1974 XL Harley Ironhead Sportster

The Sportster I purchased new in October 1973

[@chrisrestifo7010]

Nice job! Sweet bike! Working on my 76XLH. Thanks for the motivational video.

[@ronduff4325]

It's absolutely beautiful !

[@netrhyda8761]

Beautiful machine! I remember wanting to buy a Sportster back in the 70s, just never had the money. Today I am lucky enough to own a 2006 1200 Low.

[@kaveebee]

One of the best walk round and startup vids I have seen in a long time. Very well described . Benchmark Video

[@66Minuteman]

Thanks Kevin. My goal in narration was to provide info to someone who might say "hey whazat?" when they see the vid. I'm glad you appreciated it.

[@timothyscanlan3293]

It's a beast!

[@michaelhaddan1965]

Beautiful. Readying to restore my 1970 Ironhead. Your example is very helpful. Thank you.

[@slowpokebr549]

What a doll. Mister, that is the nicest Sportster ever. You win. Lucky bastard, I hope you and it are still up and running.

[@2018NukNuk]

Beautiful bike! Incredible that you have it for so long, jealous for that!!

[@slowpokebr549]

I watch this one all the time. This is just a perfect Sporty. You should be very proud of it.

[@SlickD217]

What a gorgeous old iron head.

[@danheino7006]

Thank you....excellent video

[@danheino7006]

That carb is 700 bucks today....can't beat an S&S

[@koolaidacidkilla179]

The difference between an eletrcians motorcycle,and a mechanics. Great work,very beautiful mc. Sounds very nice,clean valve seats.

[@dvvalant]

It doesn't get any better than that bike! Nice job.

[@dennisschell5543]

Good as it gets...gorgeous.

[@rossspencer3036]

Nice bike, I had one of the same, kicking myself for selling it for double what I paid back in 2008..still have my FXR & FXD but looking for another Ironhead. Just saw this vid..cheers from down -under.

[@plansexaminer]

Wish it was mine!

[@BigPete1911]

Very nice

[@jtnelson89]

Very nice. I'm working on restoring a 1973 XLH1000 right now. Great fun.

[@davidboardman8590]

I rebuilt a '74 XLCH 10 years ago and it fired up firsf touch of the button! I was only checking if I had the wiring correct after fitting electric foot. As you know they left the factoty kickstart only. I spent in total on rebuild(engine and cycle parts) around £5500 ($7000US) and believe me it was worth it and a lot more.I LOVE IT).

[@Mrdrivereight]

Wow love the hawkwind tank! I never thought I would ever see that when I click on this video.

[@adamholmes3008]

Very good video and a beautiful bike. I am sure you are proud of it for many reasons.

[@moto238]

That is a beautiful sporty, a keeper for sure.

[@trevorjameson3213]

Ohh man! That bike is beautiful !! And sounds incredible! It's really something special since you bought it new and still have it.. I have a friend who bought a '68 brand new, and he still has his, as well.. I bought my sportster in '01, and of course I still have her, too!

[@66Minuteman]

+Trevor Jameson Thanks a lot Trevor! I hadn't checked for comments lately - figured wouldn't be any more. Back in the day - 1970's - a lot of my friends had sportsters. We never thought of them as 1/2 Harleys. The lower weight and handling meant ya could really throw them around the curves. And sportsters distinctive sound is so cool. Is your bike a 2001 model year? Looks like it from the mini-pic - nice to have the newer motor and belt drive. It should last you forever!

[@trevorjameson3213]

+66Minuteman Yes, my sportster is an '01, so of course it's the solid mount, and carbureted, which I much prefer, and the bike is lighter, and narrower than the new ones. Therefore, it handles great, especially on twisty country roads, which are my favorite areas to ride. I have taken it on several long trips as well, and it does great. I have converted that ridiculous looking belt drive to chain drive. I think it greatly improves the looks. I also replaced the stock ignition with an aftermarket type, which uses the fly weights for the timing advance. This mod greatly improves the power spread especially at higher rpm, compared to the stock ignition which caused the power to flatten at 4000 rpm. I am still using the stock mufflers, but have drilled the baffles to 1" diameter for better flow. Also using a higher flowing air cleaner element, and have re-jetted the carb to compensate for the better flowing intake and exhaust. It runs a little rich, but that's ok. In the future I have plans to do more work to it, but until then, I just ride it, a lot. I love the sportster over any other Harley, or any other motorcycle. I prefer the individual gear driven cams of the sportster engine over the timing chains in the new big twin. I also much prefer the right hand final drive of the sportster over the big twins. But mostly, I love the sportster because to me, it's a perfect fit and size and handles superbly! I should post a video of my bike on youtube! I wish I could post a photo here. If you look at the mini pic closely, you can see the rear sprocket and chain. I just really like the classic look of chain drive. But I hate the mess it makes! haha

[@66Minuteman]

Winter of 2013-2014: The motor got new pistons, valves, valve springs and paint; new clutch and clutch springs; transmission work. Also rocker boxes, primary cover, and cam cover were re-polished.

[@ckelley63]

I still have my 73 XLCH

[@Harsh_Trip]

HAWKWIND! YES! SWEET IRONHEAD MY FRIEND!

[@koolaidacidkilla179]

Lemmy would be proud

[@justdoit8014]

What a beautiful bike!

[@richardmassey2699]

nice bike 🗽🗽🗽

[@richardhier4681]

Great looking bike

[@dfcvda]

wow one owner..

[@SuperWush]

Great speaking voice, I must say. LOVE YOUR BIKE THOUGH MAN!!

[@carlwaters5521]

I had one of these but nowhere near as good as condition as yours. Lovely bike. Great video.

[@spec46971]

beautiful bike

[@TheBgred1]

beautiful bike!

[@mcyclecollectorsmith7341]

nice bike well kept. I have a 1973 stock also Regds Steve Dublin

[@GaryntaraBurbank]

I have a 1972 Harley Davidson 900 sportster like that nice bike

[@tonywitane]

in 72 they were 1000 cc

[@BelacthePhat]

very nice bike

[@UncleRobsGarage]

Freaking gorgeous!

[@paulmuller8262]

Top 👍😄👏

[@jamesbutterson5218]

Beautiful 💚💨👍

[@Xenoace32]

Now that folks is a Harley excellent! I have a 74 frame, now I at least know what it should look like.

[@66Minuteman]

Thanks, Xenoace32. BTW, your selfie is handsome.

[@lonesometinman3147]

Beautiful sled amigo.idles perfect . ought to fetch you a pretty sum , if you should sell it some day....

[@benthedisastertech4125]

Your rims and spokes look awesome! Mine look like poop lol

[@kaveebee]

Now for a question, is that a ' gunfighighter Lady ' seat? Is it comfortable for a passenger? And where would one get one and what would be the good price do you think? I like a good comfortable pillion seat that still looks cool. regards.

[@66Minuteman]

***** Kevin, I bought the seat in September 2000 through the shop that worked on my bike then. I don't remember what they called it, but it is a Corbin. Seems like they don't make one like it now. Closest one like it is a Mustang Regal Duke, but I don't think they make them for ironheads. Good Luck.

[@Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

Nice!!!

[@66Minuteman]

+An artist theory on the physics of 'Time' as a physical process. Quantum Atom Theory Thank you, Mr. Atom!

[@Gear1993Head]

Looks like your headlight wants to jump off lol

[@thespiritof76.]

Thanks for sharing and providing a description of the modifications of your motorcycle. I noticed in a previous reply you referred to the frame modification as an "Indiana Stretch." Are you from Indiana? I'm from Hebron in NWI. Have a great day!

[@DFox-ud3gx]

Fire this puppy up,sounds great🇺🇸👍⚒️

[@tomcata1467]

Righteous, well cared for looking Sporty, so, how many miles on it?

[@jameswilbur2499]

I recently bought a 75 xlh. Does your bike grind when you put it in first gear to take off?

[@joshpitts25]

I have a 71 xlh900 yeah there's noises coming out of the old bikes but there's nothing like cruising the classics. Keep it real!!

[@Kevin_747]

Cool '74. I have a '74 I'm restoring now. It's my second Ironhead, had a '69 with a magneto and AEE springer in high school in '71. What made you decide to stretch the frame? Nice lines with the longer forks.

[@66Minuteman]

+Kevin N I remember AEE parts! Ever been to White's Pit Stop up Chicago way? Anyway, back in the day, all my buds had either choppers or stripped down swing-arm bikes. There were maybe 14 of us who'd hang in each others garages. We swing-arm guys would talk about getting a modestly longer look without sacrificing low center of gravity. The neck rake was out of the question - it made the cast neck look like crap and could cause a floppy front end. We liked the digger style but figured we could do it without buying an Arlen Ness hardhead section... You can see my description of the frame work in an earlier reply. Thus the "Indiana Stretch" was born. Thanks for your complements!

[@craigmonack2338]

Your bike has perfect proportions. I have 4 over tubes on mine but it doesn't sit as nice as yours. You said your frame is up 2". Has the backbone been stretched as well?

[@66Minuteman]

Craig, The frame stretch was done by cutting the two front down-tubes and heating up the backbone under the seat. With the frame separated slightly, ID and OD measurements were taken of the down-tubes. Solid steel spacers were machined about 3 inches long, with 2 inches matching the OD and ½ inch on each end matching the ID. Heating up the backbone again, the down-tubes were separated, spacers inserted, and then the frame pushed back together. A slight “V” groove was filed at each spacer seam, the weld laid in the groove, then ground smooth to match the OD. With the motor in still the frame, and the head-to-head brackets in place, a flat piece of steel was bent to extend the frame’s top motor mount. It covers the outside front of the motor mount, reaches down to the secondary bracket which bolts to the head-to-head bracket, bends horizontal for the attaching bolt, then bends back up to cover the outside rear of the top motor mount. After it was drilled for the bolt and welded in place, a small flat trapezoid piece of steel was welded to the left side top mount extension to make it match the original left surface. I hope that’s helpful.

[@bootsmellor6198]

@@66Minuteman Well congratulations for thinking of doing exactly what that bike required to make them sit nice and pleasant to look at nice to ride . Amazingly I did very similar modification by adding 2 3/8 inches to the same place just above the engine mount bolts but also cut the top tube back at the shockie mounting bracket and heated and bent front tubes just below the cast steering head until top bar reconnected and rewelded.Helps being a boilermaker. But your bike runs much nicer from the engine work you have done

[@austinoleksy7257]

How much did it cost you to convert it to electric start?

[@InTheFleshInc]

Do you still have it? Been wanting a 1974 since I could remember as it's my year O birth

[@EarlGuyton425]

That's a bike a person needs to keep. Harley should have stayed with the shovel head design. They are just as good as the evo and cvo. I have an 02 softail cvo 1450, and it is no better than shovel heads I owned in earlier years. Younger guys think these cvos are better today and the m8 design, but that's only because they never owned one of the older ones. I have owned one sportster and it was a 1977 1000cc and had the electric starter and it started and ran just as accurate as the mew designs today and had simple points ignition.

[@peterbollig8035]

Tasteful

[@ReDact45]

Very sanitary.

[@kennyh5083]

Why would anyone in their right mind convert an Iron Head Sportster to electric start? Hell even the petite biker chicks I've seen who ride them wouldn't be caught dead on a electric start Sportster!

[@Foontflaky]

Greetings from Fort Collins, This is an excellent example of a H-D Iron Head. The Hawkwind graphic is sweet I recognized it straight away, fits right in. I am going to look at a 1975 this afternoon for grins, and maybe I`ll buy it. (wife in L.A.) :)