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Another excellent episode!!

Bah humbug! We all know Minnesota, USA is the center of the Universe. GO LAKE SUPERIOR!!! 🎉

Perhaps the EU killed the Sportster?

I'm happy I found this video. Once you've tried a Reese's Cup, you'll never forget the experience. When I was a kid, back in the 60's in Minnesota, Mallo Cups were the rage. For every Nickel you spent the treat included a coupon. Get enough coupons, mail them in, and behold free Mallo Cups. My teeth are rotting, yet capitalism seemed to take hold. Anyway, I inherited this 1200 Sportster from a young brother and I remember the windows in our house rattling whenever he had it running in the driveway. I've had it in storage for six years and need to deal with it. Because I've taken an interest in the bike, and the more I learn about engines types, the more desirable the EVO 1200 looks. With Harley seemingly going tits-up soon I wonder if I have a collectors item. I don't know what year it is yet, but I remember it looked pretty good. I'm sure that engine could be adapted to biofuel for when the Apocalypse comes.

AMF saved the Harley Davidson company.

For anybody watching this, i have the bobber version and it has the optional high bars fitted from new. There is no flex or wobble at all on my bobber, so maybe the pinned risers (designed for high bars) have no rubber in them, so don't flex. And all i done was drilled the location hole on the bars to a couple of drill sizes bigger and that gave me a bit more adjustment, rather than them being fixed. And as for mirrors, the triumph bar end versions work perfectly.

On topic: the Western industry is in shambles, it cannot manufacture anything "ore-to-machinery" because it has relegated that to Asia. The one thing it had was the power of certain brand names. The asian giants buy such brands and wear them like a skin costume to extract some extra $$$. And the most annoying firms are the ones that slap union jacks on tank and seats of products entirely made elsewhere.

The quality of your channel is way above many hi sub "mainstreamers". A very pleasant find.

The reason for the forward shock mount on the rear of early Sportsters was to make room for HD's fiberglass saddle bags. Few 'CH' Sporty riders ever used HD's hard saddle bags and XLCH's have a 1in. shorter swing arm than the XLH's. HD's bags were often seen on the 'H' models. The ridged rear frame of big HD's did not have any shocks in the way of mounting saddle bags.

The XLCR was designed to introduce a new frame for the Sportsters in the early nineteen eighties so they(harley) could charge more money for the motorcycle,very simple logic.

Hey I was looking at a new speedmaster and I noticed at higher RPM maybe 4-5000 the engine vibrates much more than my speed twin 900 feels is that the case with yours? Mind you I’m not sure on the exact RPM but overall on acceleration it just vibrates a lot. Also I was not able to test it in a proper highway going more than 70mph does it ride smoothly meaning without much vibration or would highway riding not be a good idea for longer rides?

Sounds like you should have stuck with Harley Davidson.

Had a 1991 883, really enjoyed it. Currently riding a Moto Guzzi V7 III, but this series of videos is making me think about a Sportster again.

Thank you. I live in York, i appreciate the historical brush up.

The Sportster? New? Yes. SWM Stormbreaker!

Awesome video as usual. As the proud owner of a 1986 Sportster I appreciate this series in general, and this episode in particular.

Let's go Brandon. FJB

Mr. Zeiss must resign!

One more comment for the algorithm

Here’s a comment for the algorithm.

By the time I'd worked my way from ironworker/welder in 74 to a being a well paid certified welder in manufacturing,(nuclear, oil +gas, aircraft), in 1986 I finally gave up and went back into construction. In 1981 while I was 30, still at the peak of US industry I bought a 1982 XLCH Sportster and the only thing AMF about it was the key blank. The frame was full tubular including the swingarm. It handled much like my friends 72 Bonneville twin and ran more reliably although not as fast in acceleration and I was always reaching for a much needed 5th gear. It was great fun and I spent a lot of time using it as a T&T racer in Dallas TX when you could still have an adult experience with a lady without a long term commitment or fear of AIDS. That's Tavern to Tavern, aka "Gentlemen's Clubs". Many great memories and I apprecite your efforts to document the Sportster from a Brits point of view.

clip ons

Moaning face c***

Hi Chris - And thank you for another wonderful video post, Ep 9. So much educational content and presented well. The timeline of graphics and pictures is superb. I am presently riding a 2013 Sportster 1200 Custom. Past Sportsters have been 2005 XL883Low and a 1993 XL883, which was made into a 1200cc. Happiness is the key. My ‘13 is a keeper. I cannot let this one get away from me. Thanks again for your work on this piece.

I was in high school in the early 70's and remember looking at the British motorcycles in the Cycle magazines, which were always featured, wondering if I would ever actually see one, except for an occasional Triumph.

Thumbs up for the upgrades on your Speedmaster. What a difference it made. However I do have a few head scratching points with this current Speedmaster vs the earlier series. Why did Triumph move towards more of a bobber look? I always thought the design of the previous model was the epitome of a standard/cruiser look. They could have just enhanced that model. Yes it did need areas to be addressed. Such as a larger engine such as yours. Multiple cheers for the idea of replacing the "Victorian technology" chain drive with a belt and add a 6spd to the earlier bike. Something they should have done long ago. My current putter is a '83 Kz440 Ltd with belt drive and a 6spd transmission. Go figure Triumph. Hopefully they will address the Speedmaster model with some of the issues you pointed out. Anyways no matter what you ride. Go out and ride and enjoy and get that giant silly smile we need. P.S. You are spot on about the wonderful exhaust sound. Be it the earlier Speedmaster or the current model. 🏍️🤙✌️

This is my year Sportster, my first Harley, "my first true love" ( 1984 Roadster XLS ) It was a late model one, and had an alternator in place a generator. As I recall the price was $ 5,720.00 USD. I rode that bike for about 12 years and as I recall it had over 100,000 miles on it with only one rebuild. If I had it to do over again I would have never sold it.😎

All the historical references make this series truly gripping. Thank you Chris for doing this. Again outstanding work. 😎

Outstanding my friend, really enjoying this series😎

Keep the hits coming brother. History here in the states is under attack. Even common sense, seems uncommon.😎

I am really enjoying this series !😎

You got me hooked brother. I have been riding a Harley-Davidson Sportster since 1984 ( First one was a Roadster XLS 1984) wish I had never sold that one !

I am an American just wanting to give thanks for the great history lesson. This is the way I learned history before the war and after the war. I was born in1965

Those welds are a disgrace! Was it an apprentice that did the work.

I would have gotten rid of it. Taken the loss and moved on. Some bikes will never be right and give you nothing but grief.

XLCH, the CH stood for competion hot!

The XLCR was inspired by the cafe racers of Britain and Europe.

The 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR was designed so Harley could make the Sportster larger which would justify charging more for the Sportster.

I got the XL1200T a small size touring bike compared to the big Harley touring models. I will never change it to Triumph. I have saddles bags and wind protection, that is excellent. The engine is wonderful. I was thinking to tread my bike with speed twin 1200 RS 2025. But then after watching many videos, I find my self in love with my sportster 1200;

I haven't had a Peanut Butter Cup in ages but loved them decades ago. The peanut butter part is much sweeter than any jar on the grocery shelf. I think you have to be a youngster to appreciate the magic of a PBC.

OBD2 adapter.....good ones on ebay....tried 2 of the £5 ones....no good.....then I found a tuning company on ebay have them for £20 says fine with tune Ecu.....works great with TuneEcu. Used it several times on my T100 2020.....great....but love to know how to alter the map to give 5% more fuel over the whole RPM range.....but at the moment that beyond me.....I wish there was a book I could buy to learn from. Not delved into mapping though. I have down loaded the correct MAP.....but thats as far as I got. What I do know is a weak F/A is not good for the engine.....ie valves and piston heads.....they get bloody hot. Interesting video Chris.....love to have a chat with you. Can I ask you Chris.....did you alter your own map in the end. Nick from Cheshire UK.

Sounds like the dealership didn’t install the crush washer on the oil filter or lubricate the o-ring or both but chose the warranty option instead! 🤷🏻‍♂️

Interesting video. I have been, correct that, was a Hinckley Triumph owner from 1994 with my first 1200 trophy up until 3 years ago with my beautiful red America. I was looking to trade the America in for a new 1200 speedmaster. Having had a test ride I found the seating position a bit uncomfortable and a bit too forward leaning which my back didn't like. The America being a bit more laid back in riding position. I said I would be happy to do a deal if a set of America handlebars could be fitted to the speedmaster. The dealer said this was not not possible and even had one of its mechanics openly lie to me as to why they could not fit other bars. Not happy I took this up as a complaint with Triumph and received a reply from none other than Nick Bloor himself finally stating that Triumph will under no circumstances fit any part to one of their motorcycles that was not originally designed or made for that particular bike. The reason being fear of litigation should someone have an accident and aftermarket parts were fitted to the bike by Triumph. I also noted the test bikes a year or so old were showing signs of corrosion on the bare aluminium engine cases which did not bode well for the future appearance of the bike. I now own a Kawasaki versus and cannot imagine going back to Triumph sadly.

Thanks!

I've tried to go down the Sporty road a number of times,but that big gap of nothingness just behind the Primary drive says very plain to me,besides the ordinary front end,pissy swing arm,oh i could go on but there have always been much better bikes out there.

I'm 76 years old and have been a Harley rider for many many years and consider the belt drive to be one of Harleys best improvements. I am one of those people who have put over 100,000 miles on a belt with out ever touching it. I still have a little Triumph blood running through my veins from my early years and the Speedmaster has stirred my interests however I find the chain drive to be a very big turn off. Too many memories of dealing with chains

Thanks, Chris, for all your work on this Sportster series. Being the same age as yourself I can relate to what you said about bikes in the 70's, 80's and onwards. I own a 2007 1200 Sportster Roadster which I sold about 10 years ago, had a 1690 Fat Bob, sold it and bought the same Sportster back again. In my opinion a better bike. Looking forward to seeing more of your vids. Wishing you and your wife all the best. Matt 11:28

"I didn't want a Harley and bought a Sportster; I wanted a Sportster, so I bought a Harley." Nailed it. TWD

This is probably a worst American made motorcycle. Sportster is just simply disgusting, out of technology and worst riding experience. INDEED!

Just did a long reply to this and the bloody page shut down, so I am going to be breif. I also have a 2022 Speedmaster its a great bike.Seems most of the problem is a poor complacent dealer. Oil leak is just one of those things and should have been easily fixed. The solenoid I had the same issue, my Triumph dealer sorted it while I waited, but I could have had a loan bike if needed. Corrosion will happen on any bike ridden in winter and where there is salt. Aluminium in its natural finish as on this bike will not resist that salt solution that is getting sprayed all over the bike, either dont ride in those conditions or prepare the bike for winter with ACF 50 waxes etc, and rinse after riding in salt. I was in engineering, unless the bike is made entirely of stainless steel it will tarnish and corrode. Chroming is not done like it used to be thanks to the Japenese and all the rest following suit at cutting corners, so a good Carnauba wax will help. Hope you have no more problems, its a great bike but as always with everything there are exceptions and it seems you have copped for it.