1968 XLH Color

[DrJimPhD]

This is allegedly the original paint...what color is it or what is the HD color code. Thanks!

[vph-d]

It seems to me that your bike has a 67 paint scheme. In 67 there was a color offered called Chrystal Blue, but I don't know what the color looks like.
VPH-D

[jim d]

Is that the correct front fender or could you find them with or with our the skirted front fender ? I usually see the skirted fender with that tank, headlight housing and rear fender.
Jim D.

[DrJimPhD]

I believe it is correct for a 1968 XLH based on a 1968 magazine advertisement.

Is that the correct front fender or could you find them with or with our the skirted front fender ? I usually see the skirted fender with that tank, headlight housing and rear fender.
Jim D.

[sirhrmechanic]

Can't comment on the colors, but will say that I love that bike! Congrats and thanks for posting. I am sure someone here will have a good answer on your question. I am simply glad to see a really interesting '60's shovel Sportster with some neat features and colors.

Cheers and, if no one else has said so, welcome to the forum!!

Sirhr

[vph-d]

The 67s had the white "racing stripe", while the 68s had a black wrinkle "racing stripe" edged with white pin stripes. The fenders are correct for 67 and 68 XLH models.
VPH-D

[DrJimPhD]

Thanks for the information. I think I can assume that the color is not original since the tank stripe treatment is not correct. The bike clearly had a complete repaint at some time. I purchased it from a NJ family after the original owner passed. They were unsure as to the original color although the NJ title lists the color as green.

[Rubone]

I am simply glad to see a really interesting '60's shovel Sportster with some neat features and colors.

Sirhr,
Please try to never use the term shovel Sportster again. It is truly painful....

[sirhrmechanic]

Rub... please enlighten me. My first HD was a '76 XLCH and I always called it a shovel.

Never saw the problem with the term. But I am happy to learn my failures/foibles in nomenclature.

Thanks for the education Rubone! I am glad to learn and will not use the term again if it's something untoward.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[sirhrmechanic]

Ok... a little Google-fu and apparently for the last 26 years, I have been wrong referring to Ironhead Sportsters as Shovelheads. Silly me. There is apparently a distinction between a big twin Shovel and an Iron Sportster. My bad.

Thanks, Rub! I have sounded like part of the non-cognoscenti for more than half my life. Oops. I probably should have just stuck to Hondas.

Actually, I really do appreciate the tip. Little things do matter when it comes to knowing what we are all talking about. I learned something new today. That makes it a good day!

Cheers, all!

Sirhr

Rub... please enlighten me. My first HD was a '76 XLCH and I always called it a shovel.

Never saw the problem with the term. But I am happy to learn my failures/foibles in nomenclature.

Thanks for the education Rubone! I am glad to learn and will not use the term again if it's something untoward.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Rubone]

Sorry to offend Sirhr,
Just a pet peeve of mine. Terms like K-model Sportster (or even worse, Flathead Sportster), Hummer (for all US built lighweights) Sprint (for all Italian built lightweights), Pan-Shovel (for early Shovelheads), etc, all make me twitch a bit. But then I twitch a lot. My cross to bear, not yours.
Robbie

[sirhrmechanic]

Robbie:

No offense taken! I learned something new. That's always a good thing.

Cheers, Sirhr

[vph-d]

The one that really bothers me is "oil bag" instead of oil tank. Or when young guys drag some horribly mutilated chopper out of a barn and call it "survivor".
Back to the original topic, that is a really nice XLH. I love 50s/60s Sportsters.
VPH-D

[Blupacer]

This is allegedly the original paint...what color is it or what is the HD color code. Thanks!

Looks like SPARKLING TURQUOISE used in 1971. I bought a 67 XLCH new in HI-FI blue, but same color called Sparkling Blue in 1968. The only paint charts I have are in ACCESSORY CATALOGS.

Steve

[Blupacer]

Sorry to offend Sirhr,
Just a pet peeve of mine. Terms like K-model Sportster (or even worse, Flathead Sportster), Hummer (for all US built lighweights) Sprint (for all Italian built lightweights), Pan-Shovel (for early Shovelheads), etc, all make me twitch a bit. But then I twitch a lot. My cross to bear, not yours.
Robbie

I agree. Us old timers need to correct incorrect statements when we see them. Accurate history is important for all Enthusiasts.

Steve