I ride a '90 XLH 883 .. I recently bought a '77 Ironhead motor and just started bending and building a wide frame for it. I can't wait to hear it run and ride it.
Really miss my 1976 ironhead chop that i had for nearly 40 years.....luckily i gave her to my son so she's still in the stable with my 85 ironhead....new enfield and my sons 883 harley......fine looking ride dude
you and me both, been wrenching everything pre 84 since the 70s, done a lot with evos and a couple twin cams but I prefer flatties pans knucks shovels and ironheads, always get told when I do an ironhead it sounds and runs like they did new.
The last Sportster done right was in 1972. Last year still made in Milwaukee. 1973s were made in York with Japanese parts. Each year after got more Japanese parts. 1957 - 1972 Sportsters made with American designed parts. Older American Sportsters are the best Sportsters.
My first Harley was a 75 (AMF) 1000 Sportster. I thought I was the king of the road. It was a kick only four speed that vibrated my teeth loose. I was still in the Army and it was my only transportation for a couple of years. I have some very cool memories of that Sportster and after nearly 50 years and too many bikes to count, I do miss that scooter! Great channel with entertaining content. Keep it up, I'll be watching.
1974 in summer,I was 16 years old,I became infected with the Harley "virus"...2 GIs from a nearby small military base (hidden in the forest, with NIKE missiles) came over to our glider airfield. This rumbling sounding ,and in idle potato, potato and that look of the Sporster XLCH1000 was for me amazing. So I said to myself "Michael when you have grown up and have the money, a Harley will be your bike..." At the age of 34 I got my first Harley, a Softail Custom. Never changed to an other brand. Still in love with Harleys....Greetins from Germany
Was super glad to read that you’re getting rid of that ridiculous air cleaner. Should be a fun tinker but I’m looking forward to the ole shovel project you’re working on. Glad things are good and you’re well Mr Ffej. #rtfo
Ive rebuilt vintage Japanese and Bultacos for 8 years. Just got a 72 ironhead as my first harley, its a cool bike. Nice too have the ole cb750 to cover during maintenance
Me and my old man have Iron head 74 1000 cc with a bob tank, chopped, Drag pipes Right foot shift with 1.351 original miles miles on it, it is fast..? and yes it has points.. 40 years..? He said it's not for sale..? were not spring chickens but we still like to go fast..?
@shovelheadffej Hell 6 forgot for about a good week. Thought I was cool as hell with my chromed out Harley, and then I would hit the brakes when I went to shift, lol. Yea , the good ol days. LOL
My first street bike was a 1994 sporty 1200 i customized it,lowered it raked fork cups, Forward controls,21 inch front wheel,drag bars,ect..wish i could've kept it but i sold it to build a chopper,it turned out exactly how i wanted it to look.
It's 2023,I still have my sporty i bought new in 77 rode it for 8 yrs. Parked it 30,000 miles,never a problem,engins been rebuilt from the bottom up,everytings new,i paid 2,800 when new,got alot more than that into it now,dont ride it much but it is a awsome looking bike with a few mods. I'll never get rid of that XLCH
Have a '74 XLH (over 45 years) More $ & elbow grease in that bike than any other...Been sitting a while with other motorcycles to ride...Very cool project you have there...Agree with your opinion on points ignition on older bikes(check those flyweights=spark advance) & especially agree with you on changing the air filter...To each his own but I don't want anything with a sharp point or edge on motorcycles....> Pushing bike into shop with that new "stealth technology" ??? How did you get that to work with a non-ECU motorcycle? ... :-)
Just bought a 73 Ironhead and as a Harley enthusiast of the younger generation I just want to say your videos have been really entertaining and informative at the same time! I’m looking forward to watching more and following along! You got a sub from me
Hi Jeff ! Nice bike you find there, a 74 as my shovelhead. That ice cone looking air filter is horrible, I hate those. I hope that the copper rigid oil lines will not snap off with the vibrations(have seen it before). My favorite bike you own is still the rat😎 Cheers my friend, keep in touch
That rat is running a close second to my 103...I agree about those lines, gonna keep a close eye on them...and the cleaner won't be on there much longer..✌ stay safe my friend..👍
Got a 69 XLCH and a 73 XLH. Last year of the real Sportster for me was 1969--- last year of the factory magneto Sporty. No battery. Mag Sporties are the most badassed motorcycles ever produced. The only motorcycle capable of maiming its rider before it's even started. Unless you know the correct way to kick it, kicker slip on a mag 900 will destroy your knee, your ankle, your ego, and your day.
check that mechanical advance, mark the weight next to the point cam roll pin, that way the weight gets back on the same pin it came off of, they wear out quickly if swapped, a little lithium grease is all it takes.
I modified my advance unit with hardened and polished pins and needle bearings. I cut the ends off the shaft of a burnt out armature of a Hamilton Beach blender motor and used them for the pins and pressed some standard SKF needle bearings in the weights. Trouble free for about twenty years.
I just bought a 74 xlh and it’s my first I’m having to work on it to get it going but I’m coming to UA-cam to learn I wish I could just call a few knowledgeable folks to learn what to do
@@shovelheadffej just wish I had more time to work on it and do the research! Having to filter through all the irrelevant videos to find the info I need is a damper. I’m away from the house 14 hours a day, feels like I just sleep at home and mess with my bike & watch videos for an hour.
@@shovelheadffej I do watch pacific mike, the issue I have now is I installed a new starter, it turns over slowly with the spark plugs out but once the plugs are in, under compression it won’t turn over it struggles
Dude, I’ve been watching you for awhile, waiting to subscribe, I subscribed tonight, I think your so creative, i really like your edits. I’ve been studying what you do in post production with your edits. One of the best on UA-cam. I’ll be stealing some of your editing ideas and applying them to my channel, don’t get mad at me!!!
Adhere.. Aniel if i spelled it right is when you heat metal to make it softer . took me a moment myself to figure out the word you meant lol. the bike looks nice. hope you got a deal. good vid
It's good to see you again I have been off the internet because I have moved , you look well Jeff , your Sporty has a 21' front guard see ya , your other brother from another mother Spider
Hey buddy ,Haven't caught you in a while, Finally got moved down here in Volusia Cty. Just getting to feel like I'm part of the Wang ! lol Love the Ironhead,I have to find me a beach hopper now.The Ultra isn't made for the stop and go style where I'm at.
If you did, someone converted it before it got to you. Absolutely, positively 1974 was the last year for factory installed right side shift. 1975 and 1976 had the awful shifting mechanism before the 1977 models shifted on the left, through the cases.
I dig it Sir,definitely would ditch the air cleaner.looks like something American choppers tv show.had on their “bikes”. I like go bikes not show bikes.👍🏿
If you must know 72' to 73' was the last of the best year Sportsters ( I don't buy into this whole Iron-H thing sounds dumb ) Back in the 1960's the 69' 900 model was more of a real Sportster than anything later but the 72' with all of it's problems and pitfalls and the 73 with some of the same problems were the last of the true machines. To be truthfull the 76' and 77 ' may have been the last of the ( Real ) Harleys after that they just got to be too bubble-gum to be the worth the name. In the 60's and 70's we never called them ( Ironheads) That's a new-bee thing. J-D.
1980 to 1984 sportster has my vote otherwise 1957 to 1970 is my other pick there just seems to be a disproportionate amount of 1973 sportsters around don't know why .a little dab of Vaseline smeared on the inside and edge of points cover does wonders
@@shovelheadffej I was like RVT? WHO? LOL NOT ME. LOL love the show brother and I appreciate the comments you made good people still out there. I hope she brings you as much joy as she did me
Clutch was junk. Burned a quart of oil every 300 miles. Oil leaks. Had 2 of them. Second one was built fram up with all high performance & got rid of most of the Harley junk. That was a good bike. Stock - no. @@shovelheadffej
I ride a '90 XLH 883 .. I recently bought a '77 Ironhead motor and just started bending and building a wide frame for it. I can't wait to hear it run and ride it.
Awesome Salty, would love to see that. 👍✌️
Id love to see it
Also love the pow/mia on the tank, im a retarded vet/sf type ,,,i each ..... AATW,,Mud
Really miss my 1976 ironhead chop that i had for nearly 40 years.....luckily i gave her to my son so she's still in the stable with my 85 ironhead....new enfield and my sons 883 harley......fine looking ride dude
Love those ironhead rigid frames. Got me a '70 sporty chopper
you and me both, been wrenching everything pre 84 since the 70s, done a lot with evos and a couple twin cams but I prefer flatties pans knucks shovels and ironheads, always get told when I do an ironhead it sounds and runs like they did new.
The last Sportster done right was in 1972. Last year still made in Milwaukee. 1973s were made in York with Japanese parts. Each year after got more Japanese parts. 1957 - 1972 Sportsters made with American designed parts. Older American Sportsters are the best Sportsters.
My first Harley was a 75 (AMF) 1000 Sportster. I thought I was the king of the road. It was a kick only four speed that vibrated my teeth loose. I was still in the Army and it was my only transportation for a couple of years. I have some very cool memories of that Sportster and after nearly 50 years and too many bikes to count, I do miss that scooter!
Great channel with entertaining content. Keep it up, I'll be watching.
Thank you Doug, man life was so much more simpler in so many ways..✌👍
1974 in summer,I was 16 years old,I became infected with the Harley "virus"...2 GIs from a nearby small military base (hidden in the
forest, with NIKE missiles) came over to our glider airfield. This rumbling sounding ,and in idle potato, potato and that look of
the Sporster XLCH1000 was for me amazing. So I said to myself "Michael when you have grown up and have the money, a Harley
will be your bike..." At the age of 34 I got my first Harley, a Softail Custom. Never changed to an other brand. Still in love with
Harleys....Greetins from Germany
Great story...ah yes I remember 16 fondly...😉😁
Gorgeous scoot and fantastic music
Thank you Thomas....👍✌
@@shovelheadffejthere's an 81 shovel all original with 11k miles in Tallahassee FL.... they are asking $7500...wish I could afford it
Good looking Sportster. My first Harley was a 1980 Sportster. Have a soft spot in my heart for them.
thank you Art..
Was super glad to read that you’re getting rid of that ridiculous air cleaner. Should be a fun tinker but I’m looking forward to the ole shovel project you’re working on. Glad things are good and you’re well Mr Ffej. #rtfo
Thanks Heathen, waiting on shovelhead parts...looking forward to finishing it...✌👍
Ive rebuilt vintage Japanese and Bultacos for 8 years. Just got a 72 ironhead as my first harley, its a cool bike. Nice too have the ole cb750 to cover during maintenance
Cool old school chopper 😎🏍️✌️
Me and my old man have Iron head 74 1000 cc with a bob tank, chopped, Drag pipes Right foot shift with 1.351 original miles miles on it, it is fast..? and yes it has points.. 40 years..? He said it's not for sale..? were not spring chickens but we still like to go fast..?
I have an original 1974 XLH in perfect condition and I love it. Have a blessed week my friend
Me too. Bright orange '74 XLCH all original including paint. Love that thing. Oddly enough it is pretty reliable.
Brings back memories. Thanks.Nice bike.
Thank you Jeff...👍👍👍
Dam FFEJ, my first Harley was a 73 with the right side shift. Man brings back memories.
Thanks Drifter, I keep forgetting the shifter on the right...🤦♂️
@shovelheadffej Hell 6 forgot for about a good week. Thought I was cool as hell with my chromed out Harley, and then I would hit the brakes when I went to shift, lol. Yea , the good ol days. LOL
@@drifter8530 🤣🤣🤣
My first street bike was a 1994 sporty 1200 i customized it,lowered it raked fork cups, Forward controls,21 inch front wheel,drag bars,ect..wish i could've kept it but i sold it to build a chopper,it turned out exactly how i wanted it to look.
It's 2023,I still have my sporty i bought new in 77 rode it for 8 yrs. Parked it 30,000 miles,never a problem,engins been rebuilt from the bottom up,everytings new,i paid 2,800 when new,got alot more than that into it now,dont ride it much but it is a awsome looking bike with a few mods. I'll never get rid of that XLCH
Man, looking forward to hearing it run. Sweet ride.
Thanks Choppa...still fixing the little things, waiting on parts..✌
Picked up my first basket case 1972 sporster a few months ago. Going to be a full rebuild
Awesome Robert, not sure of your skill level but take your time and enjoy it...✌
I picked up a 72 too, in June. Its my first harley. Got a 81 cb750 to fill in during maintenance
I just got gifted a 70's era chopper with a 1974 Sportie motor in it today! I can't wait to go fetch it home! 😁
Lucky you...also should be a right hand shifter unless it was converted..✌👍
@shovelheadffej
Thanks! It's still a right hander 😉
Have a '74 XLH (over 45 years) More $ & elbow grease in that bike than any other...Been sitting a while with other motorcycles to ride...Very cool project you have there...Agree with your opinion on points ignition on older bikes(check those flyweights=spark advance) & especially agree with you on changing the air filter...To each his own but I don't want anything with a sharp point or edge on motorcycles....> Pushing bike into shop with that new "stealth technology" ??? How did you get that to work with a non-ECU motorcycle? ... :-)
Thanks Flash, when you got a good one you gotta keep it...I'm a analog guy living in a digital world..✌👍
I got a 77 hardtail,im 63 yrs young, it saved my life,and continues too...i love and hate ridin it, depending on the road,
Just bought a 73 Ironhead and as a Harley enthusiast of the younger generation I just want to say your videos have been really entertaining and informative at the same time! I’m looking forward to watching more and following along! You got a sub from me
awesome, thanks for the sub and have fun with the 73, for me the old Ironheads and Shovelheads will always be the best.....✌👍
Looks good, brother.
And, if anybody can get it running smoothly again, it's you,
I couldn't see it very well, until you turned the "Lights On"...😊
Got a few minor issues, clutch is seized, few things...I'm glad I don't have neighbors to see me...🤣..good hearing from you Eric..✌
Hi Jeff !
Nice bike you find there, a 74 as my shovelhead. That ice cone looking air filter is horrible, I hate those. I hope that the copper rigid oil lines will not snap off with the vibrations(have seen it before). My favorite bike you own is still the rat😎
Cheers my friend, keep in touch
That rat is running a close second to my 103...I agree about those lines, gonna keep a close eye on them...and the cleaner won't be on there much longer..✌ stay safe my friend..👍
no its not the last year of right shift, 1976 is
last right side shift, better head gaskets, more meat on the jugs for rebore, nicer looking front brake caliper
right before the "the air breather will be gone" I was like that's gotta go brother haha
Just love that kickstarter pedal :-D
Got a 69 XLCH and a 73 XLH. Last year of the real Sportster for me was 1969--- last year of the factory magneto Sporty. No battery. Mag Sporties are the most badassed motorcycles ever produced. The only motorcycle capable of maiming its rider before it's even started. Unless you know the correct way to kick it, kicker slip on a mag 900 will destroy your knee, your ankle, your ego, and your day.
Nice! Thanks! ✌🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you Scooter...👍👍👍
annealing is when a metal is made softer, retired heat treater 49 years working in a commercial shop
Thanks Lee, redneck is my first language, English I'm just learning..👍✌
Went from a 66 all stock to a 60 chop, skipped 70s and 80s and got in with a new 99 1200c for my 65th
Great project. Looking forward more to more videos of these old scoots.
That bike would make a great t shirt.
Thanks Michael, we are actually working on a shirt now...👍
Good looking bike 😎👍
Thank you North...✌👍
I love and respect Ironheads, but I am forever a quad cam evolution sporty guy! Haha
Bike looks awesome. Great video
Thank you...✌👍
Wise man. Yes, the 1974 was the last real Sportster, in my book. I actually owned a 1974 and a 1969.
Yep
check that mechanical advance, mark the weight next to the point cam roll pin, that way the weight gets back on the same pin it came off of, they wear out quickly if swapped, a little lithium grease is all it takes.
I modified my advance unit with hardened and polished pins and needle bearings. I cut the ends off the shaft of a burnt out armature of a Hamilton Beach blender motor and used them for the pins and pressed some standard SKF needle bearings in the weights. Trouble free for about twenty years.
Good to see your back bro hope to see more videos ride safe my friend see you soon
Thank you Edilio, same to y'all..✌👍
Bike looks good
Good seeing your videos again 👍
Thank you Robert...✌
I just bought a 74 xlh and it’s my first I’m having to work on it to get it going but I’m coming to UA-cam to learn I wish I could just call a few knowledgeable folks to learn what to do
Pretty soon Jamie you're gonna be the guy they call for help...good luck and enjoy the process...✌👍
@@shovelheadffej just wish I had more time to work on it and do the research! Having to filter through all the irrelevant videos to find the info I need is a damper. I’m away from the house 14 hours a day, feels like I just sleep at home and mess with my bike & watch videos for an hour.
@@jdttwobears Yeah I remember those days...Pacific Mike, or tatro pretty much have the best info out there...I'm sure there's others...
@@shovelheadffej I do watch pacific mike, the issue I have now is I installed a new starter, it turns over slowly with the spark plugs out but once the plugs are in, under compression it won’t turn over it struggles
Rock On 👍
74, & a 77 XLCR ME2 kids
Dude, I’ve been watching you for awhile, waiting to subscribe, I subscribed tonight, I think your so creative, i really like your edits. I’ve been studying what you do in post production with your edits. One of the best on UA-cam. I’ll be stealing some of your editing ideas and applying them to my channel, don’t get mad at me!!!
Thank you SlickHead for the great comment and the sub...use them all you want, I'm sure I stole them from someone else...😉😁✌
Adhere.. Aniel if i spelled it right is when you heat metal to make it softer . took me a moment myself to figure out the word you meant lol. the bike looks nice. hope you got a deal. good vid
🤣...glued to eat other...🤷♂️
@@shovelheadffej 🤣
It's good to see you again I have been off the internet because I have moved , you look well Jeff , your Sporty has a 21' front guard see ya , your other brother from another mother Spider
Thank you Spider,👍👍👍
Hey buddy ,Haven't caught you in a while, Finally got moved down here in Volusia Cty. Just getting to feel like I'm part of the Wang ! lol Love the Ironhead,I have to find me a beach hopper now.The Ultra isn't made for the stop and go style where I'm at.
Welcome to the big wang..🤣..just don't wear your black socks and shorts while riding in flip flops...✌👍
iron head < evo
The last year for right side shifter was 75 .. I had a 75 xlh right shift..
If you did, someone converted it before it got to you. Absolutely, positively 1974 was the last year for factory installed right side shift. 1975 and 1976 had the awful shifting mechanism before the 1977 models shifted on the left, through the cases.
❤
Thank you again Jacob...✌
Heck yeah
Thanks Ron..✌👍
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
Thank you Dave...✌👍
its sweeet but sure glad my 79 1000 electric start 0nly aint rite side shift but each to dare 0wn.
IR0NHEADS RULE!!!
🤘😎🤘
it takes a second to get used to....😉
@@shovelheadffej me brain jus cant d00ze it!!
eye w0nt eva b c00l enuf fura f00tclutch eeeedder!!
🤙
Sure it'll run. Cool project. Enjoy
Eventually, so far I pushed it into the shop and have been working on it...✌
Say what you will I had a new 1978 xlh sportster had about 40000 when I sold it very trouble free I was more than satisfied
nice looking bike....I got a 74 im chopping up...I may do a divorced tans but Im curious where you got those forward controls?
All kinds of pimpin', right there.
Thanks, just not digging the air breather..✌
It's hard to get a kick start. I built one 2in under forks. Put Andrew's 1and 3rd gear shafts .NO 80 or 74 could catch il
Nice bike! If it runs I got a trade in😂😂
No habla engwish....Let's just do yours...👍😁
@@shovelheadffej 😂😂
I dig it Sir,definitely would ditch the air cleaner.looks like something American choppers tv show.had on their “bikes”. I like go bikes not show bikes.👍🏿
Definitely not a fan of the breather,of course some are not fans of what I think is cool...thanks for the comment...✌👍
@@shovelheadffej you’re welcome,same here Sir but taste are subjective
Nothing wrong with the 883 low of 2009.
I had a nineteen seventy four x l c h which means extra large charlie horse and was ironhead one thousand grapevgreat back wish I still had it.
There's always that one that gets away...😉✌
Grenade for a kicker pedal ? have a grenade for a shifting (Jockey) knob on my 74' Sporty...
Took it off, looks sorta cool, but it ain't for kicking unless you like pain..🤣
If you must know 72' to 73' was the last of the best year Sportsters ( I don't buy into this whole Iron-H thing sounds dumb ) Back in the 1960's the 69' 900 model was more of a real Sportster than anything later but the 72' with all of it's problems and pitfalls and the 73 with some of the same problems were the last of the true machines. To be truthfull the 76' and 77 ' may have been the last of the ( Real ) Harleys after that they just got to be too bubble-gum to be the worth the name. In the 60's and 70's we never called them ( Ironheads) That's a new-bee thing. J-D.
1 up 3 down
Sorry I gotti bad back. Need little cushing
1980 to 1984 sportster has my vote otherwise 1957 to 1970 is my other pick there just seems to be a disproportionate amount of 1973 sportsters around don't know why .a little dab of Vaseline smeared on the inside and edge of points cover does wonders
Lights on lol 😂😂😂😂😂
😁...wonder what my neighbors think of me...🤣
@@shovelheadffej I was like RVT? WHO? LOL NOT ME. LOL love the show brother and I appreciate the comments you made good people still out there. I hope she brings you as much joy as she did me
@@jacobcreese5421 🤣...I wasn't mentioning any names...😉 ...great meeting you and Josh...no rvt was used at all...love this bike...✌👍..and thank you..
@@shovelheadffej You are so very welcome brother.
Mine sthil gotti rear shocks
Aka me lill, scoot.74 xl
NTSB
I like ewe.
AllRighty Hand schift adam outta office
Ps me 77 reverse shift 1 up 3 down, nope its 1 down 3 up not
Not my style but ok , everyone has their build
Sux releaning to schift from left 2 right vs versus
I restored a '73 XLCH to original. Going to see the guy i sold it to, to see if he'll sell it back. Sellers remorse. Best Regards from UK .
Almost everytime there's sellers remorse..except with exwives...🤣🤣🤣🤣
Why do you like the points more?
Just to keep it more "purist"?
For me easy fix on the side of the road if the ignition goes...I just like the simplicity of them..I'm sure a lot would disagree
I will never buy another new harley from what i see they are nothing but rice burners.
Bought a new Sportster XLCH for $2425 out the door when I was 22 yrs old. Total peice of junk.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Clutch was junk. Burned a quart of oil every 300 miles. Oil leaks. Had 2 of them. Second one was built fram up with all high performance & got rid of most of the Harley junk. That was a good bike. Stock - no. @@shovelheadffej
screw the new stuff....Pan
Shitcan that stupid kicker pedal-thing, too!
🤣🤣🤣 long gone, sitting on a shelf..wanna buy it..🤣🤣🤣
79 was worst designed ever look at rear exhaust
AMF junk bike ,,82 was when they had their factory back amd was making nice sportser bikes ,,anything AMF I junk amd needs thrown in the garbage
👍👍
Thanks Jim..✌