Triump vs Harley

[TheKid]

True enough. But check out my 1965 XLCH and 1946 Knuck Bobber. I built both from crankpin up, and check out how the powerplants stand up. Not tons of power in either, but for looks and nostalgia, they are hard to beat. The 46 was a two for two show winner, and the XLCH got more attention than any bike I ever owned in my life. Sold em both for stupid money, and another XLCH is in my future. I just like em! Rocket is a different animal altogether.

I had a 1974 XLCH. Right hand shifter. Rode it to Sturgis and back. Loved it. Felt free again

 

[IMFASTTOO]

I had a 1974 XLCH. Right hand shifter. Rode it to Sturgis and back. Loved it. Felt free again

I owned and built many XLCH iron head sportsters even had the TOP FUEL record wih one back in the sixties Had a 76 inch kick start street bike that turned 127mph and 10.7 1/4 mile thats faster than a new ROCKET ROADSTER

 

[daytonageo]

The best part about owning an XLCH is starting it. It always starts on one kick. Which one is anyone's guess. Sometimes number one, sometimes number forty!

 

[Bedifferent]

Every sportster I owned was an XLCH...electric start was for sissies. I learned real fast how to start one and not let it get the best of me. You kick starters all know what I'm talking about! Several of my first bikes all had a manual spark advance. That could be a little hard on the leg, and you, if you forgot to retard it. I only saw one sportster I couldn't start and that had a magneto. It belong to a friend and the simplest way to get it going was to push start it. While on my bike, I would push my friend bike by putting my foot on his shock to get him going. 20mph and a gear pop did it every time.

 

[kipper]

We never got much chance over here in Scotland to ride or even see a Harley ,the first dealership opened in 1986!

 

[daytonageo]

My 65 XLCH had a magneto with no advance. You could set it up two ways; start good or run good. I always set it up to run good. I figured I would get it started. Cold it was a ***** for sure, bit once hot or warm, it was a one kicker every time. I DO want another, if for nothing more than having my right leg twice the size of the left!

 

[IMFASTTOO]

My 65 XLCH had a magneto with no advance. You could set it up two ways; start good or run good. I always set it up to run good. I figured I would get it started. Cold it was a ***** for sure, bit once hot or warm, it was a one kicker every time. I DO want another, if for nothing more than having my right leg twice the size of the left!

YEP I worked at the Harley dealer and my right leg got pumped up from kick starting the big hot rod stroker engines

 

[Rick Morris]

This was a fun bike to ride. 1960 XLCH 900 with disc brakes and a magneto. I used a clothespin to retard the timing when I kicked it. The clothes pin was the perfect width and the bike started first or every time. Nice tracker style bike but it was short on any real power and torque.

 

[Rick Morris]

My 65 XLCH had a magneto with no advance. You could set it up two ways; start good or run good. I always set it up to run good. I figured I would get it started. Cold it was a ***** for sure, bit once hot or warm, it was a one kicker every time. I DO want another, if for nothing more than having my right leg twice the size of the left!

There was a 66 XL on Craigs List a few months ago but between my right knee and hip from 40 plus years of kicking I had to pass. I still ride a 450R and if it is cold it makes me work too friggin hard. I agree it would be fun to have another kick only twin but it would have to be an old Triumph. Iron heads and Shovels will probably get the best of me these days.

 

[daytonageo]

There was a 66 XL on Craigs List a few months ago but between my right knee and hip from 40 plus years of kicking I had to pass. I still ride a 450R and if it is cold it makes me work too friggin hard. I agree it would be fun to have another kick only twin but it would have to be an old Triumph. Iron heads and Shovels will probably get the best of me these days.

I'd be up for another Shovel too. I had 3 different ones. The XLCH is still my fave for a Harley. Mot much power, but the looks and sound are awesome.