Hi my name is Donielle from Columbiana, OH. My father recently passed away and I received his 1957 Sporster. My father has always had Harley's but this one was never rebuilt. I know alot about cars/tuck but not much about bikes so I figured this would be a good place to start. From what I have gathered from friends who have some knowledge on the subject is that I have the first year that the sportster was ever made and that it is pretty special. I have all the parts I need except the frame and the wheels. I don't know if these parts will be expensive or hard to come by or not. I guess what I am asking is for some advice. I am planning on having the bike rebuilt in my father's memory and I will ride it. He loved Harleys and always had them. At his funeral I had a Harley ride right behind the family limo... Yea some might think thats strange but thats what my dad would have wanted. This is a very special project to me and I would be thankfull for any help or advice that I could get.

What type of bike is this? Ironhead?
What do I need to do for this to be retitled as a 57 Harley?
Does the vin numbers on bike and frame have to match? If so how does that work?
How much am I looking at spending?




Thanks in advance,
Donielle

I don't have any answers for you right now, but I wish you good luck and hope the bike comes out well. It should be a fun project and you should end up with a great bike. To my knowledge, 1 1957 Sportster is in fact the first year for the Sportster and it is in fact an Ironhead (as far as I know.) Post some pics while you're working because it would be interesting to see what you have and what you're doing. Thanks.

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1983 XLX...made the Castle Run in less than 4 parcects.

Greetings Donielle,
You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. I can relate as not long ago I lost a brother to brain cancer that was like a father to me. He introduced me to cycling at the ripe old age of 12 & I've been riding ever since.The love of his life was Harley Davidson motorcycles & Corvettes. He expressed to me he wanted to go out in style and get another one but instead made it possible for me. I purchasedan 06 Ultra as a tribute bike to him and think of him often.
You really have a treasure on your hands and I would love to help you any way I can with this very special project. You've come toone of many great places to seek out help.The 57 was the first year production of the Sportster so finding an original frame will be challenging to say the least. I had the privilege to see a reproduction 57Sportster in Miami last Jan. I posted a pictureof it herein the classic section. Recreated Classics is the heading on the post. The LightHouse Harley Davidson Dealer in Huntington Station, NY. built it and others so they would be a good place to start for info. Billy Joel I believe has started up a company called 20th Century Designs that is connected with these guys. He has a very nice bike featured in this months American Iron Mag. Please keep us posted onyour progress. PM or email me anytime. I'm very interested in this project.

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Toyman
PGR
My Scooters;
'06 Ultra Classic, V&H True Duals & fuel manager, SE A/C
'65 Police Servi-car Trike.
'82 FXRS Super Glide II project bike
'78 Suzuki GS1000E, fastest prod. bike made in '78

Donielle, log into the ironhead section and hook up w/ piniongear. He could write a book on the old sportys.

As far as titling, you need to contact your local DMV. My father registered the 1976 bike he reassembled. The DMV has forms and a lot of requirements for this kind of thing. Most of it covers making sure the parts are not from a stolen vehicle. Any paper work linking this bike to your father will help. Trying to license it as a 1957 may depend more on the frame.

Good luck and stay positive.

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There were no numbers on the frame until approx 1970 so you`re in good shape there.
Obtain an early (without #`s)Sportster frame.
If you have a title that matches the engine #`s you`re good to go.