Beautiful 1976 Harley Sportster XLH. The old Ironhead is a demanding motorcycle. However, it's a great deal of fun too! Thinking of getting one? Watch this first. How do you fix an old Ironhead...Buy an Evo Sportster. Wahoo!
Пікірлер: 120
@davidchilders8073Ай бұрын
I have a 1976 Sportster XLH-1000 and I'm the 2nd owner and I bought it in 1990 from the first owner.... She was my first Harley I have ever owned and I never got rid of her! She still has the original paint and the original carb. I had to change out the starter twice and the battery 3 times but she is mine and I will pass her down to my son ! I have had other bikes but I am holding on to her.....
@forgottenmotorcyclesАй бұрын
Love these bikes!
@bmeerfeld3 жыл бұрын
Ride a 77 myself. You're right about it all. But she's mine!!
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Love these bikes. Have had a bunch of bike over the years, this one is one of the best. Would not trade her for the world.
@marco-583 жыл бұрын
I ride a 77, but with 76 paint exactly like this one. I also had an 883R evo Sportster, with V&H pipes and fuelpac. Looked great and was a rocket, but sold it, and kept the '77 Ironhead. This vid is perfect description. Thanks.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Ironheads rule...if you're up for the work. Love this one!
@garydiggins18362 жыл бұрын
I bought one new and it was great. Very dependable but did need to be looked after to keep it that way. Beautiful bike.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
This is the one motorcycle I have that I will not sell. Absolutely love it even though it is a lot of work, by modern standards, to keep running right. Love it
@chrishoesing54552 жыл бұрын
I rode my old 80 kz1000 up and down old highway 141 a million times back in the day. Best ride near Sioux City!
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
You sir, are correct! One of my favorite rides in North of Smithland on old Hwy 141. Wahoo!
@scotttitus7479Ай бұрын
Awesome video im 64 was raised on points and carb I currently own old and new I prefer old any one can push a button but not everybody can fix a iron head you bond with a iron head if I had to choose only 1 bike it would be my iron head my dad taught me how to use tools don't ever sell that bike
@forgottenmotorcyclesАй бұрын
Thanks!
@thatmanstumototours22702 жыл бұрын
In 1984, I had a 1983 XL(last Ironhead year) while stationed in Jacksonville,NC(USMC). Had a Mustang twin cap tank, cast rims, flat bars and risers, quilted seat and Raised White Letter rear tire...,. Good looking bike ,fun to ride and looked very cool. Many a summer night rolling her around town.You are correct on maintenance. Needs to be a near daily affair. I had a second job working in a full service gas station and the mechanics would let me access their tool boxes. I could tweak and tighten all thru the week. I got discharged, took it home, got an apartment. Would chain it up outside every night and head upstairs, and in a month,without the constant attention, she just started coming apart. Had to let it go and got an 82 Virago 920.........Many bikes(20 total,15 BMWs) and lots and lots of miles since then, but those days and that bike remain memorable..
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
Funny thing, a friend of mine just tried to sell me hit 1982 XLH yesterday. Fun bikes but a lot of work. I passed. The Virago 920 and its 750 brother were great bikes had friends with them back in the day. This is going to sound crazy but I've never rode a BMW...even though I have several friends with them. Will have to change that this year. Where about are you located. Thanks!
@bruceperkins33322 жыл бұрын
I own a 75 xlh, She was junk when i got her and built her from scrath, but built to the hilt now, Took many years to get the recipe right. Finally achieved perfection on this one of a kind ironhead. I got a Bike In A Box and built her from scratch with about 20 percent help from other harley enthusiests. She is always ready for a trip as i continuously check on her mechanics. Truly a great running machine and absolutly reliable unlike other AMF junk !
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
They are great machines. I love mine. They take a bit more work to own and ride but are worth the effort. I commend you on your accomplishment. Ride her often. Where about are you located? Wahoo!
@4570duplex3 жыл бұрын
I always love hearing the impressions of those who are just discovering these motorcycles. I've been riding Ironheads since 1976 and went through three of them before 1980, when I found the one I have kept to this very day, my 1976 XLCH. Having "grown up" with these things, I just always took their many idiosyncrasies for granted - it was "just the way it was" if I wanted to ride a motorcycle. I never owned anything else until 1993, when I bought my new Ducat 900 SS (which I also still own). I've since been through a few Evo and Twin Cam Road Kings, and still ride the 2013 I bought brand new eight years ago. So I guess what I'm saying is that I never really knew any better, I never knew there was a "better", or "more reliable" way to enjoy motorcycling for many, many years. But you know what? I still ride the wheels off that old Sporty. Over 200,000 miles and several rebuilds later, it's still the one I enjoy the most. It's fun to see others beginning to discover their charms - they have truly been a "forgotten" motorcycle for far too long.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like you had a good upbringing on bikes. How was the Ducati to maintain compared to your newer Harleys? I've owned many bikes over the years including a few of the shaky but fast two strokes from the early 70's. Those bikes required a lot of love. My favorite bike to take for a fun ride is the Sporty in the video, my 76 XLH. It's a thing of beauty. How many miles are you getting out of the cylinders and heads on your ironhead before needing to rework them? 200k on an Ironhead should get you a badge or something! Thanks for this great post :)
@4570duplex3 жыл бұрын
@@forgottenmotorcycles The Ducati has proven to be a remarkably reliable, robust motorcycle. I now have over 90,000 miles on it with no real issues. Granted, I completely rebuilt the motor at about 20,000, but only because I wanted to hot rod it a bit. I did another top end only refresh at about 75,000. Other than that, it's been just basic maintenance. Pretty darn easy to work on, too. I would say pretty much a wash compared to my Twin Cam Road Kings as far as reliability and ease of maintenance. Not quite the longevity, though - my 2000 Road King went just over 120,000 miles, and was still going strong when it got ran over by an F250. Unfortunately, with my wife and I on it. We came out relatively unscathed, and wound up with the current 2013 Road King for our troubles. As far as the Ironhead, about 25,000 - 30,000 is all I ever expect from a top end job. The bottom end is good for about three or four top ends, so I've only been through the whole motor a couple of times. The last time (about 10,000 miles back) I went all-out... there isn't a single Harley Davidson part left inside the motor or transmission. S&S flywheels and rods, Wiseco pistons, Andrews R5 cams, Jim's "big axle" lifters, Crane pushrods, Kibblewhite valves, springs, keepers, and guides. Dan Baisely built the heads and added his roller tipped rockers, along with some mild port cleanup work. Tranny is re-geared with all Andrews gears and the clutch is from Barnett. Pretty darn quick for an old Sporty, but nowhere near as fast as the Ducati... Different bikes for different moods...
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Ducati has the rap for being unreliable. Seems like that story is always told by those that don't have a Ducati. People I've known that have owned them have much good to say about them. One Ducati owner I know claims that, when running right, nothing runs like a Duc. I'm gonna have to get myself on one soon.
@RWayne-nu2fi3 жыл бұрын
@@4570duplex I've got a Ducati, and a Road King, etc, I still ride the Ironhead. 1976 XLH, Ultima ignition and Mikuni VM38-9.... it's a great fun to ride, you are obviously on top of a combustion engine.....
@geraldscott43023 жыл бұрын
Glad it still has points. Not a fan of electronics. I would put an S&S carb on it. Vibration and noise is part of the Harley riding experience. It's what makes riding a Harley so much fun, and riding other bikes so boring. I finally got an '06 EVO Sportster 1200 after decades of riding dull, bland, and boring Japanese bikes. I will never ride a Japanese bike again. An Ironhead is next. It is a bike for a REAL rider. Real riders don't mind working on their bikes and dealing with a few problems. Modern bikes are to much like cars. You just get on, push a button, and go. All smooth and quiet. Before the Sportster, my one non Japanese bike was a 1966 Triumph Bonneville, and it was also a blast to ride. It also vibrated and made a beautiful sound. It was so "mechanical". Not the most reliable bike around, but one of the most fun. It was kickstart only, and had a certain starting drill. Get it right and it would start right away. Get it wrong and you could kick it all day. To me that should be part of riding. Riding a motorcycle should not be easy. As for grease on your hands, I'm a car/truck/equipment mechanic, and spend every day covered in grease. I love it.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Love the old Ironhead. One of the funnest bikes I've ever owned and many bikes there have been. Have come to accept with no malice that the bike will need some attention before and after every ride. Had a friend ask me to sell her to him last night...this bike won't sell while I breath air. Did have a Bonneville too, can't really remember the year exactly but think it was a 67 or 68. Nice light bike that loved to roll. Life is grand with a good old bike and greasy hands :)
@davidervin73453 жыл бұрын
I'm in CB,Ia so howdy! My 72 XLCH sat for more than 20 yrs. I put jumpers on it and it started 3d kick, with the 20yr old gas; but the flywheels were out. After I rebuilt it, and I had a genius at Columbus,ne HD redo the bottom end, it's my most reliable machine. I put a Liion battery in it so it's ready to go anytime I am. It's been 5 yrs and no maint, no greasy hands. I just keep changing the oil & plugs (Bendix carb). About the old carbs, bendix & keihn. Check the operation of the float valve. Yeah, you put a new needle in it...good luck. I have, like, 5 bendix & 2 or 3 keihns. The float valves fail in every one of them because the valve seats are bad. The way to check is with a clear line. Fill the carb and some of the tube. Mark the tube and check back later. I had one carb that would empty the line before I could walk away (with a new needle). The internet fixes with ball bearings and polishing sticks made them worse. I made a guide on the lathe and drilled the seat out one number larger to fix my bendix. As long as you're leaking less than the bike uses at idle, no problem. There's no overflow tube. If you leak more than idle the bike will go rich and die at idle, usually at a light, in traffic. If it leaks over a 2 hour lunch all that gas goes into the crank and then the oil tank. Pretty soon you have 10wt oil, a really clean motor and, later, failed bearings. The main problem with the old ironheads is the oil pump. With warmed up oil, idling at less than 1000, the top end isn't getting oil; the crank rod bearings are getting all of it. Keep the idle up. Some winter night pull the front rocker off (the back one usually needs to come out with the head) and have a look at the tips of your rockers that push the valve stem. If they're gouged or scraped it's because of oil deprivation. The other main problem is detonation. Use good gas and make sure the intake is air tight (NOT easy), and keep the carb brace in place. There are no more shops that understand these machines, so the owner MUST know them. On the west coast of Ia there is Columbus Ne HD and there is Butterfields in Omaha (they know EVERYONE! that can work on these and they have PARTS!, even on Sunday). When places like this are gone, your garage officially becomes a museum and you're the caretaker.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like you've got it running right. Would love to see the bike. You're just down the road from me about 80 miles. We should make a plan. Am sure I would learn a lot. Thanks!
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
May ride out to Columbus HD today. If you see this before noon let me know who to chat with out there. Always love a good bike shop. Thanks
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Bad news sir, I'm in Columbus right now and the Harley shop is closed. There our motorcycles on the floor and there's a neon sign in the window that's flashing but doors are locked and signage is all gone. Damn it, another one bites the dust.
@davidervin73453 жыл бұрын
@@forgottenmotorcycles I should read my email accounts more often. We learn from each other. It would be fun to meet. Right now I'm in the middle east but I'll be back in mid Sept. I have some things planned for the Ironhead but it was running great when I left. I also have some Honda SL projects I'm in the middle of. An SL175/SL200 mod; a CL175 (friend's old bike) and an SL350...There might be an SL450 in my future. On the Ironhead, the guy that did my valves (3 yrs ago) said they were too deep so I've acquired another set of redone heads/Cyl so I can just swap and keep going. My Bendix carb is going to suck the life out of me so I just missed a Lectron but got 2 SU's. I put an old SU from some Brit car on my bike in the 70's and it ran great, 60mpg, but not much power. I have a modded CV but the mounting is hard as it hits my petcock. Hmmm, decisions. Can't wait to get back. I'm jealous that you're riding and I'm not. The temp thing in the dash said 50 degrees so why do I need oven mitts to hold the wheel?
@charleslee50462 жыл бұрын
These were the AMF years dang near put the HD Company out of business.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
You sir, are correct. A lot of interesting history from that era.
@gregd.883 жыл бұрын
I had a 77" Sportster. It had a lot of problems. I was always working on it. I learned alot and I had a great time when she was running right.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
You are correct, a person does learn a lot owning one of these hotrods. Thanks!
@dennisgrubbs19293 жыл бұрын
Cool bike got a 1980 ironhead ride wrench repeat wrench and ride love it your right for sure
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Very cool!
@robhoward352 жыл бұрын
I just got a 76 sportster .some one dumped a lot of $ on it..so many upgrades...I'm still floored by how bad ass it sounds..the 2 owner sold it for $1800..
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
These bikes are a bunch of fun. Please post some videos about your bike and let me know. I'd love to see it. Thanks, Wahoo!
@ronaldthomanjr.8309 Жыл бұрын
Bought one new and put 30,000 miles on it. Sold it in 1980 and bought a 1981 Wide Glide Flame.
@forgottenmotorcycles Жыл бұрын
It's a fun motorcycle. Very happy with it.
@frogwaffle73 жыл бұрын
ive got a 76 and luv it! Most of the bike I can repair in my garage. Parts are readily available/affordable. It isnt rocket science. Keep your rides short (1hr oneway at a time). check it when u stop. bring a small bag tools. Great fun!
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Yes, I can tell from your comment that you definitely have an Ironhead! My rule is 100 miles or less from home. Longest single day ride I've done is 225 miles...it was great fun. Would like to do a 300 mile day on her sometime. How stock is your bike and what part of this world you from? Nice to her from a fellow Ironhead rider. Wahoo!
@scotttitus7479Ай бұрын
Oh yeah beautiful Sportster
@forgottenmotorcyclesАй бұрын
You might like this video... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mt6hhrVpsMytdJ8.html
@warrenp20222 жыл бұрын
Interesting video, thanks. I went to an estate sale 5 yrs ago to buy tools, came home with a 1978 XLCR in disguise. I finally got my 88 inch Pan off the lift and started working on the Sporty, the frame hasn't moved much in the last 25 yrs but the engine was kept busy 1/4 mile at a time. I pulled a spark plug and it looks new inside stroke is about 4 1/4 inches. Wiring is a mess and some small parts are missing but I think I can handle most of it. Wheel and neck bearings are dry as are both master cylinders, something to work on, and from your experience I will get a lot more practice.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
I love this Sportster and have great fun with her. She is a maintenance whore and is always taking my money though. Kinda like dating the wrong gal, fun but... Wahoo!
@hendersonhandmadeironwoodc88812 жыл бұрын
Very cool bike,same year I was born,love it thanks for sharing.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
It really is a lot of fun and a bunch of work. Love this bike. Wahoo!
@tribecop Жыл бұрын
My first Harley!
@forgottenmotorcycles Жыл бұрын
Mine too!
@scottarmstrong11722 жыл бұрын
I currently have a 72 xlch but my first Harley was a 76 Sporty just like yours. The feature that stands out the most to me on the 76 is that funky shifter linkage. I would just about crack my chin with my knee going from 1st to 2nd.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
You're right about that linkage. It's funky from the factory, second year of the right side shift and it was still a mess. I took mine all apart and cleaned 45 years of dirt out of it... That didn't really help much. I just missed, by hours, the chance to buy a 70 XLCH. Part of me is sad and part of me is glad...I know how much work & money it takes to get one running right. Great bikes. Wahoo!
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
Left side shift...I think lol!
@josephperry43443 жыл бұрын
I am looking for a 76 Sportster, they are hard to come by. I realize I will be busy keeping it running as I have owned few early Sportsters but sold them. Appreciate your video.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
They are out there. Hard to fine, very hard to fined in near stock. You're right, will be a lot of work. Love these bikes!
@aronbechiom5653 жыл бұрын
Blue Magic metal polish...the paste/cream...not the liquid "headlight lense" stuff...will clean up those instrument lense nicely. Did my 07, and my best friends '82 (both Sportsters). Little bit (fingertip amount) is more than enough for each guage. Nice looking Sporty...wish it were mine. Looking for a '76 Ironhead.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
I'm gonna have to give that a try. Thanks!
@jameswilbur24993 жыл бұрын
Very nice scooter. I have a 75 iron had to adjust clutch and rebuild carb. All stock . And yes need to work on it all the time.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Love these old bikes, both riding on and working on them. We put new clutch springs and plates in this one over the winter. Will have to see how that works soon. Ironheads are beautiful!
@Kevin_7473 жыл бұрын
I've had a '69 XLCH and I now have a '74 XLH. Ironheads are a bunch of parts that almost fit. Ironheads are like having a stripper for a girlfriend, high maintenance for high reward(sometimes) If I had to give up all but one of my motorcycles I would keep the Ironhead. I run a CV carburetor adapted to the stock manifold. I also machined an adapter to run the ham can on the CV. The CV makes her run real nice. Yours looks nice and original, good that she's in caring hands.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Would love to see your 74. I'm got an adaptor mocked up for the Ham Can on this bike. Just need to get the real thing made for it. Have got a Mikuni 38mm on her now and love it. Bet that CV is smooth. Had a Stripper for a girlfriend for a few years...I'll take that bike over that!
@westoniii3 жыл бұрын
Riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike fast
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
This Sportster is a lot of work to own but so much fun to ride. Spring can't get here soon enough!
@LadyTam553 жыл бұрын
I just pick up a 78 ironhead chopper that's been sitting for a few years. She has a lot of gold leaf on her. I am thinking about selling her do to not having a space to tear her down. With bad gas the guy started her right up as I had plan to change gas before she was started but he beat me to starting her. Ran strong. Needs TLC. She is 9ft long I am just getting to old to do all the up keep as I had forgotten how much work to ride her it is. I am a disable Veteran at 66 years old. I am in high desert St.Johns AZ. I have had a few guys that say it looks like a Ness as he use a lot of gold leaf. Wish I could show a picture as you would fall in love with her.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a nice project bike. Amazing that she started like that. Ironheads are great bikes but like you said, a lot of "work to ride her". Love these old hotrods. Hope it finds a good home. Thanks.
@willowsmutt83133 жыл бұрын
Looking for an ironhead now. Have had a 66 and a 60 chop. Got my digs in on a 76 right now. Hopefully it works out.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like you're going to have some fun. Keep me posted, would love to hear about it. Thank you
@willowsmutt83133 жыл бұрын
Its craigslist and some 200 miles away. Im very doubtful, total rebuild, just sitting. Old and disabled so probably wont be able to meet on price. But i will stay to see where it goes. Lol
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
I had a lot of fun rebuilding the one I have. We were lucky to find one in such good shape and it still cost a small fortune to rebuild. Also expensive to own. Love it and would not get rid of it for anything.
@stevensapyak79712 жыл бұрын
1.8.22. It finally hit me @ the 9:27 mark……… you bear a resemblance to Jerry Garcia™️ Lol. 🎸.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
LOL! Okay, but I think he's got a bit more hair (talent & money) than I do. Wahoo!
@hitch45263 жыл бұрын
XLH => Electric Start XLCH => Kick and Electric Start XLC => Kick only (I could be wrong on this one)
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure on this either. We'll have to find some H-D guru to fill us in on it. Thanks!
@stansisson97522 жыл бұрын
I have a '76 XLCH that is kick only.
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
@@stansisson9752 I think that's how it is. Xlch equals kick only.
@hitch45262 жыл бұрын
@@forgottenmotorcycles no; xlch = kick and electric. For the dude with the kick only xlch; the lettering has no control over what happens to it in the end. If I put a kick start on my 77 XLH (Electric Only), does that magically change my VIN number? No, but it will technically become an XLCH, regardless of the VIN number and what it came off the factory floor as, or it is simply an XLH with a kick only mod.
@kennyh5083 Жыл бұрын
And women riders don't seem to complain much about the vibration at all!
@forgottenmotorcycles Жыл бұрын
Lol
@carbinejoey6122 жыл бұрын
Great video I have a 77 stock just changed the seat but have the orginal and the end of the pipes are 2 to 1 but I have the orginal looking to sell will post a video to my channel
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
Sounds good. Have been subscribed to your channel for a long time. Looking forward to seeing that video. Thank you!
@kennypool3 жыл бұрын
I remember a guy i worked with in a machine shop (EDO) in NY bought one new. And we just couldn't believe what a piece of junk it was. Leaked oil so bad the guy couldn't bring it home " don't park that POS on the driveway"
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
I read once that the AMF Sportsters had a mechanical defect rate of 1 in 4. Meaning that 25% of them had to be returned to the dealer for work. These Ironheads, even when running well, need a lot of attention. Wahoo!
@douglaswright5689 Жыл бұрын
59 horsepower
@forgottenmotorcycles Жыл бұрын
I'll take that. Wahoo!
@ImminghamIronhead3 жыл бұрын
I have a '79, and there's always something wrong with it; I think everything that can fall off has at some point.
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
You are correct. Loctite is our friend...sometimes it's the red Loctite!
@ImminghamIronhead3 жыл бұрын
@@forgottenmotorcycles I have a rucksack containing bungee cords, ziplocks and duct tape; can't go more than fifty miles but that gets shaken out :-)
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
@@ImminghamIronhead Believe me, I understand!
@davidervin73453 жыл бұрын
The Ironhead doesn't vibrate, it quivers. If you have A LOT of vibration you need to check/ have checked the flywheel orientation. Because the flywheels are made up of 5 parts bolted together, the flywheels can slip out of orientation with each other. Vibration is the first clue, failure of the pinion shaft bushing (and oil supply to the motor) is usually the final result. Pull off the gearcase cover where the cams are. Check the runout of the pinion shaft at the end of the shaft. It should be less than .005". If the runout is a lot then check the bushing in the gearcase cover. The wallowing of the pinion shaft will eventually loosen the pinion shaft bushing in it's seat. If you fix the flywheels but leave in the loose bushing the engine will fail. The last time I had mine apart it was at more than .125 runout. The front wheel would almost jump off the floor at idle. When I got the bottom end back, fixed by someone who knows how to fix ironhead lower ends, it was .000 runout. It's been, like 10000 or 15000 mi's and it still runs great. A word to the wary, you and I cannot fix an ironhead lower (I think) neither of us has a million $ shop. The first internet mechanic, in Colorado, gave me back my bottom end with .035" runout. That's when I went around interviewing HD mechanics. Luckily, I found one, the other 5 places failed the interview.
@ImminghamIronhead3 жыл бұрын
@@davidervin7345 You are so right. I took mine apart early this year to investigate and found the following: keyway failed resulting in one flywheel banging about loose from the rest of the crank, two broken valve springs (big ones), crunchy camshaft bearings/huge side play, stripped engine mount threads (the ones on the frame at the back), wrong bolts in the front (four as opposed to two long ones with spacers), front conrod play measurable with a yardstick, blown head gasket, I could go on. Everyone says vibration comes with the territory, and maybe it does, but there's going to be a lot less when Sleepy Joe returns to the highways of England :-)
@marcobanuelos36403 жыл бұрын
Im getting my dads old 1976 Sportster motor 1000 for my 18th birthday do you have any suggestions on what maintenance to handle first and what to check sorta a does and donts
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Buy a shop manual, change engine and transmission oils, check the starting system and the engine compression. Make a list of steps to follow and focus on each step. If you can, find someone that's worked on these before. Good luck and let me know how it goes! Where about are you located?
@mauricioleala.3793 жыл бұрын
Really nice and helpful video man! I had the idea of buying an ironhead for my first bike and you really changed my perspective, due to the fact that i wouldn’t enjoy it as much if i constantly have to be fixing stuff. I noticed you recommended the evo instead, maybe this is a dumb question, but how can i tell if the sportster it’s an evo? I always have a hard time identifying them, any details i need to look out for?
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Hello, An Ironhead would be a lot of work, by todays standards, to own. The last year of the Ironhead Sportster was 1985 so any sportster from 1986 on would be an Evo. Also, an Evo will have Aluminum heads and fins vs Iron meaning a magnet would not stick to an Evo top end. I've rode a few Evo Sportsters and think they're great bikes. Enjoy!
@mauricioleala.3793 жыл бұрын
@@forgottenmotorcycles thanks for the advice brother, i will definitely keep that in mind when i buy one. Keep killing it! 🤘🏽
@bygodfreeman3 жыл бұрын
What rpm does it do at 70? I have greasy hands every day anyways. What weight oil would you recomend?
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
Thinking it's between 3500 and 3900 at 70mph but my speedo isn't accurate. We've been running 20/50 for oil. Works pretty well...Do you have an Ironhead? if not, get one. Lots of fun!
@bygodfreeman3 жыл бұрын
An old farmer friend of mine has a 77 that he parked in 1981. Im trying to convince him i need it. :)
@forgottenmotorcycles3 жыл бұрын
@@bygodfreeman Yes, you definitely need it. Where you located about?
@bygodfreeman3 жыл бұрын
Middle a wisconsin
@bygodfreeman3 жыл бұрын
Any guestimate on rough mpg? I know it will beat my pickup truck in speed, and efficiency. Im just currious. It would be doing mostly back roads/ highway cruising.
@stephensellers24532 жыл бұрын
54 Hp
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
I'd go with that. Sorry for the very slow response was in Hospital for 9 days, darn deer. Home now. Wahoo!
@wolfeyes93572 жыл бұрын
Ironheads are small? Then what about Triumph Bonnevilles 9 Of that era or even now? Are ypu talkind displacement or physical size.....if it is physically too small, stretch out with a new frame/hardtail. Man, riders today? Not how it use to be!
@forgottenmotorcycles2 жыл бұрын
Iron heads the smallest bike in my garage.
@dennisgrubbs19293 жыл бұрын
Cool bike got a 1980 ironhead ride wrench repeat wrench and ride love it your right for sure