65 XLCH ironhead help
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: 65 XLCH ironhead help
You certainly did do well with your purchase.
The really old ironheads are becoming scarce.
Most $2K machines are going to be found sitting in a cardboard box, requiring a load of money to get running. Yours looks nice and already runs. So, you did well.
Most important though.....Are you happy with the machine? Sounds like you are.
Ironheads are not for people who have to take the bike to a dealer every time they need a change of spark plugs or change the oil. People who do not know which end of a screwdriver goes into the slot have no business with an ironhead. Trust me, there are a lot of them out there but you will not find many at this site. They all ride over there on the page for newer machines....pg
The really old ironheads are becoming scarce.
Most $2K machines are going to be found sitting in a cardboard box, requiring a load of money to get running. Yours looks nice and already runs. So, you did well.
Most important though.....Are you happy with the machine? Sounds like you are.
Ironheads are not for people who have to take the bike to a dealer every time they need a change of spark plugs or change the oil. People who do not know which end of a screwdriver goes into the slot have no business with an ironhead. Trust me, there are a lot of them out there but you will not find many at this site. They all ride over there on the page for newer machines....pg
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
RE: 65 XLCH ironhead help
you guys are making me feel like a successful investor. thanks for all the tips (and ego boosts). now does anybody have any opinions one what i should or shouldn't do to this bike in the future? paint? after market parts? electric starter (i don't think that's possible, actually)? unfortunately, i don't have much free time lately because i'm a full time student (five classes) and i live in new hampshire so the free time i DO have is usually hampered by poor weather. this gives me a ton of opportunity to think about the future. let me know if you have any good ideas.
thanks again, guys. you've already helped me so much. i can't wait to share my progress with you.
thanks again, guys. you've already helped me so much. i can't wait to share my progress with you.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: 65 XLCH ironhead help
Your machine actually looks like the black paint job in in really good condition.
I have looked from end to end at both photos and cannot think of one single thing that you could change to improve the bike.
It really looks good to me.....well you got that ugly oil tank, but you can always pull it off and send it to me. Ha-Ha.
Don't even entertain the thought of putting an electric starter on this machine.
It would require a starter, solenoid, relay, starter button, battery, a lot of wiring, starter ring gear inside the clutch, different oil tank (to mount the battery), and a bunch of custom fabrication to mount the starter. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the engine cases will not allow the mounting of a starter over the trans housing. That fact alone puts the question to rest.
These XLCH's were meant to live life as a kick start only. The XLH of your year model came with an electric starter, but don't fret.....you are better off owning a CH.
I would just put in some ride time and get accustomed to the bike. A little saddle time will let you know if there is something you want to change or add..........pg
I have looked from end to end at both photos and cannot think of one single thing that you could change to improve the bike.
It really looks good to me.....well you got that ugly oil tank, but you can always pull it off and send it to me. Ha-Ha.
Don't even entertain the thought of putting an electric starter on this machine.
It would require a starter, solenoid, relay, starter button, battery, a lot of wiring, starter ring gear inside the clutch, different oil tank (to mount the battery), and a bunch of custom fabrication to mount the starter. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the engine cases will not allow the mounting of a starter over the trans housing. That fact alone puts the question to rest.
These XLCH's were meant to live life as a kick start only. The XLH of your year model came with an electric starter, but don't fret.....you are better off owning a CH.
I would just put in some ride time and get accustomed to the bike. A little saddle time will let you know if there is something you want to change or add..........pg
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
RE: 65 XLCH ironhead help
i forgot to mention that whoever installed the ignition key did it wrong and to turn off the bike you have to pull off one of the spark plug wires
how bad do you think this is for the bike?
how bad do you think this is for the bike?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: 65 XLCH ironhead help
It does not cause a problem for the bike, but it does cause one for you. This should be fixed before you ride it much. Reconnect the proper wiring at the switch. What this will do is ground the magneto to the frame wnen you turn the key to off position.........pg
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: 65 XLCH ironhead help
super,
Do you still want that manual? I haven't seen any payment, if you sent it.
Do you still want that manual? I haven't seen any payment, if you sent it.
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