1957:
1995:
2002:
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- New shock absorbers.
- Production Information:
- Sportsters (2,765)
XLH $1,225
XLCH $1,310
- Sportsters (2,765)
- Creased edge on fuel tank.
- Production Information:
- Sportsters (2014)
XLH $1,250
XLCH $1,335
- Sportsters (2014)
- Aluminum upper triple tree.
- XLR appeared for TT racing.
- Production Information:
- Sportsters (1998)
XLH $1,250
XLCH $1,335
- Sportsters (1998)
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- XLH (900) $1,415
- Electric start option.
- New shocks
- Production Information:
- XLH (2,000) $1,650
- XLCH (2,500) $1,600
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- Wet clutch with single spring.
- Points and condenser moved behind plate on timing case cover.
- Production Information:
- XLH (3,950)
- XLCH (6,825)
- 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)
- First AMF production Harley
- Mandatory turn signals.
- New 35mm Kayaba forks, single disc front brakes.
- Production Information:
- XLH (9,875)
- XLCH (10,825)
- Throttle used return springs.
- Production Information:
- XLH (13,295)
- XLCH (10,535)
- XR (100)
- Left hand side gear shifting, right hand side rear brake (Fed mandated)
- New 35mm Showa forks.
- Production Information:
- XLH (13,515)
- XLCH (5,895)
- Production Information:
- XLH (12,844)
- XLCH (5,238)
- 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
- 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)
- All models got the XLCR frame and exhaust (Siamese).
- XLT was dropped from the product line.
- Kick starter was dropped.
- Disc brakes front and rear.
- Hugger model available for the first time.
- Last year for XLCH
- New model XLS appeared:
- Extended forks
- 16" rear wheel
- siamese exhaust
- drag bars on 3.5" risers
- sissy bar w/leather pouch
- highway pegs
- 2 piece seat
- chromed rear sprocket
- Production Information:
- XLH (6,525)
- XLCH (141)
- XLS -(5,123)
- XLCR (9) (?leftover '78's?)
- A 16 in wheel replaced the XLH 18 in.
- Production Information:
- XLH (11,841) $5,867
- XLS (2,926)
- Buy back from AMF
- wire or cast wheels options, 16" or 18" rear wheel options
- XLS
- buckhorn handlebars
- shorty dual exhaust
- 3.3 gallon, 2.2 gallon tank optional.
- XLH
- shorter front forks
- 3.3 gallon optional.
- Production Information:
- XLH (8,442)
- XLS (1,660)
- Lighter frame
- oil tank repositioned
- Thicker head gasket w/lower 8:1 compression
- Larger rear disc
- XLS repositioned the battery
- Production Information:
- XLH (5,015)
- XLS (1,261)
- XLH:
- high bars
- vacuum advance (VOES?)
- 3.3 gallon tank option
- new seat
- less restrictive exhaust.
- New model XLX-61: (built to sell for $3,995)
- solo seat
- peanut tank
- staggered dual exhaust
- speedo only
- 9 spoke wheels
- vacuum advance (VOES?)
- satin finish cases. {only year}
- six coil springs in clutch
- 156 watt generator
- loose output roller tranny
- output shaft oil seal secured by a bolt on cover
- 3 generator drive gears
- 10" dual front disc brakes.
- New model - XR-1000, based on XLX chassis
- aluminum SR style heads w/intake ports on right, exhaust on left
- polished and bored by Jerry Branch
- helicoil inserts where rocker boxes bolt to head,
- 9:1, XR pistons
- light aluminum pushrods
- eccentric rocker shafts adjust valve lash
- iron cylinders (shortened half an inch to make room for the 'Branch' heads)- w/through bolts
- vacuum advance-V-fire III breaker less ignition
- twin 36mm Dell'Orto carbs
- satin textured cases
- 9 spoke cast wheels
- oiled felt air filter
- The XR-1000 had 71HP @ 5,600 rpm, 125 mph, 490 lbs
- 2.5 gallon tank, 2.5 quart oil capacity $6,995.
- Production Information:
- XLX-61 (4,892) $3,995
- XLH (2,230)
- XLS (1,616)
- XR-1000 (1,018) $6,995
- Diaphragm spring clutch (mid year)
- Generator replaced by the alternator. (mid year)
- XLH used the Peanut tank again.
- XR, improved brakes, orange/black HD racing color option
- XLH/X/S Single (larger) front disc.
- Production Information:
- XLX-61 (4,284)
- XLH (4,442)
- XLS (1,135)
- XR-1000 (759)
- Production trimmed in anticipation of the Evo XL.
- Production Information:
- XLX-61 (1,824)
- XLH (4,074)
- XLS (616)
- First year of the Evo Sportster
- came in 883 and 1100cc flavors
- XLX frame
- Aluminum heads and cylinders
- hydraulic lifters
- 34mm fixed-venturi Keihin carb
- powder coat frame paint
- cast aluminum wheels
- solo seat
- low bars
- speedo only
- turn signals double as running lights
- 30" seat height
- Upgrade package=special paint and trim.
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 (8,026) $3,995
XLH 883 (2,322) (upgrade)
XLH 1,100 (3,077) $5,199
XLH 1,100 (954) 'Liberty'
- XLH 883 (8,026) $3,995
- Sportsters 30th Anniversary
- first year for the Evo Hugger:
- The fork tubes were shortened 2"
- revised shock angle
- a softer seat at 26.75", (1.75" lower than standard)
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 (4,990)
- XLH 883 (2,106) 'Hugger'
- XLH 883 (2,260) (upgrade)
- XLH 1,100 (4,018)
- XLH 1,100 (600) 'Anniversary'
- new 39mm Fork Tubes replaced the older 35mm unit
- new 40mm constant velocity Keihin slide carb
- first year for the 1200 (replacing the 1100)
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 (5,387)
- XLH 883 (4,501) 'Hugger'
- XLH 883 (1,893) 'Sportster Deluxe'
- XLH 1,200 (4,752)
- kickstand repositioned father rearward
- price increase jumped from $3995 to $3999 for the base model 883
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 (6,142)
- XLH 883 (4,467) 'Hugger'
- XLH 883 (1,812) 'Sportster Deluxe'
- XLH 1,200 (4,546)
- new paper air filter and paint options
- 40mm Keihin carb - constant velocity w/accelerator pump
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 (5,227) $4,250
- XLH 883 (4,040) 'Hugger'
- XLH 883 (1,298) 'Sportster Deluxe'
- XLH 1,200 (4,598)
- 5 speed tranny replaced the 4 speed
- belt drive replaced chain on 883 deluxe and 1200 models
- hydraulic lifters were replaced with automotive type units
- oil pump given internal cast feed lines
- breather system moved from the crankcase to the heads (umbrella valves)
- alternator moved from behind clutch to the crankshaft
- primary cover redesigned
- new foot peg mounts
- old Dunlop k-291 tires replaced with K402's
- Self canceling signals
- right side timing hole
- tappet blocks, rear motor mount, oil filter integrated with case
- one piece push rod tubes
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 (4,922) $4,359
- XLH 883 (3,487) 'Hugger'
- XLH 883 (3,034) 'Sportster Deluxe'
- XLH 1,200 (6,282) $6,245
- Hugger model made even lower
- standardized hand controls
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 $4,499
- XLH 883 'Hugger' $5,075
- XLH 883 'Sportster Deluxe' $5,559
- XLH 1,200 $6,400
- belt drive now on all Sportster models
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 $4,775
- XLH 883 'Hugger' $5,420
- XLH 883 'Sportster Deluxe' $5,820
- XLH 1,200 $6,800
- Oil tank revised (visually identified by relocated oil drain line which now runs to the frame instead of nipple on underside of battery tray)
- Derby cover revised from small cover over center of clutch to large 4-bolt cover (with this came a new quick-release clutch cable)
- Revised rear struts with chromed steel covers.
- New electrical system (wiring harness/weatherproof electrical connectors, new electrical component tray under the seat)
- 883s got an aluminum lower triple clamp which was previously stock on only the 1200’s
1995:
- New Larger standard gas tank (3.25 gal) on 1200 models
- Vacuum operated petcock added to Sportster line
- Ignition switch moved to steering column (because of petcock)
- Switched to electric speedo
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 $4,995
- XLH 883 'Hugger' $5,700
- XLH 883 'Sportster Deluxe' $6,120
- XLH 1,200 $7,200
- Switchgear revised, more rounded style
- First year for 1200 Custom and Sport models
- Production Information:
- XLH 883 $5,095
- XLH 883 'Hugger' $5,760
- XLH 1,200 $7,360
- XLH 1,200 '1200C Custom' $7,910
- XLH 1,200 '1200S Sport' $8,360
- New Larger standard gas tank (3.25 gal) on 883 models
- Revised ignition system (single fire)
- 1200S gets dual-plug heads (along with hotter cams)
- First year of the 883C
- First year for sealed wheel bearings
- First year for 4-piston calipers
- Pressed together flywheel assembly (supposed to be stronger and hold it's trueness better)
2002:
- First year for the 883R
- Introduction of the bullet-style turn signals across the line
- Final year for solid mount models
- New style mirrors.
- Special Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary paint/badges
- Engine is rubber mounted
- Trap door transmission eliminated (cases must now be split to access transmission).
- Oil tank is mounted further under the seat
- Seat height is lowered by an inch
- Rear tire width increased to 150 mm
- Custom models get 4.5 gallon gas tanks
- New air cleaner cover
- Brake calipers, master cylinder, switch housings and handgrips replaced, now exclusive to Sportster models.
- Swing arm & rear wheel re-designed to accommodate 1" rear axle.