harleyKmodel

This is a moment, that everyone knows, sometimes it takes long, sometimes in never ends -- but suddenly its there. I have a first impression on the new look of my bike. Its not so much what it is or how well its done. The first time sitting on a bike with new tank and handlebars started a desire to drive that bike. Especially if it is the more or less original appearance of a 59XLH. The funny thing was, that I immediately had the imagination of making a wheely on the bike. The handlebars feel amazing!

Maybe a short look of the bike this summer:


I stripped the complete bike and rebuild the engine. All knowledge I could read and grasp, combined with a long time experiance with the bike itself went into it. Nothing special, just tried to do good.


I try to use as many original parts with original finish, that would get only cleaning and some refurbishing. Some parts need to get painted, others get parkerized. The frame got (after many usefull comments, considerations and headaches) painted black:

in between some bike puzzle with my kids ...


and suddenly I put some stuff together that was never on the bike since I bought it ... back to original.


yeah, making low wheelies with this setup must be decent.

The big question is: I wanted to go for a "solid color" option with oil and tool bag in black. I am struggeling between the claypso red and the skyline blue ... I am tending to the red otpion. btw, I will keep the XLCH headlight for the moment (you never know) -- I also received a very nice K-model dual seat ... hmmm


A big thanks to all here in the forum for posting such detailed and knowledged information. I do (also form my professional point of view) believe pretty much in "Open source" platforms to share details that could never been found in books. An amazing opportunity. I just thought to share the moment, when information and inspiration results in something nice.

Hi Ralf, Thank you for those photos and your narrative. You have a lot to be proud of there, brother! Mike in Wenatchee, WA

When I was a kid, most CH models had the dual seat. It may look better with the solo saddle, but the dual seat allows you to slide back and lean into the wind when on the highway. I enjoy my '56 KHK a lot more since I retired the solo seat and replaced it with the dual version. I am doing the same with my 1960 CH.

Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. This is one of things I enjoy about this forum. You did good.

I'll bet those pipes sound nice - one of the best exhaust systems they made for the early Sportster if you're running them???

Som ,,,,,,
Not using the rusty old peanut tank. Best to just chuck it away.
Although I DO need something to prop up the left end of my bench and that tank would be perfect. Don't chuck it in the rubbish bin - I'll pay the postage if you'll send it to me !

Thanks for all your encouraging comments.

@coolbreeze: You started something here with your comment about the large seat. I took the seat (which I never intended to put on the 59XLH), just to check.


Besides that I really like the look, sitting on the seat and "sliding" back was a revelation. I think I have to use that seat ... it has the sportive look and I believe the handling of the bike will be indeed much better with that seat.

The dual pipes do sound nice and I will use them for sure. I had some issues with tuning when I switched from the CV to the DC Linkert. Not sure wether this is the carb or the combination with the interconnected duals.

@ferrous: I have been looking for the right 59/60 gas tank for quite some time ... at the it turned out to be a very good deal at the end. You need patience to find these things. Like finding a Km/h speedometer.

I hope I get not thrown out of the forum when using the XLCH nacelle for the XLH. I just can´t connect to the 59 nacelle ... that by the way the reason for the -62 top tripple tree. If I go for the steel part, it should be the XLH type.


I will keep you updated.

btw ... any solutions to recover a chromed XLH primary cover? I assume the only viable option is aluminum paint or powder coat?

Check with local platers. They may be able to strip. Horrible stuff chrome on alloy...or glass bead for days, block sand some...etc. Nice K Buddy seat. Little smaller than the giant white PF Flyer XL one...