@@GRACEORT Thank you for watching, if you look at my video you can see all the hardware used. I’m sure you can fashion your own brackets fairly easily by bending some 1/6 to 1/8 thick flat stock, drilling the three holes in each one like ones you see in the video and buy the four bolts and spring. Really not much to it really. Just study all the hardware you see in the video and the shape of the two brackets. Then it’s a matter of measuring the frame attachment holes center to center and copy that dimension onto your two home made brackets. Actually some people don’t like the brackets that come with the aftermarket center stand and fashion new stronger ones. Of course it always helps to have a sample to measure and work off of. Take care and thanks for watching!

@@Savage-lx5yj I remember watching a film clip of Jay Leno talking to the owner of a magneto equipped XLCH, Jay Leno was explaining that his magneto guy told him that a magneto looses about 1% of its magnetic strength every year. My magneto is 56 years old but still works ok, but I definitely will have it re magnetized in the near future. Thanks for watching and I really appreciate your comment as well, It’s great to hear from people like you sharing information. Take care my friend.

Yes sir, if memory serves me correct, that capacitor was used to suppress RFI back in those days! I was pretty young then, but, I remember the capacitor on my old Sporty's and they used the same protection on cars. Basically, anything that was spinning and generated electricity. That was back in the day! Useless information floating around in the old memory banks! 😅

@@GRACEORT Yes, I have replaced both clutch’s on my 1968 XLCH and my 1970 XLH. Both clutch’s are exactly the same in terms of design, function and the way you rebuild them and set the pressure plate. It makes no difference if you have both electric and kick start on your 1968 Sportster, replacing the clutch is exactly the same. They are a dry clutch design. Also, You really should look at my video, “How to fix the clutch hub wobble” as long as your going into your primary case to replace the clutch plates. It covers, fixing the common issue with clutch hub wobble, checking free length of clutch springs and pressure plate adjustment. Hope I answered your question. Take care!

@@GRACEORT Yes, you have the XLH electric start model. A lot of people put a kick starter kit on them as well. I just put new clutch disks on both my iron heads. Make sure you seal that clutch cover very well, sometimes just that thin gasket is not enough and oil begins to seep into your new clutch plates. It happened to me, the bike began to creep forward even with the clutch fully pulled in, then it became fully engaged. I simply had to go back in there and use brake cleaner to clean all the oil off my new clutch plates, then re seal the clutch cover with a soft oil resistant sealer. All is well now. Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comment as well. Take care!

@@edZILLA64 I have the manual for my 1971 Shovel head super glide, they all are diagrammed the same way in the official manuals just like the XL Manuals, and of course I have official parts manuals that go hand in hand with the service manuals. A MUST for anyone who does their own work. I would be blind without them!

Thank you, I really appreciate it! But I got you covered with my 1968 XLCH, and I guarantee it’s a raw brute of a kicker that will light you up if you forget to retard that Magneto. I wouldn’t have it any other way! I definitely appreciate your comment. Check out my CH on previous videos! I’m kicking it! Take care and happy 4th of July my friend.

I agree, most people’s bikes are a reflection of their owners sometimes, but not all the time. I think Old iron heads have been the most customized bikes on the planet! There are so many custom parts available to make it your own. My next project will be a chopper of my own vision, I already have been working out the design in my head. I am thinking of a pan head build or another iron head and take it into a much different direction then most choppers. Thanks for your comment and watching, i really appreciate your take on things. Take care my friend.

Actually I have the smallest counter shaft sprocket a 19 tooth. But I have the issue solved for now. Most likely I will add an adjusting screw stop for a permanent solution. Right now I am enjoying this summer riding on my 1970 XLH I restored and having a lot of fun trips on it. I am planning on working on the 1968 XLCH and get it back on the road as well. Thanks for your suggestion and I definitely appreciate you watching the channel. Take.care my friend.

I used to watch Then came Bronson as a kid. Now I’m taking over that long lonesome highway! I plan on doing more riding vids but this time with a new action camera recording the whole ride. Thanks for your comment and watching, I really appreciate it. Take care and ride safe!

Hello John, We both love the iconic look of the 2.2 Sportster tank, it really is in perfect proportion and shape to our iron heads. But for the kind of riding I do it simply not practical especially on some of the longer country roads I take off the beaten path. I was always looking for another gas stop every 30 minutes and I feel I am much too limited for the miles I like to put on. I never had this issue with my 93 Dyna big fat bob tanks taking me comfortably at least 180 miles between gas stops. I will definitely look into your suggestion about the 3.5 melon tank. I really appreciate your suggestion. I do have a 3.2 Sportster king tank sitting on the shelf as well but I am thinking about going bigger. The big down side is taking away the looks of the bike. I also have an original fender rack still in the box that I can strap an auxiliary tank to.. again, it will take away the looks of the bike. I don’t want to make a bagger out of it lol. I just need more fuel capacity! Anyway, I will check on eBay for the melon tank you’re suggesting and picture it on my bike. Thank you John, I definitely appreciate your input.

Actually I don’t mind staying in the saddle on this bike, but I have no choice because of the small 2.2 gallon gas tank. I am already hunting down a 4 Gallon turtle tank so I don’t have to keep sweating out gas stations every 20 minutes! It’s a vintage bike so I definitely have to ride it like one so I am staying on the back roads taking in the sites along the way. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

I totally agree, my action camera is on the way. In this one I had to resort to my pocket Sony camera. Those riding vids are coming I promise, stay tuned!

Yeah, that bike wasn't really designed for long trips

Good question! My official Harley Davidson manual says 6 lbs./sq.in. At 20 mph minimum. And it goes higher the more rpm. Its maximum? I can only guess about 12lbs max but I never put an oil pressure gauge on my bike.. not yet anyway. I do have an oil pressure light I check as I’m riding through. I do recommend opening your oil tank from time to time to check the oil flow out of your return line at the top of your oil tank. If you have a XLH with the kidney tank, be sure to remove the top oil filter first before you look in there while its running Or will have a big oil mess on your hands. Thanks for the question, I appreciate you watching as well!

Thank you, you will see from my previous videos I found this particular 1970 Sportster in a local garage sale wasting away in a back yard with yard tools leaning on it. I wanted to save it and get it back on the road again. In my previous videos you can see me rebuilding it, however I didn’t film everything because I had no intention of putting it on KZfaq. Anyway, it’s back on the road and I am filming scenes riding to certain destinations down Illinois Route 66 . Thanks for watching and your comments! I really appreciate it!

Thanks John, to be honest I have been neglecting my 1968 XLCH. I have to put new intake manifold O Rings on it soon! Also, I am working on a modified version of the clutch worm lever. I am almost finished with it and hope to install it on my 1970 XLH for testing next week if time permits. Something you had asked me to make a video on a few weeks ago. LOL, just wait, I will be kicking that XLCH Beast once again. In the meantime I am having fun shaking down the XLH.. getting a little spoiled with that darn push button!

I don’t think I would have the patience to wrap thread around each brush… I can’t imagine life without duct tape, a can of WD 40 and a bag of Zip ties! Thanks for your comment and watching. Take care!

Thanks Big Ed, I found out after accidentally pulling on the starter housing while removing it from my bike, you just have to be very careful to hold both end caps while you’re pulling it out…the video tells the rest of the story lol. Take care Big Ed, hope you’re taking good care of yourself!

Actually the bike runs and rides perfectly. I usually ride far into the countryside with nothing around including cellphone service, so a few basic tools might come in handy. Around populated areas no worries, I just carry water with me. I’m thinking of buying an old vintage turtle tank for more fuel capacity, the 2.2 gallon tank isn’t cutting it with the longer rides I’m used to.

Thank you, my 1968 XLCH runs great as well. Like you say, they are a little tricky to get started with the magneto. As long as it’s in tune, and you retard the magneto before attempting to start it you’re fine. BUT, if you forget to retard the magneto it will make you pay with a vicious kick back! The other trick if you have the stock tillotson carburetor, you have to prime in the accelerator pump first. I installed a tickler kit on my tillotson in one of my videos which really helps a lot. Just prime kicking the bike is not enough to draw fuel in a dry accelerator pump many times. Thanks for watching! I hope you subscribe and follow along with my vintage Sportsters. Take care!

I am currently thinking of a better and much stronger version of this part. I just have to put it to the test and will make a video of it soon. Let me know what you think when my video comes out. Take care!

Thanks John, basically I had to do this out of necessity. I find myself in the middle of nowhere on some rides. I just needed a place to pack a few things just in case! Actually I have a rear rack that can handle a big pack but I wanted to keep the lines clean as possible. However, on a longer trip I definitely would use my rear rack and sissy bar.

Yes, especially when riding in hot weather in the middle of nowhere. At least I can carry a few bottles of water and a few tools plus other odds and ends. It’s very easy to take off and carry with me if I need to. I really appreciate your comment. Take care!

Yes, it’s in nice scale to the bike, easy to take on and off too! Not bad to put odds and ends in and carry some water as well. There have been times I really needed water when riding in open country. Thanks for your comment. Take care!

It all depends on the size of your high speed drill. If I was using a bridge port mill with coolant I would have blasted right through in a few seconds.

Yeah come to think about it, a green army ammo can would look good!

@@Michael-st1hl put one on each side and paint them the color of your bike.

Yes, I leave a little slack in the clutch cable first, then make the clutch rod adjustment.

Thanks! I just bought a xlch 1968 but i wasnt sure, im glad i found your channel!

Hello Jan, I’m glad to hear your 68 CH was reliable in the period of time you owned it. Actually my older brother bought his 1968 XLCH as soon as he returned home from the Vietnam war and rode it on longer road trips to visit some of his army buddies he served with. It was very reliable, always started on two to three kicks and never leaked oil. It was the stock sparkling burgundy color and I road it many times as well. I missed it so much I had to track down another one in nice stock condition. The one in my video has only an original 12k on the clock and was stored 34 years before I bought it from a widow in New York whose husband just passed away. As it turns out he was the same age as my older brother. Anyway, I plan to make more videos of this particular 1968 XLCH and do some riding videos as well you may be interested in, in the near future. BTW the center stand was a factory option, it’s actually listed in the factory parts manual. It’s guys like you that inspired me to start this channel about 10 months ago, So it’s really Great to hear from you Jan, Take Care!

@@Michael-st1hl Thanks for sharing your fondest memories! As a matter of fact, I visited a friend today, who located and bought this 68 XLCH that I rode for nearly nineteen years. It has been completely restored, but the engine ran so good that he reasoned a rebuild was not necessary. Strange are the paths of destiny for men and their motocycles... 👀 🐽

The XLCH models never came with an oil filter Like my 1968 XLCH, however the XLH electric start models do have an oil filter inside the kidney shaped oil tank Like my 1970 XLH does. But what puzzles me more is that the XLCH doesn’t even have an oil pressure light like my 1970 XLH does. I plan on installing a after market oil cooler and oil filter when I get the time. Thank you for reaching out, I really appreciate your comment and input. I hope you subscribe and follow along for more iron head content. Take Care!

Thank you very much, I really appreciate you reaching out to me. I started this channel to reach out to other people who love vintage motorcycles and newer models as well to share information back and forth with each other. I’m really happy to hear you found my channel and I hope you find something that is of value and interest to you. I definitely hope you subscribe and follow along with your comments and ideas sharing your knowledge. Again, thank you for reaching out, i appreciate the positive feedback. Take care my friend.

In my case the cable jumped out while i was just about to leave the house. In your case you had to think fast and on the fly! I am definitely going to come up with a fix for this problem when I get time, especially since I ride a lot of open back roads in the middle of nowhere! I really appreciate your comment on this topic, take care!

@@Michael-st1hl Maybe a machined design you could patent? Machining has progressed a LOT since the mid-50s!

@@Jamestfarrell Actually I am a retired professional machinist and have mechanical engineering experience as well. Basically I started this channel to connect and share knowledge with people and share my passion for vintage motorcycles. I already thought of a better design and fix for this weak design Harley Davidson stayed with for almost two decades! I simply wanted to come up with a better and stronger solution that I can share with everyone. When I get the time I will make a video featuring my own ideas and solutions to this problem. I really appreciate you reaching out and your feedback on this topic. Take care!

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts pertaining to this topic. I never had the release rod punch through my clutch release disk before! Yes, it makes sense that the heavier spring pressure would contribute to that problem. To be honest, the stock clutch springs always worked fine for my application in ordinary street use as long as they are in spec length if I remember correctly 2 5/8 long free length. I definitely want to come up with a better more solid solution for the worm lever situation and I have a few ideas. I am a professional retired machinist and would have no problem designing and machining a new part from scratch. However since I no longer have access to my machine shop I want to come up with a solution that the average guy can do in his garage for a nice solid cheap fix that can benefit others. I really appreciate you commenting and sharing your own experiences because it’s people like you is why I started this channel in the first place so we can learn from each other and share information. I hope you subscribe and keep leaving your thoughts and comments. Take care and thank you very much!

Thank you John, I have a few ideas in mind that the average guy can do in his garage with no expense. I am a retired machinist and if I still had access to the machine shop I would simply design and manufacture my own part that would last and be reliable. But maybe coming up with something simple and effective that anyone can do is the better approach as to help others, as opposed to machining an expensive part for them to buy. Summer is always busy for me, so hopefully this coming winter I will put a solid fix out there for everyone to consider. Thank you John, nice to read your comments as always.

Thanks Big Ed, always something going on with these old bikes, if it’s not one thing it’s another! At least it provides content to share! Waiting to see your updates as well. I hope you have at least one of those sleds rolling down there! Be well my friend!

Wow, what a beautiful comment! You made my day.. Yes, my father definitely was a cool guy and a very kind humble man as well. He fought through Normandy and all the way into Germany earning numerous battle ribbons including the Silver star, bronze star two Purple Hearts and others. He told me incredible stories I will never forget. Yeah, my old iron head is cool, but nothing compared to these true heroes and combat veterans then and now. Thank you for your comment, I will always remember it! Means a lot to me!

@@Michael-st1hl my grandfather was a navigator on a B-17 during the war. I wish I'd had more conversations with him about it when he was around. Most of those guys didn't feel the need to brag about what they'd done (or even talk about.) Unlike a lot of these kids today who feel the need to share every minuscule detail of their lives on social media. : )

Thank you Big Ed, I’m still mulling over which action camera to buy so I can get some riding footage out. The shake down run went great! The bike preformed perfectly on its first time out on the road. I definitely wanted to honor all the military vets including my family members. I actually rode out to the Lincoln memorial military cemetery as well but didn’t include it in the video. Hope all is well with you over there, take care Big Ed.

@@Michael-st1hl thanks, buddy.

Thank you, I love all the older Harleys from the seventies and earlier, I think they are pieces of mechanical art and have a much different feel then todays bikes. I just sold my EVO 1993 FXDL which was a big mistake because I really miss it for the longer road trips. Hold on to that Springer, I think it will keep going up in value over the years. Thanks for watching, I hope you subscribe and follow along. Take care.

@@Michael-st1hl Yeah I have no plans on selling it. I’ve had it so long now it’s like part of the family

@@mikef3300 Absolutely, Harley Davidson doesn’t make classic bikes anymore. You’re very wise to hold on to that springer. There is an old guy in town who has one, I have been meaning to ask him if he ever wants to sell it I would be interested, it’s a cream puff too! Hardly used.

You’re reading my mind! I have been looking at the 2 inch extended side stands I need on both my iron heads. You’re 100% right! The wood blocks need to go!

John, did you get the one inch extension kick stand?

Thanks for your comment, I was very pleased that this classic Iron head really preformed well today in all aspects motor, transmission, electrical and suspension. Naturally when you finish building a bike there is still some uncertainty that goes with the territory. But I was very pleased with the bike cruising along at 65 down the long stretch’s of open country roads. The brakes at first were kind of sketchy but began to improve as they began to wear in a little. I dialed in the tillotson carburetor and clutch adjustment before I hit the open road which made the bike much more comfortable and predictable in its operation. Next is a left leather saddle bag and some small custom turn signals. I was using hand signals all day which most people don’t know what they mean! But all in all I am very pleased.

LOL, I rode backwards all day! Na, I just reset my odometer at some stops along the way. What a nice day to ride! Just breaking things in for now!

@@Michael-st1hl Just put it down to the strange things I notice in videos mate...never had instruments on my '70 sportster , sure did look like a nice day though. Cheers.

Thanks for your comment, actually it’s my front fork tool pouch off my 93 EVO Dyna. It’s only temporary until I get my left mount leather saddle bag. I have already designed a custom bracket for a single left saddle bag. I will make a video on it when I install it. Hope you subscribe and stay tuned. Thanks for watching, take care.