Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Harley-Davidson first introduced the Sportster back in 1957 as an American alternative to the British twins coming from the likes of Triumph, BSA, and Norton. Upon its debut, the bike proved an immediate success — between the sleek styling and the powerful 54 cubic-inch ironhead engine, motorcyclists couldn’t get enough of it.
Over the years, these such traits also made the Sportster a popular platform for customization. From bobbers and choppers to desert sleds, dirt trackers, and even race bikes, the XL has proven its mettle in all manner of motorcycle niches.
In spite of its lengthy production life, however, Harley-Davidson has been slow to implement change. Prior to 1973, all Sportsters were kick-start only, and, up until 1975, they actually featured a right-hand shift just like their counterparts across the pond.
Even still, as Ultimate Motorcycling puts it: “the Sportster retains a kind of mystique it has carried since the first one hit the highway back in 1957. Maybe it’s the wasp-like profile the longitudinally-mounted V-twin enables when paired with the tapered, smallish tank. It is narrow, and despite the ham-can air cleaner cover that came into use in 1959 that juts out from the right side of the engine, it has a lithe, athletic look and feel.”
This example is VIN: 1HD4CEM35LY126241. The seller acquired the bike two years ago from a private party in the San Fernando Valley. He reports that the previous owner “owned a paint and bodywork shop and was the guy that did the restoration and conversion to the XR750 tribute bikes.”
During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 500 miles. The odometer shows 1,041 miles; however, true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
The seller reports that he has changed the oil and oil filter, upgraded the fuel petcock and fuel filter, and cleaned the air filter. Additionally, he has torque-checked the bolts and performed general maintenance of chain lube.
Modifications:
1200cc big piston kit with high compression heads, Adams cam shaft.
Supertrapp exhaust.
FRX wheels, front brake delete.
Custom paint and bodywork.
K&N air filter.
Two-inch tank lift.
Renthal handlebars.
TC Bros mid controls.
Pingel petcock, aftermarket fuel filter.
Aftermarket speedometer.
Aftermarket chain.
LED lights.
Aftermarket shocks.
Battery tender lead.
Aftermarket grips, bar-ends.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Shinko SR268 tires with date codes of 4216 and 1617.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Per the seller, the “previous owner had a low speed incident and there is some scrapes to the rear break pedal and lower header tube that I painted up.”
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Harley-Davidson is offered on a clean California title with registration current through April 2024.
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