Hopefully I don't come off looking to stupid here, but I won't know if I don't ask, .so here it is...I bought an 82 sportster a month or so ago for a project. The add said 1982 iron head sportster. The bike needs work and I plan to do some performance upgrades. In my quest for parts I found that there were at least 4 different models including the 25th anniversary edition in 82. I called a dealership gave them the vin and they said it comes up as an XLH 1000, I've noticed online there are XLH iron heads, so my question is are all the 82's iron heads? If not how can I tell if it is? Is there anything distinctive about the motor that would confirm it being an iron head? I need this info in order to get correct parts and the correct repair manual, so if anyone can answer this for me I would be grateful. Thanx for your help.

 

Sportsters from 1957 till 1985 were known as Sportsters, it's when the Evo engine appeared in 1986 that the earlier Sportsters got the nickname Ironhead

a Sportster ironhead engine:


a Sportster Evo engine


the easiest way to tell the difference are the rocker boxes, atop the cylinder heads.

 

I hate to say it but if you don't even know what engine is in your bike should you really be ordering parts for it and then working on it? I hate to be that guy but IMO it's true.

 

Thanx proteus, I appreciate the confirmation. I just wanted to be sure, and thanx as well to scrambler900, its ok to be "that guy" there's at least 1 in every group. As far as ordering parts believe it .ir not I'm smart enough to wait on the internals(cams for instance). Iv'e been on, around & had my hands in .mc's since I was 2 (Dad got me a 73 Indian for 2nd b-day then a 76 super glide when I turned 19) I guess I didn't really appreciate it .ir I'd still have it right? I build and sell custom Bobbers from the wheels up (disabled veteran so I supplement my government check by doing something I love) as a matter of fact I fabricate a lot of things myself ( weld on hardtails, handle bars, lowering kits etc.) Problem is since the Harley on my 19th b-day I've had and picked on nothing but jap bikes and as most Harley owners who actualy work on em will say " they are a whole different breed of bike" so having said that and working on, building and restoring bikes most my life and having a good repair manual within reach I am more than confident in my ability to order parts and work on my bike and I'm sure if I need some advise or something had me stumped I can find someone within this forum who would be glad to help me out (I'm not a master mechanic by no means, but I'm not a dumb @$$ either) check I was smart enough to ask what "that guy" frombthe group would call a dumb question. Anyway thanks for your concern scrambler900 have a wonderful night, ooh quick question though...do you actually get grease under your nails or do you just throw down the plastic?

 

1957-1985 sportsters are all considered iron heads. Duentonthe cylinder heads being made of ...you guessed it. Cast iron. After that 86- current are all evolution motors.