Just found out on sportster.org that based on my VIN, I have a XLH. How is that any different from say, a XLCH, XLCR, etc.

I've never really understood these Harley IDs.

 

Kikwear,

Check out this link...might help, might not. The Harley Davidson Alphabet soup is hard to keep up with.

Harley Designations


Mac

 

Most of the time, at least in the 70s, an XLH is an electric start only bike, but not always. And the XLCH is always a kick start only bike, unless someone has added an electric foot. XLCR is a relatively rare model; CR meaning "Cafe Racer". And there was the XLX, a base version around the last year of the ironhead motor. Buddy of mine had an XLT, which was an XLH with a bigger tank, bigger seat, and passenger pegs mounted on a stationary bracket instead of the moving swingarm. Guess the "T" meant "Touring".

"Back in the day" men rode XLCH models, and girly-men rode XLH models.

 

Possible to add a kick start to a XLH?

OK...just found this. Just have to get a 77 kick and electric I suppose...

http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...2-3244AA6DFC45

 

Kikwear, what year scoot do you have? We may be dealing with the same interchanges... 57-78.

Check out this page for letter designations.

http://www.cyclemanual.com/faq.htm

 

Sorry, it's a 77 XLH.

Edit...that page says a 3A is a XL/XLH. How to tell the difference exactly? Bike currently has electric start with no provision for kicker.

 

I think since it's a '77, it'll be an XLH (and after looking in the below mentioned manual, I was wrong!). I'm trying to remember when/why they used just the XL designation. Might've happened after they quit making the CH model, but I can't remember when that was, or if it is even relevant. Heading to the shop to look at a couple manuals.

Here's what the factory 1970 to 1977 manual says: Basically nothing that'll shed irrefutable light on the situation!

Pictures are : 1971 XLH, 1972 XLCH, 1973 XLCH, 1974 XL, 1975 XLH, 1975 XLCH, 1976 XL, 1976 XLCH, 1977 XL, 1977 XLCH.

So much for my theory of when/why they started using the XL designation. My Dad had a '73 Sporty, and I had it with me for a year when I was rebuilding my '72 CH chop. I remember distinctly it was an XLH as I had a buncha opportunities to produce the registration for the local lawdogs!

It looks like the XL designation might've displaced the XLH in 1974, but that's just conjecture on my part. I'd say your '77 is an XL, at least by the info in this manual.