• Home
  • Cars
    • American
    • British
    • Kit cars
  • Motorcycles
    • American
    • British
    • German
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Custom Built
  • Trucks
  • Other Machines
    • Aircraft
    • Engines
    • Military
    • Quarter Midget Racer
    • Reverse trikes
    • RV Conversions
    • Snowmobiles
    • Tractors
      • Power Horse
    • Trains
  • About

Uncommon Motors

When ordinary just won't do

Classic American 1958 Harley Davidson Sportster XLH Ironhead

September 18, 2016 by Paul Crowe

1958 Harley Davidson Sportster
1958 Harley Davidson Sportster

From way back in the days when the Harley Davidson Sportster first roamed the highways comes this 1958 Sportster XLH. The Sportster was introduced in 1957 so this one is a very early iteration of the long running line we’ve come to know. If, like many Motor Company enthusiasts, you’re a fan of the early models, this one looks like you could do an easy restoration and have a very desirable bike in the end.

1958 Harley Davidson Sportster XLH Ironhead
1958 Harley Davidson Sportster XLH Ironhead

This 1958 XLH appears to be pretty complete with only a few minor pieces, like the battery cover, missing. All of the sheet metal looks very nice and the seller says the engine has been rebuilt and the transmission shifts good. The XLH engine is the original “Ironhead” and the H designation means it’s the high compression version. These early Sportsters were the unvarnished, bare knuckle bikes, unlike some of the more recent versions which were beginning to resemble their big brothers, so it’s nice to see the latest models once again remembering their roots as clearly on display in this classic XLH.

1958 Harley Davidson Sportster Ironheadengine
1958 Harley Davidson Sportster Ironhead engine

Filed Under: American, Motorcycles

« The 1990 Honda RC30 is 750cc of V4 Racer Exotica for the Street
1979 Honda CX500 Deluxe Gentlemens Cafe Woody »

Comments

  1. Felipe Zapata says

    September 18, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Love that horn.

  2. James Hedman says

    September 21, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    Kickstart Sportsters kick back!

Previously on Uncommon Motors

Tri-Magnum fully enclosed reverse trike from the Robert Q. Riley Enterprises design

Tri-Magnum Fully Enclosed Reverse Trike With Gold Wing Power

1969 VW Lil Bugger RV Conversion Makes Efficient Use of the Beetle Chassis

David Oreck's Oshkosh Grand Champion 1944 Beech Staggerwing biplane

David Oreck’s 1944 Grand Champion Beechcraft G17S Staggerwing

Copyright © 2023 · Uncommon Motors · Website by Crowe Computer Services
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA