Go Sportsters

[Randy]

Originally Posted by Photog

Nice S1! I think a tuber Buell is going to be my next bike, if the planets align. Everything about 'em hits all the right notes for me.

Yeah, me too! More pics here: http://s637.beta.photobucket.com/use...ab741.jpg.html

I bought this one earlier this year and love it! I really like the stripped down, hot rod look, and I really enjoy the visceral feel of the motor. It's no supersport or course, but it handles well, and is a blast to ride. It's everything that I had been missing in a bike. Just wish they still made 'em. It was my first experience with H-D at all, and my experience with the motor is what got me considering a Sportster, and keeping up with this thread.

If you think you want one, go ride one. If you are anything like me, you'll love it!

Gettin' married next June, so I put gettin' another bike on the back burner for now (selling a few in fact) http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=847635, but at the moment I'm pretty sure that my next project will be Sportster based.

[Ratchdaddy]

I sure miss my 2000 X1. It was such a fun bike. I would ride a stretch of curves on my VStrom and then later ride the same stretch on my X1. I would be thinking "wow kinda going slow, then when I glanced down at the speedometer I would realize I was going a lot faster on the Buell than I thought I was. It was not the fastest bike but it really did well in the curves and wheelying over speedbumps was stupid easy. I sold mine for a pittance on EBay and I regret it.

[Ginger Beard]

I just started a build thread for my Sportster project. It should have a bit of off-road GO when it's complete.

LINKY

[83XLX]

Originally Posted by frog13

I had the same model...XLX-61.When I speak of that bike,folks say I'm lying about the gas mileage you quoted....i cannot explain why the XLX-61 gave such great gas mileage,but it did!.I had no problems with rust or mech's braking though!....wish I still had that bike!.

[Randy]

Not to highjack this thread, but a while back I had inquired about what it would take to increase the ground clearance, on the current slammed Sportsters coming from Milwaukee, specifically the Forty Eight.

Obviously the rear of the 48 can easily be raised with a good set of shocks in a longer length, but I wasn't sure about what, if anything could be done to raise the front to match. I did I bit of research and found the following info:

It is important to remember that there is more than one combo of fork parts here.

All of the lower tubes/bodies seem to be the same except for finish and brake mountings, but there are 2 different length upper tubes and 3 different length damper rods for the 2008/2009 XL1200s

Long upper + long damper = listed 5.69" travel (1200C/883C)
Short upper + medium damper = Listed 4.12" travel (1200L)
Short upper + short damper = Listed 3.6" travel (1200N/883L)

To me, for the places and way I like to ride, a "GO" Sportster must have decent cornering clearance. I really like the styling of the 48, and I could learn to deal with the small tank, but they are just too low, IMO. It may take a little cross referencing for different model years. But I just thought others might benefit from this basic info as a starting point when trying to match up parts from the manual, and find a combo that would allow their factory lowered front ends to lengthened to something more useful than just looking "cool". Looks like I can order the factory fork tube (or aftermarket from forks by frank), combined with the internal damper rod for the C model, then do the correct spring thing along with the Intiminators, and end up with a decent fork, along with more ground clearance when combined with quality shocks.

[hhkiwi]

Originally Posted by Randy

To me, for the places and way I like to ride, a "GO" Sportster must have decent cornering clearance.

I have no shortage of "GO" or cornering clearance - but mine's obvioulsy no 48...

[Randy]

Originally Posted by hhkiwi

I have no shortage of "GO" or cornering clearance - but mine's obvioulsy no 48...

Nice! See? That's what I'm talking about! But, yours' doesn't look stock. What have you done to the suspension to give it that much ride height?

Actually, after being bitten by the 48 bug, and considering my options, I've about decided to build my own using the 1200 Roadster as a starting point. Not only would this give me the longer travel with its accommodating ground clearance, but also front dual disc brakes, mid controls, tubeless cast wheels, and the larger tank. To my eye the Roadster's 3.3 gal tank still has the "look" of the peanut while still giving a more useful range. Still haven't decided for sure, but I'm leaning this way pretty strongly. Another benefit is of course money. I can pick up a nice used Roadster, powdercoat the wheels, get the tank and fenders painted, change out the seat, upgrade the suspension, do other odds and ends to suit my taste and still not spend much more than half of the cost of a new 48.

[blk-betty]

Originally Posted by Randy

Nice! See? That's what I'm talking about! But, yours' doesn't look stock. What have you done to the suspension to give it that much ride height?

Actually, after being bitten by the 48 bug, and considering my options, I've about decided to build my own using the 1200 Roadster as a starting point. .

If your looking for clearance, consider the XR or XRX. You can pick up a used '09/'10 XR for 6500-7500. Much more clearance than any of the other sportsters, 3.5 gallon tank, and more performance right out the box...and you won't see many like it on the road.

Picked this '09 up for $7K three months ago and since this pic have swapped to Supertrapp Slip-ons, K&N filter, shorty windscreen and luggage rack. Will upgrade the suspension to the XR "X" setup this winter.

[Randy]

While the XR's do have an appeal all their own, and I do appreciate them, I sorta have that base covered already with my Buell S1.

I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but I'm actually wanting something with a more cruiserish laid back riding style. At the moment the 48 is scratching that itch from a stylistic perspective. I'm just not willing to give up quite that much corning clearance just to satisfy the current popularity of the super low look. I'm not looking to turn the sportster into a sport bike, but I would like to at least be able to keep a semi spirited pace down a curvy road on occasion.

[hhkiwi]

Originally Posted by Randy

I've about decided to build my own using the 1200 Roadster as a starting point. Not only would this give me the longer travel with its accommodating ground clearance, but also front dual disc brakes, mid controls, tubeless cast wheels, and the larger tank. To my eye the Roadster's 3.3 gal tank still has the "look" of the peanut while still giving a more useful range. Still haven't decided for sure, but I'm leaning this way pretty strongly. Another benefit is of course money. I can pick up a nice used Roadster, powdercoat the wheels, get the tank and fenders painted, change out the seat, upgrade the suspension, do other odds and ends to suit my taste and still not spend much more than half of the cost of a new 48.

Mine started out as a XL 1200R but the suspension mods (as well as some of the cosmetic mods) had already been done by the dealer before it was sold to the original owner (I am the second owner). I chopped the rear fender, added a custom seat, dual headlights, ThunderMax ECU, V&H pipes, and relocated the coil (not shown in the photo).

Sportster purists cringe when they see my bike but I am very happy with it - both in terms of looks and performance - and that's all that matters to me.

[Randy]

Originally Posted by hhkiwi

Mine started out as a XL 1200R but the suspension mods (as well as some of the cosmetic mods) had already been done by the dealer before it was sold to the original owner (I am the second owner). I chopped the rear fender, added a custom seat, dual headlights, ThunderMax ECU, V&H pipes, and relocated the coil (not shown in the photo).

Sportster purists cringe when they see my bike but I am very happy with it - both in terms of looks and performance - and that's all that matters to me.

Purist, smurist! It's a motorcycle, a machine, a toy to be enjoyed. Personalized bikes that suit the owner's needs and tastes are much more interesting than just following the crowd and adding more chrome, or lowering the suspension so you can make even more sparks every time you go around a bend in the road at 5 mph. Of course, if that's your thang, then more power to you for that too! Main thing is, make it your own and enjoy it!

[kbasa]

Originally Posted by Photog

Nice S1! I think a tuber Buell is going to be my next bike, if the planets align. Everything about 'em hits all the right notes for me.

I'll take an M2 Cyclone - orange frame, purple tank, please.

[Redclayrider]

Originally Posted by blk-betty

If your looking for clearance, consider the XR or XRX. You can pick up a used '09/'10 XR for 6500-7500. Much more clearance than any of the other sportsters, 3.5 gallon tank, and more performance right out the box...and you won't see many like it on the road.

Picked this '09 up for $7K three months ago and since this pic have swapped to Supertrapp Slip-ons, K&N filter, shorty windscreen and luggage rack. Will upgrade the suspension to the XR "X" setup this winter.

Another vote for the XR. It is a good handling, good running mototrcycle.

[Richy]

Here's my '98 1200S-

[Vial Style]

Interesting build on another forum

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25763