Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Tony, WI
Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
Ok, I'm having a massive brain fart. Casually talking with a bud earlier and he asked if my bike was XLH or XLCH. I wanted to say XLCH since it's Kick + Electric start, but, just not 100% sure, and I really don't feel like eating crow when it comes to my own bike. So I figgered I'll look like a chump verify on here rather'n talking out my behind.
Thanks, and try not to laugh *too* hard at my expence<g>
Wolf
Thanks, and try not to laugh *too* hard at my expence<g>
Wolf
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
Hey Sam....Look at your engine number on the righthand side of the crankcase. It will be XLH3A***** if yours is an XLH.........or,
It will be XLCH4A***** if yours is a XLCH
It will be XLCH4A***** if yours is a XLCH
Novice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16
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RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
Hmmm, my 73 does not have anything in the vin number that would suggest it's either a XLCH or XLH. Like Wolf, I always figured it was a XLCH because of the electric & kick start. Are there any other ways to tell which model it is besides the VIN number or is there another number on the engine I'm missing?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
Dan........I need to clarify what I had said.The engine serial number on 1970 and later ironheads is stamped on the righthand side of the engine at the cylinder bases. The serial # on 1969 and earlier engines is on the lefthand side.
The 1969 and earlier will have the XLH or XLCH in the number. The 1970 and later will start with either 3H or 4H*****.
3H is an XLH
4H is an XLCH...................I am 98% sure this history is correct, not 100%.
The old traditional difference between XLH and XLCH was always that the XLH had an electric starter and a side mount oil tank. It also had a center mounted battery which was larger than a CH had, and an ignition circuit breaker mounted atop the timing cover.
The XLCH was a kick start only. It had a smaller battery mounted on the left side. It had a center mount oil tank. It had a Fairbanks-Morse magneto mounted atop the timing cover. Understand, we are talking about 1969 and earlier here. In 1970 the models began to merge together, although at the time you would not notice, but history has proven that did indeed happen and the result was pretty much one model of Sportster in exsistence up into the 1980's.
One great difference that was noted (in my younger days) was that an XLH had 18 inch wheels on both ends. XLCH had an 18 on the rear and a 19 inch on the front. Again, we are talking about 1966 and earlier regarding the different wheel sizes.
Wow, that got me going! Sorry guys.
The 1969 and earlier will have the XLH or XLCH in the number. The 1970 and later will start with either 3H or 4H*****.
3H is an XLH
4H is an XLCH...................I am 98% sure this history is correct, not 100%.
The old traditional difference between XLH and XLCH was always that the XLH had an electric starter and a side mount oil tank. It also had a center mounted battery which was larger than a CH had, and an ignition circuit breaker mounted atop the timing cover.
The XLCH was a kick start only. It had a smaller battery mounted on the left side. It had a center mount oil tank. It had a Fairbanks-Morse magneto mounted atop the timing cover. Understand, we are talking about 1969 and earlier here. In 1970 the models began to merge together, although at the time you would not notice, but history has proven that did indeed happen and the result was pretty much one model of Sportster in exsistence up into the 1980's.
One great difference that was noted (in my younger days) was that an XLH had 18 inch wheels on both ends. XLCH had an 18 on the rear and a 19 inch on the front. Again, we are talking about 1966 and earlier regarding the different wheel sizes.
Wow, that got me going! Sorry guys.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg Florida
RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
You are close. Actually, 1970-1980 would start with 3a for XLH and 4a for XLCH. The next 5 digits will be the production number. The last 2 digits will be the model year. (H0=1970,H1='71,H2='72................J0=1980). So for example: 3A12345H2 = 1972 XLH, 4A12345H5=1975 XLCH.
ORIGINAL: piniongear
Dan........I need to clarify what I had said.The engine serial number on 1970 and later ironheads is stamped on the righthand side of the engine at the cylinder bases. The serial # on 1969 and earlier engines is on the lefthand side.
The 1969 and earlier will have the XLH or XLCH in the number. The 1970 and later will start with either 3H or 4H*****.
3H is an XLH
4H is an XLCH...................I am 98% sure this history is correct, not 100%.
The old traditional difference between XLH and XLCH was always that the XLH had an electric starter and a side mount oil tank. It also had a center mounted battery which was larger than a CH had, and an ignition circuit breaker mounted atop the timing cover.
The XLCH was a kick start only. It had a smaller battery mounted on the left side. It had a center mount oil tank. It had a Fairbanks-Morse magneto mounted atop the timing cover. Understand, we are talking about 1969 and earlier here. In 1970 the models began to merge together, although at the time you would not notice, but history has proven that did indeed happen and the result was pretty much one model of Sportster in exsistence up into the 1980's.
One great difference that was noted (in my younger days) was that an XLH had 18 inch wheels on both ends. XLCH had an 18 on the rear and a 19 inch on the front. Again, we are talking about 1966 and earlier regarding the different wheel sizes.
Wow, that got me going! Sorry guys.
Dan........I need to clarify what I had said.The engine serial number on 1970 and later ironheads is stamped on the righthand side of the engine at the cylinder bases. The serial # on 1969 and earlier engines is on the lefthand side.
The 1969 and earlier will have the XLH or XLCH in the number. The 1970 and later will start with either 3H or 4H*****.
3H is an XLH
4H is an XLCH...................I am 98% sure this history is correct, not 100%.
The old traditional difference between XLH and XLCH was always that the XLH had an electric starter and a side mount oil tank. It also had a center mounted battery which was larger than a CH had, and an ignition circuit breaker mounted atop the timing cover.
The XLCH was a kick start only. It had a smaller battery mounted on the left side. It had a center mount oil tank. It had a Fairbanks-Morse magneto mounted atop the timing cover. Understand, we are talking about 1969 and earlier here. In 1970 the models began to merge together, although at the time you would not notice, but history has proven that did indeed happen and the result was pretty much one model of Sportster in exsistence up into the 1980's.
One great difference that was noted (in my younger days) was that an XLH had 18 inch wheels on both ends. XLCH had an 18 on the rear and a 19 inch on the front. Again, we are talking about 1966 and earlier regarding the different wheel sizes.
Wow, that got me going! Sorry guys.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
Thanks SKJ.....I knew what I had said was not 100% correct. Appreciate you clearing it up.
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Novice
Joined: May 2006
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RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
Thanks for the history lesson, guys! It looks like I do indeed have a XLCH!
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Club Member
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From: the 50s & the 60s
RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
ORIGINAL: wolf1477
Ok, I'm having a massive brain fart. Casually talking with a bud earlier and he asked if my bike was XLH or XLCH. I wanted to say XLCH since it's Kick + Electric start, but, just not 100% sure, and I really don't feel like eating crow when it comes to my own bike. So I figgered I'll look like a chump verify on here rather'n talking out my behind.
Thanks, and try not to laugh *too* hard at my expence<g>
Wolf
Ok, I'm having a massive brain fart. Casually talking with a bud earlier and he asked if my bike was XLH or XLCH. I wanted to say XLCH since it's Kick + Electric start, but, just not 100% sure, and I really don't feel like eating crow when it comes to my own bike. So I figgered I'll look like a chump verify on here rather'n talking out my behind.
Thanks, and try not to laugh *too* hard at my expence<g>
Wolf
The magneto bikes with other hiperf diffs as well.
Around 68-9?? things changed, I don't know what the diff was on the later models.
My first scooter was a 64XLCH, in 1965. I was 15.
Whata machine. Bad ****.
We used to stop at the airport on the way to the dragstrip and tank up with aviation fuel.
Hang on.
mud
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,223
From: the 50s & the 60s
RE: Having a brain fart. XLH vs XLCH
ORIGINAL: wolf1477
Ok, I'm having a massive brain fart. Casually talking with a bud earlier and he asked if my bike was XLH or XLCH. I wanted to say XLCH since it's Kick + Electric start, but, just not 100% sure, and I really don't feel like eating crow when it comes to my own bike. So I figgered I'll look like a chump verify on here rather'n talking out my behind.
Thanks, and try not to laugh *too* hard at my expence<g>
Wolf
Ok, I'm having a massive brain fart. Casually talking with a bud earlier and he asked if my bike was XLH or XLCH. I wanted to say XLCH since it's Kick + Electric start, but, just not 100% sure, and I really don't feel like eating crow when it comes to my own bike. So I figgered I'll look like a chump verify on here rather'n talking out my behind.
Thanks, and try not to laugh *too* hard at my expence<g>
Wolf
1950 XLCH at $1,360.
1958 was the first year for the CH.
1957, of course was the first Sporty, the XL.
Can't wait to see what happens for the 50th anniversary models.
Gotta be something.
mud