More Sam please. Old man motorcycle wisdom. The fact you opened the trailer and he immediately said 78 Harley and then looked it up and down and knew everything about it. Fantastic

I learned this from living in biker neighborhoods in Southern California. The trick to getting your Harley running perfect and tuning it perfectly is you gotta do it in a crowded neighborhood at 3 AM, get it running, and just keep revving it over and over and over as you tune it, but if you don’t do it at 3 AM it isn’t gonna stick.

Man I love Dave, He is such a genuine guy, and very knowledgeable. He's helped many people and makes the world a better place. Also thank you Sean for your love of motorcycles and putting this channel together. I'm sure it isn't easy.

Although I appreciate and watch both bikes and beards and Craig's channel, I do miss watching them both together in 1 video. God bless ya

You should call the trailer Buddy Haully

Best roadside repair for a stuck float bowl is to turn off fuel, run bike till it dies then blow into the over flow tube…good to go with no tools…works every time 👍🏻

My first real motorcycle was a 76 sportster. Put 44,000 miles on it. Even drive it in the winter as it was the most reliable thing I owned but that’s being eighteen and no money. Lol

I love ironheads, they only run as well as the mechanics knowledge, been wrenching them since 77, any ironhead I build I wouldn't hesitate to ride cross country if I only had the time, Did a 8,000 mile trip in 2013 in 12 days, never got out the tools, just rode that bike a few days ago, close to 70,000 miles since the rework. also have several shovelheads, same story with them.

My mom is in hospice and bought me a Yamaha Bolt because she wants to spend her money before the doctors drain her bank account on her way out. Anyway, I'd like to paint it candy dark purple in her honor, as she loves purple. Does anyone know any good paint shops with fair prices in the Pittsburgh area? Thanks! Also, we have been waiting over a month for a new video, glad to see you back. God bless!

I bought a 78, in a basket, and built it. Only thing I wish was duel disc on front, and a rear break that at least acted like it did something

Back in the late '70's (yes...I'm old) the local Harley dealer had the shop walls lined with the stock 2-1 exhaust systems taken from brand new bikes because they were 'too quiet' and everyone wanted the staggered drag pipes. It was SO funny that Harley had spent a lot of time and effort making an exhaust that worked well...but everyone took it off losing 5-8 horsepower just for the look and sound they wanted. Never let it be said that Harley owners aren't a special breed of cat.

My wife of 44 years rode a '72 Ironhead Sporty for 13 years. She loved that bike.

One suggestion. Take the extra key off the ring. It flops around and scratches the chrome on the horn cover.

Had a friend that bought a 78 sportster back in 98. Died five miles from the dealership on the day he bought it. We gave up trying to fix it and took it to the local Harley guru. His first words were "I wondered who would be dumb enough enough to finally buy that bike." Told us he would give anyone $500 if they were able to make it to Amarillo and back on those bikes without a major breakdown.

I bought one of those for 7000 and I sold it at a massive lose of 2000, just because I thought asking anything more would be a rip-off, and I put a brick through the dealer's shop window.

I wish you could find brand new cars from the 50s, 60s and 70s, still "new in box", just waiting to have the plastic coverings removed and the gas tank and crankcase filled.

That would suck to pay 2000 dollars at a motorcycle shop getting your bike all fixed and tuned up.. just to have the tuner say it needs to be tuned up.. 😂

Hi Sean, thanks so much for the group picture with you and Craig at the Nashville Supercross! You guys are awesome!!

Worked a tough job at $5/hr all winter to save to buy that bike! But when I walked into the dealer in April '78, a Sporty with red graphics and spoke wheels went home with me. Marriage, school, lack of money, mechanical knowledge and ultimately AMF reliability put an end to the relationship after a couple years. I still miss it.

That trailer manufacturer is pretty sweet

I love the Bikes and Beards/Bearded Mechanic, and Wheels Through Time teams! Awesome content, far better than what TV, had and has to offer.

I can see ATC is sponsoring MANY of the creators on UKposts. This site is becoming one gigantic advertisement

I started watching when you had 2k subs. The Lord has blessed you in amazing ways. Proverbs 3:5-6

Omg. I didn't think we'd get another video! I was starting to worry!

I love this dudes videos really helping me heal while recovering from my motorcycle accident

Grew up in WI. Aunt worked for AMF. Parents got a deal on an HD 440 AMF snowmobile. Great memories!

Love that new trailer Sean. I see a road trip in your future 👍🏼

That new trailer is SICK. I hope Tennessee is working out. I'm jealous !

I have owned three 1978 Sportsters 2 xlcr's and 1 exactly like yours. That is the only mag wheel drum brake HD has ever made. I had my XLCR's clutch release was not sitting flat in the outer primary. Once I fixed that it had made riding it so much fun.

Oh the memories…..Bought my first Harley in 1978, a brand new 1978 red Sporster from Howard Belmont himself from Belmont’ St. Paul Harley Davidson, St. Paul, Mn. I’m 69 years old, on my 5th HD and still riding.

My 2005 Lowrider needs neutral before she stops. Or ten minutes of fishing. If that's warped plates, then they are obviously warping them at the factory for a reason. 😅 It seems to be a feature, not a bug. Oh, Harley...😊

The '78 has awesome looks and charisma . . . Its worth the trouble of a little bit of spannering now and then just to be able to ride such a gorgeous Ironhead . .

Nice to see one of these again. I had an AMF 1979 XLS. I remember it always "marked its spot" wherever I parked it. (Always had to carry spare sparkplugs since it frequently fouled its plugs.)

Amazing find imo. Even for an AMF, there are challenges, but the bones are H-D for sure. That rocks, what a cool machine for the garage and road.

4:17 - I can't believe he showed us his ability to teleport from one door to a completely different room.... It's like he has the keys to the Matrix back rooms. 😮 😂😂 Edit: 23:05 - I'd call it the Dog House because he might be sleeping in that if the Mrs finds out how much it costs for a custom bike trailer.... LMAO 😬🤣

Queen Anne’s Revenge was the ship that Blackbeard traveled in.

Buckhorn bars are a love it or hate it opinion. I hate them. That’s amazing that you found this in a box. You need to break in that engine for a dyno run. You need at least 5000 miles on it

I live in Nappanee where ATC trailers are manufactured! I have friends who work there. They are a great company, with quality products! I actually painted their logo on the giant rock in front of their factory along US 6. Keep up the great content!

Hey Sean ,I recently subscribed to the channel and really enjoy the content. I just want to say ,how real you come across , There are so many people doing videos it's crazy. I just feel ,like you are genuine , and open, and not hiding anything . Weather you make the right move or make the wrong one , we as viewers are going to see the real thing , no bullshit , no making things look good , and no dressing up any pigs, I am a little older now 65 , but had my days too with 7-8 bikes, BSA'S ,TRIUMPH ,KAWASAKI 1000'S -2, And all I can say is how much I miss the riding . As we get older and situations change ,priorities change , and something happens ,nerves ,age, wife ,just want to say ENJOY MY FRIEND ,you still have the passion and drive ,so hold on til the end . Be careful . I'll be watching. TAKE CARE.

WHAT’S UP! just want say thank you for inspiring me at 29 to sign up and take the MSF course on June 17th. I’ve started ordering gear with the M1 MOTO gloves that are supposed to arrive today. You put out great content and inspire to become a rider but many to become a better man for themselves and God. Thank you for that!!!

That’s a whole lot of trailer that looks like it would be full as a tick with two bikes in it. Also, no 30w solar panel is gonna keep a lithium charged for long… (unless that lithium is tiny, like 20-30ah. But it look big enough to be at least 100ah. Damn sexy trailer though, need to wrap the van to match the trailer now.

I'm so eager to get my hands on a bike from '78! Right now, I already have two a 2014 Honda CTX700 and a 2023 Honda SCL500 Scrambler. But that vintage bike is still calling my name. I'll make it mine one of these days, haha!

Buckhorn bars are one of the most ergonomic style handlebars, but people often screw up their install. They are meant to lift up and come back down, the ends should be facing downward, not horizontally. Turn those bars downward about 20 degrees and watch how much more relaxed your wrist angle becomes. Although those are very early buckhorn bars and not as good as the newer style ones.

Hope your Louisiana meetup is a hoot!

Hi great vid but souldnt it be run in before you dyno it

That trailer is sick!! I gotta be honest, walking through that shop and then seeing your little trailer I was underwhelmed to say the least. Then you opened it, and my life changed forever! No only kidding my life is still the same, but that trailer is friggin incredible!!

What could go wrong taking a 1978 crate bike and exposing it to ethanol without first changing every rubber and plastic component in the fuel system along with relining the tank first using ethanol resistant materials? Car tires are really only fully safe for five years from manufacture and motorcycle tires only for three years so needing new tires is a given unless its going to be mounted on a displace stand and never be ridden. On the HP at the Dyno - You'd have to go through it and ensure the wheel bearings and chain are free of all the gummy old lube/grease and you have to break in the engine and do the run-in valve adjustment, carb tuning, oil change, etc, etc to reach the full HP potential. Put 500 more miles on it, change the oil, tune it up and dyno again. Best!

As always. I love what you do and how you honor God. I am not a Harley person because I do t want to spend $$$ on many repairs. lol. The Voyager for me 😊

After about 10-15,000 miles the engine fully breaks in and you will get more power out of it

I was 19; it was between that bike or the KZ1000A2 (fastest bike in the world at the time). Loved that KZ. Later I got a 100th anniversary Sporty, and that thing was SO fun!

They make a clutch lever effort reducing kit for some Harley's, I put one on our '05 Dyna Wide Glide, it's a pretty easy, straightforward job that helped a bunch in reducing the effort it takes to pull the clutch lever. It was an actual kit from Harley-Davidson but other manufacturers offer them as well. Look around on the world wide web, someone might make one that works on yours.

Should name it Trailly Mctrailerface

Another possible title; "The thrills&chills and 🤕 headache of owning a 78 Sportster". I know, I know it's long but it's pretty descriptive. Nice video!!

New rider here. I just bought my first motorcycle. 2013 Yamaha V Star 950. I've been watching your channel for a while and it made me want to buy a bike.

Finally. I been asking and waiting for this video. That's a nice looking sportster. It look so small. Nice trailer too. How long before Sean wish he had bought a bigger trailer? 😂

Everyone needs a Craig. Harley can call the new monstrocity a Sportster, but it isn't. They killed one of their most popular models and replaced it with a "Plastic Engined" something or another. I went and found and older Sportster, and bought it, just so I could have a real one. I picked up a 79 Sportster, which is the same model I had, in High School. I remember taking my original one on a 6 mos ride, around the US and Canada, before I got on with my adult life. The good old days.

You should name the trailer “I shoulda got an 8x16 trailer “

That's the exact first Harley I ever drove about 40 years ago. My friend still has it.

Great video! I believe 1978 was the last year for that frame. In 1979 they went to a different frame. Congrats on the trailer, too!

I made 54.9 RWHP @ 6,300 RPM Out of my 75 XLCH in 1988 When I worked at Doc's Motorcycle Parts Waterbury CT on the EasyRyders Truck Dyno. I did every trick in the book on that motor without stroking it! I even took the lifters apart and ground material off the rollers, top of the lifters, drilled holes through the sides and ground the lifter lock nuts and push rod cups to lighten them up for more RPM! I still have it in my garage!

Call the trailer Black Beard.

Sorry dude, but IMHO you got hosed on this purchase. Ask anyone who's had the misfortune of owning one of these albatrosses, (myself included), and they will tell you RUN - don't walk away from these deals. The old AMF sportsters were unreliable moneypits that do not hold their value.

Ever since the move to TN, it's like the watching old Bikes and Beards videos before the production and video quality were modernized. You'll be back in PA soon enough.

what a great video, just chock full of interesting stuff, one cool thing after another. loved it!

Super mechanic? Cmon you just sent the gecko bike to Craig because this super mechanic was befuddled...😂😂😂

for some reason some people don't like this guy just because of the bible verses.

Sweet looking bike!! Id change a couple things starting with the couch 😂 love that tank too cool. Would love to find a oldie like that.

17,500 in that piece of garbage lmaooo

Ya haven't had the full experience yet , like spoke ends through the rim bands, or oil on the garage floor,or mysteries with the black box , or water seeping into the voltage regulator, welds braking in the primary drive engine side. If you make it to 36,000 miles you can get rid of the bronze valve guides & rebuild the starter .Brakes ? don"t worry about them ,new, it's about the best they will ever be !

Great video and the new bike trailer is awesome can we get them in the U K . The New Sportie is real nice as well. Keep up the good work dude. Matt from Hastings E Sussex U K Great Brighton the universe.

I know I couldn't click fast enough when I saw a new Bikes and Beards episode! Thanks Sean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep them coming!

I bought that same 75th anniversary edition in 78 for $4250.00. The transmission gear dog for second wore out in under 7000 miles. I shimmed it up reinstalled new gear dog it was fine after that it was find. If you miss a shift don't just slam it home if you break a gear dog forcing it, it will split the cases, a friend did that on his 1976 bi centennial edition. Put 2 inch extended fork tube it handles better. Put 32 inch drag pipes on it and jet the carb it runs better.

"when this bike came out, they claimed 55hp." "... IDK ABOUT ALL THAT" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I cant get enough of seeing this sportster. My first harley was a 75th anniversary sportster I had traded a 96 firebird for, so it holds a special place in my heart. Unfortunately life happens as well as divorce, and i had to let my first harley go. Thank you for buying this ol girl, and putting it where it belongs, on the road. Thank you for sharing it with us. Keep up the great work.

Super enjoyable vid, great job, and learned something as always. What a lovely trailer! God bless y'all!

I have two of the 75th anniversary Sportster, one has all original 16,000 mls 2nd one is completely motor an transmission rebuilt, didn't take any patena off.

You got some hybrid, toy hauler, mini travel trailer. I can only imagine what that thing costs! Worth it, if you got it and need it. Really sweet.

The handlebars are adjusted wrong. The grips shouldn't be parallel to the ground. Lower the back end of the grips so when you're holding on to them your wrist is basically straight. My 80 sportster is set up like that and it's really comfortable. And an added bonus is with the bars turned all the way to the left to the master cylinder is level

Terry the trailer getting pulled by Klaus 😂😂

Never thought I would say the videos are not as good as they used to be. This was a really a trailer video.

This is hands down my favourite channel! Having a blast working through the library. I’d call the trailer Apollo (Creed)

My first was a 73 Harley Davidson Sportster suicide shift had to keep two extra spark plugs at all times and a little toolkit that it came with.

I’m a Harley guy so I really liked the bits about the Sportster. My dad has his dad’s ‘77 XLT with the original saddle bags. Just wish that there was more content surrounding the bike itself like its history, explaining why things were the way they were. I mean, there was some of that in this video and the last one but just seemed to hit the high points. Then the remaining video was about the trailer. I’m Also willing to bet a small amount of money that the battery in the key fob was dead on the Sportster S.

It's a beautiful bike, love the old iron heads, wish I kept my '81 now.

In the late 70s Harley had lots of labor/management problems when they were under AMF ( American Machine and Foundry ) They were what we called “Bowling Ball Harleys”

Love the channel, and Dave is awesome. as the bike got it's first start at 45, you gotta name it Penix Jr.

Shout out to them Indiana boys at ATC , think their out of South bend , IN . that's one sweet set up brother 👌

I traded my late wife’s atv for a clean 76 years ago, Hd mechanic owned. It leaked everywhere, timing and valve train was way off, had a strocker kit, ran terrible. I resealed it, adjusted everything, added adjustable main jet. Just a tap of the button and would fire up, ran great but vibrated to bad to leave on the stand idling. Ate gas like an old international truck, filter cover and ignition switch would vibrate off on the highway, you’d be sick for days after 100mi ride. It had chrome, polished aluminum everywhere, gold skulls on pushrod covers, red original and paint. Wife finally told me to just buy a new bike. Sold the 76 for 1600. It got more attention then my friends new cvo next to me though and sounded great.

There's a video about how strong that 3M tape is over rivets . And that is light . A comp steel trailer would be over twice as heavy. That remember that bike when it came out , and I saw a few but I didn't seem to see them very much as the years passed. The mag rims stand out

Love your videos Sean. That trailer looked great!

Great video Sean.. love seeing that old Sporty in action..

AMF a bowling ball manufacture. I owned a 1970 XLCH with a drum front brake had to plan your stops and also make sure it was in neutral before stopping a a light.

I’ve been in the market for a decent enclosed just like this one. For hauling equipment, not bikes. But it would double as a bike hauler sometimes. Not often. But I am super into the modular aspect. Looks sick behind Klauss too. 💪🏻💪🏻🇺🇸I’ll be looking into ATC for a new unit.

I had a 78 FLH with a 1340cc. Full rebuilt. Wouldn't stop leaking oil. Gas tanks were shot. Couldn't stop well with single piston brake calipers. Sold it. Just too much work to ride.

Nice video, Sean. But I've got to agree with all the other commenters who said that you should've run that engine in before putting it on the dyno. I'll make more power after its broken-in. Ever figure out why the new one wouldn't get any juice?

The new trailer is out of this world. Good to see a high quality manufacturer that really cares about the thing they are making. I'm sure that you will get many years of great service out of it.

Spent the better part of my childhood pulling Japanese bikes from the weeds and effortlessly bringing them back to life. When I was older, started working on Harley's and learned real quick I'll never waste my money on one new/used.

If you can find a good one the shovel can be a decent machine. I had a 72 superglide that i actually enjoyed. I think it was a 72.

Break in period? I know nothing about bikes but I don't think they make top power from a fresh build.

Working on the bike on the side of the road hasn't been my Harley experience... but I'm pretty good at making a DR650 run on the side of the road.