First Post here, and also, I'm new to the forum and to Harleys as well.

I keep hearing that 1984 was the last year of the Ironhead, but, I keep seeing 1985's for sale that claim to be Ironheads...And sometimes the owner will state that 85 was the last year.

So, Officially, can somebody guide me into the right direction as to which year was the Actual Last year for the Ironhead Sporty's?

Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.

Nosedive4130

 

Found this...
At least, that was until the introduction of the Evolution Sportster in 1986. The new aluminum-based Evo Sportster engine opened the doors to Factory and aftermarket performance parts that again made the Evo Sporty a formidable street-fighter and racer, especially when engine displacement was bumped into the 100-plus cubic-inch range.

 

85 was the last year. Below is mine. 85 Roadster XLS. Only 616 maunfactured. There is a post under Sportsters called "The history of Sportsters". Pretty informative.

 

'84 was the last year for Iron (Shovelhead) big twins with the exception of a few rare police Shovels built in '85.
'85 was indeed the last of the Ironhead Sportsters.

 

They switched from Ironhead to Evo in mid-eighty-five. The French Owl posted a picture of the changing of the guard on another forum--it shows the factory production line and the last ironhead motor on the conveyor right next to the first evo. I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

Here's the purloined picture. In the same post, The French Owl explains that the all 85s are Ironheads, but that the 86 model year, of course, started in 85.

 

Awesome picture. Maybe that's my motor! HeeHee. Main difference in the 616 built in 85 (XLS)was the 3.8 gallon gas tank (including .4 reserve) and the tach mounted on the tank. There were a few other differences but I don't remember what they were. According to my operators manual there were 3 models (XLS, XLH and XLX). XLH and XLX had 2.25 gallon tanks.

 

Thanks for the great information! I have been wanting a classic, such as a Panhead or a Shovelhead, but, my funds don't seem to want either of the two! I think that I'll have to settle for an Ironhead. It's probably a better bike to learn the Mechanix part of it anyways.

 

Settle for an Ironhead??? Do us and yourself a favor and save up for a Shovelhead if you feel that way. Owning an Ironhead is a destination, not a stepping stone to something "better".

 

Well stated XLX