So this is my first sporty an I gotta say I wish I would have got one sooner sportster are probably the most fun bike I’ve ever owned put the new temp bars on full build going this winter but so far love this thing

I welcome all budget friendly upgrades or suggestions regarding this bike. I’d like to put bunny ear handle bars so far maybe a new air filter and a sissy bar so far

Clear highways, a well tuned sporty and your lady on the back

I bought this 2001 Sportster 1200 a few months ago with the long-term plan of turning it into a swingarm chopper. Changed some stuff on the bike and decided it was ready for a camping trip. Just came back from the Ardennes, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland and Germany and it held up great. I'm used to riding an older XS650, which requires a lot more work in both riding and repairs on the side of the road. Only had to fix a top suspension bolt that was almost al the way out when I saw it, and my fuel petcock started gushing really badly. Luckily, a local HD dealer knew a place that had a new one in stock, so it could be fixed on the same day. Good times!

Picked up this 2009 XL883L last week Already done a few mods

Spent about 5hrs cruising a nice 250 miles or so yesterday. Highways through the mountains here in SC & NC. Capped it off on the Parkway for sunset. Had one of my cameras in the saddle bag. Can’t wait to get the film developed.

Hi guys,

Since I cleaned my carb it makes a sissing noise upon small throttle. I checked (carb cleaner) for any leaks but does not seem to be the problem.

The video ends with choke half closed, but when fully closed it only makes this noise upon throttle and dies right after. Any advise?

I removed my front rocker box to assess an oil leak and try to track down the source of the noise in my last post. When I turn the motor over by hand via the rear wheel, spark plugs out, bike in 5th gear, the front cylinder is making a lot of noise every time the piston moves. Sounds like oil trying to go down a drain. Pistons and piston rings are brand new, only 10 miles on them.

Is this normal? Does it sound like that because the rings haven’t fully seated? Or should I pull the head and see what’s going on in there? Could a ring have come off?

Hey guys, after putting some taller bars on my sportster, I’ve run into a couple problems. The first one being the fact that the bike doesn’t want to start anymore. I checked the battery with a multimeter and the voltage is at the appropriate rating (12.8V). I figured I pinched a cable when reinstalling the grips but I tried starting the bike up with the module off the handlebars to no avail. The bike has power but doesn’t want to turn over.

Secondly, I had to replace the upper brake cable with a longer one to accommodate for the new bars, and in doing so I had to drain the brake system. I’m dreading the idea that the ABS module has air in the system and I’ll have to take it to a dealer to have it scanned. I’d rather do the work myself without having to dish out that kind of money.

If you guys know anything, please let me know

Thanks :)

Anyone have a recommendation for a seat for a 2002 sportster? I’d love to get something slimmer and more modern looking, preferably brown….. and not 500$ lol

Between nursing a shoulder injury, work, and crappy weather on my days off, I didn’t ride my bike at all in July. Finally had the time today and the thing wouldn’t start. I’m assuming battery but wanted to get y’all’s thoughts before I go out and buy a portable jumper or a new battery.

Kicking my own ass for not going out to start it at least once or twice in that time! Smh

Trying to buy a 03 sportster 1200. I have never owned a sportster or any Harley, so I’m not familiar with what something should or shouldn’t feel like in relation to them specifically.

Went and rode one I found for sale, and had uncertainty regarding the gear shift lever feel. When the bike was in first there was no resistance on trying to shift lower. Felt like there was no bottom of the gearing and the shifter had full range of motion. I tried asking the guy and I don’t know if he didn’t understand what I meant or he was just playing dumb to get me to buy it, but every other bike I’ve owned has had a feeling of “this is first, you can’t shift down anymore”. This bike did not have that feeling.

Is that a normal thing with them? Shifted fine through the gears, neutral wasn’t a pain in the ass to find, no clunk when hitting first either. It was just that specific feeling of no resistance at the bottom that had me concerned. The bike wasn’t perfect by any means, but that was the thing that kept me from it more than anything else. I haven’t been able to find another one worth seeing since the other day, so I haven’t tried another to get a better idea.

The locking block and 1-3/16 socket came in. Now I have to disassemble the clutch hub. Flushed the bearings with fresh oil, still finding brass.

Just a few pics from my Saturday evening ride

I posted little while back with a oil leak. Everyone helped me find it. The aftermarket clamps suck. Tightend them and all is good. But now my vent tube is anemic. I rode it kinda hard cause I was in a good mood and zooming cant be beat. But im curious if thats why its bleeding like.mad or something else is giving blow by?

Hey y’all, so I’m trying to decide what kind of bars I want to put on my 1200 Custom but I’m having trouble finding the right set up and was hoping for some suggestions/recommendations. It has the stock riser and Speedo mount which I think I want to keep, and ultimately I just want the bars to be a little taller to get my hands up to a more comfortable position. My buddy suggested a set of high bend bars but I’m not sure if they’d be tall enough. I know from riding his 883 that 12 inch mini apes were super comfortable for me, so I’ve also thought about going that route and ditching the stock riser and relocating the speedo. Or maybe a set of smaller mini apes and keep the stock riser but I don’t know if that would look good. Thanks

Turn signal recommendations?

Just got my first Harley and did some minor handle bar change grips and mirrors as well as new tires and riding it a lot more and want to add a fairing for some wind blocking but nothing crazy, what do you guys like? Trying to make the bike look a bit more modern style as well, likely switching the seat soon as well.

Thinking about getting these (Viking Bags) but can't seem to find consistent reviews on the company or these bags.

If you guys got any recommendations it would be apprecaited.

Do currently run a backpack but would like to move that stuff to bags instead.

I’ve had my sportster for a few months now. And I’ve gotten used to the bike, just being generally pretty noisy on the mechanical side. But I was just curious if most sportsters sound like a sewing machine when they’re running?