LOT 424

1974 Harley-Davidson 1,000cc XLCH Sportster Registration no. not registered Frame no. *4A23317H4* Engine no. *4A23317H4*

Estimate: £5,500 - £7,500

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Lot 424

1974 Harley-Davidson 1,000cc XLCH Sportster

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|14 October 2023, 10:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1974 Harley-Davidson 1,000cc XLCH Sportster
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 4A23317H4
Engine no. 4A23317H4

The evocatively titled Sportster has been a permanent feature of the Harley-Davidson line-up since its arrival for 1957. Intended to compete with the sportier British parallel twins, and those offered by home-based rivals Indian, the XL Sportster was leaner and meaner than previous Harleys and boasted an all-new overhead-valve v-twin engine producing 40bhp. This new power unit went into the chassis of the Model K. Introduced in 1952, the 45ci Model K was Harley's final 'flat-head'. Almost a complete break with the past, the K had adopted ideas from Europe: unitary construction of the engine/transmission, swinging-arm rear suspension, foot operated gear change, and hand clutch, but despite better handling than its similar-sized predecessor, proved little faster. The arrival of the 883cc overhead-valve engine would change all that. Progressively improved and updated, the ever-popular Sportster remains Harley's top-selling model today.

This wonderful time warp Sportster was purchased new in 1974 by a Captain in the US army (purchase receipt on file showcasing the Military discount) and kept in the state of Florida until it was sold to our vendor in 2015. Imported into the UK and not started since purchase, it will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road. Documentation consists of NOVA declaration, US Title, the aforementioned purchase receipt, Harley-Davidson Owners Manual and invoices.
Offered without key

Footnotes

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