Need a carb for my 78 XLCH

[stevecrout]

Well,  I applied for the collector plate for my 78 Ironhead and it was declined because I had the S &S carb and non-factory paint or decals.  The paint and decals I can look after OK but I'll need a stock carb to borrow or buy for the photo taking session when I re-apply.

Anyone have a stock carb for sale or rent for the 78 Sportster XLCH?

Steve

[Dennis]

My 1979 used a Keihin (sp?) with accelerator pump.  I don't have a stock air box though.  I could probably borrow one from Keith Larrett on the assumption he has a bunch in his stash.

This is a diagram of the 76-78 version of the Kiehin.  Looks the same as mine.



I have the carb at my place.  My brief surf around the web suggests that my carb was only used for 1979 and 1980, but as described above, it looks the same.

I have seen the guidelines for the collector plate requirement and they specifically exclude the S&S carb (I guess because it was such a common swap), but I am pretty sure that a genuine HD stock Keihin from a 1979 should be close enough. 

Let me know if you want to borrow it.  I could also use that as an excuse to visit Keith about borrowing an air box.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Rusty Bucket]

More than the carb - which let's face it is almost invisible behind the air cleaner - he needs a stock air cleaner/cover.  I was trying to work out which years had the squarish ones with the scoop on the top/front, but a '79 would have had one, I think.  Did your '79 have a stock lid when you got it?  I was telling Steve that the square one might be pretty hard to find, but that maybe Keith might have one.  I think a Ham Can would probably rate no further objection, though, being stock for both bikes prior and after these ones.
  I still need to search Keith's inventory for a seat for my Evo...

[stevecrout]

Thanks for the information  Russell and Dennis, I like the idea of going with the cleaner cover.  Funny they never said anything about the add-on bags.  The tank is also not a stock item but apparently I can paint it and add the decals and I'm all set.

Summertime project #2

 

[fj1200]

I have a stock ham can from a 82 FXR  with a shovel head. I think they might be the same. If so you can borrow it for the pics.

[Rusty Bucket]

There was an XLS Ironhead model that used a Suoerglide's fuel tank, (oh, I remember, it was called an XLS Roadster) and this seems to excuse the general habit of fitting the larger  bob tanks on Sportsters, as far as ICBC is concerned.  The rules for mc Collector status allow any period luggage and/or fairing and/or seating, so, given the changes a fairing makes to the looks, fittings, and handling of a motorcycle, the resulting 'stockness' gets pretty debatable.  Hans could put a 30 lb Windjammer on his Yamaha 125, reinforce the frame and beef of the front suspension to carry it, add big brakes to slow the additional weight, change the handlebars and mirrors,and  delete the stock headlight and turn signals and associated wiring - but he cannot have a tiny dent in the tank.

[stevecrout]

That sounds about right Russell  -  I was declined the first time I sent the Commando up for collector plates due to a nick in the 'Norton' decal right by the top of the 'N'.  $1.10 from the hobby store for model paint and we were back in business.

I suppose there have to be some standards but we usually like to see them mix a bit of common sense in too.

[Rusty Bucket]

  Hans' little Yamaha getting nixed was especially irritating (to me) because it is exactly the bike the Collector Program was designed for - as a sub-200cc 2 stroke streetbike, it has almost no other use than to be ridden to a place where other old motorcycle appreciators might see it and be enthused.  Even if Hans was allowed to ride the thing to work, he wouldn't often do so.  Were he to choose a bike for exploring the wide world, again, it would not likely be this one.  And yet, it's obvious stock survivor status is ignored for a dent or a scratch - hard earned, and proving rather than disproving, I think, it's suitability.  But anyway, we have the program we have...

[stevecrout]

The other irritating thing with this program is that it doesn't consider a vehicle in your spouse's name with you as the designated driver to be sufficient for the 'regular insured vehicle' requirement. We adjusted the registration of the vehicles at home to match the comings and goings of each other and not have to get stuck in the registered owner not being in Canada when it came time to renew coverage. I guess we could do the co-registered owner thing and get past it that way but it does seem like extra paperwork when the job's already done.

[Donovan]

Robbyn and I have been co-registering our bikes for few years.  That way I can renew her license when she is unavailable.  The only down fall is that if your domestic situation is dicey then it would not be advisable. 
I am going to try to register the BSA and see if it passes the regulations for a collectors vehicle.

[stevecrout]

ha ha  Donovan -  Been married to Robyn  for a long time I think? --  I bet any divorce lawyers reading the board are cringing right about now!!   

If a guy is in the midst of marital un-bliss there isn't much he/she  can do to hide anything these days. Better to be straight up and transparent than incur the wrath of a soon to be ex-spouse!   

Experience talking here.