Sportster Adventure conversion

kraven · 12-24-2009, 11:42 AM

So, I was down in the basement this AM working on my current project (82 CB450) and began pondering about the idea of a Sportster for a conversion to a long legged touring all surfaces bike.
I've been tossing the idea around for a while, if I were to be honest.
Yesterday, I went to a local old bike parts shop a few blocks from my house and sat for about an hour eyeballing an older Sporty they had in the front for sale, and then meandered around looking at some old parts laying here and there.

I've never had a Harley, but plenty of Honda and BMW projects.

A quick glance at the specs of rake/trail, length, weight, etc are all fairly encouraging. I can build around the steel perimeter frame adding hard bags and a high pipe, give it longer legs, good suspension, and maybe build a larger fuel tank to hold 5 or 6 gallons of fuel, depending.

I'm convinced it shouldn't be so hard given that I can fabricate all the hard parts in the basement right down to the bags.

So, that's what I'm going to do. I'll sell off the CB450 and make room in the basement and see if I can get it done by spring or summer at the latest.
Should be fun.

Think I'll go dig up a frame or a crashed up bike and start from there.

A quick glance around teh intarwebz shows that I'm not the first guy to think of this. So, I'm not saying that I am.
I'm just saying this is my current project. And, it's a go.

maxflhx · 12-24-2009, 11:54 AM

Go for it. Sounds like an awesome idea. I thought about the same thing but an honest inventory of my wrenching abilities led me to buy a Scrambler. I look forward to seeing your progress!

brucifer · 12-24-2009, 12:00 PM

Sweet! And yet another build thread to keep me in front of the computer and away from my own projects!

drdirty · 12-24-2009, 05:47 PM

Sounds interesting!
I have a '07 XL883 and a '07 DR650SE. I like them both.
I have racked up 9700 miles in two seasons on the DR and only 6100 on the Sportster. All day rides with a couple two day over-night rides.(demands of my employment makes it impossible to take alot of time off)

I am sorry, but I just can not see a Harley Davidson Sportster as a Adventure Motorcycle. It might be possible with someone with a whole lot better riding skills than I have, and an interesting project.

But I have to wonder, WHY?

And now back to my Miller Light!

JamesG · 12-24-2009, 10:09 PM

Please do a google or search here for:" XR1200" or "offroad harley".

Or await someone with less ADD than me to come post a bunch of links for you.

Kytann · 12-24-2009, 11:33 PM

There have been quite a few good examples.
Looking forward to seeing the direction youy go with yours.

Assuming a start point of one of the older lighter solid mount sportys?

Kawidad · 12-25-2009, 07:33 AM

I have considered this project and may attempt it in the future, but one must do item is reinforcing the frame. Sporty frames flex like they are hinged, I know, I've owned two of them.

My first Sporty was a 93 that was a stocker and holy crap

the frame flex was scary, not to mention the suspension and brakes that sucked azz too. Then I got a 76 that was a basket case that I restored, but while it was apart I did some minor reinforcing and it helped a bunch in normal riding. I can only imagine how much it would help in adventure-izing the bike.

Pigford · 12-25-2009, 07:52 AM

Old hat - Evil Kinevil's already bin & dun it

HammerD0wn · 12-25-2009, 08:20 AM

Buy the Harley, chop it, throw on some leather bags and a duffel on the sissy bar.....call her done....that's the right way...but that is just me & my opinion.

WARRIORPRINCEJJ · 12-25-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraven

...A quick glance around teh intarwebz shows that I'm not the first guy to think of this. So, I'm not saying that I am...

kraven,

I have tried the...

"my topic here site:advrider.com" search, on Google, and have found nothing.

A few months ago, I found a Sporty, set-up with knobbies, somewhere on this forum. For the life of me, I can't remember what thread it was in. I have looked and looked, but have come-up empty.

Like you, I would like to do the same thing ("adventure Sporty"). If you have any links, and would be willing to share, I would be happy to see them. Thanks in advance...

J.J.

Zacharia_11 · 12-25-2009, 08:55 AM

You got any pictures regarding the direction your thinking? I've seen some pretty good conversion with that sporty. Love to see how this turns out.

Murf2 · 12-25-2009, 09:16 AM

Do it! I toyed with the idea and still my do one for the wife. When I found an 07 Buell STT with 69 miles for $4K that kinda changed my mind. I know the Sportys are so muck cooler looking but some of the Buells have much better parts for less than you could build a Sporty. There is that "out of business" thing but my local dealer is really into Buells, so I'm going to try it.

I think a Sporty scrambler would be very cool. There are some good ideas on the interweb. Dig around and you get some great ideas. I think it was a member Rustyspuds that had a kick ass sporty on here.

It's "rusty spuds" search for his posts, good stuff.

Good luck, Murf2

sturgeon · 12-25-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WARRIORPRINCEJJ

A few months ago, I found a Sporty, set-up with knobbies, somewhere on this forum. For the life of me, I can't remember what thread it was in. I have looked and looked, but have come-up empty.
J.J.

This one?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495012

WARRIORPRINCEJJ · 12-25-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sturgeon

...This one?...

I believe that is the one!

Thanks sturgeon, and Happy Holidays to you!

sportyrider · 12-25-2009, 06:31 PM

This is probably a little more dirt oriented than you had in mind, but I think a sportster adventure bike is a great idea. Keep us posted

12-24-2009, 11:42 AM	#1
kraven ^OP Hegelian Scum Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Asheville NC Oddometer: 3,496	Sportster Adventure conversion So, I was down in the basement this AM working on my current project (82 CB450) and began pondering about the idea of a Sportster for a conversion to a long legged touring all surfaces bike. I've been tossing the idea around for a while, if I were to be honest. Yesterday, I went to a local old bike parts shop a few blocks from my house and sat for about an hour eyeballing an older Sporty they had in the front for sale, and then meandered around looking at some old parts laying here and there. I've never had a Harley, but plenty of Honda and BMW projects. A quick glance at the specs of rake/trail, length, weight, etc are all fairly encouraging. I can build around the steel perimeter frame adding hard bags and a high pipe, give it longer legs, good suspension, and maybe build a larger fuel tank to hold 5 or 6 gallons of fuel, depending. I'm convinced it shouldn't be so hard given that I can fabricate all the hard parts in the basement right down to the bags. So, that's what I'm going to do. I'll sell off the CB450 and make room in the basement and see if I can get it done by spring or summer at the latest. Should be fun. Think I'll go dig up a frame or a crashed up bike and start from there. A quick glance around teh intarwebz shows that I'm not the first guy to think of this. So, I'm not saying that I am. I'm just saying this is my current project. And, it's a go. __________________ "That ain't right. How can Honda paint a bike green?" "It's not 1978 anymore?"

12-24-2009, 12:00 PM	#3
brucifer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Eureka, Ca. Oddometer: 1,627	Sweet! And yet another build thread to keep me in front of the computer and away from my own projects! __________________ 2006 KLR650-2002 Husaberg FC550E w/2008 FE550E engine-2000 Buell M2 Cyclone-Plated 1995 XR600R-1984 Honda CR500R-1984 Honda XL600R/XR650L Hybrid-1984 Yamaha TT600L-1981 Honda XR500R-1980 Honda CB750F

12-25-2009, 07:33 AM	#7
Kawidad Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Central Coast, Cal Oddometer: 3,818	I have considered this project and may attempt it in the future, but one must do item is reinforcing the frame. Sporty frames flex like they are hinged, I know, I've owned two of them. My first Sporty was a 93 that was a stocker and holy crap the frame flex was scary, not to mention the suspension and brakes that sucked azz too. Then I got a 76 that was a basket case that I restored, but while it was apart I did some minor reinforcing and it helped a bunch in normal riding. I can only imagine how much it would help in adventure-izing the bike. __________________ "Deeply flawed people make deeply flawed decisions."

12-25-2009, 08:55 AM	#11
Zacharia_11 11th Assassin Joined: Nov 2009 Location: tricities.on.ca Oddometer: 248	Inspiration? You got any pictures regarding the direction your thinking? I've seen some pretty good conversion with that sporty. Love to see how this turns out. __________________ 2009 GS500 $5 off your SmugMug Photo Hosting Account Discount Code -gZGyUIZz6nv0w

12-25-2009, 06:31 PM	#15
sportyrider Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Belgrade Oddometer: 29	This is probably a little more dirt oriented than you had in mind, but I think a sportster adventure bike is a great idea. Keep us posted __________________ It's all part of the Adventure ____________ 93 sportster 06 dr650

12-24-2009, 11:54 AM	#2
maxflhx Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: PNW Oddometer: 25	Go for it. Sounds like an awesome idea. I thought about the same thing but an honest inventory of my wrenching abilities led me to buy a Scrambler. I look forward to seeing your progress!

12-24-2009, 05:47 PM	#4
drdirty Adventurer Joined: Jun 2007 Location: central Montana Oddometer: 87	Sounds interesting! I have a '07 XL883 and a '07 DR650SE. I like them both. I have racked up 9700 miles in two seasons on the DR and only 6100 on the Sportster. All day rides with a couple two day over-night rides.(demands of my employment makes it impossible to take alot of time off) I am sorry, but I just can not see a Harley Davidson Sportster as a Adventure Motorcycle. It might be possible with someone with a whole lot better riding skills than I have, and an interesting project. But I have to wonder, WHY? And now back to my Miller Light!

12-24-2009, 10:09 PM	#5
JamesG Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Columbus, GA Oddometer: 10,133	Please do a google or search here for:" XR1200" or "offroad harley". Or await someone with less ADD than me to come post a bunch of links for you.

12-24-2009, 11:33 PM	#6
Kytann Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN Oddometer: 177	There have been quite a few good examples. Looking forward to seeing the direction youy go with yours. Assuming a start point of one of the older lighter solid mount sportys?

12-25-2009, 07:52 AM	#8
Pigford British Joined: Sep 2009 Location: North Dorset, UK Oddometer: 743	Old hat - *Evil Kinevil's* already bin & dun it

12-25-2009, 08:20 AM	#9
HammerD0wn Go cry me a river... Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Dark side Oddometer: 101	Buy the Harley, chop it, throw on some leather bags and a duffel on the sissy bar.....call her done....that's the right way...but that is just me & my opinion.

12-25-2009, 09:16 AM	#12
Murf2 Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Oddometer: 706	Do it! I toyed with the idea and still my do one for the wife. When I found an 07 Buell STT with 69 miles for $4K that kinda changed my mind. I know the Sportys are so muck cooler looking but some of the Buells have much better parts for less than you could build a Sporty. There is that "out of business" thing but my local dealer is really into Buells, so I'm going to try it. I think a Sporty scrambler would be very cool. There are some good ideas on the interweb. Dig around and you get some great ideas. I think it was a member Rustyspuds that had a kick ass sporty on here. It's "rusty spuds" search for his posts, good stuff. Good luck, Murf2

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