1964 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLCH
This was a knee-jerk purchase if there ever was one. Don't get me wrong, I always wanted an early XLCH (and I'd still like another), but this was the first one I even looked at, and only looked at it because my buddy Angelo was buying a sportster and I wanted one, too. So, in the summer of 2007 I was the proud owner of a mostly original 1964 model.
The bike was a riot - once you got it started. It took weeks of practice for me to be able to start that damned bike in anything less than 20 minutes, and even then that was pushing it. She was cold-blooded, indeed. But I loved her anyway.
I rode this thing home from the guy I bought from - it was probably an hour ride or better. The guy was only the second owner and he had bought it in 1969 or so. The original owner was Marine and was being deployed, according to his story. When I bought it it was already all hopped up with an upgraded carb, PB cams and a stroker kit and making 11.5:1 compression. She was a BITCH to kick. It also had 4" over forks, no front brake and the stock shifter on the right side, which was common for Brit bikes of the day that the early XLs were emulating. It was an interesting ride home.
I promptly put the stock fork legs back on, installed the front brake (still hardly worked), removed some of the chopper crap (sissy bar and frisco mounted tank) and rode it for a bit. It was a fun bike, but my intentions were for a full period-custom restoration and my wallet and watch just didn't allow for it. I sold it only a couple years later.
The bike was a riot - once you got it started. It took weeks of practice for me to be able to start that damned bike in anything less than 20 minutes, and even then that was pushing it. She was cold-blooded, indeed. But I loved her anyway.
I rode this thing home from the guy I bought from - it was probably an hour ride or better. The guy was only the second owner and he had bought it in 1969 or so. The original owner was Marine and was being deployed, according to his story. When I bought it it was already all hopped up with an upgraded carb, PB cams and a stroker kit and making 11.5:1 compression. She was a BITCH to kick. It also had 4" over forks, no front brake and the stock shifter on the right side, which was common for Brit bikes of the day that the early XLs were emulating. It was an interesting ride home.
I promptly put the stock fork legs back on, installed the front brake (still hardly worked), removed some of the chopper crap (sissy bar and frisco mounted tank) and rode it for a bit. It was a fun bike, but my intentions were for a full period-custom restoration and my wallet and watch just didn't allow for it. I sold it only a couple years later.
Modifications
This bike was close to original looking, but rather far from stock.
I don't regret selling that bike, but once I can afford one again I'll have another. A couple more projects I'd like to do first, though.
- Stroker kit (1170? cc)
- 11.5:1 compression pistons
- PB cams
- LePera seat
- Chrome primary cover, oil tank, swing arm and rocker boxes
- Custom kicker pedal
- 12v electrical system
- Linkert carburetor with matching ham-can air cleaner (stock later model Sportster items)
- Custom black paint with silver ghost flames
- Drag pipes (installed baffles to keep the noise down)
- Bobbed front fender
- Wet clutch kit
I don't regret selling that bike, but once I can afford one again I'll have another. A couple more projects I'd like to do first, though.
