I have a 1965 XLCH that is extremely hard to start. It still has the original carb on it along with the magneto ignition. It runs good when I get it running, but I'm usually pretty tired by then. I have been told that if I put a S&S on it I will have better luck, but S&S doesn't make a super E to fit my bike any more. Does anyone know where I can get one, or of another carb that would help? I'm also open to any other suggestions on how to get it o start Iknow its hard to diagnose a problem sight unseen, but maybe if I had some ideas on where to start I could make this bike fun to ride.
Thanks
James

I would first look into the mag , they are known to get week and not throw a hot enuff spark

make sure its got good or new points and their gapped properly and also the condenser . that would be were I would start looking

Here is a rather bizarre situation i found on my Iron that, once easily corrected, it now starts 1st time every time. The bolt holding the air filter cover on was too long. It interferred with the choke plate. The plate would close only half way. Very hard to start in the cold weather.

I don't know for how many previous owners or for how many years that bolt was in there, but it was an old bolt.

My 68 XLCH w/magneto was the same way. If I didn't keep up on the timing/point adjustment, all that kicking didn't do squat....except maybe flooding the carb and fouling the plugs.

If the bike runs good once it starts, chances are the carb settings are fine and your problem is in your magneto settings....point gap especially.

I would check my timing, clean the points and regap (replace them if you haven't done so in a couple seasons, REPLACE THE CONDENSOR with the points!! Check for any fraying of the wires. Make sure your not grounding out inside the mag itself. Replace your spark plugs if you haven't done so recently....Many times my bike would start right up if I changed the plugs....they're cheap!! Try a set of ACCELS...they work great.
Use the best spark plug wires you can buy! Most the time I could trace hard starting to my magnetos points....had to keep them adjusted or I'd have a weak spark!

Remember with a kickstart magneto Sporty, your right leg is the spinning force....you don't have that battery/starter motor to keep it spinning for a hundred revolutions, so its important that the magneto timing and point adjustment are correct.

You could have the magneto tested if it suspect....Contact Joe Hunt Magneto. They can rebuild your old mag with a new more powerful magnet.
But try the other fixes/maintenance suggestions first.

If everything is set-up right, that XLCH should start up everytime with no more then two-three kicks.....That's a loose remark..because their could have other problems besides the magneto and its settings that are causing you hard starting..but you need to start somewhere.

Try these things first before you plunk down $300.00 for a carb. You could also check for air leaks at the intake manifold. Best done while the engine is running. Worn o'rings or a bad connections at the intake manifolds clamps will make all other tuning aspects of the carb useless.

Let us know how things turn out...Hrdly

My 1970 XLCH was the same. It would take me 25 kicks or more to get it going. I replaced my Tillitson carb with a CV carb I got off of eBay for $75. Now it starts in two kick stone cold.

Good luck...

Oh yeah, I can tell you how to do the conversion. Adapters part numbers, etc. I even converted the pull open CV to be a push open and used my original in the handle bars solid throttle cable... Yep, still have cruise control. LOL

Tom
1970 XLCH