Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Swanson on May 15, 2022, 12:13:30 PM
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I have had a Harley 1964 XLCH torn down and packed away for almost 20 years. It is time to get this together while I am still above ground and have most of my marbles in one place. Many of the side jobs have been completed over the years, but the bike remains completely un-assembled, at least until the other day when I tackled building the wheels.
Since I know there are those that have a soft spot for old HD on this forum I will occasionally post an update on my progress. This will NOT be a build thread.
It doesn't look like much but this is a huge milestone in this restoration! The bike was ordered with the optional equipment Champion alloy rims, which are quite rare today. The wheels will be shod with correct Goodyear Grasshopper replicas called Dirtman and made by Allstate. The spokes and nipples are original HD and have been cad plated back when it only cost an arm, not an arm and a leg like today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YStHpyFj/IMG-0863-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zX3nncq)
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Very cool, Dave.
I don't think I have ever had any Champion rims and a quick look online didn't reveal much info.. Looks like the profile is very similar to the more common Borrani & Akront lighter weight rims vs the typical heavy profile Borrani rims commonly found on older HD. Any markings? Who manufactured them?
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Very cool, Dave.
Who manufactured them?
Champion :grin:
They are pretty much in the uber rare category today. Not many bikes were spec'd out with them and those bikes that were ordered with them got the hell beat out of them.
front 43008-60, rear 43010-64
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I wondered whether they were a Champion product or a branded item sold by Champion.
Do they say Champion on them anywhere, just the HD part number, ? Are those the only profile style of Champion rims. Pretty sure I have had (and probably still do) have some common heavy profile HD rims that only have a part number stamped on them without the "BORRANI" stamp like others do. We always assumed they were Borrani rims that for some reason didn't have the Borrani stamp because they appeared to be identical when side by side.
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I wondered whether they were a Champion product or a branded item sold by Champion.
Do they say Champion on them anywhere, just the HD part number, ? Are those the only profile style of Champion rims. Pretty sure I have had (and probably still do) have some common heavy profile HD rims that only have a part number stamped on them without the "BORRANI" stamp like others do. We always assumed they were Borrani rims that for some reason didn't have the Borrani stamp because they appeared to be identical when side by side.
There are no manufacturer ID stamped on the rims. Just the HD part number stamps. The certainly have the look of Borrani.
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On my '74 XLH , they came stock with the Borrani rims . Spent way too much money making it faster , but never
ever considered changing the wheels . The usual then , Axtell barrels , S&S crank ,Sifton cams , countless clutches !
Peter
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I have been making constant progress. It's in the home stretch now.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kXdTJfWj/IMG-E1600.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RqX7G1sf)
(https://i.postimg.cc/jCVFYPMg/IMG-1713.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N24419qm)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8kJqMxBB/IMG-1844-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Thx7X7sp)
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Love seeing your work, Dave!
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Very nice.
We're gonna need more pictures !
:bike-037:
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Good job Dave I always admire your work.
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How does that rear brake work?
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How does that rear brake work?
Early Sportsters had the rear brake pedal on the left via a crossover shaft, and shifted on the "right" side. Sportsters main competition were Brit bikes back then.
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Very nice.
We're gonna need more pictures !
One more step.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YyJk8KK/IMG-1849-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PN25WcsD)
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I see that soon I'll need to switch my screen saver from a BEAUTIFUL red Guzzi that you built to an old Sportster, which I absolutely LOVE.
Can't wait to see it!
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I should know this..
(https://i.ibb.co/4tRJgZf/642-F2146-2-A56-472-A-A38-F-7523-CFBF98-A0.png) (https://ibb.co/4tRJgZf)
I’m dense.. but is there a shoe inside the sprocket?
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I should know this..
(https://i.ibb.co/4tRJgZf/642-F2146-2-A56-472-A-A38-F-7523-CFBF98-A0.png) (https://ibb.co/4tRJgZf)
I’m dense.. but is there a shoe inside the sprocket?
The rear sprocket is riveted to the brake drum.
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That is one beautiful motorcycle. I knew that sooner or later someone would make me want a Harley. It only took 45 years Dave.
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That is one beautiful motorcycle. I knew that sooner or later someone would make me want a Harley. It only took 45 years Dave.
Ride a good one and you’ll want one in the garage, Ben….
It’s great to see the progress, Dave. Wish I had a 900 like that. Maybe someday. Can’t wait to see how how nice your bike will be. Thanks for the new pics.
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That is a great looking bike and it is a beautiful job restoring it. I can't wait to see it when you are finished and hopefully hear it via video when you kick it over.
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More bits hung on the XLCH this week.
The Smiths chronometric tachometer option was 1962 to 1964 only, and seldom ordered, which makes it exceedingly rare.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pf43jNZy/IMG-1882-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVFkg8fK)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fTq8VF80/IMG-1886-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2VvQJHRz)
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Holy crap man , are you still using the original magneto ? Or has it been brought back to as new ?
Those kickstart Sporty's left a lot of guys with a limp :( . Peter
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Looking good! I so like the looks of a nice older sportster. Back in that era when they were going for the "US built brit bike" idea, instead of a small big twin.
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What a great job! I love your Guzzi rebuilds too.
I also really like your workspace....show some pics of your garage/work area to inspire us amateurs please. And thanks for sharing your work.
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Holy crap man , are you still using the original magneto ? Or has it been brought back to as new ?
Those kickstart Sporty's left a lot of guys with a limp :( . Peter
Yes, I am using the original Fairbanks Morse magneto. It has just returned from Morris Magneto after a thorough overhaul.
"Sportster Knee" was usually caused by a worn kicker ratchet which would allow the kicker to disengage, swing free, resulting in a hyper-extension.
(https://i.postimg.cc/yxFNj0xh/IMG-1742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QKdsx9pV)
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I also really like your workspace....show some pics of your garage/work area to inspire us amateurs please.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdC6GnBS/IMG-1894-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4YCvpPQh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PxWyzgcf/IMG-1896-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BLv2JV4R)
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Carry on sir! :bow:
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Thank you Sir....I am duly impressed and inspired. It is fun to see where you carry out your magic on your beautiful bikes.
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Getting very close to completion. I have a few things to finish up on the drive side and it will be ready to start.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VsXzyQDF/IMG-1923-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BtZrDyW8)
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Man- that looks good, Dave. Very, very cool.
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Stunning build Dave, as always your bikes are drop dead gorgeous.
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At long last the restoration is now completed. I gassed it up and had my first ride on it in 20 years. It runs very well!
(https://i.postimg.cc/wTVYKCRS/IMG-1932-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXXVHwgg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dVVPJ58D/IMG-1934.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kBzhcFYd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwZ6s5Jj/IMG-1933.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4n2SgCx)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zBW4x612/IMG-1936.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HcYSxSnb)
(https://i.postimg.cc/c4dPcFkT/IMG-1938-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WbL8FTD)
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Dave,
You get an A++. keep up the great work.
As time permits, I will begin posting my progress. TY
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Congratulations Dave,beautiful work!You now have the 2 bikes that I lusted over as I saved up to buy a cycle,this and the BSA.Unfortunately I bought a Honda Dream and never had the opportunity to develop your mechanical skills.
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Incredible work as always, Dave. I have a similar plan for my Grandpa's '67. It may even take 20 years!
(https://i.ibb.co/vqbY2b1/67-Sporty.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vqbY2b1)
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The couple that have the cycle campground and shop outside Interlochen MI rode their Sportsters to Daytona in 1968.They have a newspaper article and photo of them as the we’re heading out,you can see the snow piles in the background.He told me they spent around$50 for gas on the trip.She was a contestant in the Motor Maids beauty contest,There is a poster for the contest in the shop.If she didn’t win she should have.Shirley and Steve Moore hosted the MI Guzzi rally for many years there.
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The couple that have the cycle campground and shop outside Interlochen MI rode their Sportsters to Daytona in 1968.They have a newspaper article and photo of them as the we’re heading out,you can see the snow piles in the background.He told me they spent around$50 for gas on the trip.She was a contestant in the Motor Maids beauty contest,There is a poster for the contest in the shop.If she didn’t win she should have.Shirley and Steve Moore hosted the MI Guzzi rally for many years there.
Great story Tom. Would love to meet them one day and check out that picture!
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Stunning Dave. Your work is matched only by your ability to find and choose the most beautiful bikes.
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She's a purty thang...
Larry
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WOW! Looks amazing? SO how was the ride? As good as hopped for?
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SO how was the ride? As good as hoped for?
It rides quite well for a bike of it's vintage. It feels like you could imagine a brand new 64 Sportster should feel. Since I rebuilt the engine from the crankpin out, I was most interested in how it performed - really nice torque and climbs the hills in the neighborhood in 3rd gear like they are nothing. I am quite happy with how it turned out.
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Cool little story about the amazing seat on the 64 XLCH.
At least 15 years ago when I was still a wage slave, a coworker and I were discussing our motor head hobbies. He was building a 57 Chevy hot rod. I told him about the 64 Sportster restoration. He then told me about an old Sportster seat he had stashed away for 40 years!! Of course I was all ears! The seat was removed from an old Sportster to swap with something "cooler" back in the day, but he decided to carefully wrap the seat in pillowcases and stash it in a special hiding place away from any prying eyes and fingers. After hearing about my restoration, he decided I should have it and we agreed on a price. I promptly brought it home, wrapped it in pillowcases and kept it carefully stashed away for 15 years. It is one of the best parts on the bike. Finding an original seat in this condition is quite rare today.
After 55 years of being hidden away, the seat now is back where it belongs.
(https://i.postimg.cc/G38zds7F/IMG-1938-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4nGp1nTy)
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They didn't look that good when they were new. Well done sir.
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That’s a gorgeous bike, Dave. I like how you keep moving the end of the ruler. Very cool and and very impressive restoration. Thanks for posting.
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Cool story about the seat. Im sure most were just tossed away in the day because who kept a old Sportster stock?
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Wow, you are a master at bringing them back to life, can I bring my convert over and turn you loose on it 😀 :boozing:
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Wow, you are a master at bringing them back to life, can I bring my convert over and turn you loose on it 😀 :boozing:
I have to get my Convert done first :laugh:
Most likely the last XLCH ride of the year. Now on to the next project - Honda CL350.
(https://i.postimg.cc/23pnw6RZ/IMG-2067-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QKbBNjM8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VNRstSfw/IMG-1051-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKvNyLtk)
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Lol you could practice on mine till your ready to do yours, can't wait to see your Honda done. Cl 350 or 450?
Bruce
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Beautiful resto, love the seat story too!
It was my 1998 XL883 that made me a V-Twin die-hard. I fell in love with the power delivery, and it reminded me again how much I loved my 1985 VFR500. I don't have an HD or the VFR any longer, but I do have numerous Vs in the garage! :bike-037: