1971 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 900

Frame-Off Restored To Showroom New

Original Matching Numbers Museum-Quality Ironhead

While Roy was best known for his world-class vintage motocross machines,

this bike stood out in his 93-motorcycle collection as one of the most beautiful street machines he owned—and that says a lot.

This is a 1971 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 900, representing the absolute peak of Ironhead development before emissions regulations began to change the character of these bikes. The 900cc Ironhead was produced for only a short window (two years), making this one of the most desirable and refined versions of the original

Iron Head Sportster platform.

🔧 Restoration & Condition

• Frame-off Restoration To Showroom New Condition

• Original matching numbers
  Frame & Engine VIN: 3A1631313H1

• Odometer shows 899 miles (Since restoration)

• Everything on This Bike is New Or Restored To New

• Displayed as a museum piece and rarely ridden

• Starts easily, runs beautifully, shifts properly, and does not leak—rare for an Ironhead

This bike looks, runs, and presents as an exceptional showpiece, yet it is fully sorted and turnkey ready to ride.

✨ Highlights & Upgrades

• New Tank With Deep dark red paint with black & white AMF Harley-Davidson swoop—beautifully executed

• Polished aluminum rims (not chrome) with lightweight hubs and new spokes

• New Avon Roadrunner tires

• Re-chromed fork tubes, struts, guards, and hardware—no pitting

• Flat-tracker style handlebars in mint condition

• Gauges, headlight, headlight bucket, controls, cables, levers, and mirror all look new

• S&S Super E carburetor with chrome cover

• New exhaust pipes

• New Pingel fuel petcock

• New stainless plug wires, coil, and spark plugs

• Polished aluminum engine cases and covers throughout

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• All fasteners upgraded—every nut and bolt is clean and correct

• New chain and sprockets

• LaPera saddle

• Chrome oil tank

• Original-style 1971 rear brake light

• Laid-down license plate

• Four-speed transmission, right-side shift

🛠️ Recent Re-Commissioning (Kaplan Cycles)

We went through the bike thoroughly to ensure it is truly turnkey:

• New battery

• New spark plugs

• Carburetor removed, inspected, and cleaned

• All fasteners torqued to factory specification

• Fuel tank removed and internally cleaned

• New handlebar bushings installed (tight, precise feel—no wobble)

• Tire pressures set

• Fork cap O-rings replaced

• Primary drive removed and resealed (common Harley issue after storage)

• Engine oil changed

• Full rotisserie detail by our in-house specialists

This motorcycle had been in a private display for years—we recommissioned it then took it to the next level.

🏁 Why This Bike Matters

Ironhead Sportsters are pure mechanical motorcycles—no computers, no fuel injection, no nonsense. If you can turn a wrench, you can own and maintain one. Parts availability is excellent through Drag Specialties, S&S, and other suppliers. These bikes powered countless hillclimbers, flat trackers, drag racers, and street racers, and the Sportster platform is widely regarded as one of the most successful racing motorcycles of all time.

Finding a 55-year-old Ironhead in this condition, with this level of restoration, is exceptionally rare.

📞 Contact & Purchase

📍 Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum
📞 Call Junior at 860-454-7024 with any questions

We can assist with:

• Enclosed, insured, white-glove shipping right to your door

• Financing options if you’d like to make this an investment

🏍️ Our Promise

At Kaplan Cycles, we don’t just sell motorcycles—we preserve history. Every bike we offer is professionally inspected, accurately represented, and fully supported before and after the sale. We stand behind our work, offer concierge-level service, and take pride in delivering exceptional machines to collectors and riders worldwide.

If you’re looking for a truly special Ironhead—this is it. There’s only one.

Thanks for looking, and God Bless America

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WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 22 experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

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We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

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Warranty:

All Motorycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.