just got this on a trade. It's titled as a 1983 xlx1000. It needs some love, but I've noticed the wrong tank, no shocks, no tail lights etc. Will all sportster parts fit this model? It starts runs and shifts fine, but she needs some help

 

Go off the vin number to see what year it is. That will tell you the range of years for sportster parts.

 

Thanks, I know were the vin is, where would I do the research for it?

 

You can google a Harley vin decoder. If you have the shop manual it'll be in there too

 

Great thank you! now is there a place to find out what parts fit what bikes? I.E. what year sportster parts will fit mine?

 

Try www.jpcycles.com They have your bike listed.

 

All sorts of site. JP. Lowbrows. Tc choppers.

 

If you go to J&P Cycles, you can input your bike in and the search engine will reveal everything that fits your bike, plus all generic parts that fit multiple bikes. Its great to use.

 

Get rid of that nasty thing right NOW! I will give you my address where you can send it too.

 

Looks like a fatboy tank, some years were interchangeable between fatboys and sportsters. Have one on my 883. Not original equipment, of course, but don't know if I'd call it wrong; folks put them on sportsters to get more gas capacity. You can fool some people into thinking it's a big twin, too.

This on line parts search is handy for finding part numbers, and can see if a part number you run across matches what your bike uses. J&P doesn't list near as many parts as you'll find here, but it is good for finding common aftermarket replacement parts.

http://www.granitestateharleystore.c...artfinder.htm#

A lot of parts on Sportsters are only interchangeable among certain years, have to be careful getting replacement parts that fit, do your research to avoid frustration.