Out With The Old, In With the.. 1975 Harley Davidson Sportster XLH?
*Update* Just checked my VIN's online.. low and behold, I do not in fact own an XLCH, but an XLH. A little bummed that its not an XLCH, but oh well, still love my bike nonetheless.
Just went and picked up a 1975 Sportster XLCH. Can't afford those fancy Knuckle, Pans and Shovelheads so I figured I'd pick up an Ironhead. Its in pretty bad shape, but it rides and the engine is in decent condition, so what I picked it up for wasn't bad. Purchased from a fireman out in Lancaster, the entire ordeal was an adventure I won't soon forget.
First I had to wake up at 4:30AM (which is a feat akin to parting the red sea) to make it out to Lancaster by 7AM. Thats about 110 miles from me. The seller had to work at 8AM and worked only on the weekends. Since I couldn't get a day off during the week, I said screw it. When I stepped out of the door, it was 38 degrees. 38. Fuck. Luckily I had on 3 shirts and a pair of shorts under my jeans... oh and two leather jackets. We get there and everything looks pretty good considering its age. Its old so I expected the worst. Solo seat front mount is cracked, front brake don't work and the carb has about 3 half inch spacers connecting it to the engine. This means my knee is hitting the air cleaner every time I try to hit the foot brake-- The only functioning brake. This 110 mile ride home is gonna be awesome. So we do the deal and I head off to the closest Autozone to pick up some brake fluid and zip ties. Filled up the master cylinder and zip tied (love them zip ties!) the seat to the frame. It was a bit cramped compared to my Honda with forwards but shit, its a Sportster! You gotta feel and look like you're stuffed into a tuna can while riding! Once on the highway, the thing rode beautifully...until Pasadena.
Around Pasadena, my face thawed and I decided I'd like to take a break and grab a smoke. As I exit, the roaring from my eardrum-shattering Ironhead is nothing but a docile purr. On top of that, the front cylinder is blowing out plumes of white smoke that would make the driver from Spy Hunter jealous. After the cigarette we figure we'd ride the shit home and deal with the consequences later. Well, as soon as I get on the freeway, the consequences decided that it was running the show and I end up on the side of the freeway, a 1/4 mile from the next exit. Ah.. one hour into ownership and I'm realizing the true meaning of Harley Davidson ownership. After pushing the new-old bike off the off ramp I end up stranded in front of a massage parlor for four hours. It's funny how many dudes show up to those money laundering fronts to actually get massages and probably a rub'n tug. Anyhow, turned out the front spark plug thought it'd be funny to call it quits. After fixing the spark plug issue, it still wouldn't kick over. Couldn't figure it out for the life of my buddy and I. Well after another 1-2 hours of endlessly kicking the damn bike we called up Villain, a H-D tuning shop super close by. They picked me up and told my dumb ass that the petcock was on the right side and since the bike leans to the left, the bike wasn't getting fuel. I don't know if this should be chalked up to an idiot move by me or a design flaw by H-D. Gotta remember to do something bout that. Anyhow, it was smooth sailing after that. I don't normally name my cars or bikes, but I think this one should be named either 38° Special or Breakdown.
Before I end, I just want to recommend the group of guys over at Villain. Contrary to the store name, they're super friendly, down to earth guys. They don't have that snotty ass attitude that some of the shops that I've visited have. They are a full service shop with lathes, powdercoating and technical services. Prices seem pretty fair and the shop has plenty of sweet rigs parked all around. If you're ever in the Pasadena area, check them out. Villain Custom Cycles.
Also, if anyone's interested my Honda Shadow VLX bobber is up for sale. You can check out the ad here.
FS: 2002 Honda Shadow VLX Bobber
Just went and picked up a 1975 Sportster XLCH. Can't afford those fancy Knuckle, Pans and Shovelheads so I figured I'd pick up an Ironhead. Its in pretty bad shape, but it rides and the engine is in decent condition, so what I picked it up for wasn't bad. Purchased from a fireman out in Lancaster, the entire ordeal was an adventure I won't soon forget.
First I had to wake up at 4:30AM (which is a feat akin to parting the red sea) to make it out to Lancaster by 7AM. Thats about 110 miles from me. The seller had to work at 8AM and worked only on the weekends. Since I couldn't get a day off during the week, I said screw it. When I stepped out of the door, it was 38 degrees. 38. Fuck. Luckily I had on 3 shirts and a pair of shorts under my jeans... oh and two leather jackets. We get there and everything looks pretty good considering its age. Its old so I expected the worst. Solo seat front mount is cracked, front brake don't work and the carb has about 3 half inch spacers connecting it to the engine. This means my knee is hitting the air cleaner every time I try to hit the foot brake-- The only functioning brake. This 110 mile ride home is gonna be awesome. So we do the deal and I head off to the closest Autozone to pick up some brake fluid and zip ties. Filled up the master cylinder and zip tied (love them zip ties!) the seat to the frame. It was a bit cramped compared to my Honda with forwards but shit, its a Sportster! You gotta feel and look like you're stuffed into a tuna can while riding! Once on the highway, the thing rode beautifully...until Pasadena.
Around Pasadena, my face thawed and I decided I'd like to take a break and grab a smoke. As I exit, the roaring from my eardrum-shattering Ironhead is nothing but a docile purr. On top of that, the front cylinder is blowing out plumes of white smoke that would make the driver from Spy Hunter jealous. After the cigarette we figure we'd ride the shit home and deal with the consequences later. Well, as soon as I get on the freeway, the consequences decided that it was running the show and I end up on the side of the freeway, a 1/4 mile from the next exit. Ah.. one hour into ownership and I'm realizing the true meaning of Harley Davidson ownership. After pushing the new-old bike off the off ramp I end up stranded in front of a massage parlor for four hours. It's funny how many dudes show up to those money laundering fronts to actually get massages and probably a rub'n tug. Anyhow, turned out the front spark plug thought it'd be funny to call it quits. After fixing the spark plug issue, it still wouldn't kick over. Couldn't figure it out for the life of my buddy and I. Well after another 1-2 hours of endlessly kicking the damn bike we called up Villain, a H-D tuning shop super close by. They picked me up and told my dumb ass that the petcock was on the right side and since the bike leans to the left, the bike wasn't getting fuel. I don't know if this should be chalked up to an idiot move by me or a design flaw by H-D. Gotta remember to do something bout that. Anyhow, it was smooth sailing after that. I don't normally name my cars or bikes, but I think this one should be named either 38° Special or Breakdown.
 |
| Freezing my ass off, wondering where the lower half of my face went. |
Before I end, I just want to recommend the group of guys over at Villain. Contrary to the store name, they're super friendly, down to earth guys. They don't have that snotty ass attitude that some of the shops that I've visited have. They are a full service shop with lathes, powdercoating and technical services. Prices seem pretty fair and the shop has plenty of sweet rigs parked all around. If you're ever in the Pasadena area, check them out. Villain Custom Cycles.
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| Safe and Sound. |
Also, if anyone's interested my Honda Shadow VLX bobber is up for sale. You can check out the ad here.
FS: 2002 Honda Shadow VLX Bobber
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