Ever wonder what racing a 1973 Sportster XL was like in 1973? This video shows you a taste, as they race a 1973 Harley hard on a rough, beat-up track in Northern Ohio. Taped last year, you’ll see “Track 848” following the 1973 Sportster Xl as rider, Mike, throws it into the corners keeping up with the imports. The camera bike is a 2009 Ducati 848.

Nelson Ledge Road Course is a two-mile, seven turn track with a big history for motorcycle and classic-car racing. Located near Cleveland, it’s a relaxed track with minimal faculties, making it great for amateur guys like us who can’t afford big track rentals. Now, we aren’t bashing the race track, only its surface. As more and more tracks close across the country, whether it’s drag racing or road racing, small easy-going facilities like this are awesome to have, but the rough patches throughout the pavement and few markers indicate the track might have seen better days. Either way, it’s cool to watch a guy sling around an old Ironhead like a new crotch rocket. Enjoy.

 

Love it!
I've always wanted an old Ironhead. Someday I will have one...

 

Very cool!

My neighbor has a old iron head " roadster" he calls it. Cool old bike and he sure can ride that thing. Takes a 110 mile round trip everyday to work on it.

 

Nice! My 1st motorcycle was a new 1973 Ironhead Sportster XL. Loved that motorcycle. Wish I still had it today!!

 

Great video!

 

Very cool. Good to see one out tearing it up.... is it me, or did it sound like an air cooled VW going up against a full blown GT40 though?

 

Cool race video. That race course could use a new layer of asphalt though. That was not a pristine surface.