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Mar 19, 2018 | 10:11 AM

#21

KCHD1

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 154

Likes: 24

From: Westbrook,Ct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti

Speaking from my own experiences and opinion, I have owned 2 Sportys, a '79 Iron Head and a 2000, that were pre rubber mount, I also rode my friends 04 rubber mount. The difference is huge. You're probably going to find that highway speeds are tough for anything over an hour or so. The vibration is very much an issue in the hands and the feet on the pre rubber bikes. The mirrors are pretty much for decoration anywhere over about 40 MPH. There's also no storage unless you mount some bags on it.
Around my parts you can buy a 2000-2003 for the same or less than you paid for the '97. For about $3000 you can find a pretty nice '04-'06 rubber mount Sporty.
My 2 cents, take it for what it is.

All these things are what a first Harley should be in my opinion, I had a 76 Super Glide and the only thing rubber mounted was the entire bike. it was mounted on two rubber tires. That thing was great and I put around 60k on that bike.It even had a kick starter! It was my first HD coming from Japanese bikes and I loved that it shook and vibrated not smooth like a Japanese sewing machine. It only had a 4 speed transmission also you could use 3rd gear from around 35 mph to around 90 mph.

Mar 22, 2018 | 07:13 PM

#22

Plan_Your_Funeral

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

From: Wisconsin

Shes beautiful

Mar 22, 2018 | 07:24 PM

#23

TroutBum

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 442

Likes: 110

From: San Jose, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plan_Your_Funeral

Shes beautiful

She sure is. Nice score and welcome to the forum.

Mar 23, 2018 | 09:34 AM

#24

gi_king_ken

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 220

Likes: 21

From: lv

Great looking bike. If it's been as well taken care of as you said 3000 is a good price. I used to have a 1995 Sportster. I love the raw feeling of them but as others have said after a few hours the tingling in your hand does hurt!

Mar 23, 2018 | 12:37 PM

#25

Halojumper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 5,372

Likes: 1,362

From: Aurora, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmesa005

I agree with LoneWolf. The Sportster did not have a rubber mounted motor until 2004.

Are you sure about that? I thought they went to rubber mounted in the 80's when they went to the EVO style motor.

Mar 23, 2018 | 01:08 PM

#26

NORTY FLATZ

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 16,013

Likes: 7,139

From: Sandy Eggo's North County

IIRC the frames "gained 30lbs." when they went rubber mounted.
Also, the EVO is a big twin engine. Sporty engines are .... sporty engines.

Mar 23, 2018 | 01:40 PM

#27

LoneWoolf

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 2,726

Likes: 716

From: Pennsyleffinvania

From Wikipedia: Harley Davidson Sportsters:

2003 Last year for the frame mounted Evolution engine.
2004 All-new frame including rubber-mounted engine for decreased vibration. Elimination of the transmission trap door, New shape hamcan, Exhaust balance pipe moved from running under the air filter and disguised and hidden behind the silencers to show more of engine, new smoother style oil tank right side panel with push and turn filler/dipstick, and the previously exposed battery is now enclosed in a matching side panel on the left

Mar 23, 2018 | 01:55 PM

#28

LoneWoolf

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 2,726

Likes: 716

From: Pennsyleffinvania

My first Sportster was a 1982 XLH. Iron Head engine. At about 62mph it vibrated and buzzed so badly that my eyeballs would flutter and it sometimes blew out the headlight. A little slower was the "sweet spot" and riding it from Arlington Va. out to Skyline drive solo or with a date on the pillion was a pretty decent ride.

At the same time I had the XLH I also owned a BMW R75/5. It was very smooth and embodiment of everything a naked bike should be.

Several years later sold the R75 quickly and couldn't give the XLH away so traded it in on a BMW R100RS. The finest m/c I have ever owned.

OP enjoy your Sportster, good luck.