1966 Harley Davidson Chopper

Simply the finest 1966 H-D XLCH Chopper on the Planet

Disclaimer: If you are looking for a low end H-D XL based chopper (there are tons of them around), tossed together in a backyard with worn out and/or cheap parts for a bargain price, stop now, you are wasting your time. What you will find here is the nicest 1966 XLCH Chopper that I have ever seen, anywhere. Many in the industry agree.

I am both proud and sad to offer my 1966 Harley-Davidson XLCH custom chopper for sale. This bike, like others from this era, has more soul than any Evo or Twincam can or will ever have. A righteous 60's-70's Frisco-style Chopper. This is a true, clean, hardtail chop- done the RIGHT way with many hours of work and respect for the past.

The Builder

Suburban Harley-Davidson, Thiensville, WI by Chris "Louie" Forst in 1997. Louie is a renowned midwest chopper builder with over 30 years experience. Louie has been building quality chops long before the term "old school" ever came to be. His bike "Baby" graced the pages of the 300th anniversary edition of Easyriders back in the late 90's. Many (including me) will only let Louie wrench on their bikes due to his attention to detail and level of experience.

The Bike

I purchased the bike in 1996. All that was saved from the original purchase was the engine & tranny and part of the front end, the rest was either newly purchased, fabricated or modified. All records of parts and of work completed come with the bike.

Frame: 1997 Paughco XL Hardtail 2 up 35 degree rake. Frame vin and statement of origin all in proper order. Professionally molded (look at the pics, the molding job is unbelieveable). Detail: Note the plates that protect the frame in the rear axle adjustment area.

Engine/Trans/Primary: 900cc 1966 H-D XLCH mag (kick only), unleaded conversion, near stock specs with a Keihin carb. Mag was rebuilt and recharged 3 years ago by Joe Hunt. The engine and trans were fully rebuilt by Willie's R&R in Hartford, WI in 1997. If you are from WI and you need engine or tranny work, you go see Willie in his white lab coat and let him do his magic. No expense was spared in bringing this bike's engine and trans back to life. It moves! Primary is stock with a clean aftermarket cover. Black braided oil lines. Chromed everything. Heads and barrels baked black. Custom filter mount added and well placed in front of rear fender. Note: the cases do weep oil and it does take the correct process to kick it over. Here's a tip: anyone on eBay, Cycle Trader, whatever that says that their pre 80's H-D chop does not/ has never leaked any oil and always starts on the first kick is full of sh*t, if the bike is ridden at all or had any fluids placed in it. This bike rewards you for knowing how to prime it properly and kick fully through after finding the top of the compression stroke- it will rightfully teach you with some very tough love if you don't.

Pipes: Paughco shotgun drags, custom mounts. It roars. For those of you who don't know, an ironhead or shovel has a much richer, snarly bark than an evo or twin cam. This bike has a bark- sweet bark that if you know the sound, you just know...

Front end: 1974 H-D XL 39mm with MANY modifications. We used new stock fork tubes by Forking by Frank. Lower legs are turned, chromed and reversed, to rid the unsightly fender bosses and place the front brake on the right side lower portion of the bike. Look at other older sportster chops- the front brake is hanging out in the air on the top left side- not on this bike. Polished rotor. Brake is a GMA unit that is very effective. Trees are 1974 H-D with everything shaved off, ground, polished and chromed for a very clean look. Most XL chops leave this extra crap on- not this one. No front fender. 19" chrome spoked wheel with polished rotor with Conti tire. Headlight and clamp are standard issue without any extra frills or headlight hood. Drag bars with H-D 70's style clutch and brake lever assemblies, H-D top clamp. Throwback H-D grips (super comfortable). Small square mirror from swap meet. Cone riser extensions with pullback risers. Kill and horn (hidden horn) switch and hi/low beam- that's it for switches. Brake, throttle and clutch lines are steel braided. Some throttle cable protective sleeve rub on right side of neck gusset due to riding bike.

Rear wheel assembly: 16" chrome spoke with Conti tire. Stock H-D drum, rebuilt, chromed, modified for forward control setup. Detail: Note brake actuator arm is assembled upside down vs stock to accept forward control setup. Super clean, well thought out. Rear fender is flat type with chrome struts. Detail: Rear fender mounted with extra room to move rear wheel back as chain stretches.

Tank: King Sportster, bayonet old-style cap. Paint speaks for itself.

Seat: Fiberglass pan by me, finished by Coverall Custom Upholstery, Martinsville IN. Gel pad in seat, flame stitching matches flame pattern on rear fender.

Molding and Paint: Fully molded and blended, incredibly clean job by Todd Gillette, Gillette Body and Paint, Waukesha, WI. Sikkens paint. Ghost flames laid out by Stretch. Midnight blue with ghost flames that pop in the full sun. Very fine flake in undercoat to make you look close/ twice. Looks black at under the moonlight. Bike comes with bottle of touchup paint from original batch. Flame pattern on rear fender matches seat stiching.

Forward controls: Highly modified of of the DS book. Welded gussets for strength, custom linkage, custom spacer, brackets modified, chromed. Pegs front and rear are stock H-D rubber type- anything more is unneeded.

Taillight: DS custom modified LED, simple, clean and bright. Rear drum switch set up is very clean.

Wiring: Run down the backbone and down the vert tube. In the frame, in the bars, in the places where it should be.

The Recognition and Awards

This bike has won numerous local show awards (best of show, best of class etc.) in IL and WI. I want to illustrate for you the high level awards it has won:

Easyriders Rider's Ranch Bike Show, Waukesha, WI 1998, 2nd place, Best Sportster by Keith Randall Ball, aka Bandit. Not knowing what to expect, I rode to my first show and the bike was fortunate enough to be recognized by one of the industry icons and leaders of the early chopper movement. Bandit referred to the bike as a true chopper, done right.

Easyriders Bike Show Tour Chicago, IL, 1998 1st place, Best Sportster by Kim Peterson aka Loudmouth of Easyriders fame. Another long timer in the chopper movement, Kim dug the soul in this bike.

Easyriders Bike Show Tour, National Invitational Show, Columbus OH, 1999, 3rd place, Best Sportster again by the Easysriders crew.

Easyriders Bike Show Tour, National Invitational Show, Columbus OH, 2000, 2nd place, Best Antique by Dave Nichols of Easyriders fame.

HOG Home Run Rally, Milwaukee WI, 2000, 2nd runner up, Pro Custom Class recognized and chosen by Willie G Davidson.

This bike has a free and clear HD title. I will only accept cash upon pick up. I will help you with your pick up or delivery any way I can. I am located near Aurora, IL. Call me at 630 546 7986 with any questions.

Bike has well over $14,000 into it and is still in show condition.