1982 Harley-Davidson IronHead XLH 1000 Sportster

Frame-Up Restoration • Bakersfield Collection

📍 Location: New England Motorcycle Museum, Vernon, CT

☎️ Contact: 860-454-7024 (ask for Kenny Jr.)

🏆 Classic Ironhead Heritage

Up for auction is a 1982 Harley-Davidson XLCH1000 Ironhead Sportster, the product of a full frame-up restoration carried out by our team over the past 18 months. This bike came to us from a 42-bike Bakersfield, California collection — mostly Harleys — and this Ironhead immediately stood out as a must-restore piece.

The Ironhead Sportster has long been Harley’s raw, stripped-down hot rod — black and chrome, mag wheels, mechanical muscle. To me, the Ironhead’s profile, especially the late-models with cast mags, is one of the most iconic silhouettes in motorcycling. This ’82 XLCH1000 is one of the last years of the Ironhead era, restored with painstaking attention to detail.

🔧 Restoration Highlights

Mr Zauner Rebuilt The Engine & Bored it .060 Over with New Gaskets, it is now 1,022 CC

Then We Invested Over 79 hours of shop labor and more than $2,500 in parts in this build since we got it.

Here’s a breakdown:

Engine & Transmission
New Rocker Box Gaskets
New Engine Hardware
Original carburetor replaced with Mikuni kit (runs flawlessly) & New Intake Gaskets
New throttle cable, fuel lines, ignition switch, plugs, and wires
Complete primary & transmission rebuild: new shifting pawl carrier and transmission components
New chrome primary cover
New battery with tender lead

Chassis & Suspension
Swingarm repainted, frame repainted
Forks rebuilt with new seals, new rubbers, new fork oil, polished lowers
Wheels vapor blasted, clear coat stripped, rims polished, spokes repainted (8+ hrs labor)

Wheels, Tires, Brakes
Brand-new Dunlop Harley-Davidson tires (19” front, 16” rear)
New chrome sprocket & bolts with gold chain
Brakes rebuilt front and rear with stainless braided lines up front
Calipers & master cylinders rebuilt
Paint & Cosmetics
New Gloss Black paint job on tank & fenders (by Woody, with graphics designed by Christie)
Original style Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Sportster silver tank decals
La Pera Gunfighter saddle fitted
New chrome fender struts, new chrome levers,
New Chrome mirrors
New hardware
Drag pipes refinished: sandblasted, painted flat black with gloss black heat shield covers
Polished aluminum everywhere, from engine cases to controls
Handlebars: new risers, new Sportster sport bars (classic rowdy riding position)

✅ Condition Report

Paint: Show-quality finish, perfectly straight tins, minor scratch hidden under decal (shop story included in description — full disclosure)
Chrome: Some patina on the oil tank; otherwise excellent
Engine: Starts, idles, and runs beautifully with Mikuni carburetor
Like all Classic Sportsters, it has a few quirks inherent in this 1957 engine design; such as the Engine may discharge a few ounces of oil out of the overflow after sitting a while (This is Called Wet Sumping) and it is perfectly normal, don't panic!
It will also Mark its spot with a bit of oil drip from the primary chain adjuster (even though it has a new copper washer) as all antique Harleys may, it is part of the deal of owning a Classic.
It also may smoke a little upon starting after sitting a while but clears up in 30 seconds, no worries.
The engine runs, shifts and sounds fantastic!
Transmission: Shifts smooth after complete rebuild
Wheels/Tires: Fresh Dunlops with hairy nubs still intact
Brakes: Rebuilt front and rear, stainless line up front
Overall: A 40+ year-old classic that looks stunning, runs strong, and carries the right touch of patina for authenticity

💲 The Investment

Labor: 79 hours @ $150/hr = $11,850
Parts: $2,500+ (not counting saddle & extras)
Total Restoration Cost: $14,500+ invested

This exceeds the bike’s market value — but as with many of our museum projects, it was a labor of love.

NADA / J.D. Power book value (1982 Sportster 1000)

J.D. Power (NADA) for 1982 XLH Sportster 61ci (1000cc) lists:

Excellent: $9,780

📦 Shipping & Viewing

On display at the New England Motorcycle Museum, Vernon, CT
Worldwide shipping available — white-glove delivery, roll-on/roll-off right to your door

💬 Final Word

This is more than a motorcycle — it’s part of Harley-Davidson history. The 1982 Ironhead Sportster was one of the last of its kind, representing the raw, mechanical spirit that built the Harley legend.

We’ve restored it, preserved it, and now it’s ready for a new steward. Bid with confidence — this one is going to turn heads wherever it goes.

WAY TOO MUCH TO LIST IT ALL PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ALL DETAILS!

☎️ Call Kenny Jr. at 860-454-7024 for questions or to arrange a viewing.

God Bless America

From the Mark Zauner Bakersfield CA Collection

Freshly Serviced and Tuned @ Kaplan Cycles
Sold on Clear Title

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AUCTION TERMS:

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

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1982 Harley-Davidson Sportster