1972 XLCH Ironhead: Kick Starter Gear and More Prep for Assembly

Now that the top end is done, it's time to move onto the rest of the drive train components. First up is the kicker gear/starter clutch. Here's how to slap the starter shaft and gears into the cases. I was lucky and had some help today, as Dottie went through some of the crusty parts and kept polishing up some parts while I did the install. The extra help on parts cleanup goes a long way on a deadline!
#choppers #ironhead #xlch #xlh #sportster #harley #harleydavidson #sportsters

[@danmcbride9098]

Just bought a 72 xlch myself a few days ago. These videos are much appreciated

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Glad to help! Good luck with the rebuild! Thanks for watching!

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Looking good. And like all old irons; that's as clean as they'll be up until the first startup and ride. Nice going.

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thanks! Make them pretty once during the build, then dirty em up with oil, miles, and road grime, and never look back! Thanks for watching!

[@chriscraft4236]

Awesome video! I have a 79 XLS that I’m considering turning in to a XLCH and totally ditching the E start and associated parts. A nice clean simple XLCH is outstanding 😎. Thanks for the video tutorial 👍🏼

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thanks for watching! Glad to help!

[@johnkelly6942]

My engine builder just finished balancing the flywheel assembly for my 1968 XLCH motor so that’s ready to in the cases along with the transmission. My lower end is out of the frame so I can address the things you’ve been pointing out and will be about where you are in a week (or so). Keep up the good work!

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thanks! Great news on the motor being done! I love when people put these old things back on the road!

[@averageguyadventures]

Thanks for this! I've got a '64 XLCH and just found out I'll be digging into the kickstart. It'll be a pain but at least I'll know what I'm dealing with thanks to you.

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching! '64 will have the 3 piece linkage for the clutch pushrod if I remember correctly.

[@roberthatfield6208]

Please buy dinner for the lady. I never had a supreme polisher!

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Noted! I got lucky for sure!

[@MegaTroyhamilton]

thank you ffor this one!

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@zachwitters3293]

Thanks for the video, just got my kicker done. The squared seal is shit and doesn't hold oil. Orings will do the job! Great idea! @PsycleArtifacts

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@chriscraft4236]

Subscribed 👍🏼

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thank you!

[@kennyh5083]

Awe Hell Dude Buy her dinner! I hear the McRib is back at Mickey-D's!

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Good call! Thanks for watching!

[@Neznug]

Is there any way to jump the kick starter and wire starter directly to the battery? I can’t check for spark and try to kick it over? Is there a way to jump the kick start/ solenoid with a wire?

[@WrenchingWrecked]

You have an E start on there? Yes you can jump the solenoid for the electric starter. You just need a power lead to the coil. Even kick only, you should be able to wire the coil and test for spark by opening and closing points. If wired, they should fire every time the points open even without having to kick it over.

[@aydenjerutis2780]

Having an issue keeping my bike to hold a charge. Replaced battery generator and regulator. Kickstart won’t really work either. Pulled primary cover and I’ve found the kicker shaft is super super loose. Think I need to pull the clutch just to re-seal that shaft and gear…

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Timing is everything for the kicker in my experience. I've also had enough issues with the kicker/kickstarter gears on old sportsters. If ya can afford a few bucks in parts, I strongly recommend going through them fully. Bum knees from sporty starter slips are the worst. Thanks for watching!

[@jerrybigrig]

😎👍😎

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thanks for watching!

[@trevorbaer9482]

Im a bit new to these bikes and havent got my books in for my 67 yet. Your videos have been a life saver while i wait. The only problem ive uad so far is with this kicker though, if i try to tighten the gear it just locks up and i cant move it anymore any ideas would be great.

[@WrenchingWrecked]

check the bushing (the brass part). AND make sure the little keyway tab behind the sprocket side is in good shape. If the kicker shaft binds when you tighten down, I had that problem because the little half round half square keyway deal was busted/not seated proper behind the sprocket cover. Every time I tightened it it was binding the shaft on the case.

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Thanks for watching and glad they were useful!

[@trevorbaer9482]

@@WrenchingWrecked I'll have to check when I get off work. I pulled the oil tank to get a better look at that tab, It almost seems like I'm bottoming out on the case. Thank you for the help!

[@kennyh5083]

Polished aluminum looks almost like chrome, what would you paint it black?

[@WrenchingWrecked]

Too much time to polish with the deadline for build date. And I own a powder coat shop so cost and time are negligible where polishing would be hours and hours to get it how I want it.

[@georgemunford3804]

Can you answer this for me? I have a 74 xlch Have owned it since 83 I have always been told its kick start only Well it is My question is Why is it cut out for where the starter would go and there are unused buttons on handle bars Bought this when I was 18 I'm 58 now. Sure would like to know

[@WrenchingWrecked]

On the later XLCH's I believe they were cast with the starter hump whether they included the starter or not. Early, (pre 70 maybe???) someone can fact check me I'm sure, were the "real" kick only. I think when the XLH went to E start they swapped over to using the left side XLH cases on everything. Again, this is beyond my area of expertise, but the transition years I know saw lots of interchange. Thanks for watching!

[@chadwickcrowe6485]

How do I get the old brass sleeves out of the kicker spline goes

[@WrenchingWrecked]

I've tried to do that once and it was miserable.. Now I just swap out a whole new kicker assembly. The starter gear stuff usually isn't too bad cost wise But trying to press out the old one and get a new one in in tact was a terrible.

[@danheino7006]

if i only had a nickle for everytime i said" i should have done that first "while working on Harleys the last 50 years I could buy the pretty lady a restaurant let alone take her to dinner !

[@WrenchingWrecked]

I hear that. That's how I learn though. If I don't F it up a few times, I wouldn't remember all the stuff.