Topic: 68 HD XLH900

[jon_bon_joey]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and wanted to share my recent project. 1968 HD XLH900. I have acquired a couple abandoned CB750 projects that I'm eager to get started on next. Not sure how soon, though.

Jonathon

[Stev-o]

Looks cool. Hows it run?

[jon_bon_joey]

It runs pretty good. Thankfully it's electric start. Haha. Still need to clean up the carb a little better, replace the front brake cable, and fix an oil leak.

[Geeto67]

whose springer and seat is that?

those old santee fender braces are getting harder to find these days.

here is my 1974 XLH1000. These old Ironheads are fun to ride once you completely unscrew all the PO's mistakes:

IMG_7238

[jon_bon_joey]

The seat is from Mother Road Customs: http://motherroadcustoms.com Since I have taken this picture I found a pogo seat spring set on Ebay and have taken off the 2" coil springs. Here's a close up.



The springer is V-Twin Manufacturing, I believe. I had a lot of help with it from a friend that specializes in springers. Had to make new neck cups as well as place a bearing in the brake drum hub so it articulates along with the front leg.

Haha, yeah, I think the only tools the PO had was a hammer and flat head screwdriver.... I bought it as a barn find and completely tore it down. Spilt the cases and all. Had to replace the flywheel because it was so rusty from not being stored properly. I like your XLH1000. I've had a blast riding it around my country roads the past few weeks.

The fender braces are SB&F or so I was told. Still, hard to find. The set I have came from the guy that helped me reassemble the motor.

Here is a picture of how I bought it:



Jonathon

[Geeto67]

It's funny, I feel like all the old abused sporty's look pretty much the same. Mine looked almost identical except it was painted black metallic, had a mustang tank, and a lower profile king/queen seat.

It burned up on me on the way home because the PO had wired it all with brown lamp cord (all the wires brown) and made some brackets out of #$%*ty milk jug plastic.

I had some neck cups made to run a 1975 GL1000 front end (because I have a few stockpiled, when you start researching your cb750 you'll understand why) but haven't installed it yet.

the stock pogo setup is really nice, I had a buddy with a 68 that he installed them into and it was super smooth and comfy. I have that crappy year without the shock casting so I can't use it otherwise I would.

I have seen the mother road customs tractor seat before but never knew anybody who had one because they are like $320. I have the replica XLCH seat from sporty specialties and it was $160. It's comfy but the leather is crap and wrinkled up. I have an upholsterer friend and I think I am going to have her redo mine in tooled leather - she did my last seat for $200 (a friend price) and it was a much larger diamond pleat job.

[jon_bon_joey]

Yeah, the seat was a little salty, but the quality is top notch. I looked at several different options and just decided to save up for this one.

I just noticed my typo.... Mine is a 68 as well.

[dusterdude]

Cool bike

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[jon_bon_joey]

Thank you!

[dusterdude]

Welcome

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[CBJoe]

Hey Jon...glad to see you finally made it onto the forum. Now we just need to get cracking on our 750's


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[jon_bon_joey]

Hey! Yeah, excited to get started on our 750s as well.

[72 yellow]

Nice bike.  I had a 73 XLH Ironhead.  Now have a 2000 1200 XLH. 

[jon_bon_joey]

Thank you!