WANTED..............

[Panzer]

Quite a few times the members here on HTT bend over backwards in helping those that need some sort of help with their bikes.
And quite a few times the one that is asking for help is at a total loss for a fix and has asked the HTT wizards.
Members have posted, pixs, the area to look at, the right tool(s) to use and has looked up in their own service manual and described word for word to help what the service manual states.

I think I speak for the many members here on HTT, that if you found our help beneficial please give us feed back, even if it was good, or not so good.
We can all learn from the input given, this is what we are here for................for helping another brother or sister.
Ride safe, ride like you're invisible.

Thanks for your feed back. 

[Nowhereman]

Well said.

[WhipLash96]

I think that the feedback that I get here overall is superior to other boards. I come back because it is usually spot on. My only real complaint about this board is that there just isn't enough coverage here in the Sportster section.

[Panzer]

WhipLash96,
I agree with you on that point, but take a look a the V-Rod section also.
Out of all the sections The V-Rod and the sporty sections has minimal postings, I believe it's because their trouble free. (maybe ?)
Just saying.

[Breeze]

Good post Panzer.  Learning the fix to problems posted, is  what I like best.  I hate it when we are left hanging.

[Nowhereman]

WhipLash96,
I agree with you on that point, but take a look a the V-Rod section also.
Out of all the sections The V-Rod and the sporty sections has minimal postings, I believe it's because their trouble free. (maybe ?)
Just saying.

I don't agree.
They are the least selling models going.
The rod is not even made anymore.
The Rod motor is a jewel of an engine and shows no issues though. (it was designed by Porsche BTW)
Sportys are a crossover bike; most who get their 1st Harley grab sportys and hold on to them for a year before they move up to big twins.
They are nice scoots but, a little small and underpowered for any lengthy cruises.
Just my opinion and it's worth about .02 cents max after inflation and taxes.
Your mileage may very.

[WhipLash96]

I have a big twin and a Sportster and I prefer my Sportster just a tad more than my Road Glide.  Sportster's are a fun bike.

[kik]

I ran a 77 XL for 10 years before I traded it in on my current 00' Electra glide. I wish I had the Iron head back, I get tired of pushing this heavy beast around in local traffic.

[WhipLash96]

Yep, I am looking at an iron head now. Either a 62 or a 66

[Wicked]

I don't agree.
They are the least selling models going.
The rod is not even made anymore.

You sure about that?

The Rod motor is a jewel of an engine and shows no issues though. (it was designed by Porsche BTW)
Sportys are a crossover bike; most who get their 1st Harley grab sportys and hold on to them for a year before they move up to big twins.
They are nice scoots but, a little small and underpowered for any lengthy cruises.

Again - you sure?? More power to weight ratio than other HD"S.
Higher seat height, more lean angle, springboard for some of HD's other improvements...

Just my opinion and it's worth about .02 cents max after inflation and taxes.
Your mileage may very.

[Panzer]

I don't know the percentage of Harley owners that had a sporty but, they all say they wish they hadn't either sold or traded it in.
The ones that still have a sportster hang on to them (including this writer) and get a bigger bike or cruiser in the barn.
the sporty is a versatile machine, easy to handle, quick and an all around fun machine. 
Almost trouble free and year after year, still in the Harley line up for good reason.
If you look up the Sportster for insurance, the sporty 1200 is classified as a cruiser.
The sporty in not just a woman's bike anymore!!

[Brrrap]

I don't know the percentage of Harley owners that had a sporty but, they all say they wish they hadn't either sold or traded it in.
The ones that still have a sportster hang on to them (including this writer) and get a bigger bike or cruiser in the barn.
the sporty is a versatile machine, easy to handle, quick and an all around fun machine. 
Almost trouble free and year after year, still in the Harley line up for good reason.
If you look up the Sportster for insurance, the sporty 1200 is classified as a cruiser.
The sporty in not just a woman's bike anymore!!

NEVER WAS A WOMANS BIKE!! (ohh don't get me started!)

[Nowhereman]

You said it.... not me.......You said it....it's out now....

[andyxlh]

Lucky enough to have a sporty and a road king, if I was pushed I'd keep the sporty....and I've racked up some serious miles in the past on both.
Off the mark I've not seen many BTs which can go past a 1200xlh off the mark, and smiles for the dollar? The sporty wins hands down IMHO!

[Nowhereman]

Yeah I've heard that one before.
I know most guys in the club have "massaged motors" but, I have never seen a sporty leave on a BT... ever...

[citabria]

WhipLash96,
I agree with you on that point, but take a look a the V-Rod section also.
Out of all the sections The V-Rod and the sporty sections has minimal postings, I believe it's because their trouble free. (maybe ?)
Just saying.

I don't agree.
They are the least selling models going.
The rod is not even made anymore.
The Rod motor is a jewel of an engine and shows no issues though. (it was designed by Porsche BTW)
Sportys are a crossover bike; most who get their 1st Harley grab sportys and hold on to them for a year before they move up to big twins.
They are nice scoots but, a little small and underpowered for any lengthy cruises.
Just my opinion and it's worth about .02 cents max after inflation and taxes.
Your mileage may very.

When did they quit building the V-rod?? Most people go to 1130cc.com for any techinical help or information for V-rods. And Porche also had a hand in designing the Evo engine.

[No Problem]

ive had my sporty since new in 88 will never sell

[cyclobutch]

Bought my '89 to dip a toe in the HD waters and see how it went. It's one of the last bikes I'd part with. Toured the low countries and she even got me back out of France through 5" of snow one February. Will cruise 80 and the tank size gives me the excuse to hop off every hour or so. Even lugged me and the missus out to Belgium a couple of times when I've strapped the ugly seat on (no euphemism intended). Always puts a smile on my face.

But yeah ... agreed, if you're out this way looking for advice then it's only good manners to post back on how it all went.

[andyxlh]

Never seen a sporty leave a BT behind? really? I'm no racer but easily pulled past my mate's TC 96 road king just the other day off the mark on my old rattler....  sure, not likely to happen at 60mph on my 4 speed.........

[Nowhereman]

So your buddy can't race...
Probably caught him in the wrong gear and rpm.
BTs can out pull sportys all day.

[Maxxx]

 

[Panzer]

Line em' up guys, but stock for stock, no fancy do dad's or engine work, plain stock.
I'll bet on the Sporty 1200 any day. 

[andyxlh]

You know what, this is a really interesting discussion. Now I'm doubting myself, as Nowhereman suggests, it could be as simple as technique, and BT's nowdays are a whole lot faster. I'm pretty comfy saying that my 89 sportster as an 883 had more pep off the mark than my 1996 evo road king, as i have had them both since they were bone stock, with all the changes since then, perhaps I'm wrong.

[randyman]

Im to big for Sportsters but I think they are really cool.  I have a 1977 XLH that runs and I think its a great bike.  But I want to sell it.

[Maxxx]

i do believe my 1200 s would take my e-glide off the line.. but not for long!! 

[Brrrap]

Just an opinion from my age gone by: I've had my time on three Sportsters, '59 '60 '66. In those days being twenty something, full of piss and vinegar, (And the occasional doobie!) I lived with great satisfaction that my sporty wouldn't let me down on a hard 4 gear launch. My humble grin came a short distance later when Big Twins would breathe by like a locomotive train picking up speed. That was then, The Big Twins now I suspect have a much greater power to weight ratio and are probably able to set those days to rest. But it wasn't the case in my mirror in the 1970's - 80's. Sadly I broke the '60. Lower right side transmission case blew out. Had it welded up and sold it as a basket case. Wife to this day say's I should have kept that one.   
Anyway, it would seem that the stock performance numbers could be researched to compare the two through the years. Isn't it pretty obvious though, lining up a stock 1960 XLCH to a stock 1960 FLH garbage barge? I'll watch this thread, but I'll not argue a word past my posting.

[Nowhereman]

Long time ago, there was a firm that made some real nice Sporty frames for people who wanted a Sporty chopper or  :chop:Pro Street look.
They were impressive when finished.

[kik]

Im to big for Sportsters but I think they are really cool.  I have a 1977 XLH that runs and I think its a great bike.  But I want to sell it.

Same year as the one I traded. What you looking to get for it?

On the same note I raced that old 77' quite a few times from light to light, I think the last time was around 1999. I never had a BT get me off the line, but by time we hit about halfway to the next light, they was pulling past me pretty hard.

[gasshawg]

I,m game for any BT . I'll play with anyone. T&O Races in KS,  August  16th & 17 th.
ET Bracket full tree.

[WhipLash96]

I like Sportsters so much that I will most likely being taking a power trip down to Florida to pick up another one. As far as going up against a BT, I am not a racer either but I know what my Sportster can do and will do if I need it to. Not that this should be surprising but I am able to run my Sporty to 95mph then pull out of 4th. I have conceded the notion that I will never sell my Sportster. It is my first bike and which I have spent a lot of time with since I have had it. Not only that, my wife rides that one and I take the FLTR most times when we go riding.

[moose]

and my daddy can beat up your daddy so there

[Nowhereman]

 

[andyxlh]

when I lived in the USA about a decade ago I went to the Harley drags a few times which was interesting.  can't remember the times the bikes were doing but I do remember it was noisy! are there any numbers from there for stock bikes over the 1/4 which might give a clue?
I'm now interested to find an answer......
A

[Panzer]

More "no fixes" on this site.
Like a few have said, getting tired of looking for updates on how things are going.
What the freak is wrong with people, they pose a question, the group gives them some possible fixes and they vanish.   
What's the fix for that?   

[kik]

Not just this site, it seems to be a common thing to do. I'm also on a Ford, a Cadillac & 2 Toyota and a Kawasaki site, same thing, they come back maybe 10 - 20% of the time and let us know if it worked or not.

[76shuvlinoff]

 Sporty against EG. The EG technique would be to run it up to 110 and just wait for the peanut to run outta gas. 


I know it's not apples to apples and the modern Sporty is a different animal but a good buddy had a hot rodded 82, he called it a Roadster. It was a quick nasty loud thing. I can't tell you the times I watched his taillight pull away from my poor FLH shovel. My fun was watching him try to get comfortable on a 800 mile putt we took in 02. Every time time my ass even started to get tired he switched to reserve and was desperately looking for a station. It worked out well for me. 

Mark

[Brrrap]

Living in San Antonio Texas meant I needed range on my '59 XLCH. 3-1/2 gal tanks did the trick for me. Picture from '83 on Bandera Road. Then, I'd wake, eat and ride all day when I wasn't in uniform in the Kelly AFB air traffic control tower.
[attach=0]

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[andyxlh]

Great pic, do you still have the bike?

[Brrrap]

Great pic, do you still have the bike?

My son recently asked if I would keep it in my shop. As a bike he could ride when he visits. Here's more about it, and pictures. http://www.hotbikeweb.com/bikes/generational-ironhead-1956-harley-davidson-xlch-custom/?image=0

[andyxlh]

Great story and wonderful pics. Part of the family... Thanks for sharing!

[Panzer]

Bumped it up.

[China twin 88]

Sportys are a crossover bike; most who get their 1st Harley grab sportys and hold on to them for a year before they move up to big twins.

True even in China, some what but due to the cost and the non-importation of 1200's, the 883 is the perfect bike for
China.  While n the states and after ETS out of the Army I bought a 77 sportster from Fletcher's HD in Largo Fl. Less than a year later I got a chance to trade it back and buy a FLH.... jumped on it... as the Sporty winded out un like the taller gears of the FLH (named properly as Flat Land Hog). Buying the 883 was a leap back somewhat ... or least I thought so having harbored predigests from my FLA. Highway days, however I found the bike and the lack of weight to be accommodating in wall to wall scooter traffic lined by bike lane pigs who create a Chinese firedrill commute.    Those who have seen the FB page know the terrine we often deal with and the mountains are a little tight for the 883L....thinking bout giving some more ground clearance. I have grown to love the bike *883* and due to the fact that it is legal, the 2002 88' standard built/brought in before importation of HD's into China can never be registered....the new Rule of Law and the persecution of motorcycles in China, has made the 883 not only fun but indispensable.

[wavlovr1]

Line em' up guys, but stock for stock, no fancy do dad's or engine work, plain stock.
I'll bet on the Sporty 1200 any day. 

And you would win that bet. Especially with the 1200.

My wife's 1200 custom (2002) would easily pull wheelies in 4 out of 5 gears with my 200 pounds on it. At only 500 pounds it was a great little hot rod. Bundles of fun, but brutal over long distances. I wish I had never traded it.

I loved my big twin 2000 Dyna Super Sport too, but it got totaled. The 2002 Deuce came next with a spicy upgrade to high compression 95. That's what I take out when I miss my Sporty. The road is reserved for my 2009 Street Glide with a 103. Every man needs one of each model is my opinion, LOL...

[wavlovr1]

OH, and this board has saved my bu$$ too many times to count. Thanks for everyone's' help!