Saw this video and just had to comment on it. I owned one back in 1989 when I was in my early twenties living on a second floor apartment. Looking back I'm surprised how strong I was compared to now at 60. I muckeled onto the engine after separating from the frame and carried it up to my apartment so I could disassemble the top end because rear cylinder oil passage in the cylinder had elongated from wear and I replaced new along with a 30 overbore, new pistons etc. had the frame, swing arm, tank and fenders repainted, sold and made a good profit...
That's a gem! Beautiful! I had a 1973 XLCH that I commuted a 100 miles a day on. I miss those days. There were quite a few Ironheads in my locale in the early 80's. The fairly stock Ironheads seem to command higher prices than a Shovelhead does
My best friend had a 79 Roadster, till he passed away. 4"over Frank's forks, J&B forward controls, King tank and Ape hangers. He left the battery cover off, too, it kept falling off.. his originally had Buckhorn bars and 2 tone paint, black w silver inserts. Most Harleys, back then, all had Buckhorn bars. My 81 XLCH did too.. I actually liked them.
That's what a real Harley is, I love those old Sportsters. I don't know what's happened to HD, here in the UK HD dealers are closing all over the country. Always appreciate your videos Ken and even though I'm English I still say God bless America, God bless you Ken. Many thanks with love and respect.
what do you mean it aint fast? Just because a crotch rocket is faster, doesn;t mean the Sportster is slow. Cycle World cica 1968 "The Sportster will grow hair on your chest, then part it down the middle"
@martincvitkovich724 I absolutely love the bike. I'm on my second sportster, I love em but you know it isn't fast and not meant to be although I know they CAN be made to fly!
That sir is a really nice 1979 Ironhead. My good friend had🎉 one came in a box and he rebuilt it. Really fun bike to rebuild I love the old school iron Head. Amazing sir. She looks brand new Kaplan Cycles does the best work on the East Coast live to ride. Ride to live 🤘🇺🇲 The sound of it sir. There are no baffles badass
The way the way you manipulated the corners and granulations to exaggerate and expel your cylinders like breaths being taken allowed us to experience the capacity of your Chambers as they inhale and exhale,,,, the vocalization of the combustion occurring within the engine is telling you that that engine wants to live and survive and it will do everything in its power to do so it will beckon at your call and whimsically and gallantly push you to the extremities that your wrist desire I'm only 3 minutes and 29 seconds in thank you for this I will remark as often as I am passionately pushed so through your cinematography and writing prowess thank you
I had the early 84 Harley Davidson XLS Roadster and those used the larger gas tanks that were used on the big twin FXR from the same years & the difference between the 2 tanks were the XLS had a tach that was mounted in the dash on the tank with the speedometer mounted on the handle bar mount where the FXR had them mounted reversed . I took a chromed FXR dash & mounted it on my Roadsters tank after i had a buddy custom paint the tanks frame fenders that was picked by me from Kosmoskis house of colors candy tangerine orange. I had the engine modified with wiseco forged pistons all balanced and andrews back cut gears for the transmission with Barnett kevlar clutches and a Gary Bang clutch spring . The cams were Andrews cams solid lifter that were designed for compression ratio of 10:1 up to 12:1 . Valve springs wete kibble white designed for the spring pressure needed for these cams . Carburration was a S&S Super E with the Thunder jet to add the extra fuel circuit & jetted once on the chasis dyno. Pipes were custom chrome with the delta flow baffles in them solid welded inside to prevent back pressure loss and the baffles from coming out . The heads were treated to a top fuel port polish with the large valves uograde and flowed on a flow bench . Once dyno tuned on a chassis dyno for motorcyles it was making 130 hp at the rear wheel at 7,500 rpms . I sold the bike many years ago but still have pictures of it and the person who bought the bike it got stolen from him not long after i sold it to him & he wanted some pictures of it to show them to his insurance company. Never did find out what happened to it but just a few blocks away from me in North Minneapolis when I was living there back the the Hells Angels had a shop that built custom bikes and on 2 nd street they had their clubhouse so i would be willing to bet that they stole the bike from the guy that i sold it to.
Nice Bike ! Not everyone needs the latest and greatest in Displacement , and modern , but it would be hard to buy any new cruiser after seeing the Buell Super Cruiser , but I like speed , the going fast kind !
Great example what Harley Bikes used to be, raw, mechanical and with soul! Breaks my heart to see what HD Bikes became, blacked out electronical soulless and overpriced Motorcycles.
Damn thats incredible....what a harley shld sound like. U spend 35 grand for a harley today and first thing u gotta do is spend another 1500 on exhaust to get it to sound at least half way there....then another 2 grand for a cam chest and cam then youll have it....
Everything I think about trying to sell or trade my 77, I see stuff like this 😅 it just needs a tune up, and transmission put back together and installed.
I’ve owned one since 1990. The centrifugal advance wore out about five years ago and I replaced it with an Ultima unit and a couple years ago I bought a points/centrifugal advance system to have on hand in case of EMP. One thing aggravates me about the bike(and I am 5 5”) the frame is short and the carb and air cleaner sticks out pretty far and can result in a charlie horse cramp way too often. The original brakes on these bikes are less than desirable. I replaced the rear Kelsey Hayes with GMA master and caliper. I have 8 inch buckhorns on mine I put 12 inch Z bars on it for a while. They looked cool but the steering was kinda scary with the narrow glide forks. I don’t get to ride it as often as I would like.
I thought Harley-Davidson had LOST THEIR MIND when they introduced the redesigned Sportster. This was the beginning of the end for the old Ironhead and (IMHO) they only got uglier with each passing year right up to today.
@ I’m 65, ridden motorcycles for 55 years and Harley-Davidson’s for 40 of those. I started going in and out of Harley dealerships in the late 1960’s. Sorry, I hate those ‘79-later Ironheads and not bashful about stating so publicly.
Ken your age and deterioration really affect the quality of your videos bro. Take note. Stuttering, Repeating like you do 👎🏻 It maybe time for you to get off camera
I’ve got a 79XLS, What grabs my attention on your bike is the vintage style paint the low bars and the drag pipes. What an awesome combination.👏👏👏👏😎
The older Harley sounds so much better than the newer stuff😊😊
Couldn't have said it any better myself
Yup thanks epa
Absolutely 💯
Does anybody out there remember panic racing it was the one and only top fuel rear engine and dragster out of Canada
It’s cause the new Harleys got their balls cut off just like their designers
Saw this video and just had to comment on it. I owned one back in 1989 when I was in my early twenties living on a second floor apartment. Looking back I'm surprised how strong I was compared to now at 60. I muckeled onto the engine after separating from the frame and carried it up to my apartment so I could disassemble the top end because rear cylinder oil passage in the cylinder had elongated from wear and I replaced new along with a 30 overbore, new pistons etc. had the frame, swing arm, tank and fenders repainted, sold and made a good profit...
I’m not a huge Harly guy but I’d gladly have that in my garage!
Stunning example of a classic. Love the sound of that exhaust.
That's a gem! Beautiful! I had a 1973 XLCH that I commuted a 100 miles a day on. I miss those days. There were quite a few Ironheads in my locale in the early 80's.
The fairly stock Ironheads seem to command higher prices than a Shovelhead does
Man that's a good-looking bike...
My best friend had a 79 Roadster, till he passed away. 4"over Frank's forks, J&B forward controls, King tank and Ape hangers. He left the battery cover off, too, it kept falling off.. his originally had Buckhorn bars and 2 tone paint, black w silver inserts. Most Harleys, back then, all had Buckhorn bars. My 81 XLCH did too.. I actually liked them.
What a sweet little Sportster!❤ It roars like a Lion!
That's what a real Harley is, I love those old Sportsters. I don't know what's happened to HD, here in the UK HD dealers are closing all over the country. Always appreciate your videos Ken and even though I'm English I still say God bless America, God bless you Ken. Many thanks with love and respect.
Absolutely gorgeous 👍🇺🇸
It sounds like it’s only running on a couple cylinders. What a gem.
What? 2 cylinders?
Ya don't say.
That noise is glorious
Very nice Sporty.
Love your black and white bikes Kap 🤤❤️👊🏼😍🎨
Sportster for life
Amen, brother +
Sounds 100% better than any new bike 👍
Beautiful bike😍👍💪🏻🙏
I know it's not fast , some may say not good looking buuuut that sound? Fantastic!
My thoughts exactly
what do you mean it aint fast? Just because a crotch rocket is faster, doesn;t mean the Sportster is slow. Cycle World cica 1968 "The Sportster will grow hair on your chest, then part it down the middle"
@martincvitkovich724 I absolutely love the bike. I'm on my second sportster, I love em but you know it isn't fast and not meant to be although I know they CAN be made to fly!
That is one cool Harley Ken, it sounds so cool
That sir is a really nice 1979 Ironhead. My good friend had🎉 one came in a box and he rebuilt it. Really fun bike to rebuild I love the old school iron Head. Amazing sir. She looks brand new Kaplan Cycles does the best work on the East Coast live to ride. Ride to live 🤘🇺🇲 The sound of it sir. There are no baffles badass
Sweet. The first Harley I rode was an '82 Sport; I'll never forget it.
The way the way you manipulated the corners and granulations to exaggerate and expel your cylinders like breaths being taken allowed us to experience the capacity of your Chambers as they inhale and exhale,,,, the vocalization of the combustion occurring within the engine is telling you that that engine wants to live and survive and it will do everything in its power to do so it will beckon at your call and whimsically and gallantly push you to the extremities that your wrist desire I'm only 3 minutes and 29 seconds in thank you for this I will remark as often as I am passionately pushed so through your cinematography and writing prowess thank you
Looks and sounds awesome. Beautiful bike Ken you and the guys have done it proud.
Man it's so old it has chain drive. Very nice old Sportster.
It still sounds good.
Gotta love straight pipes on an IronHead. Even on a 79
I had the early 84 Harley Davidson XLS Roadster and those used the larger gas tanks that were used on the big twin FXR from the same years & the difference between the 2 tanks were the XLS had a tach that was mounted in the dash on the tank with the speedometer mounted on the handle bar mount where the FXR had them mounted reversed . I took a chromed FXR dash & mounted it on my Roadsters tank after i had a buddy custom paint the tanks frame fenders that was picked by me from Kosmoskis house of colors candy tangerine orange. I had the engine modified with wiseco forged pistons all balanced and andrews back cut gears for the transmission with Barnett kevlar clutches and a Gary Bang clutch spring . The cams were Andrews cams solid lifter that were designed for compression ratio of 10:1 up to 12:1 . Valve springs wete kibble white designed for the spring pressure needed for these cams . Carburration was a S&S Super E with the Thunder jet to add the extra fuel circuit & jetted once on the chasis dyno. Pipes were custom chrome with the delta flow baffles in them solid welded inside to prevent back pressure loss and the baffles from coming out . The heads were treated to a top fuel port polish with the large valves uograde and flowed on a flow bench . Once dyno tuned on a chassis dyno for motorcyles it was making 130 hp at the rear wheel at 7,500 rpms . I sold the bike many years ago but still have pictures of it and the person who bought the bike it got stolen from him not long after i sold it to him & he wanted some pictures of it to show them to his insurance company. Never did find out what happened to it but just a few blocks away from me in North Minneapolis when I was living there back the the Hells Angels had a shop that built custom bikes and on 2 nd street they had their clubhouse so i would be willing to bet that they stole the bike from the guy that i sold it to.
Minut 329 Ken block who oh my God what the f*** was that one of the best cinematic writing videos I've seen in a long time
Nice Bike ! Not everyone needs the latest and greatest in Displacement , and modern , but it would be hard to buy any new cruiser after seeing the Buell Super Cruiser , but I like speed , the going fast kind !
The Greatest thing I have seen all day
Roadster has a lion roar sounds great
Looks Wicked Kap!!! 😍💪🏼🎨🤤 #Welldone! 👊🏼
Appreciate it!!
Beautiful
That's the real sound man 🤘🤘✌️✌️
Still the only bike I look for in crowds
That’s a nice looking bike,like old muscle cars,just looks and sounds better
Great example what Harley Bikes used to be, raw, mechanical and with soul! Breaks my heart to see what HD Bikes became, blacked out electronical soulless and overpriced Motorcycles.
Sick!! Still perfer my grandfather's '73 F11 250 from the 70s lol😂😂😂😂
Sweet! 🇺🇸😎👍
👍🏻😎 sound is like a lion roarrrr
Damn thats incredible....what a harley shld sound like.
U spend 35 grand for a harley today and first thing u gotta do is spend another 1500 on exhaust to get it to sound at least half way there....then another 2 grand for a cam chest and cam then youll have it....
Clean!
Had 82 xls roadster , 4250 new, 1000 rebate
Coolest sportster
Everything I think about trying to sell or trade my 77, I see stuff like this 😅 it just needs a tune up, and transmission put back together and installed.
4cam cast iron👍
Best part about classics is insuring them under classic insurance companies like I did. Cost nothing to insure. Like $90 a year.
Harley Davidson please make a new iron head. Pleaseeeee
Clean Ironhead
🐝🏁 Ken that's one very beautiful Harley Davison! Smoking 🔥!
I’ve owned one since 1990. The centrifugal advance wore out about five years ago and I replaced it with an Ultima unit and a couple years ago I bought a points/centrifugal advance system to have on hand in case of EMP. One thing aggravates me about the bike(and I am 5 5”) the frame is short and the carb and air cleaner sticks out pretty far and can result in a charlie horse cramp way too often. The original brakes on these bikes are less than desirable. I replaced the rear Kelsey Hayes with GMA master and caliper. I have 8 inch buckhorns on mine I put 12 inch Z bars on it for a while. They looked cool but the steering was kinda scary with the narrow glide forks. I don’t get to ride it as often as I would like.
Does anybody out there remember panic racing it was the one and only top fuel rear engine Harley out of Canada
🤩
What carb are you running?
And the answer is?
Was it still a.m.f in 1979 ?
Yes
And AMF were good Harleys....the people working at HD were the bad part!
Stock carb on it or
a S&S SUPER.- E CARB
Wow that sounds so good ❤❤❤❤
The bastard bike! Worked at a dealership and would cringe every time someone came in for parts. Everything was different for for a 79 bike
That's just bullshit...the 1979 had the brake master cylinder that the exhaust wrapped around!
That's a AMF Harley.
😀🔥💪✝️
---------------------------- HD should/could of placed mill on ST frame .....stretched it out some ....thx
Now that I would park in my garage NO woke shit went into that🇺🇸💪🏼🦅
Something wrong with it, I don't see any oil dripping on the pavement!!! The good ones have an auto oil changing system 😂😂
It's so loud it affects the camera😂😂
I thought Harley-Davidson had LOST THEIR MIND when they introduced the redesigned Sportster. This was the beginning of the end for the old Ironhead and (IMHO) they only got uglier with each passing year right up to today.
@ I’m 65, ridden motorcycles for 55 years and Harley-Davidson’s for 40 of those. I started going in and out of Harley dealerships in the late 1960’s. Sorry, I hate those ‘79-later Ironheads and not bashful about stating so publicly.
Buy an ironhead if you want to learn how to work on harleys, it worked for me ! 😅
Day 2 of asking for a gas gas 450
Ken your age and deterioration really affect the quality of your videos bro. Take note. Stuttering, Repeating like you do 👎🏻
It maybe time for you to get off camera
Could you be anymore vile?
You’d be stuttering too coming in off a bike -13 outside🫵🏼