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1982-83 XL's had a high output Hitachi generator as well as a modern frame that handled the best of all of the Ironheads. The "Q" cams were nothing to write home about but a set of "P" cams will wake it up.
I owned a 82ish xl883 "hugger" and now own a 2017 Iron 883. I'm also 35 yrs older. I'd have to say if you enjoy riding, the FI and rubber mounted engine bikes of today are far superior in ride quality to the older bikes.
On my old Sporty, with my young eyes, if I tried to ride at 65mph, my eyeballs would vibrate so much that I could barely focus. On my new Sporty, at age 67, it's a pretty smooth ride at 65mph.
I had a 79 Roadster, it was a pretty good bike, but did have some wiring problems.
Once I got them sorted out, the bike was great.
Wish I never sold it.
This pic of from the web, I never even took a pic of mine, dumbass!
Mine had the factory drag bars, and that crazy exhaust too.
I still have this December 1968 issue of Cycle magazine. My young lust for Harley Davidsons began with this Sportster road test. Bonnevilles and Sportsters were the fastest bikes on the road back then. I read it so many times, the magazine is dog eared and the cover is falling off.
Last edited by upflying; Jun 11, 2017 at 04:41 PM.
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