1971 Harley-Davidson XLCH 900 Sportster “Turtle Tank”

Frame-Off, Matching Numbers, Museum-Quality Restoration

Guys, feast your eyes on one of the most iconic Ironhead Sportsters ever built: the 1971 Harley-Davidson XLCH 900 Turtle Tank. Nicknamed the Turtle Tank for its distinctive 3¼-gallon fuel tank with the raised center ridge and unique shape, this design was used for two years only (1971–1972). The XLCH 900 itself was also a two-year-only model, replacing the earlier 883 and marking a major step forward in performance and refinement.

This motorcycle has undergone a full, comprehensive frame-off restoration and has been returned to look exactly as it did when it rolled out of the Harley-Davidson showroom in 1971. We even have the original Harley service manual as reference, and this bike matches it beautifully. Finished in the correct Black & Birch White paint scheme, it is absolutely stunning from every angle.

🔧 Restoration Highlights (Done the Right Way)

• Matching numbers engine & frame – a huge deal for serious collectors

• Complete frame-off restoration: every nut, bolt, painted surface, and chrome component addressed

• Engine removed and fully rebuilt

• Cases split

• Lower end bearings, gaskets, and seals replaced

• Clutch and primary rebuilt

• Top end rebuilt with new pistons, rings, valves, guides, rockers, shafts, springs, washers

• Heads professionally machined and rebuilt by Eastwoods Machine

• Kibblewhite stainless valve kit installed

• All New gasket & Seal kit throughout

• Electronic ignition upgrade (Dyna) – no points to deal with

• All timing, valve lash, oil service, and final setup professionally completed

This Ironhead runs and rides like a brand-new motorcycle—tight, smooth, responsive, and oil-tight.

🏍️ Condition & Details

• New Harley-Davidson Dunlop rear tire

• New shocks

• Hard-case saddlebags

• New battery

• Fresh wiring throughout

• Chrome swingarm

• Chrome fork lowers and uppers

• Chrome spokes, hubs, brake backing plate

• New exhaust

• New cables (clutch, throttle, brake)

• Chrome controls, mirrors, and beach bars

• Excellent speedometer and tachometer showing 28,305 miles

• Original-style seat and passenger grab rail

• Original-style tombstone taillight and Sportster emblem

• XLCH side emblem, new chrome primary cover, horn bell housing

Yes, there is very minor patina on the rear fender and a touch on the front rim—exactly what you’d expect from a 55-year-old motorcycle that’s been preserved & Restored. Overall, this bike presents as museum quality.

📜 Why This One Matters

The Ironhead Sportster engine dates back to 1957, and by 1971 Harley-Davidson had refined it beautifully. The jump from 883cc to 900cc made these bikes stronger, smoother, and more enjoyable to ride. Restoring one to this level typically requires 150+ hours of labor, and with modern shop rates, you’re easily looking at $22,500+ in labor alone, before parts.

Finding a 1971 XLCH 900 Turtle Tank restored to this standard—matching numbers, frame-off, factory-correct appearance—is exceptionally rare.

🏛️ Museum Quality

This motorcycle is currently displayed on the second floor of the New England Motorcycle Museum and is being offered at auction on eBay. It is also available for local purchase if you’d prefer to bypass the auction process.

📞 Questions or to buy locally: Call Junior at 860-454-7024

🔒 The Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum Difference

We don’t just sell motorcycles—we preserve history. Every bike we offer is carefully inspected, properly represented, and backed by decades of experience restoring, servicing, and standing behind classic motorcycles. Our mission is to add value, not just move inventory. Concierge support, transparent descriptions, and integrity are part of every sale.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck… this one is the real deal.
Bid high, bid often, and good luck.

Thanks for watching—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.