![]() ![]() ![]() First Electric Start SportsterUntil the 1967 XLH, all Sportsters were kickstart only.During 1967 and until 1969, the Motor Company made two cases for the Sportster, one for the kick-start XLCH and one for electric-start XLH.Starting in 1970, all Sportster models shared the same engine cases.Longer XLH FrameThe frame on the XLH was 'kicked-back' just above the swing arm pivot to accommodate the new battery box and electric start. Also this year, the was replaced by a Tillotson, which was less sensitive to lean and tilt, and also helped power and driveability.With newly designed 'P' cams, the XLCH produced 15% more power than last year. The new overhead-valve motor, fitting neatly under the gas tank, sported twin cylinder jugs sitting 45 degrees apart, topped off with a pair of cast-iron cylinder heads.It wasn't until the Evolution Sportsters came out in 1986 that the older models were referred to as 'Ironheads'.1966 SportsterThe oval-shaped 'ham-can' air cleaner, brought about by federal emission laws, first appeared in 1966. Each valve was operated by its own cam, simplifying valve train geometry.One carburetor fed both front and rear cylinders. Both connecting rods shared a common crank pin, referred to as a 'knife and fork' design. Sportster History Classic Motorcycle Build.Sportster History (1966-1979)When Harley-Davidson bolted their new overhead-valve motor to the frame in 1957, the Sportster legend began.The 883cc displacement (advertised as 900cc) was derived from a 3.81' stroke and a 3.00' bore.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |