Reto Review | 1977 Harley Davidson XLH 1000 - Sportster

[@robedmunds7163]

You got that just right. It is all about how the Sporty makes you feel. Open the throttle on my 2001 model and it makes me smile, I can put up with the shortcomings.

[@MCCJustMotos]

Thanks Rob! Sportys really are cool!

[@proven6270]

I have, ( STILL ) my 1982 Iron head Sportster... Was my 1st Harley 🤩😎😁 A labor of love !!! I've also gone Full tilt on mine... Stretched tank, wide glide, over-bored, & wrecked from a lady turned in front of me, flew me off, and helicopter ride AGAIN for me....etc. etc. etc, Reuilt it up AGAIN 😊😱😎 ( Also have me, my 99 Dyna convertible, basically a Sportster frame with the MONSTER 88 Evo stuffed in 😱😨😁 ) But, during the 70's - early 80's with the transfer, from AMF back to Harley days finalized in early 82... That's why a few of those years leaked so much 😱😊 Or marked their spots, lol 😎😂 Is b/cuz when AMF had it, they allowed "Slapping" of old Gen parts together to "Make it Work" for production #'s of bikes. THANK GOODNESS Harley got it back, and fixed problems there-after !!! They are awesome sounding... Although sounds like you need carburetor work STILL !!! Put a S&S on it, and be done... HappY riding... Always keep em shiny side up 😜🤩

[@MCCJustMotos]

Agreed, really awesome sounding bikes and yours sound rad!! I do have an s&s on this, but between the split pipes and the carb, it does need some tuning still!

[@proven6270]

@@MCCJustMotos Btw, I think your in Maryland too 😜 Owings Mills. I got here from the video link on CL 😊 Full actual test ride review: OF ACTUAL BIKE AND PREVIOUS OWNER 😜🤩 You say Split pipes ?? They are 1 & 3/4" straight pipes ?? Pics look very fuel rich. Remember "Lean is mean" I punched mine +.20, into 2" straight pipes, new crank pin, I had to split the cases for that. But had to re-jet mine also. Easy on a S&S. Still after every ride, I'd have too toss in a new set of plugs, or clean em in my spark plug tool. Tbh, I'd be interested in this, but mine being an 82, It has rear disc, front duals, different oil tank & other differences. 5 years ago, mine broke at the rear cylinder, 1 of the corner nuts that bolt it to the case, a chunk off. Shoots oil from there now. They're just cast iron, Hence Ironhead. Now it sits, And I'm a bit older, and lazier, so I haven't fixed. 😥 But yeah, these are fun to ride. My Iron head is LOUDER than my Dyna 😁😱

[@tweetchris46]

I’ve never owned or ridden a HD (other than riding the Livewire). This clip really makes me want one!! Great little vid. Ride safe….from the uk

[@MCCJustMotos]

Hey mate, thanks for the shout out & watch! There is something pretty awesome about these old bikes!

[@jsawyer5230]

Sounds great, I have a raked, stroked, .30 over chopper, getting it going after 14 yrs in heated garage. It sounds like a helicopter on the road. Right On!

[@MCCJustMotos]

So awwwwsome!!!

[@jsawyer5230]

They are! Love iron heads Take care friend J

[@kennethkuehl4270]

Got a 77 sportster in 1981. Rode it from St Paul to Sturgis a couple of times with no problems. Still (43years) have it, but it sits now that I have a softail deuce.

[@MCCJustMotos]

Great story…what color? Do you get out on it ever?

[@IslandADV]

The sound of that bike makes me want a Harley. You can just sense the raw energy coming off that thing man. So cool.

[@MCCJustMotos]

Thanks man! The sound is my favorite thing too!

[@rodan2852]

I bought one after I saw a buddy kickstart his when we were teenagers. Ironheads Forever!

[@skyhill4279]

I bought my XLH Ironhead Sportster new back in 1977 and still have it. My mate bought his XLH new in 1975 and still has it. Both our bikes don't leak oil at all. I've had my engine apart a couple of times just to check things out. I just love the thing and wouldn't part with it. I fitted twin ignition points which lessened the vibration. I fitted progressive suspension front and rear with Continental Conti-blitz tyres and it handles a lot better than with original tyres and suspension. Threw away the Kehin carb as it caused misfires, fitted a brand new Bendix carb with adjustable main jet, uses more fuel but runs great. Both our bikes are AMFs and we are proud of that fact. Enjoyed your video sir but don't kick it into 1st gear so hard, you will strip the spines on the shaft. Thanks for making the video.

[@MCCJustMotos]

Thanks for the tip & loved your story!!!

[@skyhill4279]

​@@MCCJustMotosThank you for your reply. Beautiful bike by the way! I also have a 95 FLSTN. I was going to buy a Pan America but decided to buy a Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 instead. Ride safe sir and keep the rubber side down and enjoy your bikes.

[@TLGKarizma]

Very nice video!I just got a 77 and I’m super hyped

[@MCCJustMotos]

Dude thanks! Love the Sportys!!!

[@Lloyd-mo]

i own a 75 iron 1000

[@MCCJustMotos]

Nice! All stock?

[@louisvilaros9066]

That sounds really good

[@MCCJustMotos]

Thanks!!! My favorite part!

[@64faffi]

My brother has the very same model. Riding it gave me several surprises. Period tests complained about harsh and primitive suspension, but actually works pretty well on my brother's bike. The old tests also claimed there was a lack of stability from from the bolted together frame, but there was no hint of any wobble or weave when scraping pegs and exhaust around bumpy corners. The 18in rear wheel gives better handling than the later 16in. Even the seating position, while not great, was not so much sitting-on-the-toilet as the later Sportsters I have ridden. Those were the good points. The front brake demanded much more force than my arthritis-ridden hands can muster just to slow normally, let alone quickly. The rear drum brake actually worked ok-ish and provided more stopping power than the front disc. Power-plant is flexible, but compared to my XV1100 Virago engine, the Sportster is very lame at any rpm. Also, the Harley engine is a massive shaker, and at high revs feels like it will rattle the Earth itself. Despite its flaws, I found the bike great fun to ride, to my surprise. If I was forced to keep one as my only motorcycle, I would definitely continue riding and enjoy it.

[@MCCJustMotos]

Pretty cool thoughts! Yeah, I was most impressed with the suspension. 4-speed was my biggest let down. I’ve had a few iron head motors. Some more stout then others. It’s not a dog and the torque is good too. Your bike sounds sweet!

[@64faffi]

@@MCCJustMotos My brother just popped into my drive on his 77 Sportster to pick up some stuff. He had just studded his tires - 90 in the rear and 110 up front - to better cope with the icy roads. He use his Harley year-round, and it fires instantly on the button every time.

[@MCCJustMotos]

Wow! Hard Core!

[@clintwoodruff1187]

64faffi - rode SPORTSTERS for decades, starting in 1972. Never heard of a, "bolt together frame". Also, the disc brake on the front, gave about 5 times better stopping power than the rear drum ! I can't imagine what could have possibly been wrong with your brother's, that it would not have produced the same result. Also can't imagine anyone riding it that way without checking to see what the problem is. And correcting it. Bolt together frame... hmm, something fishy going on here.

[@64faffi]

@@clintwoodruff1187 Thank you for putting me straight on the frame, because I have lived under a misconception since reading a Sportster test in Cycle World back in 1982. I had to go back and re-read the test, and it wrote: "The important change is the frame, which is entirely new. Those big cast junctions that held the old Sportster frame together are gone, replaced by a steel tube frame made entirely of welded tubing." So I assumed the old was bolted. Which it wasn't. As to the brakes, another, older test from the same magazine wrote: "In the stopping wars, the bike is about as useful as a skateboard... We wish the bike's stoppability matched it's moderate go-power." MOTORRAD magazine stopped the twin disc front brake 1982 Sportster in 57.2 meters from 100 kph. In the same issue, the single disc Suzuki GS550T stopped in 43.1 meters. Meaning when the Suzuki had stopped, the Harley would still be doing 40 kph. Me having arthritis in my hands of course struggle to apply the ultra-high-effort front brake of the Sportster with sufficient power, as would any untrained person, especially if they have small hands.

[@gypsywheels]

Nice video bro 😎 Nice Bike!

[@MCCJustMotos]

Thanks man!!’