Hello all new to the forum and its been a wealth of info so far great work. For my question just bought a 1971 XLCH and I want to keep its spirit in that I am going to refurb not restore. BUt I ride everyday on my current bike and want to be able to have this option with this bike aswell and would like to do some upgrades to it and would like your opinion. First off Brakes now it might be the bike andI havent checked the internals of the brakes yet but I was thinking of a disc brake upgrade I love the look of the drum brakes but as the old saying goes looks can kill. I would like your opinions on this and any Ideas. The other one I think is a no brainer and thats sitch to electronic or breakerless ignition Thanks ahead for the help

 

Put in new brake shoes and a new brake cable and you can lock up the rear wheel of that thing. I have limited experience with rear drum brake - i have had my 1978 only since last fall and i had a 1980 w/rear disc for five years before that - but i do not accept the negative comments i have heard about rear drum. Mine is great with the new parts.

Many have done the upgrade to rear disk. The common approach is to install a 1979 or later [i do not know how much later you can go] swingarm and brake parts.

For EI i have used the Hi-4 on my 1980 and now the Ultima on my 1978. Both very good; Ultima cost less.

 

I was kind of Hoping that was the answer simply because the drum brakes look great and keep it correct And I will check out the Ultima ignition Thanks Mick