XLCH Condenser

[billpedalino]

I've posted this question in the electrical forum, but I haven't rceived a definative answer, so it seems more appropriate under this Sportster forum.

I recently purchased on OEM generator/horn regulating capacitor for my 1964 XLCH. I've had the bike since around 1969 and, of course, I chopped it forcing me to now restore it. Luckily I did not cut the frame. I remeber having the condensor, but I can't for the life of me, remember where it was mounted. On later magneto Sportsters it was on the left frame seat area web above the regulator. But mine is a 6 Volt model 61 generator model and it must have been mounted near the generator or horn. Someone suggested that it was mounted to one of the front oil tank ears, but I don't remember seeing that.

If anyone has an original '63 or '64 CH or is really sure where the condensor was mounted, I would love to know.

Thanks,
Bill Pedalino

[Chris Haynes]

It is mounted on the lower front oil bag mount.

[billpedalino]

Thanks Chris ,

The photo certrainly is the definative answer. I would assume that the wire must run around the right side of the rear cylinder - possibly to the horn? Also, it's interesting that its shown painted black - the ones I've seen are all natural aluminum. The photo shown is of a post '64 CH as well - you can tell by the well protruding beneath the tank in the drain plug area - maybe this was a pre-production phote, thus the painted condenser?

Thanks so much for clearing up the location matter for me.

Bill

[billpedalino]

Thanks Chris ,

The photo certrainly is the definative answer. I would assume that the wire must run around the right side of the rear cylinder - possibly to the horn? Also, it's interesting that its shown painted black - the ones I've seen are all natural aluminum. The photo shown is of a post '64 CH as well - you can tell by the well protruding beneath the tank in the drain plug area - maybe this was a pre-production phote, thus the painted condenser?

Thanks so much for clearing up the location matter for me.

Bill

[Chris Haynes]

This is a factory advertising photo that has been airbrushed.

[billpedalino]

Chris,
In final assembly of my '64 XLCH and was going through some old photos and found one that you sent me a few years ago. While this is obviously a factory-issued photograph (Possibly 1965 from the oil tank configuration), it's interesting to note that THE LEGEND BEGINS shows the capacitor mounted to the threaded boss on the top of the primary cavity in 1964. I don't remember ever seeing one mounted there. Do you?

It is mounted on the lower front oil bag mount.

[Chris Haynes]

The above picture is a 1965. I don't have a left side 1964 picture. On this right side picture I can see that the condenser is NOT on the lower oil tank mount as shown in the '65 picture.

[Sportster Jerry]

I saw a very correct original paint 1964 XLCH at the Jefferson, PA meet about 5 years ago, and the condenser was mounted to the lower front oil tank mounting tab on the primary side, just as shown in Chris' first photo. I have photos, but can't find them at the moment, but I remember it distinctly because that is where I put the condenser on my 1964 XLCH resto.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/V1mUPC]

[vph-d]

I recently saw a road test on a 62 CH that had the capacitor mounted to the top of the primary case, probably on a stud into the H tool box mount.
VPH-D

[Robert Luland]

Here is a pick of the 64 at Jefferson five years ago.

[billpedalino]

Thank you gentlemen. From what I can surmise, it looks like both positions were probably used in 1964. THE LEGEND BEGINS shows it on the primary casting and that is the official publication. However, the photos used could have been pre-production shots. Furthermore, mount location could also have been changed during the production year. This is evidenced by Bob's photo of what I believe to be a later production '64 with newer oil tank and the capacitor mounted accordingly.

Given the above responses, all of which from people that I know are knowledgeable, it looks like both positions were used with the final position (left side frame) finalized in 1965. I've mounted mine on the primary casting.

Thank you all for your input.