1970 quick question
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
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1970 quick question
First off i have read some great info in the last few days. i just recently became the owner of a 1970 sportster needs a little tlc but runs like a champ. After doing some reading and research i realized i have a xlh, according to the vin wich starts 3a. Heres my question if what i have been reading is true the xlh came with an electric start, my does not have one it only has kick start. does this mean the previous owner got rid of the electric start, and if so does this mean in theory the bike is already set up for it and i just have to add some basic companants? Thanks.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 118
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From: Athens, GA
A 70 XLH was designed for electric start. With that said, you may have to buy every piece of hardware and wire of the starting system, depending how exuberant the PO was in their removal. Never underestimate PO genius...
You need to research what pieces are missing/present. Got a parts book and factory service manual?
You need to research what pieces are missing/present. Got a parts book and factory service manual?
Do both the frame and engine VINs begin with 3A? Same VIN on both? You cannot assume the motor and frame are an original pair. Is the 3A on the frame or on the engine? If it is on the frame then you may have an XLCH engine in an XLH frame.
The two books you need are:
Service Manual 99484-78
Parts Catalog 99451-78B
You can get these from any HD dealer, from various catalog companies like J&P Cycles etc, and from eBay. On eBay typical price would be $50 each for OEM NOS copies still in the shrink wrap; or about 1/2 that for bootleg copies on CD which are probably illegal.
The two books you need are:
Service Manual 99484-78
Parts Catalog 99451-78B
You can get these from any HD dealer, from various catalog companies like J&P Cycles etc, and from eBay. On eBay typical price would be $50 each for OEM NOS copies still in the shrink wrap; or about 1/2 that for bootleg copies on CD which are probably illegal.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
3A is certainly that of an XLH machine. Had it been a CH the number will be 4A.
Any XLH of that year model that I can remember had an electric starter.
These machines would have also had the following:
Electric start (of course)
The sprocket cover on the right side along with the timing cover will have a half round opening for the end of the starter to stick out.
The oil tank will be a side mount tank.
An XLH will use a center mounted battery of considerable size compared to the smaller CH (left side mounted) battery.
The XLH used an aluminum primary cover where a CH of that year used a tin metal cover.
Those are the main differences I recall.
pg
Any XLH of that year model that I can remember had an electric starter.
These machines would have also had the following:
Electric start (of course)
The sprocket cover on the right side along with the timing cover will have a half round opening for the end of the starter to stick out.
The oil tank will be a side mount tank.
An XLH will use a center mounted battery of considerable size compared to the smaller CH (left side mounted) battery.
The XLH used an aluminum primary cover where a CH of that year used a tin metal cover.
Those are the main differences I recall.
pg
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6th Gear
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here are a couple pics. i feel like it has all the xlch appearances with an xlh vin number. The previous owner could have changed everything. well onto the pictures.
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6th Gear
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
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From: Houston Texas
Yep, you have a mixture of parts there.
Basically, that engine should have a 4A number instead of a 3A.
It is plain that an effort was made to turn an XLH into an XLCH.
Starting at the front wheel, the disc brake is 1973 or newer.
The primary cover is 1971 or newer.
The clutch is also 1971 or newer.
!970 was the last year the Sportster had a dry clutch. The primary cover for a dry clutch was different, as was the clutch inside.
You have the XLCH center mount oil tank.
You have the XLCH battery mount with regulator mount.
Your seat looks to be a 1970 that came on an XLCH. The 1970 XLH seat was thicker.
The handlebars have been changed out of course and if the throttle has two cables, then that along with the carb is not 1970.
Your timing cover and sprocket cover on the right side are that of a 1971 or newer XLCH which did not have the electric starter. More important difference though is the cone distributor.
This was first used in 1971.
The 1970 model was the last year to use a distributor that was mounted on the top of the timing cover under the carb.
So someone has clearly replaced the timing cover with a 1971 or newer.
That alone explains why your 1970 XLH does not have an electric starter.
Someone wanted to make this look like an XLCH.
Most likely the PO removed and discarded the many parts that are required to provide an electric starter, so if you have hopes of adapting one to the bike, I suggest you forget about it.
And again, the sprocket cover is that of a 1971 or newer because it is the type that goes with a wet clutch.
A wet clutch is a good thing. It is easy to make the conversion although you do not see this done very often.
Someone must have had parts for an XLCH laying around to build this bike up.
Thanks for posting the pics. You have a nice looking Hybrid there.
pg
Basically, that engine should have a 4A number instead of a 3A.
It is plain that an effort was made to turn an XLH into an XLCH.
Starting at the front wheel, the disc brake is 1973 or newer.
The primary cover is 1971 or newer.
The clutch is also 1971 or newer.
!970 was the last year the Sportster had a dry clutch. The primary cover for a dry clutch was different, as was the clutch inside.
You have the XLCH center mount oil tank.
You have the XLCH battery mount with regulator mount.
Your seat looks to be a 1970 that came on an XLCH. The 1970 XLH seat was thicker.
The handlebars have been changed out of course and if the throttle has two cables, then that along with the carb is not 1970.
Your timing cover and sprocket cover on the right side are that of a 1971 or newer XLCH which did not have the electric starter. More important difference though is the cone distributor.
This was first used in 1971.
The 1970 model was the last year to use a distributor that was mounted on the top of the timing cover under the carb.
So someone has clearly replaced the timing cover with a 1971 or newer.
That alone explains why your 1970 XLH does not have an electric starter.
Someone wanted to make this look like an XLCH.
Most likely the PO removed and discarded the many parts that are required to provide an electric starter, so if you have hopes of adapting one to the bike, I suggest you forget about it.
And again, the sprocket cover is that of a 1971 or newer because it is the type that goes with a wet clutch.
A wet clutch is a good thing. It is easy to make the conversion although you do not see this done very often.
Someone must have had parts for an XLCH laying around to build this bike up.
Thanks for posting the pics. You have a nice looking Hybrid there.
pg