Nice restoration. Drum brakes are as functional as most normal production bike discs, unless you’re racing or riding at very high speeds and have to deal with excessive heat. I had drums on a 2 BSA’s, a T-120R Bonneville, a Honda 305 S.H., and a Guzzi V7 Sport, and discs on the Sportster. I did much less maintainance and repair on all the drum brakes as I’ve had to do on the XL. I’d change it to drums in a second. They don’t leak! Don’t even get me started on alternators mounted behind the clutch basket…
Motorcycle Photo Of The Day 
Wow, that is nicely done!
Nice restoration. Drum brakes are as functional as most normal production bike discs, unless you’re racing or riding at very high speeds and have to deal with excessive heat. I had drums on a 2 BSA’s, a T-120R Bonneville, a Honda 305 S.H., and a Guzzi V7 Sport, and discs on the Sportster. I did much less maintainance and repair on all the drum brakes as I’ve had to do on the XL. I’d change it to drums in a second. They don’t leak! Don’t even get me started on alternators mounted behind the clutch basket…