New Member
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: NC
New Member
Hello everyone,
I purchased a super clean 1995 sportster ~8 months ago, and this is the first motorcycle I have owned. I passed the license test first try and I have already experienced white-knuckle-pucker car/truck idiocy first hand. I know have a healthy appreciation for safety, but I am still in love with riding.
I'm currently feeding my tinkering appetite by cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies, buying small parts to make the bike more comfortable for my height, desperately fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies.
The motorcycle was previously owner by a short woman in Arizona and I have already removed:
-short reach seat
-short reach handlebar
-clutch assist motor
-frilly leather things
I am riding the mid-controls and I enjoy the control they give me while learning to ride, however, I am looking to move into a forward control setup. Anyone have a recommendation? Also, when a forward control set is described as 'extended' does this imply that it reaches your foot beyond the normal forward control point in any other direction than forward? (i.e does it lower and extend)
Additionally, I'm super hesitant to dump money on this bike as I may upgrade to a larger bike, but I am itching for more power than the 883 gives me and I'm tempted to do a 1200 conversion. thoughts?
I also need to post a picture of an intake setup that I frankensteined up to see if it appeases the Harley gods. I don't want to be the 'Fred' of motorcycling as a noob.
FYI - in the bicycling industry, a 'Fred' is someone who, among other dumb things, gets all kitted out like a Tour-de-France rider and rides 2 miles to the coffee shop on perfect, sunny and warm Sunday mornings.....
I purchased a super clean 1995 sportster ~8 months ago, and this is the first motorcycle I have owned. I passed the license test first try and I have already experienced white-knuckle-pucker car/truck idiocy first hand. I know have a healthy appreciation for safety, but I am still in love with riding.
I'm currently feeding my tinkering appetite by cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies, buying small parts to make the bike more comfortable for my height, desperately fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies.
The motorcycle was previously owner by a short woman in Arizona and I have already removed:
-short reach seat
-short reach handlebar
-clutch assist motor
-frilly leather things
I am riding the mid-controls and I enjoy the control they give me while learning to ride, however, I am looking to move into a forward control setup. Anyone have a recommendation? Also, when a forward control set is described as 'extended' does this imply that it reaches your foot beyond the normal forward control point in any other direction than forward? (i.e does it lower and extend)
Additionally, I'm super hesitant to dump money on this bike as I may upgrade to a larger bike, but I am itching for more power than the 883 gives me and I'm tempted to do a 1200 conversion. thoughts?
I also need to post a picture of an intake setup that I frankensteined up to see if it appeases the Harley gods. I don't want to be the 'Fred' of motorcycling as a noob.
FYI - in the bicycling industry, a 'Fred' is someone who, among other dumb things, gets all kitted out like a Tour-de-France rider and rides 2 miles to the coffee shop on perfect, sunny and warm Sunday mornings.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Hello everyone,
I purchased a super clean 1995 sportster ~8 months ago, and this is the first motorcycle I have owned. I passed the license test first try and I have already experienced white-knuckle-pucker car/truck idiocy first hand. I know have a healthy appreciation for safety, but I am still in love with riding.
I'm currently feeding my tinkering appetite by cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies, buying small parts to make the bike more comfortable for my height, desperately fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies.
The motorcycle was previously owner by a short woman in Arizona and I have already removed:
-short reach seat
-short reach handlebar
-clutch assist motor
-frilly leather things
I am riding the mid-controls and I enjoy the control they give me while learning to ride, however, I am looking to move into a forward control setup. Anyone have a recommendation? Also, when a forward control set is described as 'extended' does this imply that it reaches your foot beyond the normal forward control point in any other direction than forward? (i.e does it lower and extend)
Additionally, I'm super hesitant to dump money on this bike as I may upgrade to a larger bike, but I am itching for more power than the 883 gives me and I'm tempted to do a 1200 conversion. thoughts?
I also need to post a picture of an intake setup that I frankensteined up to see if it appeases the Harley gods. I don't want to be the 'Fred' of motorcycling as a noob.
FYI - in the bicycling industry, a 'Fred' is someone who, among other dumb things, gets all kitted out like a Tour-de-France rider and rides 2 miles to the coffee shop on perfect, sunny and warm Sunday mornings.....
I purchased a super clean 1995 sportster ~8 months ago, and this is the first motorcycle I have owned. I passed the license test first try and I have already experienced white-knuckle-pucker car/truck idiocy first hand. I know have a healthy appreciation for safety, but I am still in love with riding.
I'm currently feeding my tinkering appetite by cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies, buying small parts to make the bike more comfortable for my height, desperately fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies.
The motorcycle was previously owner by a short woman in Arizona and I have already removed:
-short reach seat
-short reach handlebar
-clutch assist motor
-frilly leather things
I am riding the mid-controls and I enjoy the control they give me while learning to ride, however, I am looking to move into a forward control setup. Anyone have a recommendation? Also, when a forward control set is described as 'extended' does this imply that it reaches your foot beyond the normal forward control point in any other direction than forward? (i.e does it lower and extend)
Additionally, I'm super hesitant to dump money on this bike as I may upgrade to a larger bike, but I am itching for more power than the 883 gives me and I'm tempted to do a 1200 conversion. thoughts?
I also need to post a picture of an intake setup that I frankensteined up to see if it appeases the Harley gods. I don't want to be the 'Fred' of motorcycling as a noob.
FYI - in the bicycling industry, a 'Fred' is someone who, among other dumb things, gets all kitted out like a Tour-de-France rider and rides 2 miles to the coffee shop on perfect, sunny and warm Sunday mornings.....
Hahaha! We call those "Posers" or "RUBS."
If the possibility of trading up is real, hold off the 1200 kit and just go with a bigger bike. You won't get your money back.
Extended forwards are farther out than regular forwards.
I don't understand why you would remove the frilly things though.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 359
Likes: 100
From: Florida
Hello everyone,
I purchased a super clean 1995 sportster ~8 months ago, and this is the first motorcycle I have owned. I passed the license test first try and I have already experienced white-knuckle-pucker car/truck idiocy first hand. I know have a healthy appreciation for safety, but I am still in love with riding.
I'm currently feeding my tinkering appetite by cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies, buying small parts to make the bike more comfortable for my height, desperately fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies.
The motorcycle was previously owner by a short woman in Arizona and I have already removed:
-short reach seat
-short reach handlebar
-clutch assist motor
-frilly leather things
I am riding the mid-controls and I enjoy the control they give me while learning to ride, however, I am looking to move into a forward control setup. Anyone have a recommendation? Also, when a forward control set is described as 'extended' does this imply that it reaches your foot beyond the normal forward control point in any other direction than forward? (i.e does it lower and extend)
Additionally, I'm super hesitant to dump money on this bike as I may upgrade to a larger bike, but I am itching for more power than the 883 gives me and I'm tempted to do a 1200 conversion. thoughts?
I also need to post a picture of an intake setup that I frankensteined up to see if it appeases the Harley gods. I don't want to be the 'Fred' of motorcycling as a noob.
FYI - in the bicycling industry, a 'Fred' is someone who, among other dumb things, gets all kitted out like a Tour-de-France rider and rides 2 miles to the coffee shop on perfect, sunny and warm Sunday mornings.....
I purchased a super clean 1995 sportster ~8 months ago, and this is the first motorcycle I have owned. I passed the license test first try and I have already experienced white-knuckle-pucker car/truck idiocy first hand. I know have a healthy appreciation for safety, but I am still in love with riding.
I'm currently feeding my tinkering appetite by cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies, buying small parts to make the bike more comfortable for my height, desperately fighting GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and cleaning and polishing the nooks/crannies.
The motorcycle was previously owner by a short woman in Arizona and I have already removed:
-short reach seat
-short reach handlebar
-clutch assist motor
-frilly leather things
I am riding the mid-controls and I enjoy the control they give me while learning to ride, however, I am looking to move into a forward control setup. Anyone have a recommendation? Also, when a forward control set is described as 'extended' does this imply that it reaches your foot beyond the normal forward control point in any other direction than forward? (i.e does it lower and extend)
Additionally, I'm super hesitant to dump money on this bike as I may upgrade to a larger bike, but I am itching for more power than the 883 gives me and I'm tempted to do a 1200 conversion. thoughts?
I also need to post a picture of an intake setup that I frankensteined up to see if it appeases the Harley gods. I don't want to be the 'Fred' of motorcycling as a noob.
FYI - in the bicycling industry, a 'Fred' is someone who, among other dumb things, gets all kitted out like a Tour-de-France rider and rides 2 miles to the coffee shop on perfect, sunny and warm Sunday mornings.....
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 311
Likes: 52
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Welcome from Va. How many miles on the bike ? I have a '98 that had 3,500 miles on it when I got it. I figured it was a keeper and did the Hammer 1250 conversion. I'm happy now - or I will be when I get my new fairing. ;^)
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: NC
Wow, didn't expect this much support so soon. Thanks or making me welcome!
I bought her with 22,000 miles and I would certainly like to trade up versus dumping money into a 1200 conversion. Things that come to mind are comfort and handling. I purchased a lower seat and 10'' mini apes to stretch out over the buckhorn bars, but I am now more noticeable scrunched. I think I'll try the forward controls first and see how that helps with comfort before deciding to get a bigger bike or upgrade motor.
On another note, I've also heard that no other harley is as much fun as a sportster; I probably need to go rent a larger harley for a day and see how that treats me.
I bought her with 22,000 miles and I would certainly like to trade up versus dumping money into a 1200 conversion. Things that come to mind are comfort and handling. I purchased a lower seat and 10'' mini apes to stretch out over the buckhorn bars, but I am now more noticeable scrunched. I think I'll try the forward controls first and see how that helps with comfort before deciding to get a bigger bike or upgrade motor.
On another note, I've also heard that no other harley is as much fun as a sportster; I probably need to go rent a larger harley for a day and see how that treats me.
Last edited by Sanfordman; Mar 15, 2017 at 11:59 AM. Reason: spelling
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 758
Likes: 119
From: Central Florida
Welcome!
Considering you're in the Sportster section, we're likely biased and will agree the Sporty is the best Harley. I think HD agrees too since it's the one they've been making the longest.
6'3" here - my forward controls are nice. Feels like less control though.
Considering you're in the Sportster section, we're likely biased and will agree the Sporty is the best Harley. I think HD agrees too since it's the one they've been making the longest.
6'3" here - my forward controls are nice. Feels like less control though.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 691
Likes: 143
From: N.W. Arkansas
>>>>OPINION
The Sportster is the 'upgrade'
You can make the motor bigger and say upgrade, though.
OPINION <<<<
The Sportster is the 'upgrade'
You can make the motor bigger and say upgrade, though.
OPINION <<<<
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 299
From: SC
Welcome aboard Sandfordman from SC.
Don't dump $$ into it. You will probably want to buy another one soon.
Ride it like you stole it (safely) and form opinions as you go.
You'll develop enough ideas of your own and you'll find plenty of other good ideas on here as well.
Get a service manual, bang your knuckles, get dirty and learn a bunch. THEN buy the one you want.
Don't dump $$ into it. You will probably want to buy another one soon.
Ride it like you stole it (safely) and form opinions as you go.
You'll develop enough ideas of your own and you'll find plenty of other good ideas on here as well.
Get a service manual, bang your knuckles, get dirty and learn a bunch. THEN buy the one you want.