1969 Harley-Davidson XLCH Sportster

[@robj2704]

My older brother bought a '65 (as I recall) XLCH new and kept it until the early eighties when, because he just wasn't riding it, sold it for a fairly handsome price. Before long, these things were sought after; they were the end to an era as the narrator says. As a teenager, I witnessed many a time, from the beginning he got exhausted from kicking that thing multiple times on a cold morning trying to get it to start; watched him take his leather jacket off as he began to sweat from the effort. In '64 he was strictly a motorcycle rider; didn't even own a car. I learned an ego is quickly brought under control if you own a kick start XLCH as the magneto punishes your knee, resulting in a half-day limp.

[@queencitypyro]

I was a mechanic at Seattle Harley-Davidson in the early 70's. We sold and worked on lots of Sportsters, My older brother owns a '69 XLCH. I had a Tillotson carb on my 48 Pan/Shovel. It was equipped with a Jow Hunt magneto, which was very similar to the Fairbanks Morse mag the 69 XL was eqipped with. Thanks to a "tickler button" on the carb, my 48 Fl would almost always start on the first kick, even cold. This always blew away everyone. I also removed the choke butterfly on the Tillotson, it wasn't needed.My pipes never did discolor either! Brother still has the XLCH, and sent me this KZbin Vid. Thanks, your Sporty sounds great!

[@kennyh5083]

When I was a boy off in some subdivision chasing a girl, happened to see a iron head like this in a dudes garage had some extended forks but that's about it! I'll never forget when I saw the owner come out and kick that beast to life and ride off down the road, I thought this damn thing is a chariot of the god of thunder, and I was hooked! I was born just down the road from Harley Davidson in Milwaukee Wisc. and now in my 60's have a 2006 XL1200C, and three iron head Sportsters! One is a fixer-upper, and one a knobby tire dirt bike, they other a 78 w/6k original miles on it! When I was about 16 I used to dream about stroking out a 1000 XLCH cuz a article in a bike mag hopped one and it ran in the 1/4 mile, and the dude said it felt like it could rotate the earth! Bought my first 1977 XLCH new and that was it! Man, IMO there ain't no other motorcycle on the planet other than a Harley Davidson! and I've ridden and wrenched many different rice grinders, and was never satisfied with any of them save for the Harley Sportster! I like the Hogs too but the Sportster does it for me! When ever I get pissed off, depressed, have a bad day, or get too hot, I jump on the Sporty and take a spin and all my troubles instantly disappear! Jap bikes just could never do that for me!

[@magic4221]

I still well remember the article in hot bike magazine " Chopping it off at 103 mph." The editor bent over the tank right hand holding the leg by the headlight. Always confused me back then wondering how the throttle stayed open in the picture. I bought one my senior year in high school and found out. Throttle on Tillotson carb is a hard wire push style wire and grip would stay cranked open anywhere you put it. Anyway mine was identical to yours, Bronson pipe and all. Wish I still had it. Ride on.

[@roertv4618]

$1950. In 1969 mar 3 never forget riding it home from dlr snow the next day rode . 3 months after I bought it one of the piston pin keepers worked out brought the cylinder to the dealer , gave me a new cyl and set of p- cams bought a krtt tail section the rest was history , talk fast me 122 lbs .

[@Bretbunde]

Bruce!!! Great to see you alive and kick'in brother. Its me, Bret Bunde from back in the day with my Yellow Buell in your shop in Costa Mesa. I would love to catch up with ya and here about the last 8 years. I hope all is awesome my friend Be well Big Dog, B Squared

[@the_dark_italian]

The original look of this bike is astonishing... Totally in love with it! Great!

[@dustyroadsrider]

Nice bike. I have a 70 I'm making a Bronson replica bike out of. You're right, it's hard to find one not raked or made into a hard tail. I have most of the parts I need. Your video gave me some fire to get back on the project. Thanks for the video.

[@HumberNorton]

Nice video, and lovely Sparkling Blue Sportster! I just picked up an all-original '69 Sporty in Sparkling Gold... with the original Goodyear All Traction rear and Sport Rib front tires still mounted! Messing with it today, hope to have it running shortly. Warning to all new Sportster owners: If it hasn't been run in quite some time, put a big baking pan or cookie sheet under it before kicking it as these things wet-sump and will pump out a quart of oil through the breather onto your garage floor or driveway! I had an all-original, original paint, tires, etc. '69 XLH with all the toys from the factory at the time (see on my KZbin channel), but someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and, well, we all know the rest...

[@randalmontgomery4595]

Great speech and great bike! I am setting up to selling "tickler" kits for Tillotsons as my 1966 would never start (even with battery and coil, not magneto) until I found out that if you flood the carb by pushing the diaphragm up a tiny bit to flood the carb they start right up. One started the Tillotson is better than the later Bendix (so I've heard)

[@stevensapyak7971]

I remember getting my first ride back in 68, on a 68 XLCH, at age 10. Little did I know, I was HOOKED on motorcycles from then on!

[@kennyh5083]

Yea right! age 10 BS!

[@thomaslemon3971]

@@kennyh5083 He GOT his first ride, meaning he was a passenger for the first time at age 10.

[@philbergeron8502]

I have the same bike 900 xlch , although it is electric start . I love driving it and have finally learned that a warm up is very important.

[@jonfrench1731]

I have a very nice 1970 900 xlch that’s been sitting for 30 yrs , carb needs work , a little custom ,5 gal tank 12 hundred rear fender with same 12 hundred fender struts that lower the fender and a 15 inch wheel ,a lot of chrome and a nice custom paint job , getting to old to get back into it.

[@Cj-yw8cs]

Cool ride👍 my 68 starts pretty easy with a delorto helping her breath. Fun bike in and out

[@Michael-st1hl]

I too have an all original 1968 XLCH with only 12K on it! I routinely start it cold or hot with only a couple of kicks. In fact a made a video on it showing how to take the struggle out of Starting a XLCH cold or hot!

[@themotochannel]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching The Moto Channel!

[@kennyh5083]

When I was a boy off in some subdivision chasing a girl, happened to see a iron head like this in a dudes garage had some extended forks but that's about it! I'll never forget when I saw the owner come out and kick that beast to life and ride off down the road, I thought this damn thing is a chariot of the god of thunder, and I was hooked! I was born just down the road from Harley Davidson in Milwaukee Wisc. and now in my 60's have a 2006 XL1200C, and three iron head Sportsters! One is a fixer-upper, and one a knobby tire dirt bike, they other a 78 w/6k original miles on it! When I was about 16 I used to dream about stroking out a 1000 XLCH cuz a article in a bike mag hopped one and it ran in the 1/4 mile, and the dude said it felt like it could rotate the earth! Bought my first 1977 XLCH new and that was it! Man, IMO there ain't no other motorcycle on the planet other than a Harley Davidson! and I've ridden and wrenched many different rice grinders, and was never satisfied with any of them save for the Harley Sportster! I like the Hogs too but the Sportster does it for me! When ever I get pissed off, depressed, have a bad day, or get too hot, I jump on the Sporty and take a spin and all my troubles instantly disappear! Jap bikes just could never do that for me!

[@raymondbowley4630]

I have a 1968 sporster that's a 900 it has kick and electric start too it's took me over a year to get it done .

[@kennyh5083]

This is a gift from God!

[@robr5786]

The sportster got left in the dust by the Triumph Bonneville,BSA Lightning & Spitfire and the Norton Commando in a drag race

[@harrykrumpacker871]

This model was my first Harley, bought it from the "Basket Case" in Dallas. I still remember the serial# 69XLCH9337, and yes - very tourqy and FAST. Sold it in 83 to a buddy of mine in Alaska - I wonder where it is now...

[@roertv4618]

Harry Krumpacker 69XLCH1707

[@harrykrumpacker871]

@@roertv4618 Do you still have it? It took me awhile to get used to the shifter being on the right, brake on the left...

[@roertv4618]

Harry Krumpacker no I rode an 86 FXR till 2015 , had many bikes bet 66 and 86 I'm done .

[@roertv4618]

Harry Krumpacker no I do not still have it , right or left shift never a problem, had my first Harley I was 16 a knucklehead, next was a 1955 kh a few panheads had quite a few and a whole lot of living.

[@harrykrumpacker871]

@@roertv4618 I'd like to find a 60 pan for Sunday rides. I haven't ridden for years - can't really afford it anymore...

[@roberttolley5055]

Great video, I have a 1979, chopper show bike, I ride.

[@hellbillykyboy]

id love to find a stocker 69. i have my first bike, my 69 CHopster. I love sportsers, i love choppers and I finally got one. had to alter it some and am in no way near done altering but id much love to have a stock 69 to play with and teach the wife to ride. Nice ride Brother. super sweet sporty

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

is that the 1st year w/ amf ? or the last yr without amf? very nice piece!

[@spark710]

I have a '69 sportster that I just got out of mothballs. It runs ok, haven't tried to do any tuning yet. Not quite as original as yours, but close to stock. One problem I have is that the front axle assembly doesn't seem to have all the pieces. There is a loose washer and it appears that there should be an additional spacer. If you should ever have the front end apart (e.g., to mount a new front tire), I would really appreciate it if you would post pictures of all the washers, spacers, etc. that make up the front axle assembly. Thanks.

[@BobMontgomery-o4h]

I've had a bunch of these sportsters and I can tell you from experience that they are nearly impossible to start if you are 60 or older . The last one I had a 60 xlch kicked like a mule and ripped my leg open on a shock bolt I suppose . It would only kick back maybe 1 out of 100 times but man it was brutal . Also as bad or worse is when the kicker gears are worn and slip when you are giving it your best and your ankle hits the pavement under full pressure bent totally to the left . I got a 68 XLH with electric start , problem solved .

[@age_of_reason]

I just watched a video on 1970's Superbikes (all Japanese) and after seeing this Harley I don't know if I want to laugh or cry.

[@keithmccrickardmccrickard2672]

Would like too see a 68 I had one

[@radconusa3164]

My 1970 xlch was built with a magneto, wouldn't that be the last year?

[@ryannolen4538]

why is the gear shift on the right side & how many does the 69 have?

[@l.t.keefer9310]

up into the early 70's they were right side shift & had 4 spd

[@michaelgurgone2825]

ryan nolen The shifter is on the right side because Sportsters where dominating the flat track circuit back in the day. Starting late 1970 and early 1971 the Government required all production motorcycles to have left side shifters for conformity safety reasons.

[@geraldscott4302]

I was never a fan of David Edwards. I understand keeping the original paint, but I think I would get the exhaust pipes rechromed.

[@badsanta518]

"originally" bought off ebay. probably not...

[@hellbillykyboy]

do you have any issues starting and riding in the cold? idk where youre at but here in ohio its cold and my 69 is hard to get running right when its cold. wants to sputter. might be i need to clean the main jet out or the pilot jet out in my mikuni. idk, it runs great with the enrichner on but once you turn it off its fun for the first couple miles. guess its just a cold natured bitch like most sportsters

[@jacknielsen7328]

Like

[@jacobkepley2575]

I have a 1969 sportster XLCH 900, a leg breaker, I am proof, I would like to get restored, can anyone help. Thank You

[@donaldleavy4379]

NO IT WAS ORIGINALLY BOUGHT AT A HARLEY DEALER.. Yeah There we’re no Motorcycles On Ebay In 1969.. & BTW That Paint Job On The Tank Can Be TOTALLY Restored. To Original… I Would It’s Not Like It’s Gonna Be Worth Less. Matter of fact Done Correctly.. be worth more .. & well let’s say I might look better too…

[@toddgittins5692]

Changed the paint, forks......yeah, basically ruined them.

[@themotochannel]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching The Moto Channel!