I know quite a bit about these old 70's Ironheads but have recently become confused (because I can't find a DEFINITE answer) about FACTORY starting options.

I've had (years ago) three XLCHs and they were all kick only. I always thought that that was he only option for a CH.
I've seen XLHs with just the standard elect. start and some with both elect. and kick. Recently, I've been finding a number of XLCHs with both Kick and electric.

I always ASSUMED that if the bike was an XLCH and it had electric start, that it was an aftermarket add on.

I've checked a number af forums with a lot of knowledgable guys and this seem to be an area of confusion across the board. Doesn't anyone know FOR SURE what the FACTORY starting options were for '72-'78 XLCH and XLH?

Thanks, AJ

 

I don't know if you've seen this thread from 2007...

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ironh...-and-xlch.html

...but this question was kicked around back then. From what I can tell, nobody seems to know for sure what came from the factory for certain years.

 

That's what I'm finding...nobody seems to know for sure....and that includes a lot of knowledgable old Sporty guys.
Like I said, I always assumed that the only way an XLCH came from the FACTORY was kick only...BUT, I've been seeing enough of them lately with both kick and elect. to make me think that some may have come from the factory that way.

 

It is a relatively easy job to install a kicker on an electric start bike. Just buy a kit and install it.

It is a complex job to install electric start on a kicker bike. No kits are available for this AFAIK. Need to source all of the individual parts and replace the battery tray, battery, and oil tank; and install start button, relay, solenoid, starter motor and associated wiring, etc.

 

My 76 XLCH was a kicker only ... and all of the XKCH's in my area ( at the time ) were kickers ... all the XLH were electric ... All that I noticed, that is.