Getting More Range Out Of My 1974 Ironhead Sportster - Part 1

2 gallons of gas costs a lot these days but doesn’t deliver you all that far, even on a 40mpg vintage Harley Davidson Ironhead sportster from 1974. And when 2 gallons is all you can carry it makes the bike less useful. So in this episode we explore options as to how to fix the capacity problem.

[@philmclamb1219]

I had a 1974 XLH. Back around 1986. Fun bike. Even sold it for a profit after riding it for 2 years. I paid $1000 for it. The guy I bought it from wasn't a motorcycle guy.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

Ironheads are fun bikes to ride. I love mine

[@csj9619]

My Suzuki Savage chopper has a 2.1 gallon tank and I was having the same issue. I changed the main jet size from 146 (Dynojet) to 142 (Dynojet) and increased fuel efficiency a significant amount, while having no appreciable loss in performance.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

I’ll have to dig into the carb on this bike but it runs pretty well right now. Could maybe handle some leaning out

[@daveco1270]

The blue one looks really cool. You just need to do something to the fender and oil tank so they match better.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

If I put the blue superglide tank on, I will paint match a new fender and swap the oil tank to a chrome one

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I like the Wassell tank best. It's great.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

The super banana has a really good look to it. It is probably going to be the first one I mount

[@gearbanger57]

Don't know if you've tried this, I had a mag on a racecar that would kickback sometimes. I found if I left the ignition off, hit the starter then turned the ignition on after it's turning over stopped the kickback. May or may not work on your sporty but, it's worth a try.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

The way the bike is wired the ignition is hot when the starter is on. I think o just need to install a kick start.

[@sirjhonson8218]

That fuel tank was put on there when the speed limit was 55 mph. LOL

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

Funny you should say that…because 1974 was the first year of the 55 mph speed limit. That said, the 2.2 gal small tank goes back to 1957, when gas was $29 cents a gallon. Also major highways didn’t really exist until the late 60’s-70’s.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Yes. I've run out of fuel on my Sportster. Laid the bike/ myself down in the long grass and phoned my wife. I'd had a couple of beers.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

I’ve run out of fuel on it a few times. The reserve does not get you far. One time it ran dry and quit as I was pulling into a station. People talk about range anxiety with electric cars…those people never owned a sportster with a 2 gal tank. 🤣

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Whatever you do. DON'T SELL IT.
I'm picturing a Superglide tailpiece that's actually a fuel tank.

[@MechanicalAdvantageGarage]

They actually made a superglide boat tail just for the sportster back in the day. It’s a different shape but looks similar enough to the superglide tail. Hard to find but cool.