Identity Crisis
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Identity Crisis
Here are a couple pictures of my 57 Sporty XLCH. I had recently posted wondering if it was in fact a 57 XLCH. I would like yalls imput on this matter. If you think it could be a different year please feel free to tell me. I also have pictures of all the casting numbers. I do know that the front end of my Sporty is not origional, neither is the exhaust. Everything else (to the best of my knowledge) is. Any info you can gather off these pictures please feel free to reply here or send me a private message.
Its a right Side Shift, Left Side Foot Brake
Magneto with Generator
Kickstart ONLY
Chain Drive (Self Lubricating)
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/7023743CBE314B679EF61EF9A8CE3AEF.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/FD3BACC093B444979E737FD02C5C60D8.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/6B8BFBEC6FBD41C1AE7E9B29B8681E09.jpg[/IMG]
Its a right Side Shift, Left Side Foot Brake
Magneto with Generator
Kickstart ONLY
Chain Drive (Self Lubricating)
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/7023743CBE314B679EF61EF9A8CE3AEF.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/FD3BACC093B444979E737FD02C5C60D8.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/6B8BFBEC6FBD41C1AE7E9B29B8681E09.jpg[/IMG]
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RE: Identity Crisis
Heres Some More
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/1FB4408F9205414FA0916EE0A8DB3413.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/8F6DC2D12E134B2EA192E01F3DC746AA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/03D513591AC04FCEACF5484F28ECD55C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/1FB4408F9205414FA0916EE0A8DB3413.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/8F6DC2D12E134B2EA192E01F3DC746AA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/03D513591AC04FCEACF5484F28ECD55C.jpg[/IMG]
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RE: Identity Crisis
And More
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/C289DF2350D94468A451BA177EB3B057.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/F8D9D3AD6D2044449D7BD7D7C6131075.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/D7392C1B01244B3BA431AAB235DC5806.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/C289DF2350D94468A451BA177EB3B057.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/F8D9D3AD6D2044449D7BD7D7C6131075.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/D7392C1B01244B3BA431AAB235DC5806.jpg[/IMG]
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RE: Identity Crisis
Thanks for checking out this post. I am wanting to restore this bike back to origional, or as closely as my pocket-book will allow. The Above pictures have the casting numbers written on paper to make it easier to read and see. If you have any questions feel free to send me a private messge. I am trying my hardest to determine the true year and model of this Sporty I have. I cannot start restoring until I am 100% sure what year, model it is.
Thank you for all your help.
AJ
Thank you for all your help.
AJ
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
RE: Identity Crisis
AJ, well it's not a 57 XLCh for sure, becasue they don't exist. The first year for the XLCH was 58, I believe, and then only in very limited production.
The number that matters most is the on on your motor. It should say something like 62XLCH**** the first two numbers being the year, and then next being the model.
You can also identify the year of frame by the stamping on the right side where the large tank would mount. There should be a letter and a number, for instance D 5, which would indicate the frame was manufactured in April ("D" is the fourth letter of the alphabet) of 1965.
All the numbers you've shown us are simply casting numbers and mean little or nothing.
Your pictures are dark, and there's not much detail, but along with the front end being wrong for an early CH, the oil tank is wrong (should be the little horseshoe tank) and the rear wheel (should be 18" not 16").
What does your title say for a year?
If you are going to do an all out restoration, you start with a good vin number on the engine (as described above) matching belly numbers on the bottom of the cases, and the right frame. If you have those, you're off to a good start.
Post better pictures and we can tell you a lot more.
The number that matters most is the on on your motor. It should say something like 62XLCH**** the first two numbers being the year, and then next being the model.
You can also identify the year of frame by the stamping on the right side where the large tank would mount. There should be a letter and a number, for instance D 5, which would indicate the frame was manufactured in April ("D" is the fourth letter of the alphabet) of 1965.
All the numbers you've shown us are simply casting numbers and mean little or nothing.
Your pictures are dark, and there's not much detail, but along with the front end being wrong for an early CH, the oil tank is wrong (should be the little horseshoe tank) and the rear wheel (should be 18" not 16").
What does your title say for a year?
If you are going to do an all out restoration, you start with a good vin number on the engine (as described above) matching belly numbers on the bottom of the cases, and the right frame. If you have those, you're off to a good start.
Post better pictures and we can tell you a lot more.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
RE: Identity Crisis
Oops, sorry, missed the engine numbers the first time around. You have made a mistake on the engine number of the motor in the bike--there is no such thing as 67 XL--it's either XLH or XLCH. So, I guess you have to sets of cases? Do you have the right side match for the 57 case?
If you do, and the belly numbers match, you could have something, but you also need the right year frame.
I'm guessing the bike is 67XLCH--not too far from stock to restore if the parts match and a nice early Sportster. I'm confused as to why you think it's a 57. Isn't that just the one case? All early Sportsters have -57 casting numbers on the jugs (and elsewhere). A lot of -52 numbers, too.
If you do, and the belly numbers match, you could have something, but you also need the right year frame.
I'm guessing the bike is 67XLCH--not too far from stock to restore if the parts match and a nice early Sportster. I'm confused as to why you think it's a 57. Isn't that just the one case? All early Sportsters have -57 casting numbers on the jugs (and elsewhere). A lot of -52 numbers, too.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Houston Texas
RE: Identity Crisis
The first problem is the casting numbers. They don't mean anything in regards to what year model the bike is. The casting number on a Sportster ends with the first year that the part was made. The casting number was continued every year following that until a significant change was made, then the casting number was changed to reflect that year of design change....such as ******-66 showing the part was changed in 1966.
The original model KH was first manufactured in 1952 and was a 45 cu inch flat head engine.
The KHK Model was a 55 cu inch....same engine with a longer stroke. The K's were made through 1956.
In 1957 the Sportster appeared for the first time and the K was no longer made. The Sporty was a K engine with overhead valves. That was really the only difference between it and the KHK. So all those casting numbers that end in '-52' are parts that came from the Grandad of all the ironheads....the K models.
An original 1957 Sportster looked rather dumpy and abit overweight when compared to a 1958 Sportster XLCH. There were two basic models back then, the Sportster XLH and the XLCH.
We used to tell them apart by the following differences at the time:
Wheels...XLH= 18 inch rims front and back
XLCH= 18 inch rear......19 inch front
Primary Cover.....XLH= cast aluminum
XLCH= painted tin
XLH.....electric start, huge battery, side mount oil tank, electric ignition (distributor)
XLCH.....kick start only, no battery, center mount 'Horseshoe' oil tank, magneto
There were other differences as well:
XLH.....cowled headlight, large 3.5 gal gas tank
XLCH....small headlight, 2.2 gal gas tank.....stolen from the 125cc Harley Hummer of the early 1950's.
Those are the main ways back then to tell the difference between a CH and an XLH at a glance on the street. The year model was a bit more difficult to determine, and as the years pass by, old guys like me who were around then have begun to forget a lot of detail.
The photos tell me you have a CH.
The photos tell me it is not a 1957, 1958 or 1959.
I am going by the oil tank. Yours is not a Horseshoe. Your center mount came on a later model Sportie (see my original 1971). Your magneto was used up until 1969. Your tin primary the same.
Your rear shocks are not early.
Your front forks appear to be later model.
If your front brake drum is not full width, but rather sits on the right side, then the thin drum is before 1963. 1963 and later used a full width aluminum drum. (Again, see mine)
If you want to restore it to the original condition and find out what year the bike really is then begin by finding some good books with photos and sort it all out.
A better idea in my opinion is to just keep what you have in good condition and ride it. The bike is older than a 1969 and is becoming rare and hard to find anymore, so take care of it.......pg
The original model KH was first manufactured in 1952 and was a 45 cu inch flat head engine.
The KHK Model was a 55 cu inch....same engine with a longer stroke. The K's were made through 1956.
In 1957 the Sportster appeared for the first time and the K was no longer made. The Sporty was a K engine with overhead valves. That was really the only difference between it and the KHK. So all those casting numbers that end in '-52' are parts that came from the Grandad of all the ironheads....the K models.
An original 1957 Sportster looked rather dumpy and abit overweight when compared to a 1958 Sportster XLCH. There were two basic models back then, the Sportster XLH and the XLCH.
We used to tell them apart by the following differences at the time:
Wheels...XLH= 18 inch rims front and back
XLCH= 18 inch rear......19 inch front
Primary Cover.....XLH= cast aluminum
XLCH= painted tin
XLH.....electric start, huge battery, side mount oil tank, electric ignition (distributor)
XLCH.....kick start only, no battery, center mount 'Horseshoe' oil tank, magneto
There were other differences as well:
XLH.....cowled headlight, large 3.5 gal gas tank
XLCH....small headlight, 2.2 gal gas tank.....stolen from the 125cc Harley Hummer of the early 1950's.
Those are the main ways back then to tell the difference between a CH and an XLH at a glance on the street. The year model was a bit more difficult to determine, and as the years pass by, old guys like me who were around then have begun to forget a lot of detail.
The photos tell me you have a CH.
The photos tell me it is not a 1957, 1958 or 1959.
I am going by the oil tank. Yours is not a Horseshoe. Your center mount came on a later model Sportie (see my original 1971). Your magneto was used up until 1969. Your tin primary the same.
Your rear shocks are not early.
Your front forks appear to be later model.
If your front brake drum is not full width, but rather sits on the right side, then the thin drum is before 1963. 1963 and later used a full width aluminum drum. (Again, see mine)
If you want to restore it to the original condition and find out what year the bike really is then begin by finding some good books with photos and sort it all out.
A better idea in my opinion is to just keep what you have in good condition and ride it. The bike is older than a 1969 and is becoming rare and hard to find anymore, so take care of it.......pg
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RE: Identity Crisis
Thank you all for your informative replies. I have learned a good deal just from the few of you. I have an extremely limited knowledge on HDs, and motorcycles in general. So I will be frequenting this forum in search of the wisdom that has been shown in this post. The reason I had thought it was a 57 XCLH is because that is what my father told me it was. (I am 24, and this is my first bike) I only know what he has told me about the bike. Also, I would love to get some better pictures put up. However, I am in Iraq at the moment, and will take some when I finally get home on Leave in the following months. Same thing goes with my title. I cannot recall what it says, and I will make sure I check it out when I get home. After reading one of the Replies, I do remember my father telling me he had a different fuel tank installed because his was only a 2.2gal.
Thanks again everyone.
The Pic is of Me (On the Left) and some of my buddies. We were in Kuwait waiting to push north here into Iraq.
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/13B354EB75784304B056D8C1D10B47B4.jpg[/IMG]
Thanks again everyone.
The Pic is of Me (On the Left) and some of my buddies. We were in Kuwait waiting to push north here into Iraq.
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/13B354EB75784304B056D8C1D10B47B4.jpg[/IMG]
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RE: Identity Crisis
ORIGINAL: Moon Wolf
Oops, sorry, missed the engine numbers the first time around. You have made a mistake on the engine number of the motor in the bike--there is no such thing as 67 XL--it's either XLH or XLCH. So, I guess you have to sets of cases? Do you have the right side match for the 57 case?
If you do, and the belly numbers match, you could have something, but you also need the right year frame.
I'm guessing the bike is 67XLCH--not too far from stock to restore if the parts match and a nice early Sportster. I'm confused as to why you think it's a 57. Isn't that just the one case? All early Sportsters have -57 casting numbers on the jugs (and elsewhere). A lot of -52 numbers, too.
Oops, sorry, missed the engine numbers the first time around. You have made a mistake on the engine number of the motor in the bike--there is no such thing as 67 XL--it's either XLH or XLCH. So, I guess you have to sets of cases? Do you have the right side match for the 57 case?
If you do, and the belly numbers match, you could have something, but you also need the right year frame.
I'm guessing the bike is 67XLCH--not too far from stock to restore if the parts match and a nice early Sportster. I'm confused as to why you think it's a 57. Isn't that just the one case? All early Sportsters have -57 casting numbers on the jugs (and elsewhere). A lot of -52 numbers, too.
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/CCD9E8313D074775B1B4999C52844F07.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/F2DADC76D27C464FBD6B3FB40D1B28F8.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/54885/A3F0697587EB4ECB85A65A638193C5E2.jpg[/IMG]