Go Sportsters

[Sidecar Jockey]

Here are some shots of my mostly original 1969 XLCH. It has 19,000 miles and I'm the second owner. This is the second re-paint of its original 'sparkling gold' color.











Here is a picture of the 'business' end. Its the original Tillotson carb and Farbanks magneto:

[Sidecar Jockey]

This is my all original 1978 XLH, 75th Anniversary Edition:





SPORTSTERS RULE!

[trashbox]

Originally Posted by Randy

The one other thing I noticed was the brakes. DUH! I expected it so I wasn't really surprised that a single small disc and two pot caliper wasn't real strong, but still... In this day and age, I don't understand why they can't see fit to put a decent front brake on a bike. Are there any common, budget upgrades in this department? Any adapter brackets that allow ebay sourced sportbike calipers to be retrofitted, perhaps? Perhaps even with similarly sourced rotors.

Any info or recommendations of a good place to find this info would be appreciated.

I haven't done this and I don't know the particulars but I read on xlforum that you can somehow (pretty easily) fit vrod calipers on the front of some sportsters.

Here's the thread where I saw this... http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=274658

[Bloodweiser]

Originally Posted by Randy

For example, I know that the long and low look is in vogue, and while I know this isn't a sportbike, I really would prefer to have better cornering clearance. I mentioned this to the salesman (nice guy) and was met with a blank stare. I know that I can upgrade the shocks to something better, and something longer to increase ride height in the rear, but is there anything, short of a complete new front end, that can be done to get the front up to match longer shocks and increase overall ride height and cornering clearance? For example, this bike looks much more capable while still looking way cool to me:



Is it possible to get longer fork tubes for the stock lowers? I'm not trying to gain travel really, just undo the factory slammed look and give the bike more respectable corner carving ability.

The one other thing I noticed was the brakes. DUH! I expected it so I wasn't really surprised that a single small disc and two pot caliper wasn't real strong, but still... In this day and age, I don't understand why they can't see fit to put a decent front brake on a bike. Are there any common, budget upgrades in this department? Any adapter brackets that allow ebay sourced sportbike calipers to be retrofitted, perhaps? Perhaps even with similarly sourced rotors.

Any info or recommendations of a good place to find this info would be appreciated.

Find a used R model. Longer suspension and dual discs.
Done.

[jbc]

Originally Posted by Bloodweiser

Find a used R model. Longer suspension and dual discs.
Done.

+1 the xr1200r or even more so the XR1200x sounds like it would be a perfect fit for you, just search around a bit as 2012 was the last year for them and they didn't sell well so if you find one in stock this time of year you should be able to strike a good deal

[davevv]

Yep, this is what you're looking for. XL1200R, made from 2004-08 with the rubber mount motor. '07-8 were fuel injected and '08 has the larger tank from the Custom instead of the peanut tank.

[TINGLER]

Originally Posted by Randy

35+ years of motorcycling and I never thought I'd hear myself say the words, "I want a Harley". Then I just wondered into a Harley dealership with my GF a few nights ago and saw this bike:





Haven't been able to get it out of my mind since.... So, yesterday I went back and test rode this one:




This was my first ever ride on a Harley, or anything with forward controls. I was a little dubious about how I'd get along with the forwards from the get go. Admittedly, it was a short test ride and it's possible that I could get used to them, but it just didn't feel natural to me after years of riding sport bikes, standards, and dirtbikes.

So, just to see the difference I took a ride on this one too:




While I much prefer the styling and the engine of the Forty Eight over the 883 Iron, I must say that I really enjoyed the ride of the 883 better. The mid controls felt much more natural to me and I felt comfortable on this bike from the get go.

So, now, after all these years of ridin' I find myself in the position of being a noob. I have a lot to research and learn about these bikes but I'm not sure where exactly to turn for good information that isn't overloaded with the HD pirate mentality (one of the things that always turned me off to the brand).

For example, I know that the long and low look is in vogue, and while I know this isn't a sportbike, I really would prefer to have better cornering clearance. I mentioned this to the salesman (nice guy) and was met with a blank stare. I know that I can upgrade the shocks to something better, and something longer to increase ride height in the rear, but is there anything, short of a complete new front end, that can be done to get the front up to match longer shocks and increase overall ride height and cornering clearance? For example, this bike looks much more capable while still looking way cool to me:



Is it possible to get longer fork tubes for the stock lowers? I'm not trying to gain travel really, just undo the factory slammed look and give the bike more respectable corner carving ability.

The one other thing I noticed was the brakes. DUH! I expected it so I wasn't really surprised that a single small disc and two pot caliper wasn't real strong, but still... In this day and age, I don't understand why they can't see fit to put a decent front brake on a bike. Are there any common, budget upgrades in this department? Any adapter brackets that allow ebay sourced sportbike calipers to be retrofitted, perhaps? Perhaps even with similarly sourced rotors.

Any info or recommendations of a good place to find this info would be appreciated.

Changing a bike from forward to mid mount pegs isn't that big of deal. I'd get the 48 and change it. Most people sell the mids cheap since everyone seems to want forwards.

For the rear it is as simple as adding longer shocks. For the front you will need to add longer springs inside the forks themselves. It is not difficult, and with careful planning and a few tools, I would say a complete novice could probably achieve it. Again, you could probably find longer springs for sale where someone swapped out lower ones. You could probably even trade with someone wanting to go lower.

Btw, I have a long pair of rear shocks that I would trade and I would be willing to trade the guts out of my frontend as well....so there. Done.

[internalcombust]

Originally Posted by Randy

Love this.

[Randy]

Well, at the moment I'm trying to decide between getting the Forty Eight, putting mid controls on it, and doing something about the suspension... OR... buying a cheap used 2004+ 883 and rolling my own with a NRHS 1250 kit, head work, peanut tank, paint, etc... Something along the lines of the blue one above., or the one built and posted about here by Kirk the Jerk. There is a certain appeal to the instant gratification of just walking into a store and rolling out on a brand new Forty Eight, but I have been wanting a project bike for a while too, and dollar for dollar I'd get more of what I want for a good bit less if I built my own, I'm sure. For example, I just saw a recent craigslist ad for a 2006 883R with 6000 miles, for $5500. It already has mids and more importantly, a dual disk front brake set-up. For less than $2000 I can build the engine into a pretty strong running unit, change out the seat, tank, bars, and a few other odds and ends and I'd have something more unique and what I want for less. Then again, it would take some work on my part, it wouldn't have a warranty and wouldn't likely be quite as refined as the factory offering. Just need to look into all of the options...

Like I said, lots to research and learn...

[EetsOK]

Gorgeous Ironheads guys.
What I noticed about both the ironheads is how close you sit to the rear cylinder head. Does it get toasty down there?

[TINGLER]

Originally Posted by Randy

Well, at the moment I'm trying to decide between getting the Forty Eight, putting mid controls on it, and doing something about the suspension... OR... buying a cheap used 2004+ 883 and rolling my own with a NRHS 1250 kit, head work, peanut tank, paint, etc... Something along the lines of the blue one above., or the one built and posted about here by Kirk the Jerk. There is a certain appeal to the instant gratification of just walking into a store and rolling out on a brand new Forty Eight, but I have been wanting a project bike for a while too, and dollar for dollar I'd get more of what I want for a good bit less if I built my own, I'm sure. For example, I just saw a recent craigslist ad for a 2006 883R with 6000 miles, for $5500. It already has mids and more importantly, a dual disk front brake set-up. For less than $2000 I can build the engine into a pretty strong running unit, change out the seat, tank, bars, and a few other odds and ends and I'd have something more unique and what I want for less. Then again, it would take some work on my part, it wouldn't have a warranty and wouldn't likely be quite as refined as the factory offering. Just need to look into all of the options...

Like I said, lots to research and learn...

Do it. You'll be getting exactly what you want. Sportsters are awesome in that they can be changed dramatically to suite your own wishes. The good thing about a 2006 is that it still has the carb. While it may not be as refined as FI, the carb is much CHEAPER to modify when you are trying out different air filters and exhaust systems. A carb is very easy to modify as well. 2006 is the last year for them, so that is also something you can keep in mind.

I also bought an 883 for the fun of modifying it, and yes that 1250 kit seems to be where it's at. From everything I have learned, a converted 883 should be faster than a factory 1200.

Good luck and have fun.

[Randy]

Originally Posted by TINGLER

Changing a bike from forward to mid mount pegs isn't that big of deal. I'd get the 48 and change it. Most people sell the mids cheap since everyone seems to want forwards.

For the rear it is as simple as adding longer shocks. For the front you will need to add longer springs inside the forks themselves. It is not difficult, and with careful planning and a few tools, I would say a complete novice could probably achieve it. Again, you could probably find longer springs for sale where someone swapped out lower ones. You could probably even trade with someone wanting to go lower.

Btw, I have a long pair of rear shocks that I would trade and I would be willing to trade the guts out of my frontend as well....so there. Done.

Yeah, I wasn't too concerned about the forward to mid control swap. And the shocks aren't a big deal either. If the front is just springs then that would be a simple fix that I could do when I do the Intiminators or Emulators, or whatever. I wasn't sure if the lowered forks just had the tubes slid down inside more, with shorter springs and spacers, or if the tubes were actually shorter. Damper rod forks are simple enough and I've changed out fork seals and tubes before so the forks aren't a huge concern either, from a work standpoint. I just don't know what they need and/or what is available to do what I want to do.

Just beginning this learning process and trying to get a handle on a lot of things at once....

[Randy]

Originally Posted by internalcombust

Love this.

Yeah. me too... Simple and clean. The Forty Eight got me started down the Harley road, but that bike got me to thinking about rolling my own version. He has a lot of details that make that bike nice, but I could do a simpler version fairly easily with commonly available, off the shelf parts., and without breaking the bank.

I may have found this bike here in this thread, but I can't say for sure, so here's a write-up on this bike with more details, if it hasn't already been posted:

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showth...highlight=EZXL

[davevv]

Sounds fine except for the asking price on that 883R. That's top dollar here in Dallas and the prices for used Harleys are generally pretty high here. I bought the '04 XL1200R that I posted the picture of six months ago for $4300 and it only had 3750 miles. Looks and runs like a new bike. I missed one that was on CL a year ago that went for $3800. If I was already planning to replace the top end, I definitely wouldn't be paying that kind of money for an 883. Also, the Roadster models generally sell for a little bit less than the other Sportster varieties.

[Randy]

Yeah. while I haven't really done a lot of searching, I knew that price was a little on the high side. I wasn't really considering that specific bike at that price. It's at a consignment store so who knows what it could be bought for though. Just throwing it out there because I just happened to see it for sale local to me and was just thinking that if I could find the right deal on one similar that it would make a good starting point if I do decide to build one rather than buy new.

But just out of curiosity, what would be a reasonable, if not great, price for a nice used 883R, or even a 1200R for that matter? I need to get some numbers in my head so if I were to stumble upon a good deal I'll know it when I see it.

Winter's coming so a bike project may be in the air!