Daily Slideshow: 1970s Ironhead Sportster XLCH

From Britten to Jersey

Shaun Fenton, from the south coast of England, spends the majority of his time making films for the Hoxton Moto YouTube channel. In his spare time, however, he builds some of the nicest custom motorcycles you'll likely ever see produced by a 'shed builder' - multitalented much? He took this 1970s Ironhead Sportster XLCH which, according to Shaun, "had been imported to the UK as a restoration project, but aside from the occasional tinkering, it has languished in a garage for over then years." Without hesitation, Shaun snapped up the Sportster, not revealing his restoration plans to the seller. If they knew their bike would soon be heading to the Jersy Shore looking like this, they may never have sold it.

>>Join the conversation on this XLCH Ironhead Sportster right here in HDForums.

Made for the Beach

Shaun redesigned this Sportster to emulate the bikes which would have taken part in beach sprints during the 1940s and 1950s. There was a practical element to designing it like this, it meant the bike could take part in The Race of Gentlemen (TROG). This race is held every year on the Jersy Shore and recreates these famous beach sprints, the condition is all the vehicles taking part must look 'period correct'. Jake Robbins Engineering put together the hand-built, girder fork, front end, and rigid rear. These were crucial to achieving the beach racer look. Shaun says Jake persuaded him to "install a friction-damped, twin spring, live cantilever spring frame." - a real work of art.

>>Join the conversation on this XLCH Ironhead Sportster right here in HDForums.

Hand Built

Very little from the original Sportster was kept, Shaun either found what he needed from auto jumble sales and friends or fabricated his own parts. The seat and tank were the first parts he fabricated, and they were vitally important in achieving the vintage 'beach sprinter' look. Shaun purposely set out to build a tank that didn't look like a regular Harley tank, but rather "something unusual". With the leftover material from the tank, Shaun built the air intake housing, and it became something of a standout feature on the Sportster. Equally important to the tank and seat are the handlebars which, thankfully, were donated by Jake Robbins Engineering.

>>Join the conversation on this XLCH Ironhead Sportster right here in HDForums.

Vintage Rubber

The rear wheel and drum brake were, basically, all that survived from the original Sportster. Up front, Shaun fitted 16-inch rim and drum brake from a Royal Enfield Bullet. The tires, which are Dunlop and Croker, also play a big role in completing the vintage beach racer look with their vintage patterns. Shaun got lucky with the lights and fenders, which he found at an autojumble. 

>>Join the conversation on this XLCH Ironhead Sportster right here in HDForums.

The Rustic Look

To finish off the look, Shaun sprayed and painted the bike by hand and employed a sign writer to finish the racing number and tank. This bike is obviously beautiful but in a rustic, rough and ready way, rather than a neat and tidy one. Which definitely falls in line with the authentic beach sprinters from the 1950s. Talking about this look, Shaun says the bike will "improve with fuel and oil leaks, and wear and tear. I just hope the previous owner doesn't see what I've done!" 

>>Join the conversation on this XLCH Ironhead Sportster right here in HDForums.

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