1968 ironhead, xlch sportster

[CYDtheKID]

I own one of these old kickers and apparently need some help. Any old schoolers out there willing to communicate with me about this bike?

Thanks, Cyd

[Kurt V]

Cyd I have a bit of knowledge on them. What do you want to know?

[earz]

I can offer advice

[CYDtheKID]

It apparently has too much compression for me to kick. And, after having foot tendon surgery on my insole, I'm afraid of tearing it again. Anyhow, I'm 125 lbs. and can't get it started. My heavier (men) friends get her fired on 2 or 3 kick. Then, when it is warm it is hard to start. I've got good gas, lead substitue added and carbs and upper end just redone. Runs great when it is going. Can't put electric on a XLCH, only the XLH as I am told. So, maybe I have a nice "trailer trophy.:
I can't even get the kicker down, it is really hard, I think due to my weight AND I don't live on a hill. Any ideas or is it "trailer trophy."?

[earz]

Ever heard of "sportster knee"? Ask anyone that owned a kick only sporty for a while. They're all that hard to kick. Time to get out the twinkies and ho-ho's to pack on the pounds.

I wonder if anyone has ever successfully installed compresion releases on one of those....doubtful. It may not even be possible.

[Pegasus1]

Beer builds bigger bodies!

[Kurt V]

Cyd, you have the double whammy on that '68. High compression and a magneto! Ignition timing is usually the main cause of hard kick starting. When it's warm & running put a dynamic light on the plug hole between the jugs and adjust it so you see the line in the middle of the hole. Yes you will get a face full of oil vapor! Yes you will have to clean the bike after. But pushing a sporty to start it is also a royal pain. Sportster kick start mechanisms are not very well designed. The shaft runs all the way 'cross the motor then connects to a clutch thing that slips if your out of line. I've stacked 2 bushings into the right side kicker cover to try to maintain ridgity. With a Magneto, the cap leaks air and condensates when it's cold. Check the advance cam springs and make sure they have some strength to retard the flyweights if in doubt replace 'em. They fully advance before 2 grand so they're mostly for starting.

Of course the carb should be tuned right.

[Kurt V]

Couple of other thoughts, does your '68 have the manual retard on the left handgrip? If so are you using it when starting?

Second you can always either get thicker head gaskets or low compression pistons to lower the compression ratio to make it easier to kick start.

[CYDtheKID]

Wow, what a great discussion THANKS
earz: "I wonder if anyone has ever successfully installed compresion releases on one of those....doubtful. It may not even be possible." AN OLD SCHOOLER LAST NIGHT TOLD ME TO DO THIS, IT IS DOABLE AND AM GOING TO PURSUE
kuRT: 1ST MESSAGE what language is this? ha ha, guess i will have to have mechanic doe this
Kurt: 2nd message, yes, spark arrest on left grip, turn half way to start, then back to normal and adjust as riding.

I will get some estimates on costs of these suggestions. I am willing to stick some decent money in it, but not a ton. I have interested buyers, but not willing to pass her on yet, i really want her to show - i'm into the antiques.

Thanks so much, kickers knee? already there, but i've had kickers before, none this hard, they were not Harleys - har har

[earz]

I don't know if you're a member on xlforum.net but I googled and found a topic for easy kickstart recipe for an ironhead. May check it out

Ironhead easy kickstart recipe - The Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Forum