![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Harley-Davidson_Museum_February_2024_23_%28Engine_Room--Ironhead_Sportster%2C_1957-85%29.jpg/220px-Harley-Davidson_Museum_February_2024_23_%28Engine_Room--Ironhead_Sportster%2C_1957-85%29.jpg)
![]() | |
Manufacturer | Harley-Davidson |
---|---|
Also called | XL |
Production | 1957 to 1985 |
Predecessor | Harley-Davidson KHK |
The ironhead was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, so named because of the composition of the cylinder heads (Iron instead of Aluminium). The engine is a two-cylinder, two valves per cylinder, pushrod V-twin. It was produced from 1957 until 1985 and was replaced by the Evolution engine in 1986.
This name was applied to the Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles that used this engine.