BF Auction: 1958 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster
- Seller: Christopher M
- Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan
- Mileage: 999999 Shown
- Chassis #: 58XLH2081
- Title Status: Clean
Only a select group of classics ever achieve icon status, and any machine wearing the Harley-Davidson badge falls into that category. The company’s V-Twin engine range produces impressive torque and an exhaust note like no other. The owner began converting this 1958 Harley XLH Sportster into a 1948 WL look-alike, and the hard yards are done. He feels it needs to head to a new enthusiast who can add the finishing touches so it can grace our roads once again. Therefore, the owner has listed this Sportster with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
The owner commenced their build with an original 1958 Harley XLH, stripping the machine to a bare frame. After performing a few necessary modifications to recapture the look of the WL, he handed the modified frame and metal components to a professional, who applied flawless Black primer. The frame features a new Springer front end, and the wheels received fresh paint on the hubs and rims, and sparkling stainless steel spokes. The owner wrapped the wheels in new Coker tires that have not seen the road. This Harley is now a roller, and there is no doubt it makes a bold visual statement. It requires completion, but the work so far means the remaining tasks are straightforward jobs the new owner could easily complete in a home workshop. The included additional parts should help the winning bidder on their path of returning this classic to its rightful place on our roads.
This Harley retains the original 883cc V-Twin that produces a very respectable 55hp. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed transmission, and it is this package that forms the core of this project. The flathead that powered the WL was a legendary engine, but it isn’t as powerful and user-friendly as this powerplant. Therefore, this Harley possesses the character of the older model but will be more reliable and require less maintenance to remain in good health. This V-Twin ran well before being removed from the frame, and with the ports sealed off for protection, it should have no issues or problems. The buyer will need to rewire this machine and add an exhaust and other cables to return the Sportster to a running state. However, those tasks will be relatively inexpensive.
The new owner will undoubtedly welcome the included parts cache, as they will help shift this project along to the next level. Items like the chain guard will probably see immediate use once cleaned, and there are all of those little brackets and bolts that typically disappear during a project build. The buyer still must source a few items, but Harley-Davidson is renowned for holding a comprehensive spare parts inventory at affordable prices.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles enjoy a strong following, and each owner is part of a large and supportive family that is always there during hard times. This 1958 XLH Sportster is an excellent unfinished project where the hard and expensive work is complete. The scope remains for personalization, but returning it to active service is a realistic short-term goal. If you crave a “boots in the breeze” classic motoring experience, bidding on this Harley could transform a dream into reality.
Bid On This Auction
DA72 bid $4,000.00 2024-07-14 05:56:46
NextExit bid $3,000.00 2024-07-13 10:19:14- DA72 bid $2,500.00 2024-07-13 10:15:58
- NextExit bid $100.00 2024-07-13 09:32:22
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Comments
American Pickers, my favorite m/c guys.
Urban legend had it that this was designed to compete with the European bikes, Brits in particular hence the shifter at the right foot..
This will be a great bike project for the right buyer, hopefully someone that rides and not make it just an end table in the front room. Like to see it at Bike Night somewhere when it’s done.
Enjoy the ride!
GLWTA
Used to be, a Sporty was for the wimps that couldn’t handle a Big Twin. While there may have been an element of truth to that, Harley realized it was missing a huge segment of the market, those wimps. The Sporty changed many folks opinions of Harleys and was a huge success. They were fast, handled well, and yes, Sporty, at least compared to an Electra Glide. I bet most women got their start on a Sporty. Start, yeah, that’s not a starter, it’s the generator, electric start came in ’67, so you’ll have to kick this one. And kick you may. I remember, if a HD didn’t start on the 2nd kick, oh, oh, and we all took turns kicking a Harley. This bike is about as user friendly as you will get for a vintage bike. The right shift, hardtail and no front brake could make the ride interesting. Sportys were cool bikes, until a certain bike called the Super Hawk with 1/3 the displacement could eat it for lunch. One thing for sure, someone going to get a nice scoot.
He ruined a classic Sportser!
I have to agree. Effort should have been spent restoring it back to stock, as there just aren’t many early Sportsters left, and they were a beautiful bike.
In the early 80s I had a 59 XLCH. My right knee still aches when I see a kick start ironhead. Nice bike.
I’ve got a corner of old XLCH and XR stuff, magnetos, oil tank, rare primary covers, etc. should the new owner need to add to the stack…..love them old CH’s
Can’t call it a Sportster anymore, hardtail conversion ended that. A chopper? Nah, stock rake so it’s not that… a bobber? No, still got all its fenders. I won’t pick on it too bad. Who knows? Maybe the frame was toast, maybe it’s built out of boxes of spare parts. The custom guys should love it. As the owner of a bone stock 59 XLCH who will search to the ends of the Earth for the correct parts I’m just not into this. I hope he didn’t start with a nice original. I’d be pissed.
Only had a couple of Harleys in my lifetime and both were Sportsters of some type. Had a XLCR in Germany for a couple of years in 1978-1979 and a 2012 Low Rider 883 just recently. It takes a particular type of person to really enjoy these HDs, to each their own. I really like the lines and simplicity of this bike, it’s kinda like a time machine that takes you back, I sincerely hope the next owner will keep it as it is. FYI, my father, Marion B. Matson co-started the first Harley Dealer in Rapid City, SD in 1946 (Mat-Kirk)
Looks like a nice project bike although if it came my way I’d do something about that seat suspension. It’s resting on the transmission and should be anchored on the frame. Unfortunately the semi-unit construction of the Sportster engine/gearbox doesn’t permit that.
That frame looks more like a ’46 or older as the “Beehive” taillight was replaced with the “Tombstone” version by ’47. Of course this one could’ve been made from a conglomeration of parts from many years.
At least this wasn’t a 45 Magnum. I heard of guys installing Sportster cylinders and heads onto a 45 crankcase, calling it the 45 Magnum. To quote the “What Fits What For Harley Davidson” handbook, they said that doing such an installation causes “a loud expensive noise from the overstressed bottom end, followed by several dents in the gas tanks when the unhappy rider bangs his head against it in disgust.” Close quote.
That Sporty engine will definitely perk up the performance. I guess if you could fix the seat suspension it would be okay…
All these mods are definitely affecting buyer interest and value. If this was an unaltered original, even in project condition I’d expect it to be double the current bid.