Hey guys,

I have my 15' Forty-Eight but I have been itching for an old Ironhead these days and curious of anyone's input on them. I have been researching the forums and always like to see what you guys think.

I am looking around 1977-1982 and didn't know if any years to stay away or better than the others.

I am doing 1977+ because I like and have only ridden left side shift. I am comfortable that way and don't like the idea of switching back and forth between bikes. I could do after AMF years but does it really matter? All the bad parts probably switched out by now.

Thanks for reading!

 

My 76 XLCH was L/Side shift ( it used a crossover shaft and I never had trouble with it in 40,000 miles ) I'd say any that have survived this long have had the AMF "peculiarities/problems" address by now.

 

I like 1977 and 1978 as they have the traditional IronHead frame and kidney oil tank. This style consideration is important to me. Otherwise #1 they are all a good frame carrying the best looking motorcycle engine in all motorcycle history Otherwise #2, buy whatever is available in your area, in your price range.

AMF years mean nothing in a negative sense. This has become well enough known over the last several years that many guys [like me ] prefer an AMF year Sportster.

 

I personally like '78 and older. In '79 they changed the frame and I never warmed up to the look.


'75 and '76 had the shifter on the left via the crossover setup but could easily be converted to RH shift. '77 and '78 were true LH shift.


Don't let AMF scare you. Don't let RH shift scare you, you will get used to it immediately.


IronMick said: "I like 1977 and 1978 as they have the traditional IronHead frame and kidney oil tank."


You would still get a "lunch box" oil tank on an XLCH. Kidney oil bag on an XLH as I'm sure you know.

 

+1 on '78 and earlier. Those have the real classic Sportster look.

 

Yes, '78 and earlier have the classic Sportster look. The '79-'81 have a different frame and are a little funky-looking (in my opinion), but make a nice platform for a street tracker or cafe racer. The '82-'85 models have yet another frame, a bit more traditional-looking than the '79-'81. Personally, I picked an '83 model because of the better handling frame, dual front discs, electronic ignition, and it still had a generator. The alternators on the late '84 and '85 models were troublesome, so I wanted to avoid that. I backdated the look of mine a bit with an older front fender, fork gaiters, and a reshaped rear fender.

 

I bought my '82 brand new because '82 was the first year I could afford a real Harley.

It's nothing special, but I still like the way it looks. And it's been surprisingly trouble free over the 34 years I've owned it.

 

I like my 76,,with the left side shift,,easy when you get used to it,,,

 

Harley retooled in 75-76 so most problems were in the earlier models from what ive seen and heard. And by now like someone else said. Most problems would be corrected on an older bike if its still running. I have two 77 flh and flh sport. I'd Never give them up.

 

79 was a bastard year. Many parts are one year items.