Harley-Davidson Sportster
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| Manufacturer | Harley-Davidson |
|---|---|
| Also called | "Sporty" |
| Production | since 1957 |
| Predecessor | Harley-Davidson KHK |
The Sportster is a line of motorcycles produced continuously since 1957 by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Sportster models are designated in Harley-Davidson's product code by beginning with "XL". In 1952, the predecessors to the Sportster, the Model K Sport and Sport Solo motorcycles, were introduced. These models K, KK, KH, and KHK of 1952 to 1956 had a flat head engine, whereas the later XL Sportster models use an overhead valve engine.
Construction
Sportster motorcycles are powered by 45 degree V-twin engines in which both connecting rods, of the "fork and blade" or "knife & fork" design, share a common crank pin. The original Sportster engine was the Ironhead engine, which was replaced with the Evolution engine in 1986. Sportster engines, the 45" R, D, G & W Models 1929 side-valve motors, and the 'Big Twin' side-valve motors, which were: the flathead 74 cubic-inch (1213 cc) Models V , VL etc. (1930–1936), Models U and UL (1937–1948), and the 80 cubic-inch (1,311 cc) Models VH and VLH (1935–1936), Models UH and ULH (1937–1941) have four separate cams, sporting one lobe per cam.
The cam followers used in Sportster engines, K models, big twin side valve models, and the side-valve W Model series were a slightly shorter version of the followers used in the larger motors, but with the same Template:Auto in diameter body and Template:Auto in diameter roller follower since 1929. The company used similar cam followers for decades with minor changes, from the 1929 to the Eighties.
Sportster engines retained the K/KH design crankcase design, in which the transmission is contained in the same casting as the engine, and driven by the engine with a triple-row #35 chain primary drive and a multi-plate cable-operated clutch. Models since 1991 have five speeds; 1990 and earlier models had four speeds.
The engine was mounted directly to the frame from 1957 through the 2003 model year. While this system allows the bike to be somewhat lighter with more precise handling, it also transmits engine vibration directly to the rider. Sportsters released in 2004 and later use rubber isolation mounts and tie links to limit engine movement to a single plane, which greatly reduces vibration felt by the rider. Buell motorcycles built with variants of the Sportster engine have used a rubber mount system since 1987.
The Model K, from which the Sportster evolved, was the first civilian motorcycle produced by Harley-Davidson with hydraulic shock absorbers on both wheels. Common usage calls this a K Model.
Model K series
This is developed from the earlier 45 W model, but with the revised flat head engine and new 4-speed transmission contained in the same castings as would become the Sportster. The connecting rods would be inherited by the Sportster along with many other design features and dimensions.
- Model K and KK 1952–1953: 750 cc side-valve engines, using the 45 model bore and stroke
- Model KR (racing only) 1953–1969: 750 cc side-valve engines
- Model KH and KHK 1954–1956: 885 cc side-valve engines, using the 45 model bore, but with the stroke increased to 4.5625" (115.89 mm). This is the only small twin with a longer stroke than 3.8125", which is otherwise universal to the entire 45/K/Sportster line from 1929 to the present (exception: XR750, XB9 Buell).
X series Sportsters
- XL, Ironhead, 1957–1985: 900 cc (883 cc actual) and 1,000 cc Ironhead overhead-valve engines with cast iron heads
- XR750 (racing only) 1970–1971: 750 cc overhead-valve engines, iron heads
- XR750 (racing only) 1972–1985: 750 cc overhead-valve engines, alloy heads
- XLCR Sportster (cafe racer)1977–1978: 1,000 cc overhead-valve engines, iron heads
- XR1000 (racing only) 1983–1984: 1,000 cc street model using XR racing cylinder head and other XR engine parts.
- XLR (racing only): 883 cc overhead-valve engines, iron heads
- XL, Evolution (also known as the "Evo"), since 1986: 883 cc, 1,100 cc and 1,200 cc Evolution overhead-valve engine, alloy heads
Significant changes by model year
- 1957 "Ironhead" overhead-valve engine introduced.[1]
- 1972 "Ironhead" 1000 cc overhead-valve engine replaces 900 cc.
- 1975 Switched to left-side gear change (DOT mandate)
- 1979 Only year of the sportster that Harley produces with dual exhaust as opposed to staggered exhaust.
- 1985 Last year for the "Ironhead" overhead-valve engine.
- 1986 "Evolution" engine introduced in 883 cc and 1100 cc sizes.
- 1988 1200 cc engine replaces 1,100 cc engine.
- 1988 Constant velocity carburetor replaces butterfly carburetor.
- 1991 Five-speed transmission replaces four-speed.
- 1991 Belt drive replaces chain drive on 883 Deluxe and all 1200 models.
- 1992 Belt drive made standard on all Sportsters.
- 1994 Improved oil tank, battery tray, and clutch made standard.
- 1994 New electrical system with sealed connectors.
- 1995 Speedometer is now electronic, not mechanical.
- 1998 XL1200S gets dual spark plug heads and high performance cams
- 2000 Introduced sealed wheel bearings and updated 4-piston brake calipers.
- 2003 Last year for the frame mounted Evolution engine.
- 2004 All-new frame including rubber-mounted engine for decreased vibration. Elimination of the transmission trap door, New shape hamcan, Exhaust balance pipe moved from running under the air filter and disguised and hidden behind the silencers to show of more engine, new smoother style oil tank right side panel with push and turn filler/dipstick, and the previously exposed battery is now enclosed in a matching side panel on the left
- 2005 Enlarged rear axle to 1" for increased stability.
- 2006 New XR1200 is announced at Intermot in Cologne, Germany. The XR1200 is the first Harley-Davidson to utilize Down Draft DDFI II fuel injection. To be released as a late 2008 model.
- 2007 Fuel injection replaces carburetion on all models.
- 2009 "One size fits all" front mudguard approach replaced by improved mudguard contour to match each model's respective wheel diameters.
- 2010 The ECU is relocated to allow more variation in aftermarket seat selection
Production and notable Sportster models
- XLH is the standard model, with the "H" denoting high compression engine
- XLCH is a popular model variation, the "CH" denoting "competition/high-compression". The XLCH has magneto ignition and kickstart only (as well as several other changes to eliminate weight).
- XLX an entry level "Ironhead" era Sportster, available with sparse trim, in black only.
- XLS
- XLT "Tourer" '77 special model (1099 units) featured a Superglide tank, screen, bigger seat and panniers
- XLCR "Cafe Racer" is the Cafe Racer model, available in 1979, and quite collectible today[2]
- XR1000, Highly desirable, with two high rise flat track style exhausts on the left and two staggered K&N type filters poking out on the right. Featured a 1,000cc engine and a combination of XLX Sportster and modified XR750 parts.[3]
- XLH883
- XLH1100
- XLH1200
- XLH883 "Deluxe", twin seat, tachometer, buckhorn bars, and spoke wheels (vs single seat, speedometer only, low bars and cast wheels for the XLH883 standard model)
- XLH883 "Hugger", with reduced single seat height and reduced suspension, the precursor to the "XL low" models
- XL53C "Custom 53" (EU) XL883C "Custom" (US) '98 - '03 (53 cubic inches is approx 883cc), Forward-controls, duelseat , solid rear wheel and drag bars mounted on a riser. This became the XL883C "Custom" worldwide with the '04 rubbermount version
- XL883 "Sportster 883" single seat standard model, mid-controls, 13 spoke mags or wires
- XL883C "Custom" has wider, flatter "custom" tank, forward-controls, duelseat and 21" wire and 16" solid disc wheels
- XL1200C "Custom" Frame mount models had a chunkier duelseat and normal tank, rubber mounts get smoother seat and flatter wider "custom" tank, all have 21" wire and 16" slotted disc wheels and forward-controls
- XL883L "Low"; Single seat, very low shocks, mid-controls, 13 spoke mags or wires
- XL1200L "Low"; Dualseat, mid shox, mid-controls, wider flatter "Custom" tank, 13 spoke mags or wires
- XL1200S "Sport" – this Sportster has adjustable suspension with piggyback shox, dual disc front brakes, hotter cams and 13 spoke mags, later models get dual plug cylinder heads with single fire ignition
- XL883R "Roadster" Frame mount models have a 2-1 exhaust, 13 spoke mags, black engine and are available in orange with 'R' grapics, rubber mounts get 2-2 exhaust, slightly different dualseat, wire wheel option and more 'R' colors, all have triple discs and rev-counter. In 2010 the XL883R officially gets the "Roadster" suffix
- XL1200R "Roadster" Black engine with highlighted fins, triple discs, rev-counter, orange paint available but no 'R' graphics and '08 models get the wider flatter "custom" tank which distance it further from the 883R
- XL50 1200 "50th Anniversary" 2007 limited production of 2,000 models
- XL1200N "Nightster" first of the Dark Customs, combined LED tail/brake/indicator lights, 13'5" shox, and tapered silencers (EU) and side mounted LED lit licence plate, 11" shox, and baloney cut silencers (US), mid-controls and wire wheels
- XL883N "Iron 883", blacked out 883 similar to the Nightster with more black and 13 spoke mags, mid-cotrols.
- XR1200 More sports orientated "Euro" style bike, upside down forks, reworked sportster engine, new chassis, four-pot double discs, 120/70-18 and 180/55-17 split 3 spoke mags, rear-controls - has its own race series
- XL1200X "Forty-Eight", in the "Dark" Nightster style but has the classic '48 style small peanut tank, wire wheels, forward-controls, a whole new 130mm front tire, and super small single seat
- XR1200X Blacked out XR1200 with piggyback shox
- XL883L "SuperLow", new for 2011 has black split 5-spoke mags with polished rims and 120/70-18 and 150/60-17 tires, wider flatter "Custom" tank, mid-controls
Nightster
Introduced in 2007, the XL1200N Nightster includes (then) unique features such as a bobbed rear fender, front fork gaiters, and a side mount license plate. The riding position and Template:Auto in seat height of the Nightster are the same as those of the XL883L Sportster Low - UK version (along with Iron 883 and Forty-Eight) has central number plate, 13.5" rear shocks, tapered silencers, and combined LED indicator/tail/brake lights.
The Harley Iron was released in 2009 as a smaller displacement version of the Nightster. The major differences are blacked out engine, cast wheels instead of laced; narrower handlebars; different seat, belt guard, and front mudguard, and of course the smaller engine displacement.
Knievel's XR-750
In 1970, Evel Knievel began using the XR-750 for his daredevil jumps. Although built to race, Knievel used the motorcycle and the Harley-Davidson sponsorship until 1977. The longest jump made by Knievel on the XR-750 was 133 ft (41 m) at Kings Island in 1975. In the 1980s, motorcycle jumping changed using motocross motorcycles, which were built to jump. However, daredevil Bubba Blackwell currently uses the XR-750 for jumping. Blackwell holds all jumping records on the XR-750, jumping 157 ft (48 m).
One of Knievel's signature red, white, and blue XR-750 motorcycles is currently housed at the Smithsonian American History Museum.[4]
XR1200
In the 2008 model year, Harley-Davidson released the XR1200 Sportster in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The XR1200 had an Evolution engine tuned to produce 91 bhp (68 kW), four-piston dual front disc brakes, and an aluminum swing arm. Motorcyclist featured the XR1200 on the cover of its July 2008 issue, and was generally positive about it in their "First Ride" story, in which Harley-Davidson was repeatedly asked to sell it in the United States.[5] One possible reason for the delayed availability in the United States was the fact that Harley-Davidson had to obtain the "XR1200" naming rights from Storz Performance, a Harley customizing shop in Ventura, Calif.[6] The XR1200 was released in the United States in 2009, in a special color scheme including Mirage Orange highlighting its dirt-tracker heritage. The first 750 XR1200 models in 2009 were pre-ordered and came with a number 1 tag for the front of the bike, autographed by Kenny Coolbeth and Scott Parker and a thank you/welcome letter from Harley-Davidson, signed by Bill Davidson.
Current models
The Sportster is offered in a number of different models. The 2010 models, which are not all offered in the same countries, are:
- 883 Low - XL883L (offered as the 883 SuperLow for 2011)
- 883 Custom - XL883C (discontinued for 2011)
- 883 Roadster - XL883R (U.K.)
- Iron 883 - XL883N
- Nightster - XL1200N
- 1200 Low - XL1200L
- 1200 Custom - XL1200C (discontinued for 2011)
- Forty Eight - XL1200X
- XR1200 (offered as the XR1200X for 2011)
Buell
Buell started with watercooled two-stroke square-fours and ended with a water cooled four-stroke V-Twin but the vast majority of their bikes used reworked 883 and 1200 Sportster engines.
References
- ^ Richard Backus (March/April 2010). "1972-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1000". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Roland Brown (Premier Issue). "Harley-Davidson XLCR". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Clement Salvadori (November/December 2010). "The Harley-Davidson XR1000". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object.cfm?key=35&objkey=175
- ^ Cathcart, Alan (2008). "First Ride: 2008 Harley-Davidson XR1200 - Get Sporty!". Motorcyclist. Source Interlink Magazines: 49–53.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|laydate=,|laysummary=,|laysource=, and|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Richard Backus (September/October 2009). "2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
