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 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 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.
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
"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!
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
Haven't seen anything in the news specifically about Wheels Through Time suffering extensive damage from the Helene precipitated flooding, surprisingly since the museum is in VERY, VERY close proximity to Jonathans Creek, (a bridge over the creek essentially being the very entrance to the museum). Hoping and praying all are safe, and damage to the property is minimal, and that recovery / restoration will be quick and relatively painless. Oh, and WOW, you guys are a long way from home.
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
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!
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
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 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.
My favorite day! When the fellas post another vid! Top tier, elite, ultimate content. Big love for you guys from Australia 🦘🦘
This was so cool. Seeing you guys hanging out with Mike & Robbie was awesome!
Mike and Robbie are all about Flippin for profit.
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!!
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
Always look forward to your videos
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.
Pretty Cool seeing American Pickers Picking too
I get just as excited as you every time you get one started. Great video.
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!
I've owned several Harleys from the AMG era and they were all gooduns. The whole AMG thing is overdone, usually on TH-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.
That was the best 57+ minutes I've had on TH-cam all month. 😊
I always enjoy seeing you and Chris working together, very enjoyable. Thank you for posting this video, even if it is a sportster.😊
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.
Good Show! 🙂
These vids are AWESOME. Awesome bike
Hey man really hope you guys and the museum all are safe after the hurricane!
That's nice work boys.
It’s amazing that the 69 Sportster wasn’t ridden in 30 years considering that it’s a beauty.
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
Keep up the good work and enjoy your videos your dad was an amazing guy
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!
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.
Great work! Thanks for the video!!
So jealous. Looking for a sportster 🇨🇦
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 have two Ironheads and have had several in the past . I have Sportster knee! Great episode!
As a toy collector, that cast flower delivery is amazing. Wish I was there! That sporty is pretty sweet too!
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.
Thanks man !
Your programs always brings joy ! ❤
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.
"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!
Matt and Chris work so well together, love the banter boys 👊👍💪👌
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)
as the caretaker and lover of many a CH, thank you for the video showing some love to the XL line.
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.
Good evening from Copperhill Tn. 😊😊
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.
Always interesting watching you all working on bikes!
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.
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.
makes my day when you post a video!
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.
Wow! Great job again! Fun to watch!
Great video Matt. With the Mag. though use metal core wires, not suppression core.
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
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?
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.
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.
good job recording / editing/producing the video too.
We need more dale walksler videos ❤
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!!!
Our favorite content.
Love your videos and want to make a trip down south so bad to check the museum, would love some shovelhead content!!
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.
Your Dad would be Proud how you are preserving his legacy. He taught you well.
Beautiful Sportster. Great job. Would be a perfect every day driver for me. Thanks for the video.
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.
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.
You're so fortunate to find do much so close to home.
Thanks for the video.
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 much better than the other guys. Even though I like the little fellow.
Fun episode. Thanks guys.
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...
Thanks for sharing this Great video, I had a 75 XLH loved it
Those Wolfe brothers looked like they are a lot of fun
finally a new vid!! thank you!
Great job! Now THATS a Sportster!!!
lt's ahh runner !!......Thank you Matt & Chris 👍
Old F-4 Pilot Shoe🇺🇸
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!
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.
Absolutely amazing video. 😊
Love it , cool find and start up
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
I hope I can come visit someday soon!! 👍💯
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.
Very nice guy's make a great team and friends love it. Ride Hard Die Free.💪🏻✊🏻👍🏻 Upstate NY
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.
Impressive it started on the 2nd full length kick.
Another great video!
Always enjoy your videos and the museum . Sure would like to see other brands purchased too such as Indian , etc.
I hope you're all ok.love from Poland.
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.
Yep ,I remember those sporties in the 60,s taking hours to start with the Morris mags .The deckers were a little better .
Haven't seen anything in the news specifically about Wheels Through Time suffering extensive damage from the Helene precipitated flooding, surprisingly since the museum is in VERY, VERY close proximity to Jonathans Creek, (a bridge over the creek essentially being the very entrance to the museum). Hoping and praying all are safe, and damage to the property is minimal, and that recovery / restoration will be quick and relatively painless.
Oh, and WOW, you guys are a long way from home.
Very good video.
When I was young and had an XLCH, I knew the CH stood for charlie horse.....I've had a big twin since 1965
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
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!
Awesome bike, I had a 1966 XL, quick bike for the day.
How is the museum after the flood
Definitely out picked American Pickers