I was glad to see an episode about the XLCH. My older brother brought a new 1961 XLCH. He worked out of town so it kinda became mine. I did make a few payments on it. When he would get a few days at home he would call and ask if he could ride his motorcycle. I loved riding the XLCH. I got drafted in November 1965 and early in 1966 I got a letter from my mother telling me that my brother had sold my motorcycle. Starting it was hard during cold weather. I had to choke it until it spit back through the carburetor then it would start on the next kick. When it was cold it took a lot of kicks before it would spit back. The choke was operated by a lever on the carburetor.
I enjoy watching these videos, it brings me back to much happier and healthier times. I'm 55 and currently recovering from a major heart attack I had shortly after totally re-seeding and restoring my lawn in my backyard, yeah I keep forgetting I'm no young man anymore, I'm not the same guy who ripped cars apart and restored them......and I've owned dozens. I still have a love for anything mechanical and took this time off to tighten up all loose-ends around the house, like finishing off a WWII Japanese Rifle, changing a few carbs and getting all my yard machines working perfectly again, picking up a few missing things to fill the empty spots within my extensive coin collection, yeah I pretty much dabble in everything and can't sit still for a minute. It gets me sick today to watch all of these lazy, disrespectful bowls of soup around me who get shown up by a man half their age who's 55 recovering from a major heart attack, has had spinal surgery and reconstructive shoulder surgery and who can still work circles around these clowns who're half my age, yeah they don't make men like the used to😢
I have started and rode my friend’s 1964 Sportster XLCH. These days I own and ride a 2007 Sportster 1200 Custom. My first Sportster wasa 1986 883 Sportster which was a great bike.
I would almost sell my soul for a sportster like that one or a mid to late 70s Super glide ! I know that was when the American Mess-up and F-up company ran HD, but some of those bikes were jewels. Just required a man to have mechanical knowledge and skill to keep them right, and there's nothing wrong with that!
Love those old xlch’s. Spent the last few months slowly getting closer to restoring my dads 69 xlch. He hadn’t ridden it since 91. Got it when my great uncle/ his uncle who he was rather close too passed away in 85 and gave it to him. Since the day I was born I’ve only ever seen it collecting dust it the back of the garage. finally got old enough and saved enough to see if I couldn’t surprise him and get it back into good shape for him and my grandpa.
I had a '69 XLCH in boxes for five years before I got around to frame-up rebuild. Whatever wasn't chromed or re-chromed was painted. The frame and brake housings were '73 Pontiac Grand Prix Castilian Bronze under a Corvette Cream gas, oil tank, and fenders. Engine and tranny was completely gone through. New magneto with a 38-mm Mikuni carb feeding the juice. New "Buckhorns" and a sprung solo seat with "Ride to Live, Live to Ride" stitched, which was embossed into my arse after a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Manhattan, Kansas and back. Good memories seeing this '69 coming to life again.
We are in Lebanon now at the height of the war. Everyone around is busy with the events of the war, how many martyrs and how many wounded, and I am watching the prince of repair .. wheels through time thanks you
In 1970 I had a 1963 xlch with a magneto and it caught on fire at a gas station when I spilled gas on the tank I also would get shocked riding in the rain. Learned the hard way about good plug boots. Thanks for bringing back memories of sportster knee and mags. God bless America 🇺🇸 🙏
My grandfather owned a Crocker dealership in Johnstown PA. I have a picture of him on a big tank model in my office. Can’t wait to make a trip down to see you guys.
If a sign has viewing interests on both sides, mount it in a frame on top of a post with a base to set in on floor for display at eye level, instead of placing on wall with only one side to view.
"SPORTSTER NATION" I like it! Matt, don't give up on the old Ironheads brother. Still have my 1970 XLCH and love it to pieces.......;. Uhm.......Literally. In 3 boxes right now! Great find!
The 900 Sportsters were what kept H-D alive during the British invasion when the big twins weren't selling as well. They're easier to work on than a big twin. Parts are cheap and easy to find, they're good looking, perform great, handle great and they get good gas mileage considering their displacement. The only drawback is when you get old those high compression engines are difficult to kick.
You just took Me Back to Good times With My Ex Brother in Law and a Young Pre Teen Boy's Love of The Early Iron Head Sporty's !!!! Thanks Young Men!!! You GuyAre The Best!!!
just made a trip down to see "wheels through time" from Ont Canada on my 04 RK, 19th of Sept., what a place to see. and the wealth of knowledge, this is a must-see for any bike lover, BTW the raffle bike is mine ;), I can feel it.
4:58 I feel that my guy. Letting go of some projects my Dad started and I couldn't finish. Right in the feels..... 20 years to the day of this comment, miss you Dad.
Love your channel you guys are making me want an older bike every time I watch. Never know maybe it will work out for me in November. Keep up with the awesome content.
I rode my XLH last of the 70's and most of the 80's. 8 inch over front forks with 6 bend pullback bars. King and queen saddle and trident sissy bar. Last years I had it I painted it Dodge "Little Red " red. Best times of my life. " Leto the Biker" from Montana.
Awesome work team!! Long live the Sportster Nation!! (This "attaboy" was added by a 65 y/o owner of his soon to be paid off dream bike; a 2019 XL1200X)
I know you know this, you just misspoke without realizing in regard to what on and off is for a mag ignition and what on and off is for a common switch you'd find on the shelf. On for a toggle switch is the completion of the circuit between the two poles. The circuit that the toggle switch is connected to is a path to ground that shorts out the ignition. So in order for the ignition to be turned off, the switch has to be in the on position shorting out the ignition via a path to negative/ground.
Reminds me of the one I had, I bought it in 1979ish, It was a 1969 XLCH but it was converted to a hard tail, custom seat, custom tank, springer front end, no-rise drag style handlebar. The first thing I did was to reinstall the shocks which had been replace by solid bars.
As I recall, my brother bought a new XLCH in '65. Many a winter morning that thing tested his patience and his knee. It was a kickstart only; as I recall '66 was the first electric start. The '65 couldn't be converted to electric; the case wasn't made to accept an electric start. Of course, at 77 years of age, my memory changes each day. He moved on in 2020 so he can't confirm. Oh, yeah, having a magneto didn't help a bit. Every time I rode my Sportster Sport I thought about him. Sittin' here thinking about this, so's going to add that he sold it in 1981 for more than he paid for it.
Your Dad opened the doors & there stood 3 red Pirce Arrow 4-cylinder bikes an 08-09 &13 he fired them up saying they went 80mph way back then! DO you still have them? they were beautiful bikes with open valve train! His big smile, let me know he road them!
Man I've never really been into bikes of any kind but watching your videos and bringing my dad's 75 Sprotster back to life has gotten me intrested and have been considering earning my license and starting to ride. But I find myself not liking any of the modern bikes and I find my interest is centering around a WL or a Servicar for some insane reason. Keep up the videos!
My buddy and I had Sportsters in the early '70s. The nomenclature at the time had two model numbers: XLCH, and the XLH, the ONLY difference was that the XLH had an electric starter. The heads were sent to Jerry Branch to get ported and polished, and immediately put a Mikuni carb on there
Fantastic, I just love this stuff. so glad your nemesis Bikes, and Shawn, and beards, mentioned you and made a trip to get an old one running. Now he's on the back burner and your and your team are my fave Harley Resto guys. Would I be out of line to ask, and I mean ball park it is fine. like "if don't have $100k burning a hole in your pocket its not for you!" is an ok answer. Whats a trailer of restorable harleys go for? Im just curious. I am completely content on my 2008 ultra classic.
Was ridin down a local road and witnessed a man pushing a complete stock Kawasaki 500 two stroke down his driveway wth a for sale sign taped to the headlight complete with a inch of dust ......he said yeah it needs cleaned up so i only want 13,500 for it. Thanks so much to the interweb and pickers TV
Years ago I was cruising along on my 68 Sportster and felt my right leg getting warm. I looked down to see and it was on fire so I slid it over into the ditch and threw dirt on it to put it out.
My dad was a DDay veteran. He was wounded 3 times. When he got home he went to buy a Harley. He test drove it, it caught on fire and he laid in down in the sand. It burnt his inner thigh and he never got on another motorcycle for the rest of his life. I like motorcycles.
I know what the sportster knee feels like. Back in the 70's I used to work on sportsters. and have felt the fall thru. and it was just as you said. I was on the floor just as you said.
Those original competitors who won those trophies would be pleased you've preserved & respected their wins for evermore.
A fantastic episode. Can't get enough watching old bikes being brought back to life again. Thanks for keeping us armchair mechanics satisfied!
57:26 qqq0q9 57:26 ll
I was glad to see an episode about the XLCH. My older brother brought a new 1961 XLCH. He worked out of town so it kinda became mine. I did make a few payments on it. When he would get a few days at home he would call and ask if he could ride his motorcycle. I loved riding the XLCH. I got drafted in November 1965 and early in 1966 I got a letter from my mother telling me that my brother had sold my motorcycle. Starting it was hard during cold weather. I had to choke it until it spit back through the carburetor then it would start on the next kick. When it was cold it took a lot of kicks before it would spit back. The choke was operated by a lever on the carburetor.
🥰
As I recall, it took two kicks after the carb spit. But, at 77 years of age, my memory is subject to change.
@@robj2704 I am 80 so my memory may not be just right. The number of kicks could be determined by the temperature.
This was so cool. Seeing you guys hanging out with Mike & Robbie was awesome!
Mike and Robbie are all about Flippin for profit.
My favorite day! When the fellas post another vid! Top tier, elite, ultimate content. Big love for you guys from Australia 🦘🦘
Had a '65 XLCH, if mag not timed properly , you became part of the space program. I believe the Bronson bike was a 1969. Nice find!
My brother was launched many a winter morn' by his '65 XLCH.
I enjoy watching these videos, it brings me back to much happier and healthier times. I'm 55 and currently recovering from a major heart attack I had shortly after totally re-seeding and restoring my lawn in my backyard, yeah I keep forgetting I'm no young man anymore, I'm not the same guy who ripped cars apart and restored them......and I've owned dozens. I still have a love for anything mechanical and took this time off to tighten up all loose-ends around the house, like finishing off a WWII Japanese Rifle, changing a few carbs and getting all my yard machines working perfectly again, picking up a few missing things to fill the empty spots within my extensive coin collection, yeah I pretty much dabble in everything and can't sit still for a minute. It gets me sick today to watch all of these lazy, disrespectful bowls of soup around me who get shown up by a man half their age who's 55 recovering from a major heart attack, has had spinal surgery and reconstructive shoulder surgery and who can still work circles around these clowns who're half my age, yeah they don't make men like the used to😢
I absolutely love this channel! You’re the best for taking over your dad’s dream! You have done an amazing job! I’m a sub for life!!
Always look forward to your videos
I love the great content.Not unridable,over chromed choppers just good ol American iron
Have you been to the museum they have custom choppers there too
That was the best 57+ minutes I've had on UA-cam all month. 😊
I get just as excited as you every time you get one started. Great video.
Pretty Cool seeing American Pickers Picking too
I have started and rode my friend’s 1964 Sportster XLCH. These days I own and ride a 2007 Sportster 1200 Custom. My first Sportster wasa 1986 883 Sportster which was a great bike.
It’s amazing that the 69 Sportster wasn’t ridden in 30 years considering that it’s a beauty.
I would almost sell my soul for a sportster like that one or a mid to late 70s Super glide ! I know that was when the American Mess-up and F-up company ran HD, but some of those bikes were jewels. Just required a man to have mechanical knowledge and skill to keep them right, and there's nothing wrong with that!
I've owned several Harleys from the AMG era and they were all gooduns. The whole AMG thing is overdone, usually on UA-cam 😂
I’m with you on that brother. My brother had a 70’s sportster and a wide glide and we rode them all over our county.
If it wasn't for AMF H-D would have gone belly up during the 1970s.
No need to sell your soul, No shortage of XLCH’s or Irons and they are cheap, usually in the 3g’s plus range.
Don't undervalue your soul buddy, you can scrape up a decent amf sporty for like 2k
Love those old xlch’s. Spent the last few months slowly getting closer to restoring my dads 69 xlch. He hadn’t ridden it since 91. Got it when my great uncle/ his uncle who he was rather close too passed away in 85 and gave it to him. Since the day I was born I’ve only ever seen it collecting dust it the back of the garage. finally got old enough and saved enough to see if I couldn’t surprise him and get it back into good shape for him and my grandpa.
Love it that you bought that trophy and sign and the pickers didn't get it.
Yes, but he edited out the price paid for the trophy.
@@alexcallas8222 He never talks about what he paid for stuff
I had a '69 XLCH in boxes for five years before I got around to frame-up rebuild. Whatever wasn't chromed or re-chromed was painted. The frame and brake housings were '73 Pontiac Grand Prix Castilian Bronze under a Corvette Cream gas, oil tank, and fenders. Engine and tranny was completely gone through. New magneto with a 38-mm Mikuni carb feeding the juice. New "Buckhorns" and a sprung solo seat with "Ride to Live, Live to Ride" stitched, which was embossed into my arse after a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Manhattan, Kansas and back.
Good memories seeing this '69 coming to life again.
I like wheels through time. Good content on the net. I like bikes, and am growing out my beard too. Lol. Live to ride. Ride to live.
I always enjoy seeing you and Chris working together, very enjoyable. Thank you for posting this video, even if it is a sportster.😊
Came for the bike's stayed for the history. I love seeing the old trophies, and the history behind them, and that yall are saving them.
Hey man really hope you guys and the museum all are safe after the hurricane!
We are in Lebanon now at the height of the war. Everyone around is busy with the events of the war, how many martyrs and how many wounded, and I am watching the prince of repair .. wheels through time thanks you
Awesome to see so me on this vintage of bike! Hope to see a little more in the future but still love the older stuff!
Keep up the good work and enjoy your videos your dad was an amazing guy
These vids are AWESOME. Awesome bike
I’d love an early 70’s sportster as a build project's fun little scoot. Great job on grabbing those trophy’s they will look great in your museum.
Good Show! 🙂
Great work! Thanks for the video!!
As a toy collector, that cast flower delivery is amazing. Wish I was there! That sporty is pretty sweet too!
I have two Ironheads and have had several in the past . I have Sportster knee! Great episode!
That's nice work boys.
Matt and Chris work so well together, love the banter boys 👊👍💪👌
Smiling!
I have a friend PJ, Phil Jennings, lives in Camden Point Missouri, reminds me of you. Guy knows more about old Harley's than most.
So jealous. Looking for a sportster 🇨🇦
as the caretaker and lover of many a CH, thank you for the video showing some love to the XL line.
Reminds me of my first bike. Bought a barn special 1972 XLCH right out of high school in 1993. Great video!
In 1970 I had a 1963 xlch with a magneto and it caught on fire at a gas station when I spilled gas on the tank I also would get shocked riding in the rain. Learned the hard way about good plug boots. Thanks for bringing back memories of sportster knee and mags. God bless America 🇺🇸 🙏
My grandfather owned a Crocker dealership in Johnstown PA. I have a picture of him on a big tank model in my office. Can’t wait to make a trip down to see you guys.
If a sign has viewing interests on both sides, mount it in a frame on top of a post with a base to set in on floor for display at eye level, instead of placing on wall with only one side to view.
"SPORTSTER NATION" I like it! Matt, don't give up on the old Ironheads brother. Still have my 1970 XLCH and love it to pieces.......;. Uhm.......Literally. In 3 boxes right now! Great find!
Thanks man !
Your programs always brings joy ! ❤
The 900 Sportsters were what kept H-D alive during the British invasion when the big twins weren't selling as well. They're easier to work on than a big twin. Parts are cheap and easy to find, they're good looking, perform great, handle great and they get good gas mileage considering their displacement. The only drawback is when you get old those high compression engines are difficult to kick.
Always interesting watching you all working on bikes!
Beautiful Sportster. Great job. Would be a perfect every day driver for me. Thanks for the video.
makes my day when you post a video!
Your Dad would be Proud how you are preserving his legacy. He taught you well.
You just took Me Back to Good times With My Ex Brother in Law and a Young Pre Teen Boy's Love of The Early Iron Head Sporty's !!!! Thanks Young Men!!! You GuyAre The Best!!!
just made a trip down to see "wheels through time" from Ont Canada on my 04 RK, 19th of Sept., what a place to see. and the wealth of knowledge, this is a must-see for any bike lover, BTW the raffle bike is mine ;), I can feel it.
@@ianward3278 did you do the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway, or the Blueridge Parkway?
4:58 I feel that my guy. Letting go of some projects my Dad started and I couldn't finish. Right in the feels..... 20 years to the day of this comment, miss you Dad.
Love your channel you guys are making me want an older bike every time I watch. Never know maybe it will work out for me in November. Keep up with the awesome content.
I love my 71xlh it's been a great bike for the 30 years I've owned it. My dad gave it to me in the 90s. Love your channel
With Matt and WTT pickin, I know those parts and bikes will go to a good home. With AP, I know it will immediately go up for sale at a big markup.
I rode my XLH last of the 70's and most of the 80's. 8 inch over front forks with 6 bend pullback bars. King and queen saddle and trident sissy bar. Last years I had it I painted it Dodge "Little Red " red. Best times of my life. " Leto the Biker" from Montana.
Good evening from Copperhill Tn. 😊😊
Thanks for sharing this Great video, I had a 75 XLH loved it
Love your videos and want to make a trip down south so bad to check the museum, would love some shovelhead content!!
Awesome work team!! Long live the Sportster Nation!!
(This "attaboy" was added by a 65 y/o owner of his soon to be paid off dream bike; a 2019 XL1200X)
Always enjoy your videos and the museum . Sure would like to see other brands purchased too such as Indian , etc.
I'm in the UK , I've recently purchased a 1960 sportster , love the simplicity of it.... mines fitted with the later 'hamburger ' hub and manual mag..
Can’t hardly make myself watch picker’s anymore!
Great video Matt. With the Mag. though use metal core wires, not suppression core.
I know you know this, you just misspoke without realizing in regard to what on and off is for a mag ignition and what on and off is for a common switch you'd find on the shelf. On for a toggle switch is the completion of the circuit between the two poles. The circuit that the toggle switch is connected to is a path to ground that shorts out the ignition. So in order for the ignition to be turned off, the switch has to be in the on position shorting out the ignition via a path to negative/ground.
Reminds me of the one I had, I bought it in 1979ish, It was a 1969 XLCH but it was converted to a hard tail, custom seat, custom tank, springer front end, no-rise drag style handlebar. The first thing I did was to reinstall the shocks which had been replace by solid bars.
Any Harley guy worth his salt knows that the "CH" in XLCH stands for "Charlie Horse" LOL. Love the will it run videos you guys do.
good job recording / editing/producing the video too.
We need more dale walksler videos ❤
Wow! Great job again! Fun to watch!
Our favorite content.
lt's ahh runner !!......Thank you Matt & Chris 👍
Old F-4 Pilot Shoe🇺🇸
Thanks for the video.
Those Wolfe brothers looked like they are a lot of fun
I Love old Sportster I had a 1967 XLH in high school road it ever since 1982
have a 67 xlch waiting for restore. 67xlch1000 serial number.
Very nice guy's make a great team and friends love it. Ride Hard Die Free.💪🏻✊🏻👍🏻 Upstate NY
Absolutely amazing video. 😊
As I recall, my brother bought a new XLCH in '65. Many a winter morning that thing tested his patience and his knee. It was a kickstart only; as I recall '66 was the first electric start. The '65 couldn't be converted to electric; the case wasn't made to accept an electric start. Of course, at 77 years of age, my memory changes each day. He moved on in 2020 so he can't confirm. Oh, yeah, having a magneto didn't help a bit.
Every time I rode my Sportster Sport I thought about him.
Sittin' here thinking about this, so's going to add that he sold it in 1981 for more than he paid for it.
Your Dad opened the doors & there stood 3 red Pirce Arrow 4-cylinder bikes an 08-09 &13 he fired them up saying they went 80mph way back then! DO you still have them? they were beautiful bikes with open valve train! His big smile, let me know he road them!
I would love to get something like that as a project. Something to tinker with right down the road from the museum at our cabin...
finally a new vid!! thank you!
Great video much better than the other guys. Even though I like the little fellow.
Love it , cool find and start up
You're so fortunate to find do much so close to home.
Man I've never really been into bikes of any kind but watching your videos and bringing my dad's 75 Sprotster back to life has gotten me intrested and have been considering earning my license and starting to ride. But I find myself not liking any of the modern bikes and I find my interest is centering around a WL or a Servicar for some insane reason. Keep up the videos!
Fun episode. Thanks guys.
Awesome bike, I had a 1966 XL, quick bike for the day.
My buddy and I had Sportsters in the early '70s. The nomenclature at the time had two model numbers: XLCH, and the XLH, the ONLY difference was that the XLH had an electric starter. The heads were sent to Jerry Branch to get ported and polished, and immediately put a Mikuni carb on there
Fantastic, I just love this stuff. so glad your nemesis Bikes, and Shawn, and beards, mentioned you and made a trip to get an old one running. Now he's on the back burner and your and your team are my fave Harley Resto guys.
Would I be out of line to ask, and I mean ball park it is fine. like "if don't have $100k burning a hole in your pocket its not for you!" is an ok answer. Whats a trailer of restorable harleys go for?
Im just curious. I am completely content on my 2008 ultra classic.
How is the museum after the flood
Yep ,I remember those sporties in the 60,s taking hours to start with the Morris mags .The deckers were a little better .
I hope I can come visit someday soon!! 👍💯
Was ridin down a local road and witnessed a man pushing a complete stock Kawasaki 500 two stroke down his driveway wth a for sale sign taped to the headlight complete with a inch of dust ......he said yeah it needs cleaned up so i only want 13,500 for it. Thanks so much to the interweb and pickers TV
Years ago I was cruising along on my 68 Sportster and felt my right leg getting warm. I looked down to see and it was on fire so I slid it over into the ditch and threw dirt on it to put it out.
My dad was a DDay veteran. He was wounded 3 times. When he got home he went to buy a Harley. He test drove it, it caught on fire and he laid in down in the sand. It burnt his inner thigh and he never got on another motorcycle for the rest of his life. I like motorcycles.
I know what the sportster knee feels like. Back in the 70's I used to work on sportsters. and have felt the fall thru. and it was just as you said. I was on the floor just as you said.
I hope you're all ok.love from Poland.
Impressive it started on the 2nd full length kick.
The first step of overcoming an addiction is admitting you have an addiction.
Great job! Now THATS a Sportster!!!
I love that bike man. She's a beauty.