For Vintage Sportster Geeks

[Dave Swanson]

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! 

[vintage53]

Dave,


You get an A++.  keep up the great work.

As time permits, I will begin posting my progress.  TY 

[Tkelly]

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.

[BrotherJim]

Incredible work as always, Dave.  I have a similar plan for my Grandpa's '67.  It may even take 20 years!

[Tkelly]

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.

[Dave Swanson]

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!

[Scout63]

Stunning Dave. Your work is matched only by your ability to find and choose the most beautiful bikes.

[larrys]

She's a purty thang...
Larry

[s1120]

WOW!  Looks amazing? SO how was the ride? As good as hopped for?

[Dave Swanson]

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. 

[Dave Swanson]

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.

[blu guzz]

They didn't look that good when they were new.  Well done sir.

[cliffrod]

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. 

[s1120]

Cool story about the seat. Im sure most were just tossed away in the day because who kept a old Sportster stock?

[twodogs]

Wow, you are a master at bringing them back to life, can I bring my convert over and turn you loose on it 😀 

[Dave Swanson]

Wow, you are a master at bringing them back to life, can I bring my convert over and turn you loose on it 😀 

I have to get my Convert done first 

Most likely the last XLCH ride of the year.  Now on to the next project - Honda CL350.

[twodogs]

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

[LaGrasta]

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!