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  • #1

    Meet the Latest Addition to the Family

    Finally found a good deal on my dream bike. She's a 1979 Sportster XLS 1000 Roadster. I've dreamed of having an ironhead for awhile now and the time has finally come! I have to say though, these things definitely deserve their reputation for being giant piles of burning crap. Couldn't help but have a huge grin on my face as I drove through town though

    78 E - 2to1 exhaust, dynatek coils, special headlight [SOLD!]
    79 F - gas tank refurb, headgasket change, straight pipes, late model carbs, virago lowering shocks, special headlight and gauges, TC fuse block, GSXR-1100 carbs (WIP)


    "May my tires not fail me, nor my engine grow cold"
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Isn't that one of the Hardleys that was made by AMF?
    Greg

    Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

    ― Albert Einstein

    80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

    The list changes.

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by BA80 View Post
      Isn't that one of the Hardleys that was made by AMF?
      '69-'81 were the terrible AMF years.
      Nathan
      KD9ARL

      μολὼν λαβέ

      1978 XS1100E
      K&N Filter
      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
      OEM Exhaust
      ATK Fork Brace
      LED Dash lights
      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
      Green Monster Coils
      SS Brake Lines
      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

      Theodore Roosevelt

      Comment

      • #4
        Why? Dream or nightmare? I had a friend in college back in the late 70's who had one of these...couldnt keep the oil inside where it belonged...the absolute worst years for HD...
        1980 XS650G Special-Two
        1993 Honda ST1100

        Comment

        • #5
          Had a friend in Texas back in the late 80's that had a 77 XL. It ran pretty good...........when it ran.

          It was busted most of the time.
          Greg

          Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

          ― Albert Einstein

          80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

          The list changes.

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by madmax-im View Post
            Why? Dream or nightmare? I had a friend in college back in the late 70's who had one of these...couldnt keep the oil inside where it belonged...the absolute worst years for HD...
            Yeah, they weren't very good during this time period but it's a piece of American history either way. It's not really a nightmare if you know the story before you start reading . I'm expecting long, frustrating hours working on this bike but I'm also excited about the challenge. I figured I've been too spoiled on my XS11. It might be time for something that's a little less bullet proof. PLUS, actually having modern reproductions of parts is overwhelmingly awesome. It'll be nice to actually have a good, new part rather something stripped out of a barn find.

            No matter what anyone says you can't beat the look, sound, and "character" of a 70's HD. I like riding things that are unique and the ironhead cult is definitely strong plus it's cool that I found a roadster. There are not many of this bike left on the road (probably for a reason).
            78 E - 2to1 exhaust, dynatek coils, special headlight [SOLD!]
            79 F - gas tank refurb, headgasket change, straight pipes, late model carbs, virago lowering shocks, special headlight and gauges, TC fuse block, GSXR-1100 carbs (WIP)


            "May my tires not fail me, nor my engine grow cold"

            Comment

            • #7
              Good luck........

              http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/t...p?tag=ironhead
              Greg

              Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

              ― Albert Einstein

              80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

              The list changes.

              Comment

              • #8
                Is it just my imagination, or is one of the front rotors drilled and the other not? That's an interesting combination - best of both worlds? I can't really talk...I've been known to wear two different socks...

                p.s. congrats on the bike, should be an experience!
                '81 XS11H Venturer - holed up in storage while life happened since 07/08/04
                '81 Kawasaki KE175 enduro - 63 mph of smokey fun, now with collector plates!

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by D0wn5h1ft View Post
                  Yeah, they weren't very good during this time period but it's a piece of American history either way. It's not really a nightmare if you know the story before you start reading . I'm expecting long, frustrating hours working on this bike but I'm also excited about the challenge. I figured I've been too spoiled on my XS11. It might be time for something that's a little less bullet proof. PLUS, actually having modern reproductions of parts is overwhelmingly awesome. It'll be nice to actually have a good, new part rather something stripped out of a barn find.

                  No matter what anyone says you can't beat the look, sound, and "character" of a 70's HD. I like riding things that are unique and the ironhead cult is definitely strong plus it's cool that I found a roadster. There are not many of this bike left on the road (probably for a reason).
                  Thats cool...you have the passion for it ...by all means go for it...indeed Good luck...
                  1980 XS650G Special-Two
                  1993 Honda ST1100

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I had a 1980 with straight pipe and I loved to ride back roads and listen to the pipes. It did great at 55 to 60 mph, but anything over that and it started vibrating off parts.

                    The Other Earl
                    80SG, 81SH, 80 standard parts bike, 81SH parts bike
                    and new to me 78 standard dresser

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by CRXSi90 View Post
                      Is it just my imagination, or is one of the front rotors drilled and the other not? That's an interesting combination - best of both worlds? I can't really talk...I've been known to wear two different socks...

                      p.s. congrats on the bike, should be an experience!
                      I noticed that too but hoped it was just the pic playing tricks.
                      Nathan
                      KD9ARL

                      μολὼν λαβέ

                      1978 XS1100E
                      K&N Filter
                      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                      OEM Exhaust
                      ATK Fork Brace
                      LED Dash lights
                      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                      Green Monster Coils
                      SS Brake Lines
                      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                      Theodore Roosevelt

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        I just read an article on amf 2 days ago and they said 73-76 was the actual bad years. Lots of intentional sabotage like broken drill bits in oil passages and different fasteners left out or loose. That's just what I read, hard to tell, they may all be bad.
                        Jeff
                        77 XS750 2D completely stock
                        79 SF XS1100 "Picky" stock with harley mufflers

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          If you check close you will likely find lots of parts on it that were not made in the U.S.A.. They do get great M.P.G. ! One of my fond memories was doing wheelies on a 69.
                          76 XS650 C ROADSTER
                          80 XS650 G Special II
                          https://ibb.co/album/icbGgF
                          80 XS 1100 SG
                          81 XS 1100LH/SH DARKHORSE
                          https://tinyurl.com/k6nzvtw
                          AKA; Don'e, UD, Unca Don'e

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            This is my '77 XLCH. Front and rear end are Kawasaki. Top tube raised.
                            Swing arm extended. Lots of engine work (stroked, bored, double plugged, etc., etc.). Does not mark it's territory. Does take a pretty good wrench to keep her on the road.



                            1995 KZ100P
                            Pods, jets, pipes, cam adjuster, oil cooler

                            1977 Ironhead - custom build
                            Hot engine, custom frame, KZ front and rear, high torque starter, alternator conversion, Progressive shocks, Thunderheart wiring, Dyna ignition, oil cooler, Dakota Digital instruments, etc.

                            Sold all my XS's to Eastcoaster but still love to keep up with you guys. This is the best cycle forum on the web.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              70s Harley

                              My buddy has a 70s Harley. People are always asking me if I took it for a ride. I say sure all the time..........in the back of my van!
                              Just picking on ya, enjoy
                              79 XS11 Special (Lazarus)
                              80 XS850 Special (Old Faithful)
                              80 XS11 Standard sorta stock (Beatrice)
                              79 DT 100

                              Comment

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