60 xl
Help me learn - Bought a 60XLCH
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 490
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From: Virginia
Help me learn - Bought a 60XLCH
I recently purchased a 1960 XLCH and this will be my first Ironhead. I have been looking for one for awhile but didnt figure Id be able to find a 60. I am trying to find information on magneto's as this is a magneto bike. I have searched the web several times and have not been able to come up with what im looking for. Im told this is a 6v bike but dont know much about magnetos. From what I understand the output from the magneto is based on the RPM of the engine? If so how is this a 6v bike and not a sort of "variable volt" bike? I have bought the online service manual and have the hard copy on order at the local shop. This was the first thing I bought after buying the bike. Can anyone explain how a magneto works or point me in the right direction?
Just to be clear, I wouldnt call myself a mechanic but I do take great pride in working on my own stuff and enjoy doing it. Ive had several bikes and currently also have an 06 Deluxe.
Thanks,
Chuck
Just to be clear, I wouldnt call myself a mechanic but I do take great pride in working on my own stuff and enjoy doing it. Ive had several bikes and currently also have an 06 Deluxe.
Thanks,
Chuck
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 490
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
I should probably add when it comes to electrical terms Im a complete idiot. I can understand mechanics just not electrical chatter.
Also, While Im asking for information is there anything else I should be checking on this thing? It starts up and sounds good. I do plan on changing all the fluids in the thing but anything other then that? Like I said, Im new to Ironheads.
Thanks again.
Also, While Im asking for information is there anything else I should be checking on this thing? It starts up and sounds good. I do plan on changing all the fluids in the thing but anything other then that? Like I said, Im new to Ironheads.
Thanks again.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
I should probably add when it comes to electrical terms Im a complete idiot. I can understand mechanics just not electrical chatter.
Also, While Im asking for information is there anything else I should be checking on this thing? It starts up and sounds good. I do plan on changing all the fluids in the thing but anything other then that? Like I said, Im new to Ironheads.
Thanks again.
Also, While Im asking for information is there anything else I should be checking on this thing? It starts up and sounds good. I do plan on changing all the fluids in the thing but anything other then that? Like I said, Im new to Ironheads.
Thanks again.
Give me your address so I can come pick it up and take it off your hands! Congrats on finding an old one like this, and especially one that starts up and runs well!
A Sportster was a 6V machine up through 1964. In 1965 the first 12V system was used. So all your electrical (voltage regulator, generator, light bulbs etc.) is going to be 6V.
The XLCH had a magneto, where the XLH had a distributor. The distributor needed battery power to work, where the magneto does not need a battery. Your battery is there only to run the lights and the generator recharges the system.
Information on the magneto is going to be very difficult to locate I think.
I have the instructions in a factory manual to repair it and time the engine etc.
When you get your factory service manual this will all be in there.
A factory manual is the most important thing you could purchase.
The people who really know how to work on these fine old machines are starting to disappear. Well, maybe not disappear, but the ranks are beginning to thin out.
If you have any questions about anything on the machine just let me know and I will try to help. I have done my share of wrenching and riding the early Sporties.
pg
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
the magnito only powers the ignition, it has nothing to do with the 6-12v out put..the magnito is kind of a small generator,that supllys power to the points and coil, it is all self contained in the box on the side of the engine where the nosecone would be on a newer bike.. the generator on the front of the bike powers the lights, it is variable with rpm's,that is what the voltage regulator is for,to keep it at 6 volts.. you can put a 12volt generator on it for brighter lights and its easer to find lightbulbs... but 6volts is fine on an older bike,all it powers is the head,tail,brake light and the horn..
Last edited by j1mmy; Jan 21, 2010 at 10:02 PM.
for magneto questions give these guys a call apparently they are the experts on magnetos
http://www.morrismagneto.com/
for mre sportster specific info www.xlforum.net is an excellent resource where you will find ALOT of guys that know these old beasts well. and take whatever Pinniongear says as Gospel i would bet that he knows more about that engine/bike then anyone i know
good find on the '60 some pics would be awesome
http://www.morrismagneto.com/
for mre sportster specific info www.xlforum.net is an excellent resource where you will find ALOT of guys that know these old beasts well. and take whatever Pinniongear says as Gospel i would bet that he knows more about that engine/bike then anyone i know
good find on the '60 some pics would be awesome
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Oops
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 333
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From: Pantego,NC.
Atleast you have a another bike to enjoy while you spend all of youre spare time wrenching on the sporty.All bs aside the ironhead is a tough lil engine.Vtwin mfg has a decent amount parts for magnetos when ya need em.But basically a magneto generates its own power,therefore not requiring a battery.Upgrade the 6v generator asap,as finding 6v parts is tough.And ill tell ya secret i wish i woulda been told.Retard the timing before ya kick the hell out of it,otherwise youll be introduced to what old timers used to refer to as sportsterknee.And why they if ya dont limp ya aint ****.There are some upgrades that would be a wise investment also,such as an electrnoic ing for the magneto,as points can make em pretty tempermental sometimes.Enjoy an old part of H-D history meanwhile.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Virginia
Thanks for the info. Ive already learned more then I knew or could find anywhere. Ill get pics ASAP. Yall are the reason I decided to post here. Ive read several of the posts from yall including Piniongear and IronMike (think thats the name) and these guys sound like they know their stuff as well as everyone else here. Ive posted questions over on the Softail side and they have great people there too who dont BS.
Ive been searching for an ol ironhead for awhile. Wanted a sort of beat up but running bike to make an ol rat out of. Found a few but I couldnt do what I wanted. They were in too good of shape and didnt have the nads to tear them apart and ruin it. So I kept looking and found this thing. Its a flat black ridid with springer front end, kick, jockey shift and no front brake. One of those if it aint necessary it aint got it bikes. Exactly what I wanted to build. Only problem is I not dont get to build it. Wife like it though cause it will probably save me a few bucks in the long run. Got it for a pretty decent price (atleast I think so). Ill post some pics when I can. Sorry dont have a camera right now.
Ive been searching for an ol ironhead for awhile. Wanted a sort of beat up but running bike to make an ol rat out of. Found a few but I couldnt do what I wanted. They were in too good of shape and didnt have the nads to tear them apart and ruin it. So I kept looking and found this thing. Its a flat black ridid with springer front end, kick, jockey shift and no front brake. One of those if it aint necessary it aint got it bikes. Exactly what I wanted to build. Only problem is I not dont get to build it. Wife like it though cause it will probably save me a few bucks in the long run. Got it for a pretty decent price (atleast I think so). Ill post some pics when I can. Sorry dont have a camera right now.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 28
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Legacy, there is no such thing as an electronic upgrade to a magneto. Magnetos have points in them and magnets thats how they generate spark. Also, a '60 XLCH has a fix magneto and the timing cannot be retarded prior to starting. '66 thru '69 XLCH had a manual spark advance and retard incorporated into the handlebars to help with starting.
Reino, as far as the magneto is concerned if the bike is running strong then there is nothing wrong with it. However, if the spark is weak then the best thing that you can do is to have it serviced.