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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Quick Board Archives » Archive through May 24, 2008 » Looking at an old Sportster - anything to watch out for? « Previous Next »

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Xl1200r
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 09:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

In my never ending quest to find a decent old iron head, I've come across a 1964 XLCH that looks to be in really nice shape. The guy has owned it for over 40 years.

I know I should be keeping an eye out for broken fins or damaged/repaired cases... anything else to watch for? I know a little about these old bikes, but no where near an expert.
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Hammer71
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 12:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Call Saintly. All the info you could need is in his brain housing group
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 12:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

brain housing group LOL haven't heard that one for awhile!

Stay away from the early 80's Ironheads.
Parts are a pain to find but I think 79 is the worst.

Anything before 78 the after market is wide open.

Hope that helps.
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Xl1200r
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 12:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

No worries about later-model iron heads. I want one with the tin primary cover, which limits me to dry clutch, kick-only bikes, which again limits me to '69 or earlier I believe.
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Bill0351
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 01:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Doesn't pre '69 also get you a magneto? I had an ironhead '85 XLX that I loved even though it didn't love me back. Good luck with your search.

Bill
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 01:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You might want to think about posting this question in "Critical Mass", the new Harley topic, just above the Racing topic.

Yep, there is a Harley section right here on Bad Web.



Lots of Harley people over there, one or two might have some good information for you.
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Xl1200r
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 01:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jon - good point, i forgot about that new section.

Bill - Yes, it has mags and no battery.
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Just_ziptab
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 02:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The most classic/beautiful bike I ever had was a 67 Sportster. Tin primary and a magneto. NEVER should have sold it. [list]

[/list]
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Brumbear
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 05:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I only know that 79 was the worst sportser I ever owned but my friend had a mid sixties magneto chopper I think the displacement was 900cc and I can not remember if the shifter and brake were in the english style but the bike was bullet proof except for front end problems but that was cause of the girder front end I believe it was Good luck with it I sure like those old machines
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Aaomy
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 08:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

give it a good looking over.. the sprocket "kicker" covers liked to break where the kicker shaft went threw.. they liked to blow out the right side of the tranny where the speedo drive was in them.. the kicker engages the back of the clutch drum with "minimal" teeth.. it should have throttle on the right grip and retard on the left.. that will make starting the beast much easier.. it should be shift on the right brake on the left.. it should have a "full" drum front like the one pictured above.. i would say if she starts and the kicker dosent slip.. then go for her.. ps the dry clutches usually get converted to wet...
my 62 xlch...



the 62, had only a half front drum, and no retard on the magneto.. so when you kick you kick at full advance.. makes starting a little more tricky...
they all have a special little routine to starting...


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Xl1200r
Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 08:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Aomy - beautiful bike.

It has the full drum, he started it for me - took about 5 kicks and he said it hadn't run in a few weeks or more. Does have the english style foot control. Throttle was on the right, but i have no idea if the retard was on the left - I woudln't have even known to look for that.

Oh, and it's mine : ) I pick it up this week, lol.
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Mikej
Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"they all have a special little routine to starting..."

Yeah, like finding the newbie in a group and asking if he's ever kick started a bike before. ; )

I've been bit more than once by those things, but still would like to have another one some day.
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Tramp
Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 10:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

'64 should be a virtually trouble-free year.
the late '70s gave us problematic sportsters.
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Akbuell
Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Never could start my '68 XLCH w/the spark retarded. Couldn't even get it to fire. We always just took that stuff off and made a bracket to hold the mag at full advance. We did kneel on the seat to start them, though. That way if it kicked back, nothing much happened. I still remember the pain when the kickstart would slip, though. Puts you on the curb for a quiet 5 mins or so.

+1 on the wet clutch conversion. Finally quit trying to keep the dry one dry. Keep the front brake on when shifting into gear if it has been sitting for a while. They can be 'sticky' if they have sat.

Fun, raw motorcycles. Changing oil every 1k miles, 'cause no oil filter. Adjusting pushrods, timing, chain, ect. We forget how much bikes have changed, maintenance wise. And JP Cycles is liable to be a good friend. Congrats to you, and enjoy!!!
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S1eric
Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I love those old sporty pics. I`ve owned a few in my day. All I can say is just try to find one that hasn`t been beat on to badly and you`ll be ok. Parts are every where for those things. A lot easier than finding vintage Jap bike parts. (my current project)

Ahh Tramp --- is that really you ?
Where ya been. Hanging out with Rocket maybe.


S1Eric
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Tramp
Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 07:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Not sure what that's supposed to mean, but I've been riding....a lot.

(Message edited by tramp on May 20, 2008)
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Akbuell
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 11:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

And before I forget, might want to consider sending the heads out this winter to have unleaded gas valves and valve seats installed. Lead in the gas in the '60s was important to valve life. Or start carrying one of those little bottles of lead additive (can you still get those?)
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Cityxslicker
Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 02:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

repeat the mantra three times before twisting throttle.... "Right side shift, Right side shift, Right side shift"

That heel kick back shifter by your right ankle is NOT your friend... DAMHIK
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