Hey guys, I'm new to the Ironhead family. Myself and my Dad bought a 62 off of my Aunt this past Saturday. Her husband had past away a month ago and he had owned the bike since it was new (she gave us the original title) along with tons of pics of the bikes history. He had spent a fortune on it in the 80's having it customized and chromed. I think he paid someone to do all the maintenance on the bike for him. I don't really know. The bike quit on him in the late 80's and I was told he never got it started again. When I first got it home I checked for Compression and spark. Compression seems fine but no spark. After a little cleaning and sanding on the points and other electrical system maintenance I now have spark. I have the tank off and cleaned it today. I will pull the carb off tomorrow and clean it as well. I've drained the oils and will also add new. I'm pretty stoked and can't wait to get the bike road worthy. I would love to put it back bone stock but for now just plan on a good cleaning. Any advice on quirks these bikes have would be appreciated.

 

Lucky dog! Nice bike. Even has a good early 70s front end with the disk brake.

 

Thanks Mick, been reading a lot of your advice the past couple days.

 

I got the bike started today, I think it's the first time since 1988. After kicking for close to 45 minutes I gave up and cheated. It's 20 degrees outside and like a true redneck I had my dad pull me down the road with my ATV. It finally started and I road back to the house on partially snow covered roads (slow speed). I let the bike run for about 20 minutes. It has a few oil leaks nothing major, just drips and I'm going to have to go back into the carb and do a little more cleaning. It wouldn't idle and I had to run the choke a little closed. I'll have to get it perfect because this thing is brutal to kick, I can barely walk now. I had to really think about braking and shifting. That's going to take a little getting use to. Here's a video of it running for the first time in almost 28 years.

 

OK, cool Tin Man in the background at ~2 seconds in

 

Some guys have all the luck, nice bike I'd take it real easy for a break in, if it hasn't been run since the 80's low/mid rpm's for 20 miles or so.... again I say NICE BIKE

 

Thanks for the compliment. I really haven't went to far on it. I'll be going easy fr a while just because of getting use to the brake being on the left LOL. Here's a few pics from today.

 

Sharp bike!

 

Looks new only better....

 

Pretty bike. Never seen a sporty with a wide white wall tire like that before.


Carl