Hey Mick

That "Swell" Headlight Bucket Diagram you posted kinda looks like the "Rats Nest" the previous owner made under my tank.

The light is starting to come on "Finally", I have not redone wiring in 35yrs. It is taking a while to make sense. By the way my Clymers has a different diagram for an XLC, vs XLH, although I cannot readily ID the difference. My Hanes manual should be here Wednesday.

 

XLCH is the kick start only bike. It has a smaller battery, no starter motor, solenoid or relay.

 

Mick

I should have said "XLCR", not sure of some of these differences. I have two Evo's that I ride the heck out of. I wanted an Ironhead as a reminder of my more youthful days of riding. This bike is "titled" as an XLC, I find a XLCR wiring diagram on page 350 of my Clymer Manual with starter listed as #11. The XLCH is on page 352. My FSM shows only XLH, or XLCH (pg 5-15). Not sure why???

Also, I'm not doubting your expertise, I really appreciate your input. I'm only researching the heck out of this before plunging into it because I've been out of work going on 4yrs. I don't want to "Fry" something I don't have too.

Thanks

 

The factory service manual lists 4 types distinguished by the model number [first two characters of the VIN] ...
3A, XL or XLH
4A, XLCH
4D, XLA
2G, XLT

There have been a few guys on the XLForum.net that have XLCRs. I do not recall a discussion of the VINs. What is the model number of yours?

Does it still have the original XLCR tins? Can you post a pic please?

 

I had seen the 4A description in the service manual, but discounted it as being incorrect because this bike has an electric starter, Vin starts 4A, the title say "XLC".

The bike had been chopped up by previous owners and ended up like this. See Attached

 

The bike is most likely an XLCH with the starter motor etc as being added by a previous owner.

 

At some point the CH got electric start and soon thereafter lost the kicker. The XLH and CH merged into the same bike, differentiated by not much more than the factory designation.

 

The bike is definitely an XLCH and not an XLCR. The XLCR is the Cafe Racer style Sportster. It has a different frame, the same frame that was then used on all of the 79 to 81 Sportsters. I believe that 1977 was the first year for XLCR.

Sportster.org is one good site for sportster history. More info if you use the Google search.