Harley Davidson Forums - Sportster Models

Start your Sportster 1200/883

JWCFatboy — Thu, 21 May 2026 21:32:43 GMT

For long I have experienced the frustration of a "hesitation" when starting the 1200 Sportster having a good 6 months old battery - it acted as if the compression was too high. I checked everything - the bike charged the battery correctly etc. etc. I fitted a new OEM battery, charged it with my "bike charger" and it seemed a bit better. However after not riding about 8 days or so the "hesitation" was back... Again I charged the battery with my *brand name bike charger* and it started but still not immediately - still the hint of hesitation... I then hooked up my car battery charger (Max 6 Amp) and left it on for 5 hours (this charger also limits the amps as the battery gets fuller). I include a video of the startup now - I think this is how it must startup!. The so called bike charger is just crap! I'd like to hear/see your Sportster Startup too please!!

82 iron head

Deeironhead82 — Tue, 19 May 2026 05:35:28 GMT

I have a 82 iron head , the front rocker box is leaking and causing the oil to burn and smoke while riding , I replaced the gasket and still smoking and leaking. Do I have to machine the rocker box ?

Replacement tank + fuel pump fitment question

geof — Mon, 18 May 2026 22:47:27 GMT

Hello,

Have an XL1200NS and fuel pump 75305-07A and purchased, on eBay, a slightly larger 3.7 gallon tank that said it fit 1200 custom 07-up. I struggled for a good 25 minutes trying to get the fuel pump inserted but it seems the breather line inside the tank was blocking the pump from fully seating, and no amount of side angle penetration would clear it. The OEM tank's breather line travels to the side of the opening instead of through it. Is it normal for this to cross the opening in the eBay tank? The eBay tank also appears to have a larger lip around the opening instead of being flush. Going to return it but should I be looking for something specific on the next one I order. Was really digging the all black one that didn't fit.

Thanks for your help.

Should I Paint, or do spoke wheels?

Medevack1 — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:09:22 GMT

Just looking for ideas, this is what my current setup looks like .

Advice needed on first time tyre change?

Jp900 — Mon, 18 May 2026 07:21:18 GMT

I've just got my bike and need to replace the back tyre, this is the first time though I have a bike with spokes and that will need an inner tube so I'm looking for help picking out the right parts so I can get this done pretty straight forward.

It's a forty eight 2015 and I'm doing the rear wheel for now so I'll be to get the correct inner tube and I think rim band? The tyre is easy but I'm not sure on the inner tube or rim band, my tyre valve is coming out at 45 degrees and looks offset?

Does anyone know the cortube I'll need and width of rim band? I'm based in the UK

Thanks

Is it an 883 or a 1200?

01sport — Sun, 17 May 2026 22:45:02 GMT

Hi everyone. I bought an unrideable 2001 xl1200 sportster. Took awhile to get the title, and the title says it is an 883, the vin also shows an 883. What is the easiest piece to take apart on the engine to find out if it is a 1200 or an 883. I'm hoping I wasn't scammed and got what I paid for, the 1200 cc. Thank you for any and all help.

Newbie questions - Sportster wiring and Speedo issue

l30nkj — Sun, 17 May 2026 20:14:40 GMT

Hi all,
New Sportster owner - 1200 custom 2005 UK model.

Searching for a suitable wiring point has given me a few questions and a speedo issue. Can anyone please advise of the following?

What is the Square grey Plug / socket with (I think 3 pins) - Mounted just infront of the battery positive on the left hand side
What is the Triangular black plug / socket with (I think 3 pins) - Mounted just infront of the battery positive on the left hand side and beneath the grey square plug
- Neither are in use - can any one tell me what either / both are for and if they are switched or permanent live (No battery installed so not able to test with function.
Relay under the seat - I believe it may be the starter relay but if anyone can confirm that would be great.
How do you remove the fuse box which is between the battery and the wheel on the left hand side. It is fully populated and I would like to trace wiring and assess if for wiring an accessory directly to
I have a speedo issue. The needle does not read the speed. Sometimes 0mph, other times 110mph regardless of how fast I am travelling. I have replaced the vss and no joy (Although I appreciate that this could be a dodgy unit). Does the VSS need a number of miles before it reads correctly (I have done about 25 miles since fitting). My observation is that despite the needle not working properly, the odometer IS working. IF it were VSS related, would the odometer not have stopped registering miles? Any thoughts/ advise appreciated - especially sources for the parts I need to resolve it.

Finally.....

Where are people hanging the connecter for a barrery maintainer? Had thought to hang it in front of the battery for easy access (It does have a cover) to save having to remove my seat when putting it on.

Thanks in advance everyone. Pics of bike for attention nd of the plugs relay and fuse box

Grey square at tip, triangular at bottom.

Relay was under the ignition module (I believe that is what it is anyway)

Location of fuse box

Just 6 micro fuses. Hopefully one can be used for a switched accessory live

Exhaust DIY with Oxygen sensors

HoosierWagon — Sun, 17 May 2026 12:25:16 GMT

My 2021 Iron 1200 came to me with straight pipes that I'd like to replace. The O2 sensors weren't installed into the pipes, and I have no idea where they are, where they connect to the wiring, etc. I'm looking at an aftermarket system (brand unimportant) that does have O2 sensor bungs and I'd like to reinstall sensors. I'm sure I could install the exhaust myself. But how much complexity does this O2 sensor stuff add, given that I'm starting with no knowledge of it? Any YouTube or other recommendations to help me see whether this looks doable?

I'm pretty good with tools -- built a set of airplane wings in my garage -- but electronics intimidate me.

three wheelers

hammer6315 — Sun, 17 May 2026 05:11:41 GMT

This aft. whilst riding I came across three-three wheelers in oncoming traffic, I waved, which was not responded to, wonder why? Are they a new exclusive group?

Switched Power source 2015 1200C

John Ha — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:44:48 GMT

I have a dashcam that I want to automatically turn on and off with the key to the ignition being on or off (2014 1200C).

I had assumed that the Sportster "accessory" power would be switched (as it normally is in cars), so I could pull the feed from the diagnostic connector. My assumption was brutally proven false yesterday when I checked and found that the accessory circuit is always powered, whether the key is on or off.

I've looked at the wiring diagrams and don't see any "free" switched power outlets that I can simply plug into, and I really don't want to hack up or splice into the pristine factory harness.

So I'm asking if maybe I missed something, and someone out there knows of a switched power source that's accessible (as in "plug-in" rather than adding a splice) - even if only to trigger a relay coil to switch accessory power to the camera system - without hacking into the stock harness.

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and help.

2011 Sportster XLC Steering neck adjustment

LittleHog1200 — Sun, 10 May 2026 21:39:00 GMT

Hello,

im doing a fall away test of my sportster have done all the research and am having trouble finding the process of adjustment for my specific year.

The top of my steering neck has a large T55 Torx screw. Is this what I use to get the adjustment within the range? Other models show that collar with teeth on it and I can�t find any videos of this style.

I know the rest of the process but am just trying to find the actual adjustment mechanism on my bike

Louder horn thoughts/experience

Flammarion — Sun, 10 May 2026 19:38:01 GMT

This is my fourth cruiser and first HD (2022 Sportster Iron 883). On my previous three (all Suzukis) I replaced the stock horn with a Stebel Nautilus with a relay. Was never disappointed. Loud and saved me at least twice. I looked at the MotoHorn Dual just now. Seems pretty loud and easier to install with no relay and just plugging in to the stock horn.

Just wondering what others thoughts are on louder horns. The horn on this Sportster is embarrassing. Sounds like a toot-toot kids toy.

Thanks.

Oilcap-dipstick is stuck

baatmann — Sun, 10 May 2026 12:55:23 GMT

Oilcap-dipstick is stuck, i try to use manual, lift and turn counterclockwise. It is stuck
Try with all my handpower. Afraid to use a metaltool, do not want to damage
Any tricks?
How much power can be used, all is plastic?

Spark plug for Sportster 883 2004

baatmann — Sun, 10 May 2026 12:48:18 GMT

Spark plug for Sportster 883 2004
What is recommended, a hicost iridium DENSO IX22B Tennplugg or a more standard, similar to this NGK 3108 Tennplugg ?

Sportster not starting

Jaysride — Sun, 10 May 2026 04:52:27 GMT

Hello everybody. I am new to this forum and have not been apart or active in anything like this but I need help and not sure where else to go. So I have a 22 HD Sportster 48 the only modifications it has are 14inch ape hanger bars and an upgraded tach that gives me digital readings and that was done early last year. I do keep it in a storage facility and it has been sitting for the past 3 months. I went to start it last week and nothing. No power whatever so ever to gauges or fuel pump even with a jump box connected. I believe the voltage was at exactly12volts or high 11s. I put it on a battery tender for several days until it was charged back up and held that charge and same thing happens no power whatever so ever. I the checked the main fuses, made sure the battery terminals were clean and tight checked to make sure power was going to multiple areas via multi meter everything checked out. I then was messing with the handle bar buttons with the ignition turn on and noticed the gauge lit up when I held a certain button but only says �V INERR�. After doing some research I found out this can be caused by the ecm not recognizing the instrument cluster and can be caused by low voltage which I believe is what happened when it was sitting for so long. What I�m wondering is there a process I can do to reset the ecm and or gauge? Or if it could be related to a whole other problem? Please any help or ideas are very much welcomed and appreciated as I am stuck and will probably take it to the dealer if I can not figure this out. Oh btw I have never had any other issues than this.