First Bike
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 193
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From: Pikeville, Kentucky
First Bike
Would an Ironhead make a good first street bike? I've ridden dirt bikes and 4 wheelers and such. I"ve heard ya have to work on em alot, I don't know how but I'm willing to learn. To me older Harleys, whether they be Sportys, or Big Twins, just seem to have more character.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Would an Ironhead make a good first street bike? I've ridden dirt bikes and 4 wheelers and such. I"ve heard ya have to work on em alot, I don't know how but I'm willing to learn. To me older Harleys, whether they be Sportys, or Big Twins, just seem to have more character.
That is also the reason you will most likely work on the machine for an equal number of hours as you will spend riding it. Ha-Ha!
The question of an ironhead making a good first bike is a bit more difficult to answer. There is a lot of work required. Most Harley dealers will not work on an ironhead. That is a plus because you do not want to take your machine there anyway. Most of the kids working there are younger than your machine is and don't have a clue.
If you decide to get an ironhead you should know the above going in, and the first accessory you have to buy is a factory repair manual.
After you have the manual, there is no question that cannot be answered by someone here on the ironhead forum...........pg
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: East Central Illinois
Would an Ironhead make a good first street bike? I've ridden dirt bikes and 4 wheelers and such. I"ve heard ya have to work on em alot, I don't know how but I'm willing to learn. To me older Harleys, whether they be Sportys, or Big Twins, just seem to have more character.
I think the reason ironheads, and shovels too, have a reputation of needing a lot of work is because a lot of guys these days have never seen a set of points much less gapped them or set the timing, and most have never seen a carb much less adjusted one or rebuilt one. And a drive chain needs to be lubed and adjusted unlike a belt. Oh yeah, I forgot a multi-meter and set of feeler gages. When I was riding mine, it used to be a spring ritual to spend a day tuning up the bike, lubing everything that needed it, changing the oil, cleaning it up, etc. Honestly, there are few things that will make you feel as good as spending time wrenching on your bike and then enjoying the fruits of your labor with long rides.
I'll also second piniongear's remarks re dealer mechanics. Most of them are parts changers, not mechanics. Ask around and find an independent shop that knows how to fix things that you can't fix yourself.
I say go for it!
Pete
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
Funny just how many things can be worked on using just a 1/2" wrench isn't it?
I don't have to do much work on my bike. I don't abuse it so it doesn't break often. I may be one of the few lucky ones to get a really well made bike 1975. The secret to ironheads is simple ride it. When they sit around they dry out and get decrepid. I ride a minimum once a week on mine year round. This helps to keep the oil leaks down.
Ironheads have tons of character. Going down the road you will hear all manner of whirs, clicks, taps, and whines. The exhaust note at acceleration is very distinctive too.
Shop manual? Definately.
I don't have to do much work on my bike. I don't abuse it so it doesn't break often. I may be one of the few lucky ones to get a really well made bike 1975. The secret to ironheads is simple ride it. When they sit around they dry out and get decrepid. I ride a minimum once a week on mine year round. This helps to keep the oil leaks down.
Ironheads have tons of character. Going down the road you will hear all manner of whirs, clicks, taps, and whines. The exhaust note at acceleration is very distinctive too.
Shop manual? Definately.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 146
From: texas
the best bike to learn on...the million dollar question..
imo i think dirtbikes are the best bikes to learn on.to me riding dirtbikes make you so much more aware of the road...potholes....rocks....everything really.you have to think so much faster.at least to me that is what it seems.i think everyone should ride/ridden dirtbikes.the problem you might have is wanting to put your feet down around corners....
my ironhead is not my first bike and i am glad that it wasnt as i would not have been riding it as much as i would need to because i have had some issues with it.....no regrets..but you need to ride.ride ride ride.i think the thing to focus on is reliability.whether you find a reliable ironhead or you follow through with making it reliable.---good luck.
imo i think dirtbikes are the best bikes to learn on.to me riding dirtbikes make you so much more aware of the road...potholes....rocks....everything really.you have to think so much faster.at least to me that is what it seems.i think everyone should ride/ridden dirtbikes.the problem you might have is wanting to put your feet down around corners....
my ironhead is not my first bike and i am glad that it wasnt as i would not have been riding it as much as i would need to because i have had some issues with it.....no regrets..but you need to ride.ride ride ride.i think the thing to focus on is reliability.whether you find a reliable ironhead or you follow through with making it reliable.---good luck.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 80
From: nj
I just got a 84 bobber chopper that has a rigid chopped frame and I get more looks at that Ironhead than my superglide. So far I had no problems I have no blinkers horn and speedo But I probably put on about 2,000 miles on her so far iuse it a hopper around town a nd back and forth to work. but like you said it has character. Once I figure how to put pictures up I will
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From:
I ride my '81 XLS Ironhead back and forth to work almost every day of the week and so far the only time I've ever been stuck on the side of the road has been the couple of times I ran out of gas. A cell phone is a good thing to carry on the bike. I like riding mine to work rather than my FLHTCUI, because it's easier to deal with the morning traffic I get into.
The later Ironheads are great if you don't want to deal with setting points, and the stock carbs are a little more reliable, but all years are great bikes. Just be sure to shop around and find one that is complete. Also you have to decide whether you want to kick start it or push a button.
The later Ironheads are great if you don't want to deal with setting points, and the stock carbs are a little more reliable, but all years are great bikes. Just be sure to shop around and find one that is complete. Also you have to decide whether you want to kick start it or push a button.
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Cruiser
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 388
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From: West Tennessee
I would like to make a suggestion! There are a few years you should stay away from and here's why:
75-76 - Very crappy design on the newly mandated left hand shift. I personally own a 76 and to be honest I would much rather have a 77.
Now! Here is what I would recommend you get. Although the 80's are great models and they fixed a lot of the problems from the earlier models their just to new!
I personally would either go for one of these two years. 74 or 77. A 74 will still have the right hand shift (a real eye catcher). The only downside of the 74 is the oil pump. No real mechanical problems just a pain to remove and work on as you have to remove the entire motor to pull it. The 77 is a whole different beast! The 77 was the first year to have the actual redesigned left hand shift control to properly come out of the primary cover. It also was the first year to have an indention in the frame to allow you to pull the oil pump with the motor still in the frame.
Those two years are probably the best years. And another suggestion, what ever year you get try your hardest to get an XLH with a kick start already there.
75-76 - Very crappy design on the newly mandated left hand shift. I personally own a 76 and to be honest I would much rather have a 77.
Now! Here is what I would recommend you get. Although the 80's are great models and they fixed a lot of the problems from the earlier models their just to new!
I personally would either go for one of these two years. 74 or 77. A 74 will still have the right hand shift (a real eye catcher). The only downside of the 74 is the oil pump. No real mechanical problems just a pain to remove and work on as you have to remove the entire motor to pull it. The 77 is a whole different beast! The 77 was the first year to have the actual redesigned left hand shift control to properly come out of the primary cover. It also was the first year to have an indention in the frame to allow you to pull the oil pump with the motor still in the frame.
Those two years are probably the best years. And another suggestion, what ever year you get try your hardest to get an XLH with a kick start already there.
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