I agree with you Mike, they all need back pressure from some kinda baffle
It really varies with the cams and length of pipes. But, generally, the old Sportsters lose quite a bit of bottom end power with 36-40 inch drag pipes. There are numerous tricks, and I've tried as many as I could find.
@Pacific Mike thank you for the detailed reply Mike...
Hi Mike, i know its going to be a great video. She looks great. God bless.
Thanks 👍
👍🙂
That’s a great looking bike! Seeing and hearing this just motivated me to go work on my shovel and then take my Softail out for a joyride. I’d love to have my shovel going before that hippie hoedown party.
I'll be glad to see you.
I had an '82 XL ,ran great ,sounded great ,just a little light ,it would hurt my back after a while . I took a shortcut thru a residential and there was a dog sitting on a lawn licking himself ,ahead of me was a honda ,the dog looked up for a second and went back to licking (obviously not impressed) .When I got to where the dog was he heard my sportster ,looked up and watched me go by until I was out of sight .
He's a very perceptive and respectful guy.
That’s the quickest I’ve ever heard a Harley start!
A nice new, properly timed electronic ignition will hit so accurately, it's amazing. Fuel in the chamber, introduce spark exactly right, boom.
Thanks Mike , nice videos, regards from me and from Thailand where i love to ride my bike
Thank You. Glad you're having a good time.
That's really cool that she bought it new. I have a '74 Sporty that I hope to get running again and right. I heard that there's a bad design in the transmission. I'd like to find a way to work that out, beside cutting the back end off, to put a big twin transmission on it.
People have used the transmissions for a long time. They are a little complicated. No big deal.
@@pacificmike9501,
Are you referring to the '74 Sportster transmission, or a big twin, to adapt to the engine? Also, I'm not that mechanically inclined, or that knowledgeable about how to work on engines or transmissions. I'm trying to learn, when I get the chance to do work on my own, though. Do people usually do any machining, to fix the design, or do they upgrade the internal parts, or just service and adjust it as is?
If the cases haven’t been blown up, I would just put it back to stock. If it’s done right, it will do well.
They get rebuilt and used some more.
Love that sound and rumble 😎
Yah, it's got a righteous sound.
Sounds and starts great! Can't beat the Harley idle. ✌🏻
Thank You.
Amazing condition
Sure is
Beautiful songs great too, I have my dad's 74 xlch also his first bike. Last year for the right side shift.
Good stuff.
Sounds great Mike good job !
Thank You.
My first bike was a 79 sportster. A scary beast it was for an 18 year old without riding experience. Sounded like the world would end with the dragpipes.
And, it was fun!
My first Harley that I owned was a 58 Sportster basket case that I built into something "not so wonderful." But, it was fun!
Love that sound! I’ve got EFI on my 03 Heritage Softail Classic and you don’t get the potato sound,this sounds great! Nice work Brother!
Thank You.
Wow that sounds nice. Very cool.
Thank You.
Sounds good Mike! I havent had a bike in decades but still love them had a 64xlch Man miss that Im not 100 percent sure on which years had what but Mine had a Magneto with the Tin Primary cover and I dont think a mag came on many after 64 nor the tin side really loved that look !
Wow and thats great the lady has owned that just short of 50 years
Thank You. All of the XLCH's had magnetos up to and including 1969. They also had that pretty tin primary.
very distinctive sportster sound. a little higher pitched than the 74" shovel. that bike would make anyone happy
I think so.
That bike sounds awesome guys you did a great job
Thank You.
👍🙂
Beautiful Sportster!!! Love it!!!
Thank You.
Love that sound!
Thank You.
Another successful attempt to break over time. Good job, Mike.
Thank You.
👍🙂
Mike, Thank you. Your the Coolest man! I hope to be like you one day😎
I dunno. I have some faults. Be the best you.
Nice, a vehicle that will still operate after an emp, beautiful bike
Yep.
Love to see videos of you guys out riding!!!!!!!! Just putting that out there!!!!!!!!
I'm listening to you. We'll see.
@@pacificmike9501 thank you
🤞🙏👍🙂
As always I enjoyed the video , sporty sound great nice job as always . I wish I could have watched you put in the ignition I put one in my iron head sporty , this is number 2 for me .
Thank You. The instructions were so clear, I didn't see the need. We'll have to show it next time.
👍🙂
Good video, i always enjoy your videos Mr Mike. Take care!
Thanks, you too!
Pacific Mike. Your the coolest cat out there. I'm a lover of the old iron. Oh. I got rid of my therapist. I just watch your videos instead. Haha.
You make me blush. Thank You.
Good evening Mike and Mike . How are you ? Thank you for this video .
😊
Good Evening and Thank You.
Every bike, even the biggest Harley, wants to sound like a Sportster when it grows up!
Okay.
Good job mike. Bike sounds killer . Post a video of you taking it for a ride please.
It went back to its owner. I don't usually film myself on other people's motorcycles. Maybe a brother's for an odd occasion.
✊🏻👍👌nice - yeah ; the old washer in the pipe or sumthin . I took a reducer end off a baffle . Big end pointing towards engine . Small end pointing towards end of pipe. Works pretty good -
✊🏻👍👌
Shovelhead getting closer too done here. Complete rewire. Chopper now -
Less is more -
😁
Sounds like fun to me.
@@pacificmike9501 😁✊🏻👍👌
Yup, I have the 900 version waiting for refurbishment, I hope it runs good like this one!
It probably will.
Finally a ironhead
You bet.
Beautiful. I've got a 68 hardtail on a girder that's just an old raw bike.split boxes. Single seat no front brake. Not even recognizable as a sportster anymore. Unfortunately the front rod bearing didnt agree with my right hand so I've got the whole motor torn down and crank is out. I may even just slap a donor motor in but since the title is married to the engine I hate to do it that way. But also the lifter blocks and lifters got really roughed up so idk. Anyhow I can appreciate a clean old sporty glad you made a video on one. To the lady who owns the bike. Wow. That's how you take care of bike. Bravo
I would have a hard time giving that one back .. I like the 74's
Yup.
Big Mike, Robert starter problem, came to me other night. Clutch housing has 4 wields, holding starter gear. 2 wields broke. Flexibility let's move not to catch bendix bites to enguage, 2 times starter enguage but bottom out came to stop. Ring gear bottomed out on bendix came to stop 2 times. Came to me in sleep. Looked up ebay found one for sale, with one weild broke. How crazy.
A bit much.
Nice! Have you any updates for the project bike in the near future, by chance?
Working toward it.
🙏🤞👍🙂
Love how it sounds
Thank You.
Sounds mint, it's a nice old iron
Thank You.
It's our Harley Rider's club rally at Llandovery Wales UK this weekend too Mike, I don't think the weather will be anywhere near as nice as in SoCal but we will be camping and partying never the less.
Maybe we should apply for
"Exchange Student" status.
@@pacificmike9501 Elderly student status maybe, but I don't think you'd like the weather here.
I'd love to visit. Maybe some day.
@@pacificmike9501 I have been to NorCal started in Sanfrancisco then hired a car an fugly Aztec, and drove to Capitola and stayed there for a week to ten days used it as a base to visit Monterey and Carmel and Santa Cruz, still have a t shirt fron Santa Cruz HD and Dudley Perkins come to that. We drove south as far as the big Sur. then it was time to head back North, we stopped in Saucalito for a couple of hours, what an expensive place that is, stayed at Fort Bragg and Mendocino then on to Lake County to stay at my sister's place for a couple of days. I have a sister who currently lives in Novato , but has bought a place to retire to in Upper Lake, Lake County. She has lived in CA since the 1980s. Back to Sanfrancisco for a couple of days then time to head home. That would have been about 2004 ish.
Sounded great!
Thank You.
She's a runner!!! SWEET!
Thank You.
beautiful bike :) i just totaled my 2004 xl roadster that was pretty close to that same color ! it was my first harley and i hit the back of a stopped suv at about 65mph broke both hands my foot and back! but my heart broke the most when insurance wanted too much for it back:( its been 8 monthz this week! keep up the good work Mike :) take care n i'll see u out on the road :)
Sorry about your bike. I'm glad you're still with us.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank You :)
wow & Nice if @ 5:20 @ Tha Was ab Cold Startup ...@ any rate beautiful Bike & Great Sound
It wasn't "stone cold." I had started it several hours earlier. It kinda surprised me, but, that is how she starts.
Nothing sounds better than a Sporty with drags on it.
They are cool.
....I wish my '04 Sporty started like that!! ;)
Simply a matter of tuning.
i have a mikuni on my custom softail & i just adjust the accelerator pump squirt a little more to cure that off idle issue for streaght pipes
It helps.
That Bike is Clean.
Yes, it's quite cool.
Ironheads are great machines. Tuned correctly, they run smooth as a Swiss watch. They just need some grease here and there, and maybe a little fingernail filing on the points now and then!
I've seen them done to such a high degree, it's amazing. Matching all of the gears in the camchest and really going crazy with the accuracy and fitment of the bearings and bushings. The sound just gets better and better.
Sounds fantastic! 😁
Thank You.
Beautiful sound!
Thank You.
Just wonderful 👍
Thank You.
Mike, I definitely agree with you about drag pipes. I've always been a fan of 2 into 1 exhaust for overall performance. That's one great running Ironhead. Was the generator replaced with a custom alternator which bolts onto the engine case where the generator goes? If so, how well does that small alternator work? Thanks, Mike.
Yes, that's an alternator. I don't have any experience with it. It was on the bike. Appears to be functioning well.
😎👍😎
Looks good..
Sounds good ..
Thank You.
Sounds sweet Mike. It would be great if you can get the time to catagorize your videos, Knuckle, Pan, Shovel etc then engine, trans front end etc. All the best to you both. 👍👍
Thank You.
Mike thanks for all the knowledge thus far truly appreciate it, on my first build 1974 Harley FXE 74ci and I was wondering if you might know if my S&S Super "B" carb has an enrichner? The throttle plate or butterfly is seemingly in the spring loaded closed position.. this is a basket case but everything is here
Yes. The Super B has an enrichener. Go to sscycle.com and look up instructions. They publish that stuff.
Thank You Sir!! Much appreciated!! Really enjoy your content, learning a ton!