1962 XLCH Ironhead Chopper
Stick from California sent us these pictures of his beautiful Chopper that he rebuilt on the basis of a 1962 XLCH Ironhead engine and a Paughco Model 120B Rigid Sportster frame, using a Harmon Collins girder for the front end.
She's kick start only and runs off a Fairbanks Morse magneto mounted in an aftermarket housing
- vintage unknown.
Stick wanted the keylock on the magneto.
Specifications
Stick gave us the following info about his bike:
| Year/Model : | 1962 XLCH |
| Engine : | 55 cubic inch (883cc) V-Twin Harley Davidson Ironhead |
| Transmission : | V-Twin 4 speed |
| Clutch : | Barnett 9 plate Kevlar |
| Frame : | Paughco Model 120B Rigid Sportster 40* 1 1/2" stretch |
| Controls : | Custom Forwards built by Stick himself. Includes footboards, not pegs. (Stick hates footpegs) |
| Carburator : | Keihan non-CV, vintage 1976-1978 |
| Aircleaner : | Vintage - of unknown origin |
| Front End : | Harmon Collins Girder - Vintage unknown (late 60's?) |
| Front Wheel : | 21" 40 spoke with Avon Speedmaster |
| Rear Wheel : | 16" 40 spoke with Dunlop Touring Elite |
| Exhaust : | Paughco Model 719B2F upswept fishtails |
| Gas Tank : | Custom Coffin tank hand built by Stick. Custom duel fuel outlets with a remote fuel valve mounted on the left side between the jugs. The tank was just too close to the rockers to install a petcock. |
| Oil Tank : | Custom Wrap-Around modified from vintage. Remote Oil Filter welded to the back of the frame (left side). Easy to get to - Out of the way and away from the pipes and engine heat. |
| Brakes : | Rear Drum - Stock, Front - None |
| Electrical : | Converted to 12V system ala 1965 Sportster. All new wiring routed through 3/8" metal brake line that was welded to the frame during construction. Custom Voltage Regulator mount between the down tubes up front. |
| Turn signals : | Are You Joking?! This is a '62! NONE! |
Custom seat bracket.
Stick says he needed those 5" springs under his butt.
"I'm too old to ride a full rigid, but too grumpy to ride a softtail."
Paint
Custom paint by Taz (email: onebadtaz63 at aol dot com)
- Base coat is a modified 2004 Chevy Dark Green Metallic.
- When I had the paint mixed, I had the grey metal flake removed and added dark green pearl.
- After the base coat was laid down, the flames were masked off and the gold flake shot.
- Then multiple layers of clear were applied.
- The whole thing was then wet sanded and remasked for the green candy which was applied to the flames and then the whole thing was cleared again.
The proud builder-owner himself!
This is how Stick's Ironhead chopper looked like before he converted it to its present design.
May 2008
Stick shows more photos of his self built Harley chopper on the
Freed Spirits MC website
