Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
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OH, them damn Sportsters!!!!!

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Old Jul 15, 2025 | 08:57 PM
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Default OH, them damn Sportsters!!!!!

2 months ago I was so excited to find a reproduction 150 mph speedometer for my 1977 XLH1000. Had to do a new speedometer Test Ride. All back roads and took xpressway back home. Did my 3-4 shift at 100. The old 85 speedo always left me wondering. Well, 30+ 10:1 pistons, massaged heads/intake, Super E with Yost Power tube, Dyna S, Andrews coil and R5 cams. Well I finally rode like the 75 year old that I am on my last fill up. Gassed up this morning, went to reset the trip meter . . . . and the reset **** was gone. Gotta figure out how to make a new one. BUT I am getting 48 mpg!!! Wife was sweeping out the garage and greeted me. HONEY, WE HAVE A PROBLEM. Her 04 1200 Custom had a small oil drip, in January. I put a hose clamp on the tank drain plug and it stopped the drip. Well, it got worse. Today, the little cardboard I covered the oil stain with was saturated with motor oil. Closer inspection revealed a cracked oil tank drain hose. Had to use a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to get the damn crimp on OEM hose clamp off. Before I ride over to HD, I look up part number, which as my luck would have it, is NA. Called dealer with part number. He was nice enough to let me know it's obsolete and none in the surrounding area. So, yer sh%t outta luck. Weird oil drain hose is a 1/2" barb outta tank and reduces to 3/8". I''m making my own with 3/8" oil line hose connecting to a short piece of 1/2" id heater hone. Got the adhesive setting up overnight for tomorrow's assembly.
 

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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 06:43 AM
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So do you think the reset **** was faulty or did that Ironhead do its thing and shake it loose?
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 07:01 AM
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When I want to know actual speed I just use my phone speedo app. But yeh, hate those 85MPH speedo's.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 08:01 AM
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"Weird oil drain hose is a 1/2" barb outta tank and reduces to 3/8". I''m making my own with 3/8" oil line hose connecting to a short piece of 1/2" id heater hone. Got the adhesive setting up overnight for tomorrow's assembly."

I always thought that was a dumb idea. My 1991 just has a single piece of 1/2" hose, not some composite part that is now NA, although the stock one seems to be molded into an "L" shape. Please post up a picture of your solution. A guy over on XLF recently replaced his hoses on his 1995 and I think it had the same 1/2" to 3/8" drainhose assembly. I forget what kind of reducer, or T, that he used.

John
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 11:30 AM
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Bubba, my 77 vibrates a little more than my Wife's 04 rubber mount 1200C. Thanks to technology like vibration dampening Foot Pegs, Poly Riser Bushings and Hand Grips. Periodic maintenance like checking the motor mount bolts etc.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TexasScooterTrash
Bubba, my 77 vibrates a little more than my Wife's 04 rubber mount 1200C. Thanks to technology like vibration dampening Foot Pegs, Poly Riser Bushings and Hand Grips. Periodic maintenance like checking the motor mount bolts etc.
I have an 07 1200C and I get more vibration through the bars and pegs than I imagined I would have. My old 79 Ironhead was a whole other story though. It would shake the fillings out of your teeth.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 04:10 PM
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Mine too: '79 Ironhead with stroker kit. Now that was a visceral experience! Midrange torque very satisfying! Forget about the vibration.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 05:09 PM
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YEP, the Stroker motor. That's why I didn't stroke my 77.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 05:28 PM
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Got the old speedo back on the 77. The 04 with that damn 1/2" tank hose barb is back together and holding oil in the tank vs dripping ion the garage floor. My DYI 1/2" to 3/8" hose worked. I tried Mr Harper idea using a 1/2" drain hose but it was too fat and difficult to get it to work for me.
Over the years I learned with a Sportster, it's a Love/Hate relationship. Guess I'm back on the Love side!
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 05:51 PM
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Did you take a picture of your DIY hose? My bike just has a separate hose for drain only, yours might be combined with the feed hose?

John
 
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