1972 Ironhead Bare Bones Bobber

Our Harley Bobber friend Pedro sent us these pictures of his 1972 Ironhead Bare Bones Bobber which we consider a fine example of good taste. Talk about a life long love: Pedro has owned this Harley Davidson XLCH for thirty years, since he was seventeen!!!

Pedro: "1972 sporty 1000cc bored ++, Paughco frame with 30 degrees rake, paint brush grey over red, with a D.A sanded finish! Original right side shift switched over to left side suicide jocky, home made shifter, foot clutch, internal throttle, special hand grips! Hub only front. Home made exhaust. 1939 De Soto headlite and many more extras."

"I like the minimalistic approach to all motorcycles. Clean and functional."

Pedro, about the front drum brake: "No front brake is just clean!! Bare bones. Handlebars are for steering. Clotheslines are for hangin shit all over em!"

Pedro on the tires: "Speedmaster up front Coker rear. Coker replicates old Goodyear tread patterns. I've also seen these tires called commanders."

This is a 1972 XLCH, first year the Harley Sportster went from 900cc to 1000cc.

Pedro: "This motor actually has a .40 over back cylinder and a .50 over front with stock fly wheels and rods."

Evolution of a Harley Davidson Ironhead Bobber

Over time, Pedro made changes to his Bobber. Like most of us do.

Actually, the pictures above are older shots when Pedro just put the bike together so you'll notice the changes on the pics below such as the shift knob, pipe wrap, tail-lite, ect.

Pedro: "The oil tank is a billet cylinder with diamond-plate closing the sides. Battery box is stock with u-bent DP cover. The seat was made in Maine USA."

If you wonder how to achieve that special weathered effect on your next paint job:

Pedro: "I brushed on red - then black - then sanded off some of the black using a hand held electric disc vibrator sander."

Pedro: " Toggles are On/off and Hi/low beam. I hate keys they just get lost!!"

January 2009 / February 2009