1973 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLCH 1000

Full Frame-Off Restoration With No Expense Spared

Feast your eyes on the class of 1973 — the legendary XLCH 1000.
This is the hottest Iron-Head Sportster Harley-Davidson had ever built since 1957.

“CH” stands for Competition Hot, and this is exactly that

a stripped-down, kickstart-only street brawler built for raw performance and attitude.

No electric start. No fluff. Just pure, mechanical American muscle.

One of the most iconic Ironhead Sportsters ever produced

• Descended from Harley’s race-winning DNA (flat track, drag, and street racing roots)

• Powered by the legendary 1000cc Ironhead motor — rugged, simple, and built to last

• A true enthusiast’s machine with massive aftermarket support and customization heritage

This is the bike that made people fall in love with Harley performance in the 60s and 70s

and it still delivers that same raw experience today.

Rare Matching Numbers Original Survivor

Very Few are left, and hardly any are restored to this level

This is one of the most complete restorations done on an Iron-Head;

taken all the way down to the frame and rebuilt to an exceptional standard.

Engine & Drivetrain:

• Complete engine rebuild from the crank up

• Rebuilt flywheels, new pistons, rings, gaskets

• Freshly serviced valves and top end

• Brand new clutch, primary chain, and internals

• Rebuilt S&S Super B carburetor with new jets

• New air filter + cover

• Drag pipes with high-temp wrap for a sinister look

• New coils, plug wires, battery, and full wiring harness

Result: Starts easily, runs incredibly strong, and delivers that unmistakable Ironhead sound.

Chassis & Suspension:

• Frame refinished and repainted

• Front forks fully rebuilt (original uppers in excellent condition)

• Restored fork lowers (polished aluminum)

• New reproduction rear shocks (factory-correct look)

• Swingarm bearings serviced

• Front brake system rebuilt with Goodrich braided stainless lines

Wheels, Tires & Brakes:

• Brand new wheelset:

• Chrome hubs, spokes, and rims

• New Dunlop Harley-Davidson branded tires

• Rebuilt brake caliper

• New master cylinder

Details That Set This Bike Apart:

• Stunning Hugger Orange paint with black/white accents

• Blacked-out engine covers with polished heads

• Brass oil lines & fittings (gorgeous custom touch)

• NOS Harley points cover

• New chrome throughout — engine, mounts, hardware

• New bars, grips, controls, pegs, shifter

• Re-chromed kickstand

• Lay-down license plate mount

• Original speedometer showing 8,794 miles

• Less than 200 miles on full restoration

Ride & Experience

This bike is dialed to the nines:

• Starts easily (kickstart is smooth and predictable)

• Clutch engagement is perfect

• Transmission shifts flawlessly

• Front end is tight and responsive

• Brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring

This is the kind of bike you fill up and ride all day — back roads, beach runs, bike nights — making memories the way motorcycles were meant to.

Investment Grade Classic

A proper frame-off restoration to this caliber is very expensive

Will Cost Over $27,000+ to have any Qualified Restoration Shop duplicate this build on your bike

it takes months to order all the parts, and to have the machine & paint work done;

• 150 hours of labor x $150 PH = $22,500 In Shop Labor alone

• Plus Over $4,500 In New Parts, Paint, Chrome & Machine work

• This example was done right — no shortcuts, no corners cut.

• Less Than 100 Miles On The Entire Restoration Which Was Completed in 2023

The Bottom Line

This is as close as you’ll get to:

A brand-new, 53-year-old Ironhead Sportster.

It’s a showpiece, a rider, and a collector-grade investment all in one.

Pull up anywhere — Daytona, Sturgis, your local show — and this will stand alone in a sea of modern bikes.

No one else will have one like it.

Sale Details

• Located at the New England Motorcycle Museum (on display until sold)

• Available to the highest bidder on eBay

• Nationwide enclosed & insured shipping available

• Financing options available

Questions? Call: 860-454-7024 M F 9 - 5

Final Word

If you’ve been waiting for a classic Harley that needs absolutely nothing — this is it.

A true American icon.
A mechanical work of art.
A kickstart legend.

Bid with confidence — and God bless America.

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 30+ 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

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.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles 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.