Meet the Latest Addition to the Family

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  • D0wn5h1ft
    XSive Maximus
    • Aug 2013
    • 515
    • Westerly, RI.
    #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
    • BA80
      Doctor of XSology
      • Oct 2010
      • 9980
      • Tulsa, Ok
      #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

        • natemoen
          Master of XSology
          • May 2010
          • 8640
          • Fargo
          #3
          Originally posted by BA80
          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

            • madmax-im
              Master of XSology
              • Sep 2007
              • 6762
              • Southern Comfort...Wendell NC
              #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...
              persona non grata

                Comment

                • BA80
                  Doctor of XSology
                  • Oct 2010
                  • 9980
                  • Tulsa, Ok
                  #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

                    • D0wn5h1ft
                      XSive Maximus
                      • Aug 2013
                      • 515
                      • Westerly, RI.
                      #6
                      Originally posted by madmax-im
                      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

                        • BA80
                          Doctor of XSology
                          • Oct 2010
                          • 9980
                          • Tulsa, Ok
                          #7
                          Good luck........

                          http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/tags.php?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

                            • CRXSi90
                              XStremely XSive
                              • Jun 2004
                              • 400
                              • Madison, Wisconsin
                              #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

                                • madmax-im
                                  Master of XSology
                                  • Sep 2007
                                  • 6762
                                  • Southern Comfort...Wendell NC
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by D0wn5h1ft
                                  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...
                                  persona non grata

                                    Comment

                                    • Old Red
                                      XStremely XSive
                                      • Jul 2012
                                      • 290
                                      • Greenville, NC
                                      #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

                                        • natemoen
                                          Master of XSology
                                          • May 2010
                                          • 8640
                                          • Fargo
                                          #11
                                          Originally posted by CRXSi90
                                          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

                                            • jjz28
                                              XS-XJ Guru
                                              • Apr 2012
                                              • 1023
                                              • Beckley, W. Va.
                                              #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

                                                • donebysunday
                                                  XS-XJ Guru
                                                  • Oct 2012
                                                  • 1737
                                                  • New Berlin, Wi.
                                                  #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

                                                    • Aches n Pains
                                                      XStremely XSive
                                                      • Sep 2009
                                                      • 349
                                                      • Reston, Va.
                                                      #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

                                                        • xs11lover
                                                          XS-XJ Guru
                                                          • Apr 2008
                                                          • 1433
                                                          • Montoursville Pa
                                                          #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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