1969 XLCH Harley Sportster ironhead

This is my new Harley, a '69 XLCH. This is the fourth time I've started it, third time I've ridden it. I've had it for a couple of weeks now & have sold the Ben-Ther Bros./Crazy Frank's rear fender/seat/taillight combo and also plan to get rid of the springer fork. Just got a 2" under narrow glide off ebay. I want the bike to be small, light and tight, like the original CH desert racers.
Before I got the bike, it'd been sitting in the elements for over two years. Two things work against easy starts: the mag is locked into full advance and there is no kill button. No prime procedure, just get on and kick. I kill it by stuffing a rag into the carb. This, to me, is the maximum Harley, you have to prove you're worthy every time you want to ride. 1969 was the last year of the factory magneto-only ignition, next to the last year of the classic Shovel-style Sporty rocker boxes (Sportys were Shovels before there were Shovels), and, of course, the last of the REAL Harley-Davidsons, before the company was acquired by AMF.
BTW, Tokyo's XLCH Mica Rules!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1969
• XLCH
• Ironhead
• Sportster
• motorcycle

[69xlch22]

That's Warrior Soul from the mid-'90s album Space Age Playboys.

[69xlch22]

Also want to credit my good Sportster-riding brother, Scott Diffee, for his flawless filming! Hard to steer, shift gears, and keep the camera on subject at the same time!

[69xlch22]

Wrong mainereb, XLCH NEVER had an electric start, not even during the '70s after the magneto was discontinued. XLCH was ALWAYS kick-only, whether magneto or battery fired. The XLH was the electric leg Sportster model.

[enfield06]

the real deal Iron Horse,pages of inspiration. Thanks for all that.

[caymaneye3]

Oh Too be younng again ,SPORTYTHUNDER ON !!!!!!!!!!!

[addthis069]

Seat, fenders, tailights, break lights are for pussies. You go Snow.

[addthis069]

Do you still ride the Honda? I used to own a 70xlch when I was a senior in high school. Rode it to school all winter long. Nothing like kicking an xlch in the winter.Good times.

[grizzwold]

cool bike ! keep us posted on the changes....RIP Iron Horse...we miss you!

[worryphree]

Who's the band?

[terryk45]

awesome bike, my first hd was a 69 xlch, nobody ever said it was a girls bike after they tried starting it!