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2011-07-14, 18:18
Harley Davidson Sportster History
Contributions by: docjimbob, Tim Schumacher, Tom Riccio, & Kev Maher and Bruce’s Harley Page (http://mypage.iusb.edu/~bbryner/hrlypage.html) (check for History on all HD models)
Timeline:
Model “K”: 1952-1956
Ironhead: 1957-1985
Evolution: 1986-Present
1957:
The Sportster XL was introduced as “a modern, up-to-date power plant.”
55cid 7.5:1 Compression, hemi-spherical style heads, 90 degree valve angle, 4 cams
Production Information:
XL (1983), $1,103
1958:
XLH introduced with higher compression and larger valves
Camshaft gears became integrated with the camshafts, eliminating the need for a woodruff key.
Drive gearshaft was enlarged .125 in.
Drive gear and second gear support shaft was enlarged .125 in and had 8 splines (instead of 6).
Choke control lever moved from left side to the air cleaner.
Heavier clutch cover and new gasket.
New oil resistant clutch hub seal and gearshaft o-ring.
Two brush generator.
Optional turn signals and 1 in over suspension.
The XLC & XLCH (Competition/California Hot)
Larger ports and valves
High domed pistons
Light ended tappets
Magneto ignition
Production Information:
XL (579) $1,155
XLH (711),
XLC, XLCH (239)
1959:
New dual exhaust on XLH with twin mufflers.
Nacelle headlamp on XLH
5 ¾ in headlamp with eyebrow on XLCH
Trip-o-meter on XLCH
Nylon chain tensioner
Single switch ignition on left fork
Valanced front fender
End relieved connecting rod bearings
14.5 sec ¼ mile (90 mph)
Production Information:
XL (42), $1,175
XLH (947), $1,200
XLCH (1059), $1,285
1960:
New shock absorbers.
Production Information:
Sportsters (2,765)
XLH $1,225
XLCH $1,310
1961:
Creased edge on fuel tank.
Production Information:
Sportsters (2014)
XLH $1,250
XLCH $1,335
1962:
Aluminum upper triple tree.
XLR appeared for TT racing.
Production Information:
Sportsters (1998)
XLH $1,250
XLCH $1,335
1963:
Both XLH & XLCH got 1.323:1 3rd gear ratios (were 1.381)
Final ratio 5.56:1 on the H
Final ratio 5.85:1 on the CH
XLCH got “shorty duals”
XLCH got an ignition key and improved magneto/coil
14.3 sec ¼ mile (92 mph)
Production Information:
XLH (432), $1,270
XLCH (1,001), $1,355
1964:
Chrome panel for XLCH lower fork bracket.
New graphic for the XLH (oil tank).
Full width aluminum brake drum in the front.
Aluminum tappet guides.
Production Information:
XLH (810), $1,295
XLCH (1950), $1,360
1965:
XLH and XLCH received a 12 volt electrical system.
XLH got automatic spark advance.
Racing-type ball end levers.
High fidelity horn.
New shocks
3.7 gal fuel tank
Production Information:
XLH (955)
XLCH (2815)
1966:
P Cams, race developed intake ports, jumbo valves -> 60 hp
Tillotson diaphragm carb
“Ham-can” air cleaner
Carb heat insulator
Hexagonal tank badge.
Production Information:
XLH (900) $1,415
XLCH (3,900) $1,411
XLRTT (25)
1967:
Electric start option.
New shocks
Production Information:
XLH (2,000) $1,650
XLCH (2,500) $1,600
1968:
New forks (damping and travel) and the fork boots were canned.
Kick start was dropped from the XLH.
Restyled primary cover.
Peanut tank was an option on the XLH
Production Information:
XLH (1,975) $1,650
XLCH (4,900) $1,600
1969:
First use of the exhaust crossover pipe (increases hp by 5 to 58 hp) with stacked duals
New head castings.
Safety bead wheel rims.
Production Information:
XLH (2,700) $1,765
XLCH (5,100) $1,698
1970:
XLH got the headlamp eyebrow of the XLCH
Optional boat tail (again in 71)
Magneto ignition on the XLCH replaced with XLH’s points/coil.
First year for XR-750
Production Information:
XLH (3,033)
XLCH (5,527)
1971:
Wet clutch with single spring.
Points and condenser moved behind plate on timing case cover.
Production Information:
XLH (3,950)
XLCH (6,825)
1972:
The 61 cid (called a 1000cc) XL replaced the 900.
Rated for 61 hp, 9:1 CR, 110+mph, 13.38 sec ¼ mile (97.7 mph), and 43 mpg.
Bendix/Zenith carb.
Wet clutch.
New oil pump.
Oil tank placed near chain
Seat is thinner w/less padding.
Production Information:
XLH (7,500) $2,120
XLCH (10,650)
1973:
First AMF production Harley
Mandatory turn signals.
New 35mm Kayaba forks, single disc front brakes.
Production Information:
XLH (9,875)
XLCH (10,825)
1974:
Throttle used return springs.
Production Information:
XLH (13,295)
XLCH (10,535)
XR (100)
1975:
Left hand side gear shifting, right hand side rear brake (Fed mandated)
New 35mm Showa forks.
Production Information:
XLH (13,515)
XLCH (5,895)
1976:
Production Information:
XLH (12,844)
XLCH (5,238)
1977:
New cases to accommodate the left side shifting.
Frame designed for removal of oil pump with engine in frame.
XLT (touring) became available
included thicker seat
3.5 gallon tank
touring handle bars
saddlebags from FLH
geared higher
windshield
XLCR was introduced at Daytona (available again in 78).
cast aluminum wheels
fiberglass tail section w/solo seat
wrinkle black engine paint
bikini fairing
black siamese exhaust
dual disc front brakes
low bars
black paint scheme [on everything]
4 gallon gas tank
68 horses, 9:1 compression, 110 mph
Production Information:
XLH (12,742)
XLCH (4,074)
XLT (1,099)
XLCR (1,923) $3,623
1978:
Cast wheels option
Front dual disc brakes
Electronic ignition
Battery and oil tank moved inboard
HD 75th anniversary model XLH
Midnight black w/gold trim
anniversary graphics
gold aluminum wheels
Production Information:
XLH (11,271)
XLH Anniv model (2,323) $3,127
XLCH (2,758) $3,370
XLT (6)
Contributions by: docjimbob, Tim Schumacher, Tom Riccio, & Kev Maher and Bruce’s Harley Page (http://mypage.iusb.edu/~bbryner/hrlypage.html) (check for History on all HD models)
Timeline:
Model “K”: 1952-1956
Ironhead: 1957-1985
Evolution: 1986-Present
1957:
The Sportster XL was introduced as “a modern, up-to-date power plant.”
55cid 7.5:1 Compression, hemi-spherical style heads, 90 degree valve angle, 4 cams
Production Information:
XL (1983), $1,103
1958:
XLH introduced with higher compression and larger valves
Camshaft gears became integrated with the camshafts, eliminating the need for a woodruff key.
Drive gearshaft was enlarged .125 in.
Drive gear and second gear support shaft was enlarged .125 in and had 8 splines (instead of 6).
Choke control lever moved from left side to the air cleaner.
Heavier clutch cover and new gasket.
New oil resistant clutch hub seal and gearshaft o-ring.
Two brush generator.
Optional turn signals and 1 in over suspension.
The XLC & XLCH (Competition/California Hot)
Larger ports and valves
High domed pistons
Light ended tappets
Magneto ignition
Production Information:
XL (579) $1,155
XLH (711),
XLC, XLCH (239)
1959:
New dual exhaust on XLH with twin mufflers.
Nacelle headlamp on XLH
5 ¾ in headlamp with eyebrow on XLCH
Trip-o-meter on XLCH
Nylon chain tensioner
Single switch ignition on left fork
Valanced front fender
End relieved connecting rod bearings
14.5 sec ¼ mile (90 mph)
Production Information:
XL (42), $1,175
XLH (947), $1,200
XLCH (1059), $1,285
1960:
New shock absorbers.
Production Information:
Sportsters (2,765)
XLH $1,225
XLCH $1,310
1961:
Creased edge on fuel tank.
Production Information:
Sportsters (2014)
XLH $1,250
XLCH $1,335
1962:
Aluminum upper triple tree.
XLR appeared for TT racing.
Production Information:
Sportsters (1998)
XLH $1,250
XLCH $1,335
1963:
Both XLH & XLCH got 1.323:1 3rd gear ratios (were 1.381)
Final ratio 5.56:1 on the H
Final ratio 5.85:1 on the CH
XLCH got “shorty duals”
XLCH got an ignition key and improved magneto/coil
14.3 sec ¼ mile (92 mph)
Production Information:
XLH (432), $1,270
XLCH (1,001), $1,355
1964:
Chrome panel for XLCH lower fork bracket.
New graphic for the XLH (oil tank).
Full width aluminum brake drum in the front.
Aluminum tappet guides.
Production Information:
XLH (810), $1,295
XLCH (1950), $1,360
1965:
XLH and XLCH received a 12 volt electrical system.
XLH got automatic spark advance.
Racing-type ball end levers.
High fidelity horn.
New shocks
3.7 gal fuel tank
Production Information:
XLH (955)
XLCH (2815)
1966:
P Cams, race developed intake ports, jumbo valves -> 60 hp
Tillotson diaphragm carb
“Ham-can” air cleaner
Carb heat insulator
Hexagonal tank badge.
Production Information:
XLH (900) $1,415
XLCH (3,900) $1,411
XLRTT (25)
1967:
Electric start option.
New shocks
Production Information:
XLH (2,000) $1,650
XLCH (2,500) $1,600
1968:
New forks (damping and travel) and the fork boots were canned.
Kick start was dropped from the XLH.
Restyled primary cover.
Peanut tank was an option on the XLH
Production Information:
XLH (1,975) $1,650
XLCH (4,900) $1,600
1969:
First use of the exhaust crossover pipe (increases hp by 5 to 58 hp) with stacked duals
New head castings.
Safety bead wheel rims.
Production Information:
XLH (2,700) $1,765
XLCH (5,100) $1,698
1970:
XLH got the headlamp eyebrow of the XLCH
Optional boat tail (again in 71)
Magneto ignition on the XLCH replaced with XLH’s points/coil.
First year for XR-750
Production Information:
XLH (3,033)
XLCH (5,527)
1971:
Wet clutch with single spring.
Points and condenser moved behind plate on timing case cover.
Production Information:
XLH (3,950)
XLCH (6,825)
1972:
The 61 cid (called a 1000cc) XL replaced the 900.
Rated for 61 hp, 9:1 CR, 110+mph, 13.38 sec ¼ mile (97.7 mph), and 43 mpg.
Bendix/Zenith carb.
Wet clutch.
New oil pump.
Oil tank placed near chain
Seat is thinner w/less padding.
Production Information:
XLH (7,500) $2,120
XLCH (10,650)
1973:
First AMF production Harley
Mandatory turn signals.
New 35mm Kayaba forks, single disc front brakes.
Production Information:
XLH (9,875)
XLCH (10,825)
1974:
Throttle used return springs.
Production Information:
XLH (13,295)
XLCH (10,535)
XR (100)
1975:
Left hand side gear shifting, right hand side rear brake (Fed mandated)
New 35mm Showa forks.
Production Information:
XLH (13,515)
XLCH (5,895)
1976:
Production Information:
XLH (12,844)
XLCH (5,238)
1977:
New cases to accommodate the left side shifting.
Frame designed for removal of oil pump with engine in frame.
XLT (touring) became available
included thicker seat
3.5 gallon tank
touring handle bars
saddlebags from FLH
geared higher
windshield
XLCR was introduced at Daytona (available again in 78).
cast aluminum wheels
fiberglass tail section w/solo seat
wrinkle black engine paint
bikini fairing
black siamese exhaust
dual disc front brakes
low bars
black paint scheme [on everything]
4 gallon gas tank
68 horses, 9:1 compression, 110 mph
Production Information:
XLH (12,742)
XLCH (4,074)
XLT (1,099)
XLCR (1,923) $3,623
1978:
Cast wheels option
Front dual disc brakes
Electronic ignition
Battery and oil tank moved inboard
HD 75th anniversary model XLH
Midnight black w/gold trim
anniversary graphics
gold aluminum wheels
Production Information:
XLH (11,271)
XLH Anniv model (2,323) $3,127
XLCH (2,758) $3,370
XLT (6)