1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster

1972 Harley-Davidson Iron-Head "Boat-Tail" Sportster XLCH 1000

– Frame-Up Restoration –

Gary Straub Built Engine

Guys, check out this absolutely stunning 1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLCH 1000 — one of the crown jewels from the John Lucas Collection out of Ohio. John had five Ironheads, and this one takes the cake. It’s not just another restored Sportster — this is a fully rebuilt, frame-up custom featuring a rare Harley-Davidson Boattail rear end (produced only in 1969–1970) and a race quality precision machined engine build by world record–holding Harley drag racer Gary Straub.

Cosmetic & Frame Details

This Ironhead was taken completely down to the bare frame and rebuilt from the ground up. The frame was stripped, refinished, and painted before reassembly. The metallic blue-green paint job is absolutely beautiful in person — it’s deep, reflective, and professionally laid out across the tank, fender, and the ultra-rare OEM Harley boattail seat unit, which alone is worth over $1,500 if you can even find one.

The bike rolls on lightweight aluminum wheels — 21” front and 18” rear — giving it a sleek stance and improved performance. Chrome is everywhere: new headlight bucket, fork covers, polished aluminum engine cases, chrome backing plate, sprockets, and more. The detail shop gave this machine a rotisserie-level detail, with every inch of chrome and aluminum polished to perfection, some of the classic chrome has patina.

Engine & Performance

Here’s where the real magic happens. This Ironhead’s engine was built by Gary Straub, the first man to set a 7-second Harley Pro Gas world record. Gary owned a Harley dealership for over 30 years and built world-championship-winning engines in the off-season with his right-hand man — a retired Air Force A-10 mechanic. Together, they crafted engines with aerospace precision.

This motor was rebuilt from the crank up:

New rods, bearings, and pinion setup
Flywheels balanced electronically on a Stewart balancer
Full transmission rebuild with lapped output races
5-angle valve job on the heads
High-compression pistons and balanced rotating assembly

It’s built to factory spec but tuned to perfection, delivering smoother operation and more reliable power than most Ironheads ever dreamed of. The difference is immediately noticeable — this engine doesn’t shake or rattle like a typical 50-year-old Harley. It’s tight, balanced, and runs beautifully.

Suspension, Brakes & Components

The chassis is dialed in with Progressive rear shocks (modern internals with classic looks), New Swing Arm Bearings, and upgraded newer model rebuilt 35mm front forks. Braking is handled by GMA Performance Disc Brakes with drilled rotors — a huge upgrade from the factory setup and a must for anyone familiar with early ’70s Harley brakes.

Brand-new gauges were installed during the build — Showing Just over 1000 Miles on the new speedometer, new tachometer, new master cylinder, throttle assembly, chrome handlebar controls, braided stainless lines, tires and wheels. The carburetor, fuel system, and electricals were all refreshed and updated.

When it arrived at our shop, we replaced the starter relay, flushed all the fluids, installed a new petcock and fuel lines, rebuilt the carb, added new spark plugs, and filled it with non-ethanol VP fuel. It fired right up and runs perfectly — just as it did when John Lucas parked it years ago. (The tires are 10+ years old with 90% tread, some normal checking is present on sidewalls)

Provenance

John Lucas is a serious Harley collector and enthusiast who cherished this Ironhead for over a decade. He kept it meticulously maintained, storing it indoors alongside his sidecar rigs and touring bikes. Only 1,000 miles have been put on the bike since the restoration. When health issues ended his riding days, he passed this machine along to us, ensuring it would be properly appreciated and preserved.

Final Thoughts

Ask yourself: what would it cost to build something like this today?
A 125-hour frame-up restoration at today’s motorcycle, paint, and machine shop rates (no Harley shop under $200/hr), plus thousands in rare parts, paintwork, and chrome — not to mention an engine built by a world record holder — puts this replacement cost exactly as built over $30,000. well beyond what our reserve will be.

This 1972 XLCH1000 Boattail represents the pinnacle of Ironhead craftsmanship — combining artistry, racing pedigree, and museum-quality restoration. It’s an heirloom-quality Harley that runs as good as it looks.

Contact

Call us with any questions at 860-454-7024.
This is a 53-year-old American classic, ready to ride, show, or display proudly in any serious Harley collection.

You couldn’t build one like this for twice the price.

Don’t miss your chance at this true American classic.

📞 Call us at (860) 454-7024 for more information or to schedule a walkaround video.

God Bless America.

FINANCING IS AVAILABLE! Call Ken Kaplan Jr 860-471-0192

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