untouched 73 XLH

[36 knuck man]

Here is a one owner, til now, untouched 73 XLH, the rear part of the chain guard did break off due to vibration, it runs good. Paint was a little faded and chrome and alum kinda dull but it will clean up nicely. It is amazing that the org owner did NOTHING to this bike, we at least changed the seats and added sissy bars back in the day, thanks, Larry

[sirhrmechanic]

It's even HARVEST GOLD! It's like the appliances at the Brady house.

Very cool time warp. What is even more amazing is that when I bought my first 'vintage' Harley (a '76 XLCH) in 1989... a late Knuck was only 42 years old. A last-year Panhead was just 24 years old, yet it was such a classic icon. This is in the same age range as the Knuck or a rigid pan. Yet somehow doesn't seem that old. Maybe it's just because I am... I've suggested to a lot of people who are interested in a vintage bike... the shovels are under-appreciated and under-priced. But they are older now than the Panhead was when the Evo was introduced. It IS a classic waiting to happen. And it's all the fun of a vintage bike with most of the modern amenities.

Thanks for posting knuckman! That's just a really neat machine!

Cheers,

Sirhr

[upsrod]

Love it Larry!

[Chris Haynes]

That isn't the '73 exhaust system.

[36 knuck man]

Oh yes it is chris it even has the part # with the 73 month and date stamped on it, I normally don't disagree with you, but you are wrong on this one, thanks, Larry

[Chris Haynes]

Damnit Larry, Don't argue with me. Here is the 1973 sales brochure that proves,,,,,, that you are right.

[sirhrmechanic]

Chris:

Neat brochure... and two things are interesting. One is that I didn't realize they were using the 'lined' plastic air cleaner cover trim that early. I know I had it on my XLCH...

More interesting is that they could not have been bothered to install the damn exhausts straight and parallel on the bike that they used for a photo shoot! What the heck!!! You would think that someone would have looked at that picture and said "Well, that just looks wrong, go reshoot it with a better bike." But no... guess it didn't matter or no one looked at it close enough to care.

Perhaps a testament to some of the dark days of AMF quality assurance? Or lack thereof?

I know that if I was HD's advertising manager (or designer) when that brochure was printed, I'd have had someone head in a saddlebag!

Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Sirhr

And the red bellbottoms... dye-nooo-mite!

[Chris Haynes]

There are four pages to that brochure. Sadly the "NEW" Photobucket won't let me upload the others.

[vph-d]

Sirh,
The air cleaner trim is a -69 part. I think it was an accessory item.
I have some early 73 literature that does not have the air cleaner trim shown in the photos.
VPH-D

[36 knuck man]

Thanks Chris you beat me to posting that picture, Larry

[Eric]

A very nice find. Time capsule. Thank you