7 Most Popular Sportster Modifications
Modifying your Harley to fit your taste is part of the fun, and the Sportster is one of the most fun Harley-Davidson bikes to customize and improve. Here are five modifications to make your Sportster even more of a joy to ride.
1. Exhaust
There are as many different style of Sportster as there are beers, and there is an aftermarket exhaust system to fit each one. Are you building a street tracker or scrambler with twin high pipes? Do you want to make it more of a cafe racer with a two-into-one system? Are you looking for a flashy chromed system to bling out your bike? Or do you just want to make more power and noise, and that is more important than looks? This over/under system from Rinehart Racing is free flowing, and looks great, to fit nearly any style and make more power.
2. Air Filter
An engine that breathes better performs better. Replace your regular air intake, which is designed to be quiet more than to breath well, with an open style one like this Roland Sands Design and your motor can make more power. The reusable filter element is less restrictive, an reusable to save you money in the future. You just clean them, but never need to replace them. For many Sportster riders, an intake, and exhaust, and a performance Stage I tune on the stock computer are mods that happen before the first oil change.
3. Suspension
The stock rear shocks on most Sportsters do little more than hold the back end up, and offer barely any damping; this is a budget bike and this is one of the places Harley cuts corners. Aftermarket suspensions are great modifications, because you can make your motorcycle ride exactly how you want it to, with spring rates tailored to your weight and style. The piggyback Progressive shocks on this bike are longer for better ground clearance, and are adjustable for damping. If you are more about style than handling, you can bolt up shorter shocks for a lower raked out look. Replacing the front fork springs for a ride suited to you is easy too. If you want ultimate handling, there are upgrade kits for better handling too.
4. Fender Eliminator
Most Sportster owners don't like the thick, bulky look of the stock fenders. The Sportster is a fairly minimal bike, but most do have full fenders, which are easy to remove or abbreviate. Changing the fender will require you to move the license plate and the lights in the back on most Sportsters, but once you successfully mount everything back on, you'll have a nice, simpler look and less weight.
5. Handlebars
Considering that it is an 883cc or 1200cc motor, the Sportster is a physically small bike, which is why many dismiss it as a "chick bike". But, there is no arguing with the fact that the Sporty is probably the best handling of the bunch, and the most fun on a twisting road. One of the easiest ways to make the bike fir the rider is with a set of handlebars with more or less rise or pull back. If you find your arms and back are not happy after a short ride, a new set of bars may be in order.
6. Custom Seat
Another area where the motor company cuts corners, and you can easily improve is the Sportster seat. This is also a great way to make the bike fit you better. Weather you want a minimal bobber seat, or a solo saddle with more padding for longer trips, or a flat track style tail section, the aftermarket makes one. Changing the seat is also one of the simplest things to do; it literally take just minutes.
7. Big Bore Kit
If you are shopping for a Sportster used, there is not much difference in price between an 883cc or a 1200cc, so why buy the smaller one? If you do get a great deal on a clean used 883 Sportster, or buy one brand new, eventually you will probably want to upgrade to the big jugs, like on this example. One point in favor of upgrading an 883 instead of buying a 1200, is that you can add compression at the same time, and even cams, for more power than a stock 1200.
For help with mods to your Sportster or other Harley, the how to section of HDForums.com is a wealth of knowledge.
