$1800.00 rolling Ironhead for sale
#1
$1800.00 rolling Ironhead for sale
62 xlh retrofit question.
Does anyone know if a 62 xlh engine will retrofit into a 70 xlch frame w/o much modification? It would seem that it would rather easily.
Someone locally has a rolling 74 frame w/ a built 62 XLH engine, 18" aluminum rear wheel, etc. Here's the ad:
"first off this is NOT a complete bike you can jump on and ride off into the sunset towards your favorite watering hole. The motor is complete and runs extremely well,it`s been hopped up with cams,ported,pistons/valves,etc.The frame is a later frame,1974. The wheels are super nice vintage alloys with iron disc in front,chrome drum in rear.Front end is later model Sporty,modded and slammmed,looks awesome. Basically you get a rolling chassis. Rear shocks are super highbuck alloy gas shocks,chrome swingarm,etc. Clear title. There is no factory sheet metal with this bike,no XLCH oil tank. $1800.00 or BO."
I have seen the pics, but I don't have a copy of it to post right now.
My thoughts-if the motor, rear alloy 18" wheel, swingarm, and shocks are good, they could be retrofit to the 70 to complete the repairs needed on it ( engine temporary while I do a complete rebuild on the original engine.)
I am pricing a new swingarm ( mine's bent), rebuilding to top end ( rear cylinder problem), and adding an 18" alloy wheel ( cool original piece) to the 70 XLCH, and that totals out to be about the same $ as what he is wanting for the rolling basket case. I plan to go and listen to it run, take out the plugs, and estimate what it needs to become a ridable bike, or estimate what I could get from parting this thing out, after I have my 70 back up and running. If it looks like this idea would work, I would lay down $1400-$1500, no more and see if offer is accepted. Got nothing to lose.
Your thoughts?
Thanks, Steve
Does anyone know if a 62 xlh engine will retrofit into a 70 xlch frame w/o much modification? It would seem that it would rather easily.
Someone locally has a rolling 74 frame w/ a built 62 XLH engine, 18" aluminum rear wheel, etc. Here's the ad:
"first off this is NOT a complete bike you can jump on and ride off into the sunset towards your favorite watering hole. The motor is complete and runs extremely well,it`s been hopped up with cams,ported,pistons/valves,etc.The frame is a later frame,1974. The wheels are super nice vintage alloys with iron disc in front,chrome drum in rear.Front end is later model Sporty,modded and slammmed,looks awesome. Basically you get a rolling chassis. Rear shocks are super highbuck alloy gas shocks,chrome swingarm,etc. Clear title. There is no factory sheet metal with this bike,no XLCH oil tank. $1800.00 or BO."
I have seen the pics, but I don't have a copy of it to post right now.
My thoughts-if the motor, rear alloy 18" wheel, swingarm, and shocks are good, they could be retrofit to the 70 to complete the repairs needed on it ( engine temporary while I do a complete rebuild on the original engine.)
I am pricing a new swingarm ( mine's bent), rebuilding to top end ( rear cylinder problem), and adding an 18" alloy wheel ( cool original piece) to the 70 XLCH, and that totals out to be about the same $ as what he is wanting for the rolling basket case. I plan to go and listen to it run, take out the plugs, and estimate what it needs to become a ridable bike, or estimate what I could get from parting this thing out, after I have my 70 back up and running. If it looks like this idea would work, I would lay down $1400-$1500, no more and see if offer is accepted. Got nothing to lose.
Your thoughts?
Thanks, Steve
#2
The answer is yes, a 62 will fit into the 70 frame with no modifications. I have both a 61 XLH and a 70 and the frames are almost identical.The motor mounts are identical. Good luck, but remember that the 70 is registered buy the serial # on frame and the 62 is registered by the serial # on the motor. So the #'s won't be copisetic if you are pulled over
Randy
61 XLH, 70 XLH, 08 Heritage
Randy
61 XLH, 70 XLH, 08 Heritage
#3
The answer is yes, a 62 will fit into the 70 frame with no modifications. I have both a 61 XLH and a 70 and the frames are almost identical.The motor mounts are identical. Good luck, but remember that the 70 is registered buy the serial # on frame and the 62 is registered by the serial # on the motor. So the #'s won't be copisetic if you are pulled over
Randy
61 XLH, 70 XLH, 08 Heritage
Randy
61 XLH, 70 XLH, 08 Heritage
#4
He says it has a NM clear title, assumming it is a title w/ the engine, and frame #'s on the title as "salvage" or "custom". I will check it all out w/ the MVD dept before my purchase. Don't need that headache. Already hurts from the cancelled trip I was looking forward to.
I have read since my post that most of the engine parts will retrofit from 57-70. Not knowing what's up w/ my 70's top end, that may be a good thing. I would only put this motor in temporarily in the 70, while rebuilding it's motor, then back in it goes, numbers match on the 70 XLCH.
Thanks, Steve
I have read since my post that most of the engine parts will retrofit from 57-70. Not knowing what's up w/ my 70's top end, that may be a good thing. I would only put this motor in temporarily in the 70, while rebuilding it's motor, then back in it goes, numbers match on the 70 XLCH.
Thanks, Steve
#5
#6
Going to check it out Tuesday am. NM clear Title is on the 62 motor. He says he will throw in some top end parts - pistons, rings, etc. for the rebuild of my 70 if I decide to purchase. Says motor is strong and recently rebuilt w/ head porting, PB+ cams, better pistons, built by a reputable dealer in Sant Fe NM. No carb or magneto, so I have to trust him and do at least a compression check. He say he has credentials to build trust apparently, we'll see.
I'll take pics and keep you posted-Steve
I'll take pics and keep you posted-Steve
#7
I'd much prefer the bike to be titled as a 62 (the engine vin). You can remove the early vin plates on the frame, and since the early bikes had no frame number, you'll be OK.
And, as already said, there's no problem at all swapping motors with any except the very late Ironhead frames.
And, as already said, there's no problem at all swapping motors with any except the very late Ironhead frames.
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#8
#9
Going to check it out Tuesday am. NM clear Title is on the 62 motor. He says he will throw in some top end parts - pistons, rings, etc. for the rebuild of my 70 if I decide to purchase. Says motor is strong and recently rebuilt w/ head porting, PB+ cams, better pistons, built by a reputable dealer in Sant Fe NM. No carb or magneto, so I have to trust him and do at least a compression check. He say he has credentials to build trust apparently, we'll see.
I'll take pics and keep you posted-Steve
I'll take pics and keep you posted-Steve
A 1962 engine with a 1974(?) frame is a build mixture of parts, at best.
An engine without a magneto and carb is equal to a large heavy paperweight, again at best.
The claims of well build strong engine with 'better' pistons and PB+ cams are really without any proof, except 'to trust him'.
He is going to 'throw in a few top end parts' to repair your 70 engine? Read those parts as more used parts that may have been worn out long ago. I call that kind of thing more paperweight material.
And finally, look at what you are doing here.......
You are wanting to spend $1800 (or best offer) for a machine that will not run and does not have all the parts needed to make it run.
First Strike!
Second Strike.......You want to make this 1962 engine as the engine that goes into your 1970 frame temporarily? You will have to do a lot of work to make this happen, believe me. The 1962 may have some issues that you do not know about yet.
In summation I believe you will come to this situation by buying that bike with the following results:
You are going to be spending $1800 more that you have so far.
You are going to have two machines, neither of which will start and run.
You will now be required to make an even greater cash outlay to get the 1970 repaired (top end). If it needs rebore and new pistons, then it needs new pistons, not something from his junk bucket.
And Lord only knows how much you will have to spend to get the 1962 running, but you know it is going to be at least the cost of a magneto and a carb.
That is a very bad deal to me, but again, it is only my opinion......pg
#10
PG,
Point well taken. I have written it off. The engine rebuild could be verified by a local HD builder in Santa Fe, so it wasn't just complete trust in this Cat's word. Also the parts he was offering for my 70's top end were new that he had extra from another project from what he said. However I did not see them, so who knows. If they weren't new, I would not have taken them. Don't need more problems.
The guy lost credibility w/ me as of yesterday. I have emailed for directions twice now to no avail or response. His loss. My thought was to just look at it. If it looked like it was a decent deal, part out most of it. Grab the 18" Aluminum rear wheel, and put my old chrome 16" on that frame. Take the title and engine, and the high dollar rear shocks that are on it, and what ever else I could use for myself. I figured a titled 1962 engine even if needing rebuilt was worth $500-$700.00, $250-$300 for the frame, etc. By parting I felt I may get $1200-$1500 at least w/ what's there, and gain some things I could use for my &0 XLCH. Or if I put on a new tank, fenders, carb and ignition, I potentially could have a running bike w/ the verification of the rebuild. It was a bobber almost done, being sacrificed because of a divorce from what I understand.
Yesterday, I found a reputable Ironhead mechanic that was recommended to me from several shops around Albuquerque. He has the bike currently and is checking several things on it. He has found some things already, that may tell us what's going on. Circuit breaker cam was reinstalled 180 out from correct, wrong plugs were installed also. The other guy I trusted, did not know what he was doing. This guy's a straight shooter which I appreciate. He also has a respect for these older Ironheads and know what is good, and what's a waste of money as far as upgrading. He has rebuilt about a 1000 or so 57's-85's since 1979. He shared a lot of info w/ me today that was invaluable. I may still have the rear cylinder problem. He wants to check other items before accepting that prognosis. He is of the opinion, as myself, that I have a good core bike to start with that may or may not need some cash spent on it to be where it needs to be.
I called the other guy to inform him of my concerns and disappointment, based on what we found today. Why it ran good when I brought it to him and why it's isn't running good now after spending $400.00. He got defensive which was stupid in my opinion. This guy could learn something from the Ironhead guy if his pride would let him and tap that market all be it small. When I spoke w/ him, I approached it carefully, telling him this information we found out was something he ought to know. He finally told me to call him back when the Ironhead guy is done, and we would talk some more. I hope he is willing to forfiet some of the cash I paid him. That would give me more respect for him than I have for him currently.
I have learned a lesson. I was in a hurry to get it serviced for the ride I had planned this past weekend. This guy says he worked on Ironheads, and I trusted him. Based on what I saw today, and what the Ironhead guy shared w/ me as to why he was using and recommending certain parts, the other guy is a novice like myself at best.
Thanks for all your support, admonition, and ideas as I learn this stuff. Make me like this Ironhead even more. As Mr Rogers once said "can you say Masochistic"!! LOL !!
Sorry for the rambling.
Steve
Point well taken. I have written it off. The engine rebuild could be verified by a local HD builder in Santa Fe, so it wasn't just complete trust in this Cat's word. Also the parts he was offering for my 70's top end were new that he had extra from another project from what he said. However I did not see them, so who knows. If they weren't new, I would not have taken them. Don't need more problems.
The guy lost credibility w/ me as of yesterday. I have emailed for directions twice now to no avail or response. His loss. My thought was to just look at it. If it looked like it was a decent deal, part out most of it. Grab the 18" Aluminum rear wheel, and put my old chrome 16" on that frame. Take the title and engine, and the high dollar rear shocks that are on it, and what ever else I could use for myself. I figured a titled 1962 engine even if needing rebuilt was worth $500-$700.00, $250-$300 for the frame, etc. By parting I felt I may get $1200-$1500 at least w/ what's there, and gain some things I could use for my &0 XLCH. Or if I put on a new tank, fenders, carb and ignition, I potentially could have a running bike w/ the verification of the rebuild. It was a bobber almost done, being sacrificed because of a divorce from what I understand.
Yesterday, I found a reputable Ironhead mechanic that was recommended to me from several shops around Albuquerque. He has the bike currently and is checking several things on it. He has found some things already, that may tell us what's going on. Circuit breaker cam was reinstalled 180 out from correct, wrong plugs were installed also. The other guy I trusted, did not know what he was doing. This guy's a straight shooter which I appreciate. He also has a respect for these older Ironheads and know what is good, and what's a waste of money as far as upgrading. He has rebuilt about a 1000 or so 57's-85's since 1979. He shared a lot of info w/ me today that was invaluable. I may still have the rear cylinder problem. He wants to check other items before accepting that prognosis. He is of the opinion, as myself, that I have a good core bike to start with that may or may not need some cash spent on it to be where it needs to be.
I called the other guy to inform him of my concerns and disappointment, based on what we found today. Why it ran good when I brought it to him and why it's isn't running good now after spending $400.00. He got defensive which was stupid in my opinion. This guy could learn something from the Ironhead guy if his pride would let him and tap that market all be it small. When I spoke w/ him, I approached it carefully, telling him this information we found out was something he ought to know. He finally told me to call him back when the Ironhead guy is done, and we would talk some more. I hope he is willing to forfiet some of the cash I paid him. That would give me more respect for him than I have for him currently.
I have learned a lesson. I was in a hurry to get it serviced for the ride I had planned this past weekend. This guy says he worked on Ironheads, and I trusted him. Based on what I saw today, and what the Ironhead guy shared w/ me as to why he was using and recommending certain parts, the other guy is a novice like myself at best.
Thanks for all your support, admonition, and ideas as I learn this stuff. Make me like this Ironhead even more. As Mr Rogers once said "can you say Masochistic"!! LOL !!
Sorry for the rambling.
Steve