difference between roadster and sportster
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,134
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From: texas
difference between roadster and sportster
i am unsure if i have a 81 sportster or a roadster.its listed as an xls.the title says sportster but it has the forks of a roadster according to aharley book i have and from the same bookthe vin only makes partial sense.also it shows x means something,l means something and and xl together means something else.---------------so is there a definate way to tell a sportster from a roadster and is there any real difference between the two?---thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
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RE: difference between roadster and sportster
There are a couple of different ways of telling if your bike is an '81 XLS Roadster. First, it will have CBHB stamped into the engine casing on the right side. It will have the larger 3.2 gallon gas tank, the forks are 2" longer than a regular Sportster, and it should have the XLS logo on the lower triple tree cover.
CB=XLS
B=1981
CB=XLS
B=1981
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
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RE: difference between roadster and sportster
ever since i read this thread a few days ago ive been curious about mine because the forks say roadster on mine. i didnt know it was a "seperate" model. although my engine says CAHB if i remember right. so i think mine is just a sportster with the roadster forks
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 146
From: texas
RE: difference between roadster and sportster
mine has superglide forks.it also looks more raked out than the ones above.i want to figure the rake/trail etc .i also want to post a pic...to share and to help with my mech problems.
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Tourer
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RE: difference between roadster and sportster
ORIGINAL: skyline
ever since i read this thread a few days ago ive been curious about mine because the forks say roadster on mine. i didnt know it was a "seperate" model. although my engine says CAHB if i remember right. so i think mine is just a sportster with the roadster forks
ever since i read this thread a few days ago ive been curious about mine because the forks say roadster on mine. i didnt know it was a "seperate" model. although my engine says CAHB if i remember right. so i think mine is just a sportster with the roadster forks
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
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From: NC
RE: difference between roadster and sportster
ORIGINAL: mojo2go
CAHB would mean that yours is an XLX. I think (but am not sure) the Roadster logo on the front fork cover was only used in '82 and '83.
ORIGINAL: skyline
ever since i read this thread a few days ago ive been curious about mine because the forks say roadster on mine. i didnt know it was a "seperate" model. although my engine says CAHB if i remember right. so i think mine is just a sportster with the roadster forks
ever since i read this thread a few days ago ive been curious about mine because the forks say roadster on mine. i didnt know it was a "seperate" model. although my engine says CAHB if i remember right. so i think mine is just a sportster with the roadster forks
my 84 roadster has the roadster logo on the fork cover.
according to a site i looked on, it has a 3.9 gallon tank.