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sporty1973's sweet 1963

This is a rare vintage 1963 XLH. Total restoration started in 2000. pdf version
1963-Sportster_rt.jpg

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sporty1973's sweet 1963
This is a rare vintage 1963 XLH. Total restoration started in 2000. 1963-Sportster_rt.jpg
According to production figures 1963 is the lowest number of XLH's produced in any year. This is one of 432 built. This Sportster originally came from California in 1980. My brother in-law purchased it upon leaving the Navy, and rode to
Connecticut. I bought it from him in 2000, and did a full restoration. I didn't put the saddlebags, windshield, and crash bars on it. I made it like an XLCH.  The paint is called Black Rose Cherry, with Silver on the tank. Beautiful in sunlight. Added a small silver pinstripe on the fenders. Engine cases have matching belly numbers. There are no repairs at all on these cases. Frame powder coated black, front and rear brake housings also powder-coated black. Foot pegs and brake lever powder-coated.
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Engine was completely rebuilt. Heads with new valves and guides. Cylinders bored to .040 over. Tranny was rebuilt using O.E.M. gears. The electrical was changed to  a 12V system. Original was 6V. Generator is new with the voltage reg on the end. I installed a Mallory electronic ignition. No problems starting. Wheels are both 18" and re-chromed, with stainless steel spokes. Ignition switch is NOS. Front fender is NOS. Rear fender is a repop. I installed front and rear NOS fender tips. Tires are period repops. Exhaust is an NOS-65A complete system with all brackets, nuts and bolts. It sounds nice. Head light is an NOS housing with correct terminal plate for electrical connections. Wiring is all new. Head light nacelle is original. Carburetor is a new Bendix from Harley dealer.
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I personally like the " ham can" look with air filter. Original top and bottom for the battery.
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Rear chain guard is NOS and powder-coated. New chain front and rear. Seat is a solo with all the original hardware and springs. Rear shocks have been rebuilt using NOS shocks inside. Valve covers, clutch cover, cam cover have been bead blasted and cleared.

Engine is in the original silver paint for 63. Original cams. Clutch has all new parts. Speedometer has only 211 miles since rebuild. Clutch cable and brake cable are new. I'm sure I forgot some items. A great little Sportster. Fun to ride.
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